3 RTR B Squadron

Hi Frank, Dads was Coquette, cheers A

 

The names were added by Dad and Iolo Lewis both wireless operators B Sqn

 

Tried it at the allotted time. Probably added too much Rum...... Will try again with the same recipe until I get it right

 

You may be interested in this B Sqn. action in Holland (Oploo)
It is fairly self explanatory

 

Dad was billeted in Kasselstraat with the Van Houcke family who were the bakers, so upstairs was always warm. I am still in contact with the daughter in her late 80’s who lives in Brussels now.

 

Hi, thanks for the pics, cuttings, etc! Most welcome! You say your dad's tank was Coquette, have you seen this?

 

Yes this is in my collection .Dad is on the right the trooper beside him is Ferney his driver .

 

Sorry to take a while to reply, been a bit busy, the Domestic Supervisor has had me running about, can't complain, needed the exercise. So, you've uttered ( well, keyed) the magic words, 'my collection'........what else do you have??!! Names! Photos! We want it all!!! Cheers

 

Ahh, this is one of yours! You may have seen earlier I was asking about whether or not Corporal Evans was Sid Evans, the driver of my grandfather's tank. Can you confirm if all the names are indeed correct? The reason I'm asking is that it was mentioned that those appearing in the photo were from B Squadron, and the chap named 'Pen Frereta' (??) to my eyes, screwing them up and after a few, could be my grandfather. Or not. Cheers!

 

That’s my Dads writing so I think it’s Len Brereton.Its Iolo Lewis writing that says Cpl Evans, unlikely to be 2 Evans in one Sqn but who knows? Iolo died shortly after my Dad died in August 2004. Iolo wrote a very personal book about life in B Sqn 3rd RTR named Times Long Shadows. My Dad helped compile it, there are many of Iolos poems , including a harrowing one of Belsen, acknowledging B were some of the first on the “scene” of a nightmare within that forest. Dad said they initially thought it to be a hospital because of the apparent striped pyjamas of those wandering outside the camp, little did they know!

 

The tank to the left of the Firefly shows Lt Ricketts It is Deurne , near Helmond, Holland 26/9/44, Dad is inside on the radio!
It’s a famous photo that appeared on the front page of national newspapers as it was one of the fastest Allied tank advances.

 

You’ll find the above interesting regarding B Sqn.

 

Wow..I'd like to read that book, sounds like you get more the emotional side, rather than just the 'factual' names-and-dates stuff... very interesting. BTW, I notice you are still in touch with the Van Houcke family in Poperinge, if I could ask you for a big favour, the next time you're in touch if you could ask if they know the Six family. I've been trying to locate living relatives, but so far to no avail... I'd love to be able to send them copies of the pics that my grandfather had taken with them (I'll re-post them). I have some names, in img225.jpg my grandfather has written on the back: Marcial, Jeanette, Paul & Luilli ( I think ) left to right. Luilli is the little girl.

 

I’ll try to do that.Adam

 

I’ve just sent Monique the question plus one of the family photo.

 

FYI, the only Six famile in the area I can are in Reningelst, which is just outside Poperinge.

 

Looks like I didn't look hard enough: Poperinge: bevrijding
I can't read my grandfather's writing either! It's Willie! And he's a boy!