Queen tells veteran how her 'lucky' dad survived being shot in face during war

Veteran Douglas Cracknell joined the Queen to discuss the war and memories of it (Picture: Getty/The Royal Family)

Queen Camilla has recalled how her dad was shot through the side of his face when he was captured in Egypt during World War II.

In a conversation broadcast by the BBC as part of its VE Day coverage,she spoke to veteran Douglas Cracknell about her family’s experience of the war.

Major Bruce Shand,the Queen’s father,was awarded the Military Cross twice for his actions during the retreat to Dunkirk and in North Africa.

He was serving in the 12th Lancers in El Alamein when he was shot at.

The Queen said: ‘The bullet went through one side of his face,came out the other and he was so lucky because he didn’t hit his teeth or his tongue.’

Mr Cracknell,99,replied: ‘I always done what my father told me to do… Keep your head down.’

Laughing,the Queen said: ‘Keep your head down. Yes,well that’s what I’d like to say is possibly very sensible advice,because here you are today to tell the tale.’

She recalled how her father never spoke about his experiences in the war after he returned home.

The veteran responded: ‘But I think really it should be talked about.’

Queen Camilla agreed,saying: ‘We need it for future generations.’

Though her dad did not tell her stories from the conflict,she was able to learn about them from his wartime diary.

Reading an extract,the Queen said: ‘Letters from home were very much the linchpins of our existence and the arrival of the post to regular intervals never failed in its excitement.

‘I still recall the thrill some weeks after coming into the camp when somebody appeared in the library to tell me that there were a dozen letters waiting for me on my bed.”

‘I remain eternally grateful to my many correspondents,family and otherwise.’