99801 2nd Lt W R Cresswell MC and a Blockhouse

Discussion in '1940' started by Drew5233, Mar 14, 2011.

  1. Mike 511

    Mike 511 Member

    I have only just come across this forum. My uncle was Derrick Lorraine the Injured Officer forced to hobble over to the blockhouse. I have been in touch with Stephanie and the planned inauguration next May 2024. I plan to attend with his daughter. I am then bringing the all his sons and families, his daughters children, and grandchildren, about 16 of us, over in July. We are starting in St Omer where we will pay respects to L/Cpl Ruddy at his grave. Then to Cassel. and onwards via Mont des Cats to the Blockhouse. We will then head to Dunkirk to see the beaches where two other uncles did manage to be evacuated.
    I have retyped the war diary that Roy Cresswell wrote up on the 6th August 1940, and corrected some minor mistakes. One being that My uncle was with the RASC not RA. a second being on Wed 30th regarding the German plan becoming clear, the word should be distraction not destruction. the other just minor grammatical changes to make it read slightly better. I am happy to post the result if wished.
    My uncle was a POW in Eichstadt I only have photos of him in the POW camp and post war of course.
    If anyone has any further military info on my uncle I would be most grateful.
    My uncle can also be found on Wikipedia under the name Bertie Lorraine and his Pre war rugby career. His full name was Herbert Derrick Bell Lorraine, we only knew him as Uncle Derrick.

    I hope this is of interest.
     
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  2. John West

    John West Active Member

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  3. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Herbert Derrick Bell `Bertie` Lorraine


    from 1935 National Portrait Gallery
    upload_2023-11-13_15-42-43.png

    Kyle
     
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  4. Mike 511

    Mike 511 Member

    Many thanks, a great read.
     
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  5. Mike 511

    Mike 511 Member

    An early photo from the POW camp. A later one shows the effects of lack of food.
     

    Attached Files:

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  6. Mike 511

    Mike 511 Member

    The later photo.
     

    Attached Files:

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  7. ChrisBa

    ChrisBa Member

    I never realised there where other posts helping me out with me question.
    It comes very, very late, but thank you very much for showing these maps and the plan of the blockhouse. I just returned reading about this topic and they help.
     
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  8. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    ChrisBa,

    That is why it is a good approach to 'watch thread' accessed via the name top right of each pg. You've only posted one even easier to manage and watch.
     
  9. Mike 511

    Mike 511 Member

    Is there any news for the inauguration date? Stephanie Colart suggested maybe the end of this coming May, clearly a poignant date. I have my cousin (daughter of Derrick Lorraine ) and myself waiting for confirmation. I might telephone Stephanie next week. We are thinking we could just go over for the day?
     
  10. Dave H

    Dave H Junior Member

    Yes it is still Going ahead over the weekend 24-26 May. Details are still being finalised to de conflict with other commemorations at Hondeghem.
     
    Mike 511 likes this.
  11. Mike 511

    Mike 511 Member

    many thanks.
     

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