Son of 23rd Hussars veteran

Discussion in 'User Introductions' started by Dustbag1969, Aug 7, 2015.

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  1. Dustbag1969

    Dustbag1969 New Member

    Hi,

    My father was William Fleetham and was a radio operator in the 23rd Hussars from 1940 to 1945.

    Unfortunately my dad died when I was only 20 (quite a few years ago now) so although he told me about some of his experiences I wish he was still around to talk about these things now that I am old enough to have a greater understanding.

    I recently spent a week in Normandy and visited some of the sites where the 23rd Hussars fought. I found Hill 112 SW of Caen a very moving place (Photo of memorial attached)

    I have some information on the 23rd Hussars already but if anyone else has any info please get in touch.

    Thank you
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Lotus7

    Lotus7 Well-Known Member

    Hi welcome to the forum Dustbag1969, good luck with your research. Just a thought have you applied for his service records, or do you already have them?


    David
     
  3. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

  4. Wessex_Warrior

    Wessex_Warrior Junior Member

    Hello,

    Welcome to the best WW2 Military resource in the UK.
    The book you need is the "Story of the 23rd Hussars" which was published in 1946 and is rare. I have a copy so if you have any specific questions I may be able to answer them for you. Equally the War Dairies are also available and some members offer a copying service which you may wish to partake of. There is also a lot of information that a search engine can provide.
    The more information you provide the more interest will be generated and the better the replies you will receive.
    Good luck in your search.

    Kind regards,

    Will.
     
  5. Dustbag1969

    Dustbag1969 New Member

    Hi,

    I have the "Story of the 23rd Hussars" which I am reading again at the moment. I have a couple of photos of my Dad taken which I will upload when I get home.
    Using various search engines I have managed to get quite lot of information but I am always interested in finding out more.

    I don't have my dads service records but now that you have suggested it I will look into how I go about getting these. What sort of information is typically contained in these?

    I think I might have a copy of the war diaries but because the front cover has been lost at some point in the last 70 years I am not sure what the book is called that I have.

    Thank you,

    Alan :)
     
  6. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Alan and welcome to the forum. There's been a fair bit of info posted on here regarding that regiment.

    Good luck :)
     
  7. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

  8. SDP

    SDP Incurable Cometoholic

    23rd Hussars were part of 29th Armoured Brigade in the 11th Armoured Division so the 11th AD history 'Taurus Pursuant' contains good detail. Copies come up occasionally on eBay!

    Incidentally, I'm somewhat curious about that Memorial you described. 23H were 'in' 11AD so not themselves a Division...and 55th T T Division?
     
  9. Dustbag1969

    Dustbag1969 New Member

    Hi,

    Don't know why the 23rd Hussars are listed individually on the memorial as well as the 11th AD.
    As I am from the NE I also noticed the error on the memorial that it should have read the 50th TT Division.

    Currently reading "Charge of the Bull" but I will keep an eye out for Taurus Pursuant.

    Alan
     
  10. ritsonvaljos

    ritsonvaljos Senior Member

    Welcome to the forum. Here's hoping you find out most of what you seek.
    Jos
     
  11. SDP

    SDP Incurable Cometoholic

    You should also read 'The Black Bull' by Patrick Delaforce who served in that Division. Copies always available on eBay. Take it as a general guide because it is a bit of a compilation of bits and pieces with lots of errors even though the basic message is there. As an indication of an error, an old friend of mine discovered via that book that he had been wounded......the book was the first he knew of it and it caused a good laugh all round.
     

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