My dad, William "Bill" Low, was born in Scotland in 1921. He enlisted in the Royal Navy in early part of 1940 and was assigned immediately, after training, to HMS Roberts. He achieved the rank of Leading Seaman. I also believe that he was an Oerlikon gunner as he often talked about how good they were.
Just prior to his passing in 1996, he gave me a German Watch. I asked him where he got it. He said it was given to him by a Stuka Pilot. I asked him if he had shot him down. He didn't answer, he only smiled. I still have that watch today. I believe that he de-mobbed in September or October 1945.
He was extremely proud of serving aboard the HMS Roberts and he was proud of his fellow crewmates. He would always talk about Mombasa, Aden, Suez, Alexandria, Tobruk, Sicily, Anzio, Gibraltar, and of course Normandy.
As a child, he would read me books about World War II. I knew all about Douglas Bader, the Battle of Britain, Rommel and North Africa, the Graf Spee, the Bismarck and the Hood, The Tirpitz, HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales, Malta, Sicily and Anzio.
One time, I asked my father about why he let me know all this. His reply was: MOST PEOPLE KNOW SACRIFICE, FEW PEOPLE UNDERSTAND SACRIFICE. He made me the person I am today and for that I am eternally proud of him. |