Our Veterans > World War II > Clayton Ambery
Clayton Ambery
(4TH Dorset Regiment 1942-1945)
Born in Windsor on December 10, 1920, Clayton was the youngest of four children in his family, and his three older siblings were all war Veterans as well.
Much like fellow local Veteran Hugh Thompson, Clayton Ambery also served in the British army as a 'Can-loan' Officer. Unfortunately, he was captured by the Germans in a small village in France called Maltot. After being transferred from station to station, he was finally kept as a prisoner in Brunswick, 125 miles from Berlin. He was liberated on the eventful day of April 12, 1945 when the US president, Roosevelt died. Clayton never returned to military service, and after coming back from Europe, to Canada, in August of 1945, he was discharged.
The following is an excerpt from Clayton's wartime log:
After enduring two hours of solid artillery bombardment from our own guns, we were finally rewarded with a slight lull. I had planned on getting the men back to safety as soon as our guns lifted by sending them off in small groups.
Unfortunately, almost before we had realized our guns had slackened, we saw two groups of about fifteen men each coming along the hedgerows on each side. Long before this when 1 platoon and 2 platoon has disappeared, I realized ours was a lost cause. Gerry has us nicely in his trap. The two Tiger tanks in our rear made a dash for freedom impossible.
The two groups of Gerry coming on us had wonderful natural cover in the ditches. The group on our left prepared to rush up with bayonets fixed while the one on the right kept us covered. It took little deliberation then, to decide to put up our hands.
We were immediately rushed to their Battalion H.Q where a considerable number of prisoners had been collected….. A few of our men were dispatched to help bring in the wounded. All wounded were given first aid. My runner, Kent had a serious head wound but managed to keep on his feet.
A preliminary search was carried out in which we lost our knives, excess cigarettes, field dressings, emergency rations and ammunition, compasses, binoculars etc.
Our shells were coming over intermittently and Gerry was anxious to get us on our way. We were hurriedly formed in a column and began marching.
I vaguely recall my own feelings as being completely exhausted both physically and mentally. Everyone else was in the same condition and I doubt very much if there opportunity for escape had presented itself whether there was anyone who could avail themselves of it.
Soon, Kent supported by two of his comrades lost consciousness. One of the guards procured a broken down carriage from a nearby farmhouse. We placed him in it with legs dangling out the sides and proceeded on our weary way….