SAS Operation Galia Veteran - Sergeant Trevor Harrold’s Story
(c) rob hann
Author’s note – This blog has been posted on armistice weekend 2017 as a tribute to the men of SAS Galia and to Trevor Harrold (now 96), an incredibly brave man. I had the great honour to meet ex-SAS Pct Sgt Trevor Harrold at his home in Essex recently after contact was made by Trevor’s son John. Surrounded by his SAS wartime memorabilia photographs and notes (including his still colourful silk escape map) we spent a fascinating afternoon hearing about Trevor’s SAS wartime service and, particularly, his role on SAS Operation Galia. Here is his story….
I was in the army reserve when the war started and volunteered with the local 409th Territorial Army Group who, at the outbreak of war were operating as an Anti-Aircraft (Ack Ack) Unit. In August 1939 that unit was called up for regular service. We were a mobile battery which travelled around the UK and were used to protect towns and cities which were coming under attack by the Luftwaffe. I reached the rank of Bombardier and then transferred to the Air Landing Brigade (Airborne Artillery). This group was part of the 11th City of London Yeomanry, also known as the Rough Riders. This posting involved training in gliders. By 1943 I was with the Rough Riders in North Africa, Italy and Sicily. This mobile unit was responsible for maintaining Ack Ack cover to Allied airfields across those regions.
It was in the UK in late 1943 when I saw a notice go up in the canteen asking for volunteers to join the Special Air Service (SAS). It promised an extra shilling a week, which was a bonus worth having in those days. In order to be accepted into the SAS we first had to complete and pass parachute training, which was held in Chesterfield.
That was quite intensive and included jumping from barrage balloons and completing 8 jumps from Whitley bombers. Having passed that our basic training took place extensively in Scotland (Troon, Prestwick) where we had to learn to live off the land, foraging for berries, roots and other food to sustain ourselves. We had to do a lot of PT and other fitness tests. Failure to complete the course would have meant being RTU’d (returned to unit).
After basic training I finally got my parachute wings on 14 April 1944 and joined the SAS on 26 May 1944, reverting to the rank of Private.