I spent this afternoon with ex-Sgt-Major John Wright, late 6th (Medium) Regt, R.A. His first medal is the India General Service Medal with clasp Northwest Frontier 1937-39. Hunting the Ipi (the 30's version of Osama Bin Laden). He served in Burma and India during WWII and then with 361 Regt (Territorials) after the war. He also wears the Efficiency Medal. Although he is 82 and his hearing isn't too good, he clearly remembers life on the Frontier, which he loved. He talked about the places that I only read about; Lucknow, Peshawar, Razmak etc. The time passed too quickly. Steve
Hi Steve, I spent an afternoon a couple of months ago with a veteran who served with the 78th Division (Battleaxe). It was great I sat there totally transfixed. I put his story on my site from his landing at Algeria all the way to Austria. So are we going to see his story here soon? Regards Kieron
Just a suggestion but do what I did and tape all these veterans. I have my father,uncles and many others on tape, with their permission of course. People have told me how they were always going to tape their father or grandfather or someone that served and they never got around to it then suddenly that person was gone. We must keep the memories of these people in a tangible form before our memories fail.
i've got to agree with Tony, we really can't afford to lose these experiences and when it's too late......................
Originally posted by sappernz@Mar 16 2005, 11:16 PM Just a suggestion but do what I did and tape all these veterans. I have my father,uncles and many others on tape, with their permission of course. People have told me how they were always going to tape their father or grandfather or someone that served and they never got around to it then suddenly that person was gone. We must keep the memories of these people in a tangible form before our memories fail. [post=32249]Quoted post[/post] Exellent idea! These recollections are indeed far too precious to be lost.
I am friendly with a Gurkha who served in Burma with an array of units. He fought against the Japanese from 1941(where he was stuck on the wrong side of the Sittang bridge) til 1944 where he was wounded. I am pretty sure he fought at both Kohima and Imphal. I really should record his expereinces. It is such a joy to listen to him speak of his time in the army and all the great experiences he had.
Andy007 Don't waste time talking about it - DO IT. I wish I could have spoken to more veterans, my father included, during the reseach of my book. Once these old timers have gone it's as though they weren't there unless it's recorded. Lionboxer
I'll post those stories of these Allied veterans on my site: www.geocities.com/roav1945 I just recently posted the story of a recently deceased Czechoslovak Jew - his family wanted him to be remembered online. The site is called "Remembering Our Allied Veterans of WWII" My e-mail is smith_1988_tn@hotmail.com
I'm hoping to talk to a vetaran from the REME soon, he served in Burma and was involved in winching a tank on to Kuki piquet at Kohima to help clear the Jap bunkers holding up the RWF. I never talked or interviewed a vet before and am a bit worried. Any advice would be appreciated!!