Trafford

Born during the December quarter 1918 in the Bucklow R.D. - ref: 8a/247,
the son of Reuben & Bertha Read Booker (nee Fowler).  His father was born
at Sale and in 1911 lived with his parents and siblings at 13 St. Anne's
Street, Sale.   At that time, he was a 22 year old Labourer at Nursery and
was born at Sale.   His mother was then residing with her uncle and his
family at 1 Russel Street, Altrincham.   She was employed as a domestic
servant.

Joined the Metro-Vicker's Company as a Machine Operator in October 1938.   
Joined the 13th/18th Royal Hussars, R.A.C. in September 1939. 

1939 National Registration - 94 Broad Road, Sale.    Reuban Booker -
Married - born on the 25th October 1888 - occ: Nursery Gardener.   Bertha
Booker - Married - born on the 5th December 1889 - occ: Unpaid Domestic
Duties.    Margaret Booker - Single - born on the 26th October 1914 - occ:
Shop Assistant.  There are four redacted records at this address. [These
will probably be four of the following children - Reuban F. (b.1916) -
Ernest David (b.1918) - Joan M. (b.1920) - Bertha (b.1923) - Lilian
(b.1924) - Ronald A. (b.1925) - Enid C. (b.1927)].   Plus Beryl Booker -
Single - born on the 5th March 1929 - At School.

Promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in 1942 and Corporal in 1943.

As the war clouds gathered again in 1939, the regiments were hastily
mechanized. Both the 13th /18th Hussar and the 15th/19th Hussars went to
France that year in light tanks, in the same scouting role for which they
had been raised two centuries earlier.   After Dunkirk and the evacuation
of this second BEF, the regiments re-equipped and re-trained in England
until in 1944, at the Normandy landings, the 13th/18th Hussars became the
first Allied tanks to lay a track on French soil.   They had swum for over
two miles from their LCT's (Landing Craft Tanks) landing craft by means of
special flotation equipment.   The 13th/19th were driving the DD (Duplex
Drive) Mk4 'Sherman' Tanks - the ones that had canvas curtains around them
to enable them to float.   They landed on "Sword Beach", which was the most
easterly of the five Beaches and stretched from the village of
Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer to the mouth of the Orne River.   Although the landing
of these tanks on Sword Beach was successful (unlike at the American Omaha
Beach), at least two of them were sunk. 

Death reported in the 08/06/1945 edition of the Altrincham Guardian - the
usual one year after being missing, presumed dead.  His parents were then
residing at 94 Broad Road, Sale.

Commemorated in the Metro-Vickers WW2 Memorial Book.