Former soldier, 103, escaped the Nazis who recognised his 'Scouse' accent

A former soldier who has just turned 103 told of the time he escaped the Nazis after one of them recognised his 'Scouse' accent.

Job Witton, from Ellesmere Port, had remained quiet about his time during WWII for more than 60 years.

But, having no children of his own to pass down the story of his life, his great-nephew, Paul Evans, 55, from Great Sutton, decided he would take up the mantle.

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And he discovered the heroic part Job played during the war with Germany, his numerous escapes from the Nazis and the brave French resistance members who hid him on his long journey back to England.

Paul said: "Uncle Job's memory is still so clear. I didn't want his story to get lost and wanted to keep a comprehensive account for the younger generations of the family.

"He had never really spoken about his time in the war and when I asked him why he told me it was because everyone had a story from the war, but they just wanted to look forward, not back.

"He was one of nine children and in 1939 when the war began he was 21 so he was one of the soldiers in the first wave.

"He was in the Dunkirk region of Northern France in 1940, part of the Kings Own Regiment, British Expeditionary Force.

"He was involved in the rear-guard action holding back the advancing Germans while thousands of British managed to get off the beach and back home."

Job was captured by Nazis for the first at Lille hospital helping wounded civilians - it was here that his best friend Les Window was killed.

Paul said: "The last time he saw Les was escorting a young French woman into the hospital - his last word to him were 'trust you getting the pretty ones'.

"As Job was captured at the door of the hospital a German officer said to him 'you are going to Berlin and I am going to London'."

Job managed to escape in the woods during the eight-day trek to Berlin and turned back to France and with the help of the resistance he changed out of his uniform and found safety at a farm.

Trying to head back to England Job stole bikes where he could, eating raw eggs to keep him alive.

He made it to Fecamp where he had a run-in with a German guard.

Paul said: "I don't think Uncle Job has a Scouse accent because he is from Ellesmere Port, but I think if you are from another country you can't tell the slight differences.

"This officer picked up on his accent and said 'all the best sailors come from Liverpool'.

"He told Uncle Job how he had spent six years in Liverpool before the war as a shipping agent.

"Uncle Job knew it was better to be thought of as a merchant sailor than an escaped POW so he went along with it."

Job had a number of near-misses, including having to quickly cover his bright red rose tattoo on his arm from a German and scaling a wall to escape.

Paul said: "The ship that brought him home docked in Liverpool and settled back in Ellesmere Port were he married my anuntie Cat.

"They were soulmates, he nursed her when she was very ill and she passed away 15 years ago.

"He loved his life, working as a docker and tending his garden, he only moved out of the council house he got after the war last November.

"He never learned to drive, never smoked but loved a pint every now and then.

"He kept in touch with the French farmers who hid him and visited them many times over the years."

Job now lives in Thronton House care home, just outside Hooton, where he has been a huge hit with all the staff and many came in on their day off for his big party to celebrate turning 103.

Paul said: "It was so lovely. Lots of family were able to make it which was so nice after all the restrictions with lockdown, even his sister who is in her 90s was able to make it.

"The home has been brilliant, they are all in awe of his story and I couldn't believe how much effort they went to."

A local schoolboy, Jayden Berry, 10, who had written about Job, who was awarded the Military Medal by King George VI, for a project gave a speech at the party.

He said: "First of all, I would like to thank Job for his service and protecting our country so that we can all live freely today.

"I would also like to wish Job a very happy 103rd birthday. You don't look a day over 21.

"I hope you have the best day as you deserve it, you are a true hero."

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