The Bible that saved my Father’s life during World War II
We had a Mission Area Service at Trimley Methodist Church on 10th November 2019 to commemorate Remembrance Sunday. Rev Diane asked us to bring any photos along so she could mention names. I was asked to write in about my father.
My father Maurice Besley was aged 24, he was part of the 7th BN PARACHUTE. REGT. On June 6th 1944 he parachuted in at 00:55 in the morning and landed in a corn field (ahead of the D Day landings). He hid behind a hedge while a company of Germans marched past (later he found out that the comrades that parachuted before and after him where both killed). They captured the bridge over the River Orne and Ranville was the first village in France liberated. They moved up the line through woods and captured more German soldiers. On July 9th they were moving up the line when on the 10th he was severely wounded, but would have died had it not been for the Bible in his breast pocket that took the force of the bullet, the burn marks are there to remind us of God’s presence.
He was operated in France the same night and then came back to England on a landing craft. Spent two nights in a hospital in Surrey then up to Scotland by train to Bangour Hospital. He was placed on the dangerously ill list. However, my mother was the nurse that took care of him. They fell in love, had a very happy marriage of 19 years until he died at the young age of 44.
In his bible was this cutting.
“Remember This ….
God be with you in the battle. Bring you safely through the fight. Though I’m far away from you, my thoughts are with you day and night…Dearest one. Remember this when darkness falls and doubts assail. Think of all our hopes and dreams if faith should flag or courage fail.
When your lucky star seems fading, and a lonely path you tread-think of all the happiness that waits around the bend ahead…Keep it always in your mind, that there is one who prays for you. One whose heart is ever faithful and whose love is deep and true.”
The details were taken from a diary he had with him