Hello, first time here. my father, 90 and still not out served with 50 Div Signals from 1939 to 1946. Called up at Darlington Drill Hall and landed in France 1940. Retreat to Dunkirk, served in Africa, invasion of Sicily, and landed with H section on Gold Beach D+90 mins. We have just returned from Normandy. Can anyone confirm movements in days after landings. Thanks. He is Signalman R M Wallace
Is it Mel ? Welcome aboard from one of the oldies ! Lots of experts here, so expect to receive much help with your research. Regards Ron
Hi, Assuming you have a copy of his service records I would get a copy of the Signals war diary for that period. They are available from the national archives at Kew, Cheers Andy
Thank-you for the welcome messages and suggestions. His full names are Ronald Melville - He got Mel, Melv or Melly. Later in 1945 when posted to GHQ Liason 'Phantoms' it was 'Pop' I am applying for his service records and will check on the War Diary. If any-one has any questions I will pass them on. There was an earlier post on Basil 'Ginger' Minor, who was CO and died from a concussion blast while sat on the side of a trench in North Africa. Thanks again
Hi, I notice you appear to be mainly interested in the Normandy/1944 area of WW2. Although I have an interest in the Royal Signals my main area of interest during the war is 1940 and I'm more than happy to help you with this area. Can you share some more detail (What, Where, When and How etc) on the death of Maj. Minor and I'll add it to the thread with credit to you or your father or better still take the credit by adding it yourself. Please pass on my best wishes to your father from one ex 'scalie' to another. Regards Andy
Andy, I joined the forum to use his memories to help others really. He went to France in Jan 40 and served with 50 Div Signals all thru to Nijmegan (the island) on market Garden. From 45-46 he was with Phantom reg. Although his rank was Signalman he was a driver/runner, having been given the rank thru passing a mechanics course. With Basil Minor, I will get some more detail and be back later. What I do know is that three officers, including Minor, were sat on a trench edge when a shell landed and the concussion killed two of them outright (no marks on the bodies), while the third officer an Irishman survived. Will try and get some more flesh on the bone. He is bad with dates and was on 'out-groups'? assigned to RA units Cheers
I'm at the National Archives (Collecting 1940 War Diaries) in a week or so-I'll add the 1940 Div Signals diary to my list for you. It may help with your fathers memory as it has daily entries. Ref Maj. Minor, If your father can remember the other officer who died name or cap badge I should be able to find him too. Any info would be great. I was incontact with a Signals chap last year (Sadly he has passed away). He was involved in an incident at Nijmegan Bridge your father may be aware of. See from Post 59. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/special-forces/3653-german-special-forces-2.html Regards Andy
Hi Andy, just spoke with him and thats about all. Said it must have been the first shell or they would have all been in the trench! Capt Minor was his CO in France in 1940. Cheers
Andy, Followed the Nijmegan posts. Dad said that permission was given to spend any 'off-duty' time by the bridges/pontoon and shoot anything in the water that looked like a frogman! Like any good soldier he went looking for grub and shelter!
Andy/Camel, Thanks for the link to this post and the info on Basil Minor. I can update the detail on him now. I will be at the National Archives myself in a couple of weeks, so if you are are around drop me a line and I'll buy the coffee. It's the least I could do for all your assistance with this. Regards Paul Johnson
Thanks for the link to this post and the info on Basil Minor. I can update the detail on him now. I will be at the National Archives myself in a couple of weeks, so if you are are around drop me a line and I'll buy the coffee. It's the least I could do for all your assistance with this. Regards Paul Johnson
Here's some info about the ship that saved your father at Dunkirk: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-sea/29330-special-service-vessel-golden-eagle-dunkirk.html
Many thanks for that Drew. He was always under the impression he landed at Harwich.. He said they turned North after sailing and the rumour was they were to be landed further up the coast.
The main evacuation route was due North after leaving Dunkirk. THis was because of the German Artillery and Mines in the sea. I'll post a map of the routes later-Gotta go to work.
Here you go, as promised. Route Y was the longest, but was the prefered route as it was the safest out of rane of German Artillery and not much in the way of mines I beleive. Route X was through mine fields and Route Z was within the range of German Artillery advancing along the coast from Calais.
Drew, It seems they were picked up when Golden Eagle was on route home. About six of them had made it to an abandoned boat and he sculled with the one remaining oar out into deep water. The steamer was in danger of grounding on sand banks and they were hauled up nets thrown over the stern. He says there were nurses below and the ship was pretty full, which sounds like it had left the harbour and was bound for Blighty. The date ties in as he remembers watching Gracie Fields being hit and floundering the previous day. The 'war time' pic certainly sparked up some memories. Thanks for that.
He was in Royal Corps of signals Landed on DDay on sword beach would have been 90 this this year He had lots of notes, which he did for imperial war museum which i still have 41 Line section 125 force signals LB4 detachment The above mean anything to anyone Kenny
