A FORMER Royal Marine Commando has spoken of his near death experience as he defended our country during the Second World War.
Bernie Lynham, 89, who lives with wife Kath in Great Linford, spoke to the Citizen after proudly marching in the parade during Newport Pagnell’s Remembrance Service on Sunday.
Bernie, a Commando with the Royal Marines for five years, was one of five men who were badly injured after being trapped in a German minefield during the D-Day Normandy landings.
They were all taken to different hospitals as their unit, 46 Royal Marine Commando, moved up with the Allied advance.
He said: “We were in France and had only been there a few days when one of our lads was blown up by a mine.
“As we were moving forward with a stretcher one then blew up my mate. We had to get them out of there though so we kept moving. I was bending down to pick up the stretcher at the time and, if I had been standing up, it would have taken my head off. I’m very lucky to be here.”
Bernie has not failed to miss a Remembrance Service in Newport Pagnell and continues to march in honour of those he served alongside, some of whom he still stays in touch with.
Speaking on Sunday he said: “It was nice to be involved today. I haven’t missed one since it started. I still keep in touch with some of the lads as they were a wonderful crowd, it’s nice to keep in touch.”
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