Vic was second eldest of 12 children and grew up in the village, enjoying go karting down Church Hill with home karts. He and Edward Porter were neighbours and best friends. Together they built an aeroplane, though the propeller broke off before they could take off. He managed to avoid being caught by the local bobby, having taken up driving underage, using a car provided by the local vicar.
After the war he helped set up Bealings United Football Club, the team playing in shirts made from red parachute material. He worked as an HGV driver for Boggis, a local carrier, using skills learnt in wartime. He also enjoyed bowls and country and western music.
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Bealings Patrol | Patrol member | Unknown | Unknown |
Driver
He was recruited to Auxiliary Units by his father, the Patrol Leader. Previously he had been a Home Guard messenger. He went for training at Coleshill House.
He left to join the Army. Possibly this was in March 1943, as there is a note recorded in the nominal roll against his father's name about being discharged at this time, though his father remained Patrol Leader until Stand Down. Vic served in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and drove tank transports, delivering some of the tanks used on D Day.