Lady Astor and the “D Day Dodgers” Myth
In 1944, Lady Nancy Astor was rumoured to have called the troops fighting in Italy “D Day Dodgers” during a House of Commons debate—suggesting they were avoiding the real war in Normandy. No official record of such a statement exists in Hansard, and Lady Astor herself denied ever saying it. The phrase likely spread through misunderstanding and gossip, but the soldiers reclaimed it with humour, composing the song “The D Day Dodgers” to celebrate their courage and endurance in the Italian Campaign.
In 1944, Lady Nancy Astor was rumoured to have called the troops fighting in Italy “D Day Dodgers” during a House of Commons debate—suggesting they were avoiding the real war in Normandy. No official record of such a statement exists in Hansard, and Lady Astor herself denied ever saying it. The phrase likely spread through misunderstanding and gossip, but the soldiers reclaimed it with humour, composing the song “The D Day Dodgers” to celebrate their courage and endurance in the Italian Campaign.
Lady Astor e il mito dei “D Day Dodgers”
Nel 1944 si diffuse la voce che Lady Nancy Astor avesse definito i soldati impegnati nella campagna d’Italia come “D Day Dodgers” durante un dibattito alla Camera dei Comuni, insinuando che evitassero la vera guerra in Normandia. Non esiste alcuna traccia ufficiale di tale affermazione nei resoconti parlamentari, e Lady Astor negò sempre di averla pronunciata. La frase probabilmente nacque da un malinteso e si diffuse come pettegolezzo, ma i soldati la trasformarono con ironia, componendo la celebre canzone “The D Day Dodgers” per ricordare il loro coraggio e la durezza della Campagna d’Italia.
Nel 1944 si diffuse la voce che Lady Nancy Astor avesse definito i soldati impegnati nella campagna d’Italia come “D Day Dodgers” durante un dibattito alla Camera dei Comuni, insinuando che evitassero la vera guerra in Normandia. Non esiste alcuna traccia ufficiale di tale affermazione nei resoconti parlamentari, e Lady Astor negò sempre di averla pronunciata. La frase probabilmente nacque da un malinteso e si diffuse come pettegolezzo, ma i soldati la trasformarono con ironia, componendo la celebre canzone “The D Day Dodgers” per ricordare il loro coraggio e la durezza della Campagna d’Italia.
VETERANS OF THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN
1943-45
1943-45
Page under Construction
More photos to follow soon
More photos to follow soon
A veteran of 225 Field Company RE
2 Platoon 7 Field Company
Cpl Thomas Garrett 225 Coy.
7 Fd coy gathering
Lt Albert Hobson MC.
7 Field Company RE
7 Field Company RE
Major Daniells 225 Field Company RE
Lt Malcom Sharland
7 Field Company RE
K.I.A. 19.07.1944
7 Field Company RE
K.I.A. 19.07.1944
Sgt F Clark DCM, 7 Field Company RE
K.I.A. 09.11.1944
K.I.A. 09.11.1944
Spr Horne 7 Coy
Cpl Victor Charles Botterill 225 Fd Coy RE
Spr Eyre 225 Coy veteran
225 Fd Coy. Lumber camp in Greece
Spr Tribich 59 Field Company RE
A 7 Field Company reunion
Veterans of the 7th Field Company attending a reunion at Cassino 1989
A 7 Fd Coy reunion in the 1980s
Veteran George Baylis. 2nd Bn The Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
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Lcpl R. Collins, 59 Field Company in Athens post Italian Campaign
Mike Low (O.C., 7 Fd Coy 1943- May 44), Frank Smith and Fahey. 1989
7 Coy Veterans at a reunion 1980s. On the left, Albert Hobson MC
Shiny 7 Veterans @ Cassino
225 Field Company Reunion 14 May 1983
CWGC Cemetery Cassino
