Veteran Star Medal: Alfred Gregory Wyles – WWII British Army Service [1940-1946]! (4.11.2023)

Although he joined the Royal Warwickshire Regiment – famous for its ‘Last Stand’ at Dunkirk – due to his ‘sharp-shooting’ ability he was soon transferred to the 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion (the ‘Light Bobs’) of the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (Territorial Army) where he was placed in an Anti-Tank Platoon. During D-Day, the ‘Light Bobs’ landed in the first-waves of Allied troops that hit ‘Sword Beach’. His Unit was tasked with fighting their way in-land ten-miles to Caen – where it was to relieve D Company of the Ox & Bucks Ligyt Infantry (Professional) – which had landed as ‘Glider Troops’ around midnight of June 6th, 1944. Due to these required military objectives – my grandfather trained with the Glider Troops around the Exeter Canal System – which resembled the canal system around Caen. Indeed, this association has sometimes ‘confused’ exactly what function my grandfather fulfilled due to him possessing a ‘Winged Pegasus’ badge!

1986: Video of Me Attending a Shukokai ‘Karate-Do’ Course! (7.9.2023)

Hereford is the place where the (professional) 22nd Special Air Service (SAS) has its military base and airfield. Many men in this area either have been in the British Army – or are members of the ‘V’ (‘Volunteer’) Squadron of the SAS. This is a ‘Territorial Army’ (TA) Unit in the 22nd SAS that allows local men to try ‘Selection’ and if successful – join this highly elite group of men. Believe or not – there are individuals out there who are not in the British Army (and have never been in the military) and yet are physically and psychologically tough enough to meet this challenge!