24th Lancers - Roll of Honour

Discussion in 'RAC & RTR' started by Ramiles, Jan 10, 2016.

  1. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Re. Sergeant Herbert James Griffiths

    From: BBC - WW2 People's War - My War Storys from North Africa to Normandy

    In 1938 Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister, went to Germany to see Hitler. He came back with a piece of paper, signed by Hitler, saying that he would not declare war. People held him up in ridicule but in my mind he gave us a years grace in which to build up our armour which was sorely lacking. An example of which was a Home Guard armed with pitchforks and Broomsticks.
    It was obvious in 1938 that there was going to be a war, so in the office I worked in, we all decided that we would join the territorial army before war was declared. So in 1938 I joined the 4th County of London Yeomanry — the Sharpshooters which at the time were the 23rd London Armoured Car Company.
    We went away to training camp in August. When we came back, I went to the pictures one evening and when I came home there was a telegram telling me to report to headquarters with my uniform. I was then in the real Army with the tank regiment of the 4th County of London Yeomanry.
    The war really started in late 1940, when the allies wanted to get out of France. We had to man the coast in case the Germans invaded. Fortunately for us they didn’t. We were very short of weapons because before the war the government had neglected to arm us as a country and we had had a year only in which to catch up.
    In the beginning of 1941 I was sent to the Middle East — Egypt. We boarded the ship the Strathnaver with all our kit. Kitbags , packs and rifles. It took 8 weeks to reach Egypt. I was on G deck which was 8 decks down. The conditions were absolutely awful. We slept in hammocks which were slung over the top of the table where we ate. The temperature was very high. We stopped at Cape Town and were meet off the boat by families who took us home for a short while. I was taken home by a lady and her daughter who showed me around the town and then we had tea at their house. They kindly wrote to my wife and told her they had seen me. When we arrived in Egypt, we were kitted out with Crusader tanks with a 2lb gun mounted on them. The division we were in was the 7th Armoured which was known as the Desert Rats. We were the one and only Desert Rats as we had the Rat sign on our shoulder.
    The conditions in the desert were terrible. We were given a pint of water a day for drinking and washing. If we were near the sea, which wasn’t often we did have sea soap to use but it didn’t lather.
    So washing was a problem and one day I was really itchy and I found I had lice so I got a change of clothing and dug a hole in the sand, put all my uniform in it and set fire to it all. The commanding officer came over to me and said ’are you deserting Griffiths!’
    The food was mainly bully beef and hard tack which was like a large hard biscuit which when you held it up to the light you could see the weevils in it but we ate them all the same! We did have tea and when we had brewed it up we would then dry out the tealeaves and exchange them with the locals for eggs. On Christmas day the mail actually caught up with us in the middle of the desert and in it for me was a Christmas pudding and some chocolate that my wife had posted to me in the August. The chocolate had gone mouldy and was inedible but the home made Christmas pudding was perfect. The sergeant Major heard about this and said ‘I’ll have some of that boy’
    We didn’t have any spare time, if we did, someone would find you something to do. The time in the desert was divided into 2 categories, boredom and terror.
    In September the British troops were bottled up in Tobruk, so we and the rest of the army went to relieve Tobruk in the battle of El Adem. The Italians gave themselves up in thousands and we took thousands of prisoners of wars. Then we pushed them right the way back across Libya and then the Germans landed and their tanks were in offensive against us. They drove us back to below Benghazi where we stayed for months facing them. The Germans then put in a big attack, outflanked us and we had to go all the way back to a place called El Alamein. The blessing of El Alamein was that we had sea on the right and the Qattara Depression which was impassable on the left. We had a narrow line to hold, which we did.
    Mr Churchill came out and looked at us and then sent out General Montgomry to take over the army. From then on things changed. We stayed there defending our line and the Germans put in several big attacks, which we repelled. Montgomery seemed to know exactly what to do. When we were ready he put in a big attack and we out flanked the Germans (in the desert the game was outflanking — trying to go round behind the enemy). We pushed the Germans right back to Tunisia and then right out of the African continent.
    When we got to Tunisia we rested. I was in charge of a guard when my corporal came along and said that we had been posted home. I didn’t believe it at first but it was true. Myself and 5 others travelled across the desert by train in a cattle truck for 7 days and then embarked for England to join another regiment called the 24th Lancers, again a Tank regiment and part of the 8th Army Brigade, where we were to train new recruits for what turned out to be the D-Day invasion.
    We were given two weeks leave and when we returned the 8th Army Brigade was moved down through England towards the South coast. We knew something big was going on it was of course the invasion of Europe. One morning we had an exercise where they issued to us all special rations- we thought; this is it we are off! But at the last minute they called it off, but when they collected in the special rations issued that morning all the chocolate was missing, eaten. They were not at all pleased.
    On the evening of the 5th June we got into landing craft and proceeded to cross the channel landing the following morning the 6th June. The infantry was in front of us because they had left a little earlier the previous evening. We were suppose to capture Villiers Bocage but we were held up and did not get that far being pinned down. On the 13th July I was wounded in the arm, I saw the Medics and asked them to patch me up, as I did not wish to loose touch with my Regiment. However I was informed that I was going home, and was sent back to the beach where I was X-rayed and then returned to England in one of the Landing craft we had come over in.
    On return to Blighty I was sent to a hospital in Chester, were I got a message to my wife who came up to visit me.
    My fighting was over!.
     
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  2. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Re. Lt. Hubert (Hugh) Clive Beddington... 237268 - ex-24th Lancer

    Wounded whilst serving with the Sherwood Rangers 11th April 1945.

    The SRY War Diary has...

    11th April 1945 - Moved at 06.00, B Sqn leading advance guard. Got through HERZLAKE without opposition, but bazookas met in woods to the N.E. These were bypassed and advance continued to LONNINGEN, some road-blocks being removed on the way. More bazookas met in the woods west of LONNINGEN. B Sqn and ‘C’ Company made a firmbase in these woods while C Sqn and 4 Dorsets went through and took LONNINGEN. B Sqn lost 2 tanks to bazookas. Lt. Hunt killed, Lt. Beddington wounded, 1 OR killed and 4 OR’s wounded. Order to move at 12, 05.30 C Sqn leading. FXH

    P499 of "An Englishman at War"...

    20200424_184000.jpg

    Re. His father - Biography of Brigadier Edward Henry Lionel Beddington (1884 – 1966), Great Britain
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2022
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  3. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Re. Sgt. "Willy" Wilmot - "A" Squadron, 24th Lancers

    TRAINING TANK DRIVERS

    IWM Caption:

    DESCRIPTION
    Object description
    Original wartime caption: Sgt. "Willy" Wilmot, a musician before the war from Plymouth.

    A Squadron 24th Lancers - around D-day - nb some years after the IWM pic above...

    FB_IMG_1585811937950.jpg
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2020
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  4. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Re. Trooper Charles Hewitt - Driver "A" Squadron, 24th Lancers (3455509)

    TRAINING TANK DRIVERS

    IWM Caption:

    DESCRIPTION
    Object description
    Original wartime caption: Driver Charles Hewitt is from Manchester and before the war worked as a moulder.
     
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2021
  5. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Re. Lance Corporal (later Sergeant) Jimmie Waine MM

    When an ex 24th Lancer, after July 1944, served with the 23rd Hussars.
    Nb. MM when a Sergeant (James H. Waine) was with 23rd Hussars.

    IWM - "Training tank driver" picture when in "A" Squadron 24th Lancers.

    TRAINING TANK DRIVERS

    IWM Caption:

    DESCRIPTION
    Object description
    Original wartime caption: L/Cpl. Jimmie Waine is from Lancashire, who before the war was a clerk.

    Whilst 23H...

    FB_IMG_1642184826544.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2022
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  6. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Re. Trooper Johnnie/ (aka Johnny) Cockerill, "A" Squadron 24th Lancers (nb A.H.J Cockerill)

    TRAINING TANK DRIVERS

    IWM Caption:

    DESCRIPTION
    Object description
    Original wartime caption: The youngest driver in the squadron is 18 year old driver Johnnie Cockerill from Weybridge, Surrey. Before the war he was a salesman.
     
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  7. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Re. Sergeant Carr - Troopers Heavens & Rose : ex-24th Lancers

    The Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry 1939-1945

    On Sunday 10 September 1944 - Geel
    "A remarkable photograph (shown on Fb) that is said to show three Sherwood Rangers taken prisoner and led out of Geel by their German captors.
    The Rangers, Sgt.Carr and Troopers Heavens and Rose were taken prisoner when their tank was hit, killing two of the crew.
    The three bailed but the tank was surrounded by German infantry who took them prisoner."

    "the three men can be seen at the top left of the group, Sgt.Carr was slightly wounded. They spent the rest of the war in Stalag XIB at Fallingbostel, Germany which was liberated by British troops" on - 16 April, in 1945.
    Sgt Carr, Heavens and Rose were ex-24th Lancers who joined the Sherwood Rangers when the 24th L regiment was disbanded in late July 1944.
    Photo (on Fb) by Willem van Broeckhoven
     
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2020
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  8. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Trooper Harry Kenworthy - ex-24th Lancer - C squadron- gunner/mechanic.

    KIA with 3RTR - 16d8m1944 : Casualty

    Trooper: KENWORTHY, HARRY
    Service Number 3450588
    Died 16/08/1944
    Aged 24
    3rd Royal Tank Regiment, R.A.C.
    Son of Simon and Alice Kenworthy; husband of Mary Kathleen Kenworthy, of Littleborough, Lancashire.


    There is this ref.

    https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/ne...l-casualties-of-the-second-world-war-–-august

    Trooper Harry Kenworthy
    Harry was born in Glossop in 1919 (Qtr 2), the youngest son of Simon and Alice Kenworthy (nee Moss). It appears that Harry had a twin, James, as well as Glossop born siblings Ellen (born 1923), Sheila (1931), Anthony (1935) and Ruby born in Littleborough in 1943.
    Before joining the army during 1939, Harry was a member of St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church and was employed by E Clegg and Sons, Shore Mills. He married Mary Kathleen Ridings of Littleborough whilst on leave during early 1943.
    Unfortunately, some 18 months later Trooper Kenworthy 3450588, 3rd Royal Tank Corps, R.A.C. is believed to have been killed on 16 August 1944 in the area of the River Noireau, the bridge having been destroyed and several tanks lost on the 16th. Harry is buried in Tilly-Sur-Seulles War Cemetery, Grave VII D 9, and remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph and Cleggs Shore Mill War Memorial.
    The Rochdale Observer of 9 September when reporting on Harry noted that his wife was living in her parents’ house at 9 Calder Avenue and in a separate report included sentiments from his wife, father and brothers and sisters, in-laws and nieces at 13 Turf Terrace.
     
  9. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Re. Lieutenant FRANCIS BARRETT CREAMER

    There's a 24th Lancer War Diary ref for 10th July 1943 -

    24th L - War Diary -
    10/7/43 No.285429, 2/Lt.F.B.Creamer joined the Regiment from RAC, OCTU.

    And later...

    23/11/43 Selected Officers of the Regiment attended a lecture on “Battle Intelligence” given by Lieut.Col.Ewart at HQ, 8 Corps.
    2/Lts F.B.Creamer, A.H.Wade and G.M.Elliott were attached to 165 OCTU, Dunbar.
    Selected Officers of the Regiment attended a demonstration of the use of 4.2” mortars at Wheeldale.

    Casualty, FRANCIS BARRETT

    Lieutenant CREAMER, FRANCIS BARRETT
    Service Number 285429
    Died 09/09/1944
    Aged 20
    1st Bn. The Herefordshire Regt.
    King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    Son of Richard Joseph and Lily Julia Creamer, of Ealing, Middlesex.
     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2020
  10. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Re... Corporal Stanley Arthur Steggel

    Possible ex-24th Lancer...

    Stanley Arthur Steggel | ParaData

    Has...

    " Stanley Arthur Steggel was born 1916 in West Ham and married Joan Mary Roach in 1941 in Romford. Stanley may have served with either the Essex Regiment or 24th Lancers prior to volunteering for airborne forces.
    Stanley then served with 1st Airborne Divisional Signals and can be seen in this group image at Caythorpe, Lincs. : 1st Airborne Divisional Signals, Caythorpe 1944. | ParaData

    Stanley served on a number of operations including the liberation of Norway in 1945.
    Stanley died in 1988 in Northwich, Cheshire.
    "
     
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  11. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Re. 2/Lt.R.G.Read, Queens Bays and 2/Lt.A.J.Spencer, 16/5 Lancers

    The 24th L - War Diary for 2nd October 1943 has...

    Bridlington
    2/10/43 2/Lt.R.G.Read, Queens Bays and 2/Lt.A.J.Spencer, 16/5 Lancers were attached to this Regiment from RAC,OCTU pending posting to their own Regiments.

    Searching via Google the London Gazette with...

    A.J.Spencer site:thegazette.co.uk 1943

    Seems to produce an RAF - ROYAL AIR FORCE - VOLUNTEER RESERVE - A.J.Spencer - - a little later - as perhaps a potential possibility...

    i.e. A. J. SPENCER (133796)-. -28th Nov. 1943.

    Though perhaps it's merely coincidental.

    Searching via Google the London Gazette with...
    R.G.Read site:thegazette.co.uk 1943

    Gives, potentially:-

    Plt. Offs. (prob.) to be Flg. Offs. (prob.) (war subs.) : —

    R. G. READ (149516) - 5th Nov. 1943.

    As another potential, coincidental possibility.
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2020
  12. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Re. Henry Harold Langridge.

    From: 24th Lancers Regimental Nominal Roll and Postings August 1944

    20201031_073847.jpg

    The London Gazette (p5266 - 17th November 1944) has:

    REGULAR ARMY. EMERGENCY COMMISSIONS. ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS.

    310588 War Subs. R.S.M. Henry Harold LANGRIDGE (333766), to be Lt. (Qr.-Mr.), 19th August 1944.


    https://www.ancestry.co.uk/name-origin?surname=langridge

    With around 2000 "Langridges" listed in 1891. A 1/3 in Sussex and a further 1/3rd in Hampshire, Surrey, Kent. Around 20% in the Greater London area.
     
  13. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Re. Trooper Frank Gordon Wagstaff (14339636).

    Knighton War Memorial – WWWMP

    Has...

    "Frank Gordon Wagstaff, Trooper, 14339636, 24th Lancers. Frank was born in Basingstoke on 3 September 1913, the son of Edgar William Wagstaff and Blanche Eva Wagstaff (nee Bowerman). The family moved to Shrewsbury prior to the war and Frank married Joan Williams in 1939, before the couple settled at Wayside, Presteigne Road, Knighton. Frank enlisted into the 24th Lancers following the outbreak of war. The regiment was raised in December 1940 and was assigned to the 8th Armoured Brigade on 8 February 1944, in readiness for the Normandy landings. The regiment landed on Gold Beach on 7 June 1944, in the second wave, supporting the 50th (Northumbrian) Division, equipped with Sherman tanks. Frank was killed during heavy fighting around Putot-en-Bessin on 8 June 1944, aged 30. He is buried in Bayeux War Cemetery, France."

    Edit: And... https://terrydrayton.wixsite.com/knighton/frank-gordon-wagstaff
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2020
  14. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

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  15. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Re. Trooper William Watkinson, 24th Lancers, "C" Squadron...

    Full text of "St. Dunstan's Review"

    Has...

    William Watkinson, of Croston, Lancashire, died on 9th February (1980?). He was 70 years old.

    Mr. Watkinson joined the 24th Lancers with the rank of Trooper in 1942. However, while serving in France, in 1944, he was blinded following a shell explosion. He joined St. Dunstan's the same year and, having been a carpenter in civilian life, Mr. Watkinson undertook a period of industrial training. He was employed by Leyland Motors, where he was a valued employee, working on inspection for 25 years. He was presented with a gold watch for his long service, but at his own request the watch was a lady's wrist watch, which he gave to his wife, Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Watkinson had been married for over 40 years, when his wife died in 1974.
    After his wife's death, Mr. Watkinson went to live with his only daughter, Mrs. Joan Jackson, and her family, who cared for him devotedly until shortly before his death, when seriously deteriorating health made it necessary for him to enter a residential home.
    Published by ST. DUNSTAN'S for Men and Women Blinded on War Service, 191 Old Marylebone Road London NW1 5QN
    and printed by Robert Stockwell Ltd.. Baden Place, London SE1 1YP
     
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  16. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Re. ex-24th Lancer Lt. Graham Mason Elliott...

    There is an online pdf for the...

    - CANFORD SCHOOL -
    -- ROLL OF HONOUR --

    Graham Mason Elliott (8 41) Lieutenant, Hampshire Regiment.
    He was commissioned from Sandhurst into the 24th Lancers in March 1943. He later transferred to the Hampshire Regiment and landed on D-Day on "Gold" Beach with the 1st Battalion. He was severely wounded during the attack on Arromanches and died of his wounds in Hasler Hospital on June 9th 1944 which was the day following his 21st birthday.

    Casualty Details | CWGC
    LIEUTENANT GRAHAM MASON ELLIOTT
    Service Number: 268027
    Regiment: Hampshire Regiment, 1st Bn.
    Date of Death: Died 09 June 1944
    Buried or commemorated at
    DURLEY (HOLY CROSS) CHURCHYARD
    Grave 495.
    United Kingdom
    Country of Service: United Kingdom



    The 24th L - War Diary - for Graham Mason Elliott has...

    19/3/43 2/Lt.G.M.Elliott, RAC, was posted to the Regiment from RAC, OCTU.

    &

    23/11/43 Selected Officers of the Regiment attended a lecture on “Battle Intelligence” given by Lieut.Col.Ewart at HQ, 8 Corps.
    2/Lts F.B.Creamer, A.H.Wade and G.M.Elliott were attached to 165 OCTU, Dunbar.
    Selected Officers of the Regiment attended a demonstration of the use of 4.2” mortars at Wheeldale.

    Also: War Diary - 1st Battalion, The Hampshire Regt - June 1944
     
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  17. Axel78

    Axel78 Member

    Please can whomever posted this please kindly get in touch as this is my grandfather. The Paradata record that this text was copied from was submitted to Paraata by myself last year but I am curious if you have anything additional?
    He received a bayonet injury to his leg courtesy of an Italian and family rumour is that he was a Sergeant at one point but got busted down for telling an officer 'politely' that he was incorrect or words to that effect!

    I haven't got his service records yet but it is on the to do list.
     
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  18. harkness

    harkness Well-Known Member

    John Cockerill
    John Cockerill was one of the first British troops to arrive at Belsen
    Email Tim Cockerill The Guardian,
    Thursday 8 March 2007

    My father, John Cockerill, who has died aged 83, was born in Stoke Newington, north London, where his family had owned a butcher's shop for more than 150 years. When he was three, they moved to New Haw, Surrey, where his father bought a small shop. He grew up to love the canal and the slower, rural way of life.

    When the second world war broke out, he joined the Home Guard, in which his father was a captain. At 18, he joined the regular army as a tank driver. His regiment, the 24th Lancers, was one of the wartime regiments called together at times of national crisis. He recalled that the training on Salisbury Plain was like a Boys' Own adventure, but on June 6 1944 the adventure exploded into the harsh reality of war. The 24th Lancers suffered heavy casualties in the Normandy campaign, and were amalgamated into the 23rd Hussars, much to his and fellow comrades' dismay.

    My father was one of the first British troops to arrive at Belsen, and remembered how the air had a strange smell to it as they approached the town. His first reaction on seeing prisoners in the concentration camp was to wonder why they were all wearing pyjamas. On realising the situation, he offered his rations to some of them, only to be rebuked by an officer because of the danger it presented to people so malnourished.

    After the war John returned to the family business, met and married Pamela Winifred Sanders and moved to Tring, Hertfordshire. The 1970s saw the decline of family butchers, and he had to work in the wholesale meat trade in Luton. When this job folded, he worked in agricultural sales, and when made redundant again he found a job back in Tring as manager of G Grace & Son, ironmongers. He spent many happy years there, and far too long fixing things for elderly residents of the town for next to nothing.

    In retirement, he helped organise church fetes, flower festivals and a spectacular transport festival - all of which raised funds to replace the church windows, build a new porch and provide new heating and flooring. My father was a lovely, easy-going man who never complained and fought for the freedom of his country; an ordinary life in extraordinary times.
     
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  19. harkness

    harkness Well-Known Member

    1939 REGISTER TRANSCRIPTION
    19 French Street , St Helens C.B., Lancashire

    FIRST NAME(S) LAST NAME(S) DOB OCCUPATION
    Richard Waine 17 Feb 1887 Coal Hewer Incapacitated Through Accident
    Margaret Waine 05 Oct 1891 Unpaid Domestic Duties
    Marie Waine 12 Jul 1910 Unpaid Domestic Duties
    Richard Waine 15 Mar 1913 Corporation Bus Conductor
    James H Waine 31 Oct 1919 Transport Clerk
    Joseph A Waine 15 Feb 1922 Apprentice Tool Maker
    Elizabeth Wills (Waine) 19 Jul 1934 At School

    James Henry Waine
    Birth 31 Oct 1919 in St Helens
    Death 29 Feb 2004 in Knowsley, Merseyside
     
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  20. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Re. Trooper / Lance Corporal Alan Percy Pulleyn-Holden

    Recently saw this online...

    Lot 1114, Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria (5 April 2006) | Dix Noonan Webb

    "Alan Percy Pulleyn-Holden was born on 19 August 1916. A Journalist and Printer by occupation, he enlisted at Harlesden on 17 February 1940 ‘for the duration of the emergency’. On the I.T.C. King’s Regiment, December 1940-February 1941 and later with the Derbyshire Yeomanry and Royal Armoured Corps. In June-August 1944 he was Intelligence Corporal in the 24th Lancers. He was transferred to the Army Reserve in March 1946."

    Nb. Not 100% sure about the "he was Intelligence Corporal in the 24th Lancers" bit.

    Prior to D-Day he was apparently a Trooper in the 24th Lancers, HQ, and at their disbandment he was a Lance Corporal.

    Also: Alan PULLEYN-HOLDEN | | The Gazette ...

    20210121_212805.jpg

    20210121_212706.jpg
     
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