Sorry if this is not allowed, but does anyone else on here have a relative who was involved? I am thinking of Dad's cousin Archie McKillop who died on 10.6.1940. Just looked him up, he was Scottish but served with the Yorkshire Regiment. He was buried at Ranville and his grave can be seen online. He was 21...
My dad was in N Europe (Rhine Crossing, March 1945); not there. Interesting article in today’s Telegraph (I only get it on Saturday). The writer has her grandfather’s diary: he was a tank driver who was part of the first wave of troops to land on Gold Beach. She retraces the route of his diary, it only had 6 lines a day to record what happened; a very moving article.
In a way. My mother's cousin was married to an Irish Guard who whilst not in the first wave, was amongst those that followed to secure and advance from Pegasus bridge. Thankfully he survived unscathed and got to return to his family after the war.
I also went to school with a neighbour whose father was American, he was seriously wounded in the legs on the landings (I'm not sure I ever knew which beach), as far as I remember from what I was told, he was repatriated and was never fit enough to fight again, he suffered from the wounds for the rest of his life, they never really healed and would regularly become ulcerated.
The D-Day beaches (mostly Arromanches and the Mulberry Harbour remains), the museums, memorials, and war grave cemeteries have been a regular visit for us on our annual lads trip to Le Mans motor race each June. Although none of our group lost anyone there, we feel duty bound to pay our respects.
Last visit we went to the new British Normandy Memorial, the names of the 22,442 servicemen and women under British command who fell on D-Day and during the Battle of Normandy laid out on the mass of walls is very, very sobering!
We attended the 75th anniversary events, and were due to attend this years 80th anniversary events, and had started making plans, but a couple of our group had serious health issues develop that prevented them attending, so we had to reluctantly call it off.
We're normally a boisterous, ribald, irreverent bunch, but on those visits, we fall silent with our thoughts and few words are exchanged during and for some time after our visits, a sombre and respectful atmosphere persists.
The young age of the Allied losses is shocking enough, but visit the war grave cemeteries and the German sections, and you quickly realise they threw their children into the thick of the conflict! The number of 16 and 17 year old casualties is simply appalling!
My lot were all N. Africa/ Italy or India and Burma. Grandfather was professional - Indian Army. Other was also in Burma. One great Uncle was Vet corps in N.Africa and Italy. Another was RA in N.Africa and Italy and on to Germany another was RAF who was in Greece, Crete and Egypt. All of them served from 1939.
So three "D-day dodgers" who fought across North Africa and up Italy for years without seeing home and two were the forgotten ones still fighting when the war in Europe was ended They are all gone now. They didn't really speak about it.
Dad was in the "War Ag" and was posted from Glasgow to South Wales to advise the local farmers. Maternal granddad was a signalman; they were both in reserved occupations and avoided active service. So Hitler was responsible for my parents meeting, My Welsh Mum was in the Land Army. In my original post I meant 1944 of course!
My late Father in law sailed as a stoker on the Atlantic convoys during WW2. He told the story of being on board ship in Portsmouth waiting for the next voyage when two official gents came and told F-i-L and his mate to come with them to another ship. When they questioned this, they were simply told that experienced seamen were needed.
Next day was D-day and shortly after he was on a ship carrying ammunition and supplies to support the landings. He survived the war unscathed and continued in the merchant navy for a number of years.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
My late father served in Northern Africa, then Italy. Not sure where he went after the Italian campaign as he was reluctant to talk about it.
In the first world war my grandfather served in South West Africa as a mounted trooper and then later on the Western Front.
Quote: Originally posted by iank01 on 03/6/2024
My late father served in Northern Africa, then Italy. Not sure where he went after the Italian campaign as he was reluctant to talk about it.
In the first world war my grandfather served in South West Africa as a mounted trooper and then later on the Western Front.
If you know his army service number, the Army Personnel Centre will have a list of his postings, no details but there’s so much online now. I have an address & email but don’t know if they’re out of date now.
I found out the grim details of how my father won his MC online: the citation we have states the basic reasons, but finding the full details helped me understand why the anniversary was always a very upsetting time for him, every year.
A very good friend of mine was injured at St Aubin-sur-mer by the carpet bombing of the RAF. He and six of his school friends were carrying supplies up to to the front line when the bombs landed, he was concussed and all of his school friends were killed.It was his 18th birthday.
He just sat in a ditch dazed and frightened until captured by the advancing Canadians.
People were terrified on both sides, even in the Hitler Youth regiments
Quote: Originally posted by iank01 on 03/6/2024
My late father served in Northern Africa, then Italy. Not sure where he went after the Italian campaign as he was reluctant to talk about it.
.....
One of my uncles was in Italy (Monte Cassino), and he absolutely refused to talk about it to his dying day long after the war! Apparently he would have been mentioned in despatches, but equally at the time, refused to talk about it, so that never came about.
He was not the most compassionate or sympathetic of men in most respects, almost callous and heartless, so the events must have been pretty horrific for him to remain so stubbornly silent for so long.
My Grandad was a Merchant Navy Captain working on home trade around the British coast; he was involved from D+3, ferrying troops over etc. GIs were mentioned. I don't know any more details than that. From June to November '44 his continuous certificate of discharge stated 'special operations, liberation of Europe'. I was told he was burnt out after that experience and had a nervous breakdown. For so many people, so many scars, not all visible...
------------- Always edited for sloppy typing - when I spot it!
Quote: Originally posted by iank01 on 03/6/2024
My late father served in Northern Africa, then Italy. Not sure where he went after the Italian campaign as he was reluctant to talk about it.
In the first world war my grandfather served in South West Africa as a mounted trooper and then later on the Western Front.
If you know his army service number, the Army Personnel Centre will have a list of his postings, no details but there’s so much online now. I have an address & email but don’t know if they’re out of date now.
I found out the grim details of how my father won his MC online: the citation we have states the basic reasons, but finding the full details helped me understand why the anniversary was always a very upsetting time for him, every year.
Thanks, my father was in the SAAF (South African Air Force) so unlikely of being able to trace his movements.
Strange to think, that I would not have existed had it not been for the actions of Hitler.
My dad was a paratrooper, and whilst stationed near Droitwich was promoted to sergeant, he was paid daily for obvious reasons, but they had not increased his pay, so he went to the office to sort it out, and my mum worked in the pay office, and the rest they say is history.
My mother was from Rawtenstall, and my father was from Edinburgh, so had it not been for WW2 they would never have met.
Mum reached 80 & Dad 92 so many happy memories, and they first took me to the South of France camping in 1962 when I was 2 ! and I have been going back there ever since.
No D Day for my Dad, as he was in hospital with malaria at the time, having been serving overseas, and then went to serve in Malaya, returning in 1952 the first time he got to see my brother born in 1950.
My brother and myself would not have existed either. Probably Dad would have married a Scots woman and Mum a Welshman. Mum had COPD and developed severe depression, died aged 64. Dad had heart problems, diagnosed as indigestion by one doctor. I changed their GP (no thanks from them). He had a heart bypass 3 years later. He died aged 70.
Anyone see any of the beacons that were lit on 6 June? Ours was eventually lit by the beach at 9:15, with a beautiful sunset - but with great difficulty because of the strong wind.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: D Day
via mobile 01/6/2024 at 7:31pm
