This is a photograph of 24th Lancers Troopers in Bridlington in 1943. I would guess it may be of some interest to Graeme as three of the crew of the tank in which William Heath and Geoffrey Dean perished are in the Photograph. Bottom left is my father Peter (gunner), and in the top rank the middle two are Fred Bartlett (Left) who was the Lance Sergeant commanding the tank, who almost certainly saved my fathers life and who returned to the burning tank under fire to see if he could help the driver and co driver, which he was sadly unable to do. He was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery that day. To his left is Tony Hughes the radio operator who was injured quite seriously but was able to assist Fred in spite of being thrown some distance by the exploding ammunition in the tank. He was the last to exit the tank but was afforded some limited protection by his leather jerkin and scarf. This photograph is from Tony Hughes collection and he kindly sent me a copy some years ago. He did try and identify the others in the photograph for me, but he was not certain so I have not added more names Tim
Came across this old thread in a new search - Nice pic Tim H. BTW... there is a bit about the 24th L's in this pdf doc http://daimler-fighting-vehicles.co.uk/DFV-File Part D003b-RAC-COL Lancers.pdf On page 29... asking for any extra info etc. From this site: Home - Daimler Fighting Vehicles Note sure re. when everything on this site was last updated - and the pdf (above) may be quite old. Some of the pages are saying 2016 though - so I think it (the site) is being maintained and there is a contact addressee here: HELP I've no real idea what their current state of info re. the 24th L's "daimler-fighting-vehicles" is - but there is a bit in "None Had Lancers" about what they had back then. Rm.
The PDF document says they have no record of 24L using Daimler vehicles: there are actually two photos in None Had Lances on pages 18 and 166.
Steve, Did you see this pic there too on this page: HELP Wonder if he was at this years's "War and Peace show" Google The author lying in a pool of engine oil, again! Im under my dingo trying to extract a smashed starter motor at the War and Peace show 2008. Glad too say that next morning, it was back in action.
Rob The simple answer is that I don't know. There were quite a few vehicles there but my focus was on 'that' Comet
Hi, for those interested in the 24th Lancers I thought you might want to know that in the latest edition of the French magazine Normandie 1944 I saw a photo of a knocked out 24th Lancers tank from Op Martlet in June 1944 from a "private collection". The magazine can be seen here: Normandie 1944 Magazine n°22 (Heimdal, 2017) Regards Tom
Tom Thanks for this heads up. Whilst being mindful of copyright etc, can you provide a few more details of the tank in question. The link takes us to a page about the magazine and not to the tank photo itself. Several 24L Sherman's were knocked out during Operation Martlet and it would be good to know which one it was. Interesting to see Boislonde also mentioned (a battle fought by 24L and others some days earlier than Martlet). Steve
Steve, Sorry I only looked at the magazine while on a very quick trip to France over the weekend while my better half was picking up a few things in Carrefour (other supermarkets are available!). If I recall correctly it is a frontal picture and the tank has a square squadron sign on the hull front (does that sound like a 24L tank?). You are probably correct that the photo was taken in Boislonde (I was thinking of the later battle for some reason). Sorry for the vague response... Tom
Tom Thanks for the update. Square Squadron sign would make it 'B' Squadron. 24L colour was yellow. Steve
Hi Tom, Can you recall if the tank in the magazine was call Blimey Bill? By any chance, If it's the photo I'm thinking of it's also in the book Battle of Tilly sur seulles. I'm in France next month I'll keep an eye out for the magazine. Shaun
Shaun Sorry - it was a frontal shot and quite small, and I only had a couple of minutes to flick through the magazine. There was a female French civilian stood in front of it, if that helps? Enjoy France, Tom
Hi Tom, Actually that does help in that it tells me it's not the picture I'm thinking of so it's a new one for me. My grandads tank was knocked out around Boislonde and he was also in B squadron. Which is why I'd be especially interested in seeing this picture. Many thanks for the heads up. Shaun
Shaun I can't remember the thread, but didn't someone who's female relation lived at the Parc de Boislonde throughout the battle not post on here about a year ago? Talking statistical chance but, if that's the female civilian on the photo........?
Yes Steve I can remember who you're talking about she emailed me some pages from a diary I believe it was from her grandmother who live in the chateau Boislonde. But I had already read something almost identical in Stéphane Jacquet book. I can see where you're going tho. I'll search out the thread and see if I can message her again and ask the question. Shaun
Shaun We need to remember that 'other tank Regiments with B Squadrons' are available but not many were knocked out in any one place and the Parc was definitely 'Lancers Territory' so.........you do indeed know where I'm going.