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

    Tonight , 68 years ago , this crew went missing.:poppy:

    Having just watched a programme on BBC3 about a group of young lads going to Afghanistan for their first tour there , the parallels still exist , time and place have changed but basically the young men and women serving their country have not.
     
  2. Oldman

    Oldman Very Senior Member

    James
    You are so right! my son has five mates out there now and he dreads the phone ringing after he has heard the daily news.

    Like my father and his friends its the great adventure of their lives and they know it
     
  3. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    There was a young man on last night who very rightly was concerned about IED's and felt he might succomb to one of them......
    It reminded me of a conversation "Jimmy" had with my father when they shared their last leave together ...... I do so hope that the young soldier made it home safe, remarkable young men I just hope our political masters appreciate them.
     
  4. anna590

    anna590 Junior Member

    Hello! This is a such a fantastic collection!
    I'm not sure if you would be interested but I am currently putting together a publication that will record people's histories from the second world war. I am an artist based in liverpool and my work is based on the loss memory and history. We are amongst the last generation that will hear these stories first hand and I think it is a shame that all of these amazing things that have happened to people we know will be lost or succumb to a chinese whispers like chain. I wouls be really interested in hearing about your family's history in the war and if you are interested I would be glad to input your information into the publication. I am endeavoring to provide a copy of the book to anyone who contributes so it might be a nice keepsake?

    let me know if you are interested and ill try my best to get your stories out to people who want to hear them :smile:

    I am also going to be adding a contact email in the back of the publication so anyone who might recognise a certain name or regiment or knew someone featured can get in contact and I will gladly pass any contacts forward should this happen

    I look forward to hearing back from you

    Anna Mulhearn

    Final year fine art student at LJMU
     
  5. Sejny

    Sejny Left WW2Talk

    Thank you James, for sharing that.
    I know this is four years late, But still. Nice to know about other peoples families history.
     
  6. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Sejny

    My own family was not without it's serving members

    Ron
     

    Attached Files:

  7. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    69 years ago last night , this crew wnet missing, in a sense they are no longer "missing" as it is now known what happened them and approximately where they are , all together bar one.:poppy:
     
  8. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    A quick update, On Saturday past I spoke with the sister of Sgt Edwin Hall who was Flight Engineer on the final flight with Maclaren's crew, she kindly replied to a letter I placed in South Wales Argus....I had tried this before without luck , this time a reply.
    She explained to me that her mother (Edwin's wife) had passed away in 1967 and that until now they had no idea what exactly happened to their father, hope to see a photo or two of Sgt Hall in the coming weeks.
    This accounts for 5 of the crew including Jimmy .........
     
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  9. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    70 years ago last night, this crew was shot down .
     
  10. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

  11. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    Lomdon 030.JPG Lomdon 012.JPG Lomdon 029.JPG On Sunday of last week I met my father's wartime friend Mr "Tex" Basely at the Coastal Forces (London Branch) meeting which took place on HMS Belfast.
    Tex is 89 , the eldest gentleman attending was 93.
    I was asked to give a concise account of who I was , why I was there and my connection with Coastal Forces, this was given to the meeting and about three times to individuals who approached me before and after.
    The small group which meets 3 times a year are well known on Belfast and one has to ask , how the hell did Hitler ever think he was going to beat guys like this . :)
     
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2016
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  12. irishgal

    irishgal New Member

    Thanks for posting your family's story!! My Uncle Robin McCart was at 14 ITW also in '43. Do you know when in '43 the picture was taken? I thought I recognized him in the picture but it coukd be wishful thinking, hah, hah!! My Uncle was there May 22- June 19, 1943.

    Thanks
    Colleen
     
  13. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    My older brother Don and his wife Amanda visited Yokohama / Osaka in March of this year, they spoke with the caretaker and groundsstaff who were working on the morning they visited and found them to be more than helpful and extremely polite.
    It is probably unlikely that a family member will be here again so I am endebted to Don for the photos they went out of their way to visit Japan something they felt they had to do when in "that neck of the woods".
    Think of this young man tomorrow morning and those who like him never got to come home , their journey in life took them on another path , they grow not old nor do the years condemn. IMG_0036.JPG IMG_0043.JPG IMG_0041.JPG IMG_0040.JPG IMG_0056.JPG IMG_0062.JPG IMG_0045.JPG IMG_0048.JPG IMG_0047.JPG IMG_0075.JPG IMG_0091.JPG
     
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  14. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    I obtained this sea chart for the Dutch Coast , a German Navy issue example. IMG_6831.JPG
     
  15. James Harvey

    James Harvey Senior Member

    James write to the mod medaloffice they will confirm what Medals awarded and then source a replacement F&G bar for the Atlantic and also apply for his arctic star which has been authorised

    Have you applied for his service record at all

    Great story on your whole family
     
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  16. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    I obtained this photo via eBay for a few £'s.
    Taken at the ITW in Bridlington, date unknown, the men are named on the reverse. Named.JPG
     

    Attached Files:

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  17. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    I obtained this print from Mr. Simon Atack, aviation and naval artist, Simon remarqued it with a sketch of one of the Dover MTBs which attacked The Brest Squadron as part of "Cerberus" / "Fuller".
    A small recognition of my father's part in the event. IMG_8560.JPG IMG_8562.JPG IMG_8561.JPG
     
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  18. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    Again from Simon Atack an original pencil sketch of K/158 coming in to land at Lisset, signed by BC veterans some from 158 Squadron, it was hard to say no to it. IMG_8582.JPG
     
  19. TriciaF

    TriciaF Junior Member

    You're fortunate to have such paintings, James.
    My Dad was in the RN in WW2 and must have seen such scenes. Although I think he would have been below decks in the communications part of his ship.
    This thread is a great testament to your family.
     
    James S likes this.
  20. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    TriciaF , my father was a signals/ morse operator.
     
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