129 Field Ambulance, 43rd Div - Normandy, Market Garden & crossing the Rhine.

Brian

The full diaries are now posted on this thread. If you like I can send you a link so you can download them?

 

Hi Everyone - I am the grandson of S.V. Korn and I am planning a pilgrimage in his footsteps to Arnhem this September for the 75th Anniversary, in the quest for some missing pieces of jigsaw.

Whilst he was alive, he spoke about how when the 195th ALFA returned to the UK in Sept 1944 that an officer (presumably a surgeon, as my grandad was a theatre assistant) was posted to the 181st ALFA for OP Market Garden and took approximately 6 men with him. My grandfather being one them. My grandfather returned to Arnhem in 1994 for the 50th Anniversary.

This long-held family “story” has been dismissed by many as impossible however he never spoke of the war (except to wonder if the baby French boy that he helped deliver in Normandy ever survived the war*). After my family persuaded him to revisit Arnhem in 1994, to help put his mind at peace that it was now a beautiful Dutch town and not the hell he remembered; he didn’t stop talking about the war including being a corporal (photographs prove this)

After he passed on new years day 2007, I requested his medals and war records. Despite his records stating he was Private through-out his career (1st error in the records), they only state his active RAMC units as the 195th ALFA with overseas campaigns in: -

Normandy: 06/06/44 – 03/09/44
Ardennes & NW Europe: 23/12/44 – 23/02/45
Op Varsity & NW Europe: 24/03/45 – 18/05/45
Palestine until 1946

Given there is already an error in the written records with regards to his rank; and the haste in which a handful of men would have been deployed from the 195th to the 181st ALFA, it does not surprise me that the records do not marry up (especially as a junior rank).

If anyone can throw any light on this matter, or wishes to meet up with me in Arnhem this September to discuss RAMC activities there (specifically the 181st ALFA) then I look forward to hearing from you. If anyone has any PDF document files they can share with me it would also be much appreciated. The surname “Korn” not common in British Military WW1 and WW2 records, being that it originated in our family from Bavaria.

I also have photographs of my grandfather with other members of the 195th ALFA that I am happy to share with anyone.

*Gerrad Lorrine born 17th June 1944 – Survived the war and became a Doctor

 

hi i believe my grandad alfred stanley pattrick is in the 3rd photo, 5 from right to left and 2nd row

 

I like to think that my father, Jack Lambert, could be back row 3rd from the left

 

if i come across any other pictures i wil put them up,

 

Many years ago and now sadly lost we used to have a large group photo of the entire Field Ambulance which I'm thinking was taken in 1944 prior to Normandy. I would dearly love to hear from any relative who has a copy of it.

 

hi here is a picture of alfred pattrick and a few of his mates

 

Hi all,
I have just joined and trying to follow my wife’s grandfather’s war. I have a copy of his service records and he was taken to 130 field ambulance in September 1944, which I believe was in Tilly at the time. Then transferred to General Hospital later in September, which again I believe was the 6th based at Rouen.

He then rejoined his unit (5th Dorsets) after a spell in 37RHU.
However, he was taken to 129 field ambulance in December 1944 until April 1945, which seems like a long time. Any ideas where 129 were during this time?

Thanks in advance

 

Hi Jonathan Ball,
I have been going through my grandad’s things and came across this photo of him (SGT. Mills) and wondered if anyone knew any more about this photo.
The photo has LT-COL A.D.Bourne who seems to be the name in your diary photos.
Kind regards,
Claire

 

Yes please.
Kind regards,
Claire

 

Is your father in this picture as there is a SGT Smith in it?
Kind regards,
Claire

 

Hi Maggie,
Do you know when and where the swimming picture was taken as I believe my Grandad is one of those men.
Kind regards,
Claire

 

Sadly poor quality photos, Reichwald 1945, include my Father, Jack Lambert (Burton) who I believe was a cook in 129 Field Ambulance.

In the photo with the trucks behind, you can see the girlfriends/wives names. My Mothers name Gwen is there

Names on back include Ron Smith (Harpenden), Hal Best (Doncaster), Bill Jones (Stoke), Major Rex Marrett (Chelmsford), Major Stanley Raw (Newcastle Upon Tyne), Johnny Harrison (Featherstone), Arthur Phillips (Acton), Jack Woods (Hull), Jim Douglas Hunt