A pint of Guinness saved a soldier from death in a cinema bombing

On December 16, 1944, during World War II, Ken Pusey, an 18-year-old soldier with the Royal Engineers, faced a life-changing decision in Belgium. As the Battle of the Bulge commenced, he initially intended to visit the Cinema Rex in Antwerp. However, at the last moment, he and his companion opted to go to a nearby NAAFI club, known as The 21 Club, which was serving draught Guinness. Their choice was decided through the flip of a coin, revealing the randomness of fate during wartime. Shortly after their arrival at the club, the cinema was struck by a Nazi V2 rocket, resulting in the deaths of 567 people with many more injured. This tragic event highlighted the dangers faced by soldiers and civilians alike during the war. Pusey later reflected on his experience, expressing gratitude for having been spared from such a horrific fate. As a veteran now living in a care home, he views his survival as a moment of luck that profoundly altered the course of his life. He emphasizes the fragility of life during the war, noting that he continues to appreciate each day he has lived since that pivotal moment. Over the years, he worked in various engineering roles, including positions at Hoover and Unilever, but maintains that it is the memory of that fateful day that reverberates with him the most.