A Family At War

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by James S, Oct 18, 2008.

  1. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    Save0009.JPG When looking out some stuff to put on the "Donegal Corridor" thread I came across this photo of Donald which I had lost track off - as far as I am aware this was taken in Hong Kong, date is unknown to me.
    I have no idea what ship this was taken on other than to make a guess of "HMS Thracian" but I may well be wrong.
     
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2016
  2. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    This moring I found thesewhilst sorting through some papers , all of Donald one taken at Chatham the other post war of his grave in Japan.

    [​IMG]

    The reverse of the photo , who today would write in such a vivid colour of green ?

    [​IMG]

    I wonder does this address still exist ?

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Jan7

    Jan7 Senior Member

    James S likes this.
  4. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    You are a step ahead of me Jan , thanks for the shout on this.
    JimS :)
     
  5. Jan7

    Jan7 Senior Member

    James: Various links in your interest:
    8 STEWART, DONALD C.
    Able Seaman
    D/JX 146752
    07/05/1944
    23
    Royal Navy
    United Kingdom
    Brit. Sec. K. C. 4.
    ......"STEWART, Able Seaman, DONALD C., D/JX 146752. H.M.S. Tamar. Royal Navy. 7th May 1944. Age 23. Son of John and Elisabeth Stewart. of Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Brit. Sec. K. C. 4"......




    Jan.
     
  6. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    A source I have not seen before jan , thank you - one to save and use :)
    A long way from Chatham or from Derry .....
     
  7. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    Save.JPG A final chapter.
     
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2016
  8. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    66 years ago tonight , NP-E of 158 Squadron was shot down over Vlieland.
     
    Gerard likes this.
  9. bazbaytan

    bazbaytan Junior Member

  10. bazbaytan

    bazbaytan Junior Member

  11. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    The very same man , I have posted some info from this thread to the one on Key Publishing and have asked the current owner to contact me ASAP.

    If any new information is held I would like to see it as well as knowing where this came from.

    To say that I am surprised is something of an understatement.
     
  12. James Daly

    James Daly Senior Member

    fascinating thread, very interesting. I'm working on something very similar at the moment called 'what my family did during the war - the persepctive of a young person'. I've got some lectures booked next year... bet get working on the powerpoint!
     
  13. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    Duplicate post
     
  14. bazbaytan

    bazbaytan Junior Member

  15. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    As it stands this does not tell me anything I don't already know , is it worth £10 to me I really can't say for certain.
    Seller has contacted me and offered it without charge.
     
  16. Harry Ree

    Harry Ree Very Senior Member

    James,

    Thank you for a very interesting account of history from your familiy's involvement in it.Something that we should never forget from those uncertain years.

    Talking of Bridlington,I have to say that the photograph has a resemblance of the entrance to the Spa which is situated on the south side of the harbour.It was requistioned for the duration of the war.(After being neglected for many years,last year there was a great deal of investment made in it by the local authority to refurbish it.).The Spa was not far from the RAF Air Sea Rescue unit berths which operated out of here using motor launches during the war and post war.

    I remember Bridlington well but remember my first visit in the summer of 1945 when the country was still struggling from the affects of war and rationing was very much in evidence.We went on an organised bus trip there. It was arranged by a local bus driver who was able to set it up via the West Riding Bus Company,the company he worked for.It was in the days of what you might call now "community spirit" and we children and parents were treated to a meal at the Spa which if I remember rightly, was well received by us all.As I said, I think the photograph background could be the main entrance to the Spa from the street as I remember walking up those stairs.

    On the way into Bridlington on the Driffield road,there was an excellent view of the Emergency Landing Strip at RAF Carnaby and I do remember seeing what appeared to be a single engined fighter flying on to the airfield from the direction of the sea.This view is no more for the strip is built up now as a Business Park and it is possible to see the B.P outline stretching the whole length of the former 3000 yard runway.I think it now called Lancaster Way.

    Interestingly, I was researching No 158 Squadron at Lissett in the past and said in an earlier post that I could not find evidence of No 158 Squadron crews having to use nearby Carnaby.Then recently I found a note that it had been used by No158 with names given, the only problem was that on this occasion two crews used it but both tried to land from opposite ends.Both aborted and fortunately there was no mishap given that there is an advantage in attempting this on an airfield with a 250 yard runway width.

    If there is anything I could do in order for you to achieve your purchase,then PM me. I notice that there are no bids to now.,

    Per Ardua ad Astra
     
  17. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    Save.JPG A good ending to this , I spoke to the present owner of the document , he is more than happy to send it to me and for this I am grateful to him.
    All is well that ends well.
    I wonder if this chapter is at an end or if in the future something else will surface , I have the feeling that somewhere there is a photo of this crew and I look forward to finding it.
    For the moment thank you to the dealer who came by this .

    [​IMG]
    I received this in the post this morning and true to his word the deal who had it posted it to me at no cost.
    The paper is certainly old and the type is old , wartime or shortly afterwards I have no doubt about this.
     
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2016
    dbf likes this.
  18. James a most impressive family history and even more importantly the paqssion you have for it thank you for sharing it
    I am trying to sort mine out but I have very little to it but have had some help from the lads here with information putting me in the right direction and hopefully more will come in time
    good luck and may be we will meet up some day

    yours Davey love the art work done by Soren very talented lady indeed
     
  19. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    Davy , Soren is all man :)
     
  20. Lol my mistake apologies Soren
     

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