Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 019, folder 01: George Charles Stunell

2

run over by our own tank I had better get just in front & around the corner. Just as I pulled level there was a burst of Spandeau fire & 1 bullet went through my ribs & liver & out the front of my stomach & exploded in a full tin of ciggarettes I had in my inside tunic pocket. I sat by a telephone on lamp post for 20 mins, no one took any notice, everyone was going straight around the corner. Eventually I was bent double & walk up the road as best I could to find some of my pals & first aid. Only the place where the bullet come out was hurting & it was'nt until I was told that that I knew it had gone right through me. First stop was in a church where there was 20 or more other wounded (where I mentioned the young French nurse). After 2 Hrs I was moved to a Large House with 5 more other Stomach cases. I was told we were waiting to be operated on. No one came near us for a couple of Hours or so. Gradually there was pools of blood under first one & then another & they passed on. Another chap said Cheerio to his wife & all his family with his last breath I can well remember. It wasnt long before I was the only one left alive out of six & still no one came to see [crossed out][illegiable][end crossed out} me until abut 8 oclock at night. I dont remember any more until early next morning I was carried out & saw about 20 or 30 of our lads that had died piled in a heap along the wall of the house. From there I was put on a Duch & taken to a LCT & returned to [crossed out]th[end crossed out] Gosport. & a blood transfusion.

That ends my 24 hrs Cheerio G. Stunell

[inserted] 14MAY1958 36 Elgan Road Sholing Soton 12/5/58

Dear Sir Ref your advert in the "News of the World" 11th inst.

What kind of information are you seeking?, I was there for a few hours & might be able to help you.

Yours Sincerely G. Stunell

[inserte]Extracts Wounded[end inserted] 14th May 1958

Dear Mr. Stunell, I am so glad you saw the notice about our D-Day assignment, and I am grateful to you for getting in touch with us so promptly. Our book is to be written by Mr. Cornelius Ryan, a former War Correspondent, and is to be a detailed hour-by-hour description of the first twentyfour hours of D-Day as seen through the eyes of the British, American and Canadian Forces, the inhabitants of Normandy, the Free French Resistance workers, the Germans who manned the Atlantic Wall and the civilians who waited in London, Baris, Berlin ...

We should be most grateful if you would kindly let us have some details of your own experience on that day. A questionnaire is enclosed for your use together with a stamped and addressed envelope. Mr. Ryan is at present in Paris, but he will be back in London shortly to interview men and woaaen of the British Forces aboat their D-Day experiences. I will get in touch with you again when I know more of his plans.

Yours sincerely,

(Joan Ogle Isaacs) Research Editor

J.Stunell, Esq., 36 Elgar Road, Sholing, Southampton.

Enc.

[inserted]5 JUN1958[end inserted]

36 Elgan Road Sholing Soton 2/6/58

Dear Sir Please find enclosed 3 more addresses that may be able to give you some information on "D Day".

J BELLOWS, 12 ROPLEY CLOSE, WESTON, SOTON

A RANDALL 51 WINNARD PARK, SARISBURY GREEN, SOTON

R SHEARS, 8 LONGSTOCK CLOSE WESTON, SOTON

Yours Sincerely J. Stunell,

9th June, 1958

J. Stunell, Esq., 36, Ongar Road, Sholing, Soton.

Dear Mr. Stunell, Thank you very much for sending ns names and addresses of men who were associated with you on the D-Day landings. I will get in touch with them immediately.

Very many thanks for your help.

Yours sincerely,

(JOAN OGLE ISAACS) Research Editor.