A Bolton soldier remembers the night the Berlin Wall came tumbling down

11:33am Friday 13th June 2008

HISTORY unfolded before soldier Andy Garner's eyes as he sat under the Brandenburg Gate, watching thousands of East Germans pouring through Checkpoint Charlie.

L/Cpl Garner, who was stationed in Berlin, was eating in the barracks cookhouse when a friend told him the border had opened.

He did not believe it at first, but he jumped into his car and within minutes he saw the evidence for himself.

"At the time we didn't realise the impact of what we were seeing," he said. "We knew that there was an event taking place and you could see the effect that it was having on people, but the true impact took a while to sink in.

"I can't explain what it was like for the people locked behind that wall. It's difficult to describe being there. It was an amazing atmosphere.

"People sensed that it was a momentous occasion and that things were never going to be the same again."

Watching the fall of the Berlin Wall in November, 1989, was one of the highlights of L/Cpl Garner's nine years of service, which also saw him fighting on the front line during the first Gulf War.

As a tank crewman in the 14/20 King's Hussars, he was part of the spearhead of Operation Desert Storm, and had to battle his way through Iraq to Kuwait.

He was injured in the conflict and, as he was in hospital, he missed his regiment's medal presentation ceremony. He received his honours in the post.

Now Mr Garner, aged 42, from Little Lever, will receive formal public recognition of his service when he is presented with his Veteran's Day lapel badge on June 27.

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Anthony Connell, is hosting a celebration event on the day in which veterans from across the borough will have lunch in the mayor's parlour at the town hall and be presented with badges.

Mr Garner, who now works as an asbestos surveyor for Bolton Council, said: "I was disappointed that the rest of the regiment were together to receive their medals, but due to unforeseen circumstances I wasn't able to take part. It's nice after all these years to have your efforts recognised."

He added that it was important to remember the contribution made by all British serviceman.

He said: "There are a lot of young kids who are out there now in Afghanistan and Iraq, serving the country and getting killed. We must never forget what people are doing."

• Veteran's lapel badges are available to all service men and women who have served in the armed forces.

They were introduced in May, 2004, for all First World War.

It was so popular that it was extended to include all Second World War veterans and then extended again to cover today's forces personnel.

Our Top Stories