Centenarian Sheffield war hero shares his memories of the Normandy Landings
A true Sheffield hero and centenarian has shared his memories of what it was like to be involved with the Normandy Landings on June 6, 1944, during World War Two.
Cyril Elliott was born in Sheffield, on May 31, 1920, a son to William and Lilly and one of six brothers; and grew up in the family home on Longfield Road, Crookes.
By the time Cyril reached 20, he had already been employed in many roles including Cutlery Case Maker for GT Spurr and Spectacle Frame Maker for Lenton and Rushby.
The war had been raging for three years before Cyril was called up in 1942, at the age of 22.
After initial training in Gosforth in Newcastle, Cyril trained with the Northumberland Fusiliers.
And after completing his training, Cyril was asked which area of the army he would like to join.
“I didn’t fancy doing all that walking and marching about. So when I was given the choice I chose to be a driver,” said Cyril who subsequently joined The Royal Army Service Corps ‘RASC.’
After making this decision, Cyril found himself back in Sheffield where he was posted back to Endcliffe Hall to learn how to drive.
Cyril said he “spent my time driving round the Peak District learning how to drive.”
After passing his test he was attached to a company in Bradford to learn about emergency bridge building, and once he completed his training he was sent to Westgate-on-Sea.
From there, he went on to Tilbury Docks, London and was loaded onto a American Liberty ship for his onward journey to take part in the Normandy Landings.
This was Cyril's first time on a ship and at sea. What a time to experience both.
He said: “My first night on board I was put on watch.looking out mines or any other dangers. I was frightened to death.
“What a sight seeing all those ships going down The Channel heading for the beaches“
Cyril vividly remembers the Dakotas and Halifax flying above, towing large gliders high and carrying airborne troops as they crossed the Channel.
He said: “We then had to wait off the coast of Normandy beaches while the Navy bombarded the German battlements.
“When it was time to land on the Normandy shores the landing craft couldn’t get close enough to land safely.
“All the vital vehicle parts on vehicles were waterproofed to protect them from sea water.”
Because they were not quite close enough, they had to plough through the sea the last few metres to get on shore.
Cyril describes how the man in charge shouted: “For Christ’s sake keep your foot on the accelerator pedal, I can’t get closer to the beach.”
When they got on to land all the protective equipment had to be removed because it would overheat the engines.
And eventually they started to advance into France.
Cyril recalls: “There were loads of soldiers lying dead on the beach.”
Eventually they got to a place called Vernon on the river Seine. Members of the French Resistance were there rounding up all the female Nazi collaborators and shaving their hair.
"Their hands were tied behind their backs, and they were screaming and crying.”
Once on land, Cyril’s job was transporting Bailey and Pontoon bridges which were portable bridges used to replace bridges damaged or destroyed bridges by the German Forces in retreat.
This brought Cyril close to the fighting and he had several lucky escapes as they continued their advance to Brussels.
They then moved onto Hasselt, close to the Ardennes, where they came into contact with a German Panzer division, so had to fall back and go through Nijmegen.
This was part of the area, the epic war film ‘A Bridge Too Far’ was based on.
As the war neared its end, Cryil ended up driving through Germany to Hamburg, and while in Hamburg he was tasked with driving back to Paris to collect some personnel from Paris.
While he was on his way he passed through the French city of Lille.
There were what seemed to be celebrations going on, with people dancing and singing in the street.
When Cyril drew closer he could hear the people shouting, “le Borsh finir, le Borsh finir” which means the Germans are finished.
This is how Cyril found out the war had finished. “I pulled up and had a few drinks with them. I never got to Paris”
He ended up driving around Germany with a lorry with no windscreen through the middle of winter.
Cyril had to wrap up the best he could . Wearing three coats, balaclavas and blankets wrapped around his legs.
He contracted pneumonia and had to stay in a German hospital in Hanover to recover.”He still suffers with his lungs now” his son John said.
Cyril was kept on the continent after the war and was transferred to The Tank Transporter Division.
He returned to the UK and left the Army in 1947, and sadly missed Victory in Europe ‘VE’
After being demobbed in York, Cyril went back to an old job at Cooper and Turner for a while, before becoming a postman – a role he held for 31 years up until his retirement.
In 2016, Cyril was among eight Sheffield veterans who were awarded the Legion d’honneur, the highest French military award, at Sheffield Town Hall by the French Honorary Counsel Jean Claude Fontaine.
Mr Fontaine said: “We are all free today because you made the ultimate sacrifice. Today were all free because of you.Thank you very much”
Cyril has been a widow since 1979 when he lost his wife Lillian.
Today, Cyril still lives in Sheffield with his only son John and he remains an active and well-liked member of the Group of Normandy Veterans who still met regularly in Sheffield, up until Covid restrictions came into force.
He is very supportive of the group andtakes great pride in attending any ceremonies in the city.
Cyril also takes great pride in wearing his beret, and medals on his blazer, and despite his age, he still proudly parades with the rest of the veterans.
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