Davy F
Registered user
Moving post, Nick.
WW2 YOUR DAD/GRANDFATHER
- Thread starter bardicastle
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Sadly true, they were all young men then and are now, for those that did survive on all sides, very old men.
I had read the book and enjoyed it immensely but did not see the film when it was released not really knowing what it was about. If ever there was a note to reconciliation then "The Railwayman" by Eric Lomax is it.
A truly moving and inspirational story, highly recommended.
I had read the book and enjoyed it immensely but did not see the film when it was released not really knowing what it was about. If ever there was a note to reconciliation then "The Railwayman" by Eric Lomax is it.
A truly moving and inspirational story, highly recommended.
Grandads Eighth Army Scrapbook
My Grandad started the war as an anti-aircraft gunner (and according to his diary his team bagged a fair few Dornier Bombers) before transfering to the Eighth Army. He started in Africa then moved up through Italy and kept lots of leaflets that the Germans dropped on them along the way. Thought I would share a few with you. Im planning to retrace his steps through Italy/europe sometime. Strange that it will be on a German motorcycle though!
This has always been my favourate. Front cover.....
That opened out into this......he crossed the Po with very little opposition.
I think this is a 'safe Conduct' pass. My German is limited to asking for beer, so I have no idea what it says...
Trying to discredit the Russians with this one.
More clever marketing.....
And finally this one makes interesting reading!
My Grandad started the war as an anti-aircraft gunner (and according to his diary his team bagged a fair few Dornier Bombers) before transfering to the Eighth Army. He started in Africa then moved up through Italy and kept lots of leaflets that the Germans dropped on them along the way. Thought I would share a few with you. Im planning to retrace his steps through Italy/europe sometime. Strange that it will be on a German motorcycle though!
This has always been my favourate. Front cover.....
That opened out into this......he crossed the Po with very little opposition.
I think this is a 'safe Conduct' pass. My German is limited to asking for beer, so I have no idea what it says...
Trying to discredit the Russians with this one.
More clever marketing.....
And finally this one makes interesting reading!
My Dad (now 93) was also in Africa (I've a photo of him at the liberation of Tunis) and then on up Italy. Also 8th army, RA on searchlights (artificial moonlight). He has a full set of the propaganda leaflets dropped by the Germans. Makes for very interesting reading, especially now we know the truth.
My Mum died at the end of November '14 (married 68 years !!!) and he's now telling more and more about his war. Up 'till then the stories were quite benign, but now the real horror is coming out.
Edit....just seen you're SE Kent. My Dad lives in Ramsgate.
My Mum died at the end of November '14 (married 68 years !!!) and he's now telling more and more about his war. Up 'till then the stories were quite benign, but now the real horror is coming out.
Edit....just seen you're SE Kent. My Dad lives in Ramsgate.
My Granddad lived in Eastry then Broadstairs (next door to Ramsgate). I guess it could be possible that they served together? His name was George Youngs, a long time ago I know, but he might recall the name. He died a while back now sadly. He kept a pretty good diary for much of the war, even keeping the documents about who he shared a berth with when shipping between countries.
Hi mate
My late uncle Geoff Shaw also fought with the 8th Army in those campaigns, sadly he died a few years ago but if alive would of now been a similar age to your Dad
My favourite picture of him, cool as, you'd never know there was a war on!!
I'll mention those names to him today. Would be nice if he knew either (or both) of them.
My Dad and his brother fought together in north africa and they were then punted off to Burma to fight the japanese.
The picture was taken in Burma, dad is the one with the fag in his mouth.
And with his company sitting with one of the many boxing cups he won.. He hated the army and always told to never ever join the army.
The picture was taken in Burma, dad is the one with the fag in his mouth.
And with his company sitting with one of the many boxing cups he won.. He hated the army and always told to never ever join the army.
Just spoke to my Dad and unfortunately he doesn't know either of those names. Shame, but I guess it would have been a long shot.
Shame, my uncle was a memorable character so wouldn't be forgotten easily!
Just spotted you're in Yorkshire. My Dad said he did serve with a Cyril Shaw (from Yorkshire). Was he any realation?
No don't think so
My great great grandfather
Not WW2 but WW1. I had a party to celebrate my 60th this weekend and a cousin gave me this repro of a battered old photo she found in a shoebox. It is my great great grandfather Arthur Sabin, apparently he was in one of the Warwickshire regiments, we think the year is maybe 1915, location unknown I am afraid.
Not WW2 but WW1. I had a party to celebrate my 60th this weekend and a cousin gave me this repro of a battered old photo she found in a shoebox. It is my great great grandfather Arthur Sabin, apparently he was in one of the Warwickshire regiments, we think the year is maybe 1915, location unknown I am afraid.
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hogfarmer
Registered user
Just got some pictures of my grandfather who was one of only a handful of survivors of 250 Dorset yeomanry to come out of Gallipoli . And some of my father who was one of the few bomber crew to survive a complete tour of duty in ww2. Guess I,m quite. Lucky to be here.
My Grandfather
Grandad served in WW1 with the KSLI (kings Shropshire Light Infantry). Joined when he was 16 and survived. He was badly gassed (by his own side!) and was thought unlikely to survive. He was in a coma for a month. The YMCA paid for his mother to go and nurse him in France. She was from a remote rural village and had, up until that time, not left the area. She walked the 15 miles to the nearest train station, travelled to London where she was met by the YMCA who helped her get a passport before travelling to France.
The whole system of taking families to France nearly financially broke the YMCA but they struggled through. Great organisation which should command our respect. They paraded at the Cenotaph for the firs time last year.
Grandad survived, got better and went back to the front!
Continued to smoke 40 woodies a day for the rest of his life despite his seriously damaged lungs. He died at the age of 76 of something else entirely!
I still wear his medals with pride and respect.
Grandad served in WW1 with the KSLI (kings Shropshire Light Infantry). Joined when he was 16 and survived. He was badly gassed (by his own side!) and was thought unlikely to survive. He was in a coma for a month. The YMCA paid for his mother to go and nurse him in France. She was from a remote rural village and had, up until that time, not left the area. She walked the 15 miles to the nearest train station, travelled to London where she was met by the YMCA who helped her get a passport before travelling to France.
The whole system of taking families to France nearly financially broke the YMCA but they struggled through. Great organisation which should command our respect. They paraded at the Cenotaph for the firs time last year.
Grandad survived, got better and went back to the front!
Continued to smoke 40 woodies a day for the rest of his life despite his seriously damaged lungs. He died at the age of 76 of something else entirely!
I still wear his medals with pride and respect.
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My Dad was in Signals and stationed in Nospelt Luxembourg during WW2. Not quite sure why there.
My grand dad used to drive a horse drawn ambulance during WW1.
Nether ever talked about their experiences.
My grand dad used to drive a horse drawn ambulance during WW1.
Nether ever talked about their experiences.
My 90 year old father yesterday. He and my son were visiting the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa. My Dad said he remembers Fairey Swordfish flying off the Ark Royal off the East Lothian coast at Gullane at the start of the Second World War.
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