Sheldon war hero finds shrapnel in his mouth after 65 years
His 5,2 inch height meant he was too small to qualify and he was posted to North Africa to work in the medical corps as a nurse. During the conflict his roles included treating the wounded soldiers and working in the mortuary and on one occasion he found himself helping to deliver a baby.
But he was injured during a blast in Italy in 1944. Shrapnel was dislodged in his leg, shoulder and hands.
After serving in Africa, Italy and Afghanistan Alf returned home in 1946 and married Constance at St Margaret’s Church, Ward End.
Constance, also 87 worked at the Post Office, formerly GPO in Bordesley Green making coils for telephones and Alf got a job painting trains and later went on to work for the Midland Electricity Board where he remained for 26 years.
Despite his injuries including hearing loss, it was only through an article in the Birmingham Mail in 1991 that he was given the help to gain a war pension.
He added: “I never got a ha’penny for more than 40 years.”
Constance said she had noticed a real difference in her husband since the shrapnel had dislodged.
She said: “It’s strange, he has never talked about the War this much before. I never knew half the stories he has told me in the last couple of weeks. It took him all these years. He seems happier but the food bills are more expensive.”
