In his book ‘Wickford’s Heroes’, Steve Newman writes: “In the Second World War, whether air crew flying missions over enemy territory, soldiers retreating to Dunkirk, or fighting their way across Europe, from the jungles of the Far East and the unimaginable Japanese labour camps and hell ships, to the freezing seas of the North Atlantic and North Sea, or indeed on the home front, all were served by and indeed claimed the lives of men and women from Wickford and Runwell.”
Today we have gathered to remember the many soldiers, sailors, airmen, and civilians who gave their lives restraining evil and opposing tyranny, whether from our local area or further afield, in order that we can know peace and commemorate this significant anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.
In doing so, it is helpful to know something of the lives of those we remember today. Albert Chable and his younger brother Ernest are among those named on our War Memorial and were sons of Joseph and Sarah Chable, who lived on the Nevendon Road. Albert was a Sergeant in 1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps and was first injured and then killed in fighting in Italy, having been earlier involved in the North African campaign. Ernest was a Lance Bombadier in 7th Battery 5th Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery, and was killed in action in the Japanese attack on Hong Kong, a battle that started less than eight hours after the infamous strike on Pearl Harbour that brought America into the war. Both died when the eventual outcome of World War II was still in the balance but it was their sacrifice and that of so many more like them that would eventually lead to the War’s end. Albert’s grave is in the Cesena War Cemetery in Italy. His grieving parents chose to add a personal inscription to the headstone which read ‘The things which are seen are temporal but the things that are not seen are eternal’. Their belief was that their sons were safe in the everlasting arms of God.
The faith of those like John and Sarah Chable as they mourned the loss of their sons, sustained and inspired many involved in action, whether on the home front or the front lines. In 1944, Major John Pott led his battalion to support the defence of Arnhem Bridge during a fierce battle against German forces. Despite facing heavy enemy fire, Major Pott’s unwavering faith and courage led him to pray over wounded soldiers and show remarkable forgiveness even as a prisoner of war.
On Sunday, 17 September 1944, Major Pott’s Parachute Regiment battalion was airdropped into the Netherlands to support the defence of Arnhem Bridge. As the men of the battalion parachuted from Dakota planes, they faced enemy fire from German snipers.
The drop zone was at Ginkel Heath and the route to Arnhem Bridge led through a forest. As they moved through the woods, they encountered heavy enemy fire and several men were wounded and unable to continue. Major Pott, unable to carry the wounded with him, hid them under bushes for protection. Then, with bullets flying and explosions nearby, he stood and prayed over them.
Sergeant George Sheldrake, one of the men who witnessed this moment, recalled, “I was with another two lads. We were all in a bad way. Major Pott said he couldn’t take us with him, but he put us carefully under some bushes. He said the battalion might make a fresh attack and we could be rescued, or we would be picked up by the Germans.
“Before he moved off, he stood there and prayed over us for a couple of minutes, although there was mortar and machine-gun fire. A couple of minutes is a long time to stand in those conditions. It is something I shall never forget.”
With disregard for his own safety, Major Pott stood over the wounded men and spoke to them before leaving: "I am sorry that I have only led the Company to death and pain; but remember there is another Commander who is 'The Way, the Truth, and the Life,' and I am committing you into His hands as I leave you now. Lord Jesus, watch over them, please."
Despite the conditions, the men survived. Major Pott continued on and was shot and severely injured in the battle for Lichtenbeek Hill, with his right hand and femur shattered. When the Germans came to collect the wounded, Major Pott, unable to walk, was left behind to die. He lay in the forest for 18 to 20 hours, struggling with his wounds and writing a letter to his wife. But in a miraculous turn of events, Dutch teenagers found him and fetched their relatives with a stretcher who then carried him to safety, hiding him in a shed until a doctor could be found to treat him.
However, he was eventually discovered by the Germans and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp. While receiving treatment, he managed to escape, attempting to swim across a river despite having a plaster cast on his leg. Unfortunately, he was recaptured by the Gestapo and returned to the prison camp, where he remained for the rest of the war.
Major Pott’s son David later recalled how his father took the Bible’s command to “love your enemies” literally. “My father’s love towards Germans was maybe one of the most remarkable things,” he said. “How does a Christian soldier obey the command to ‘Love your enemies’? I think he got somewhere with that. It was amazing how he made lifelong friends with SS officer Werner Elfering and his wife in the hospital in Gronau. They became friends playing chess together!”
Even in the darkest moments of battle, Major John Pott’s faith was visible to all around him. Even as a prisoner of war, he continued to practise forgiveness and friendship, extending kindness even to his enemies.
As we come together today conscious of our need for God’s forgiveness for the sin and the desire to dominate others that leads to conflict between people, and war between nations, in our own day and time, it is the examples of those like Major Potts and the Chables that we need to remember and replicate if we are to have hope for the future and peace in our time. Amen.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
