Page 23 - The Constructor 2017

The Company

meticulously planned, and confirmed through special messages by the BBC, failed through poor
communication at main army HQ and 40 or so brave men were put at risk. Some were captured and
died in the attempt. The English mission was both dismayed and furious at the let-down yet
remarkably not once, either then or since, has any partisan expressed hostility over that failure.
Sadness, regret, anger, yes, but directed more in sympathy with us than antagonism. Such is the
measure of our mutual respect — even now.
With reduced activity and receipt of a most welcome radio- message detailing the line of the Allied
Advance in the ‘Spring Offensive’ we were asked to provide information and intelligence related to
that movement.
The response to that request was prompt and efficient. Details of strong points, armaments,
bridges and on occasion even the reinforcement and thickness of concrete were provided for a wide
area. A town plan of Udine was produced giving every enemy location. All this in addition to
reported troop movements continuing through this period.
Winter was biting hard, some partisans were without proper protection and footwear — we
managed, remarkably, with normal army issue uniform, including string vests which were not
changed for months. New Year’s Eve at the end of 1944 was spent in a little mountain hut two
metres below snow level on the saddle of a mountain overlooking Cividale, where, to the
amazement of those partisans present, we insisted on singing and their joining in the traditional Auld
Lang Syne. We felt better after that.
We had lost Mickie Trent reported killed by an enemy patrol while east of the Natisone. It was time
for us to return. On 12 January 1945, we started on foot from Friuli via the Osoppo HQ at the
th
malghe (alpine huts) of Porzus towards the east and Slovene 9 Corps. At the malghe I was
fortunate to have my frozen foot rescued with no worse than a frostbitten toe through the prompt
action and expert knowledge of partisans who had served in mountain warfare with the Alpini in
Greece.
Later, after a month’s cross-country journey through much fresh snow, some mountains and many
hills, mostly uphill it seemed, we arrived at Cmomolj in Yugoslavia and on 18 February 1945 were
flown back to our side of the main front line.
My recollection of those days, above all, remind me of a people determined to achieve victory with
little regard for their own personal suffering.
Through them we have established bonds of friendship that will endure beyond our lives through
sons and daughters who are already carrying on the collaboration established by their English
mission.
On odd occasions, in the winter, the tip of my big toe burns and I remember those times as if it were
yesterday.”

TRISTAN DA CUNHA

Freeman Martin Watson of Brock Carmichael Architects, who sadly died unexpectedly earlier this
year following surgery, was tempted by the unique challenges of an R.I.B.A international design
competition to create a self-sufficient sustainable strategy for Tristan da Cunha, the most remote
inhabited island in the World. In 2015 Martin assembled a multi-disciplinary team of experts

Autumn 2017 | The Journal of the Worshipful Company of Constructors | 23