61st recce members

Steve, Tom, Andy.
That is a great help thank you and will certainly get me going with my research tomorrow and Thursday.
I will let you know how l get on.
Regards,
Nick

 

Hello Nick,

There was no 59th (Northumbrian) Division and the 59th Recce Regiment never served with 50 Div. I believe there was a typo in Tom's Message # 11. This is therefore a 'red herring'!

Best,

Steve.

 

Steve,

Sorry it was a Typo error on my part and Owen picked up on it.
Will ammend now.

Sorry for any confusion.

Regards
Tom

 

Thanks Guys,

My research notes have been amended.

Regards,

Nick
KenFentonsWar.com

 

Guys,

Been in touch with Chotie's Daughter who refereed me to 'Beaten Paths' as well and a few other points of reference. Page 82 and 138.

Kew Thursday now. Page 82 does raise another question. New post on its way regarding Tournai cemetery.

Regards,

Nick
KenFentonsWar.com

 

How did your search/research at the National Archives go, Nick?

Best,

Steve.

 

Steve,

Picked up and went through the diaries as suggested by Andy and Major Alexander goes right back to the early days of 61 Recce although l could not find the date he joined, therefore not sure where he came from. All pretty mundane stuff apart from the battle for Kent in their manoeuvres and sorting out the IRA in Northern Ireland or at least going to see them. As can be typical of home units, great detail on the number of cups and saucers and changing over vehicles but not much else.

Then spent a while sorting out a few Liberation Questionnaires fpr other members including some late requests (Thanks Pete) and then moved onto the red books to see what l needed to look at.

Another fully day required!!!

I will keep you all informed.

Regards,

Nick
KenFentonsWar.com

 

Hi
I have just returned from a trip to Normandy with my father a veteran of the Normandy landings. He was relucant to attent the official celebrations of the anniversary as he didn't land until after D day. However he has really enjoyed visiting Sword beach and talking to visitors at the museum on Juno Beach. He would love to have a chat with any other 61st Recce veterans.

He is Trouper Bill Gwilliam 61st Recce Regiment 50 Division Tyne and Tees. He landed on Sword Beach a couple of weeks after D day and was part of the war in France until being wounded in Belguim, returning to Germany after he recovered.

Is anyone aware of any other veterans who would welcome being in touch ?

 

Hi Welcome to the forum. Great to have another Recce on board. Do you have any photos, information etc of your father that you would like to share on the forum?
Have added his name to the Recce Nominal Roll I am compiling.

Cheers
Paul

 

Hi thanks for adding him to the roll.
He is delighted to here that there is such interest in the regiment. He is 89 and has limited vision so can't see the photos but I have been reading him information from the site. He has a few photos of his own which he is looking out, i will post them as soon as i can. We have recently captured him on video talking about his memories.
He landed on Sword beach at Lion Sur Mare he thinks about 2 weeks after D day, by this time there was just an occasional shell as they came ashore. He remembers the crossing being quite rough with most in the landing craft being sea sick.

He was a signaler in an armoured car and recalls various incidents as the unit progressed through the Brocarge countryside which presented significant dangers because of the high banks and hedges. Lots of stories about sleeping in the open wrapped in a blanket and being so exhausted he could fall asleep instantly. If it was wet they slept under the amoured car. He received extra pay because of his more code skills ( he can still remember it)

He has spoken in detail about being wounded in Gavere in Belgium in October 44. He was on night watch when German tanks arrived from the Falaise Pocket, he was on duty with a Corporal Jackson who took cover in a potato patch. The ensuing encounter resulted in my father shooting a German soldier and himself being shot. He subsequently had to play dead for some hours before he was rescued after the Germans had moved off.

After being wounded he was taken back to England to recover. He returned to Germany but by then the 61st had been disbanded and he was placed in another regiment. Initially they were told they were to be sent to Japan but this didn't happen following the atomic bombs.

Not sure if this is of interest to people, if there is anything in specific you would like me to ask him please let me know. He loves to talk about it but unfortunately can only remember a few names.

Alison

 

Alison,

I am desperately trying to find the war diaries for 61 Recce Regiment for D-Day onwards at the moment so will keep you informed.

Does he have any recollection of Major Stanley George Alexader Commander of 'C' Squadron 61st Recce who died on 24th September 1944. His son is trying to find out about him. I am afraid the records only list those of WO or above so are not very detailed.

Regards,

Nick
KenFentonsWar.com

 

Hi Alison. It is always of interest to hear veterans accounts. My father was in 56 Recce & never talked about the war until after my mother died. Some of his stories can be found at

http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/12236-in-his-own-words-some-of-my-fathers-recollections/

Cheers
Paul

 

Hi all. I joined the site as my uncle was 61st recce (ron davies)and im interested in finding more on the unit I have picked up a couple of books on recce including beaten paths, I had a few good conversations with him about his time in the forces. Sadly Ron died this year just days before the d day celebrations, I would be interested to see any information on the unit or pics I hsve some that he gave me when I can I will scan them and post them up if any one is interested best regards john

 

John welcome to the forum, great to have another Recce on board. Please post your Uncle's photos.

Cheers
Paul

 

Hello John and a warm welcome to the forum. Lots of Recce interest here, including myself
Look forward to seeing your photos and perhaps some of your Uncle's stories

Lesley

 

HI thanks for the welcome the pics aren't the best but here they are, I believe this is B Sqn 61st taken Aug 1943, taken by T.H Everitt and sons of London se19

 

I have a few more so as I get chance I will load them up and when I go back to see the family I will see if there any others and post them , best regards john

 

I love seeing group photos. Thanks for posting John

Lesley

 

John thanks for posting your uncles photos

Cheers
Paul

 

a few more snaps