Calling all the British and Commonwealth Veterans of this Forum

Sapper - couldn't agree more - last thing we thought about was awards - if your Troop leader got an M.C. the rest of the Troop had a 15th part of it - Squadron Leader's D.S.O. - you had a 160th of it - Trooper or N.C.O. had an M.M. - that was HIS !

Cheers

 

Hi Tom,

As for Quinn no joy I'm affraid.



Drew,

I'm wondering if you have tried the variations of this name ... can be just "Quin" here in Ireland ... Also PAddy can be Patrick of Padraig.

It is of course quite possible that 'Paddy' is just a nickname for an Irishman just like 'Jock' or 'Taffy'. But any MM's for a Quin in the right time of place?

 

drumaneen

What a good idea - mind you we called him all sorts of names - he always said that he belonged to the Church of Ireland - thus escaping All Church Parades....so he peeled the spuds on Sundays

Cheers

 

dbf -
you can't do better than a good try - so it must be amongst lost in translation - anything on Robinson M.M. - "B" squadron 16/5th Lancers ...?

Cheers

 

Hi Drew - through my work intranet I received a request for help regarding an Aussie MC citation, and I was wondering if I could call on your good graces to see if you have any info to assist.

Original request follows:

Guys I have been searching for some info on a particualr WW2 members history I have an interested in what a member was awarded the Military Cross for - ie what action.

I have his Gazzette entry however it doesnt tell me much I have as follows:

Stephens LT Richard Ryan

Award - Military Cross

Reg No: QX40854

AMF
6 Div
2/7 Commando Squadron



Citation (G.H. File AMF I/42) Outstanding Leadership & Courage SAURI VILLAGE


My question is >>>>> Can anyone identify what he did? ie what actions of courage etc - ie a full written citation - or a Unit war diary reference?

I am looking havent found as yet?


Thanks in advance

Norm

 

Hi Drew - through my work intranet I received a request for help regarding an Aussie MC citation, and I was wondering if I could call on your good graces to see if you have any info to assist.

Original request follows:

Guys I have been searching for some info on a particualr WW2 members history I have an interested in what a member was awarded the Military Cross for - ie what action.

I have his Gazzette entry however it doesnt tell me much I have as follows:

Stephens LT Richard Ryan

Award - Military Cross

Reg No: QX40854

AMF
6 Div
2/7 Commando Squadron



Citation (G.H. File AMF I/42) Outstanding Leadership & Courage SAURI VILLAGE


My question is >>>>> Can anyone identify what he did? ie what actions of courage etc - ie a full written citation - or a Unit war diary reference?

I am looking havent found as yet?


Thanks in advance

Norm


http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-against-japan/27295-qx40854-lieutenant-richard-ryan-stephens-mc-2-7-australian-cavalry.html#post302224

 

Drew-I just found your enquiry about decorations.
I served in the Falaise Gap battle with the Argyll& Sutherland Highlanders of Canada.
During our service in St. Lambert -sur-Dives, the man in charge was Major David Currie, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his successful accomplishments in this battle.Hewas a squadron commander with the South Alberta Regiment.
Perhaps I am a bit late with this report, but I'll never forget him.

Art Bridge

 

Drew-I just found your enquiry about decorations.
I served in the Falaise Gap battle with the Argyll& Sutherland Highlanders of Canada.
During our service in St. Lambert -sur-Dives, the man in charge was Major David Currie, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his successful accomplishments in this battle.Hewas a squadron commander with the South Alberta Regiment.
Perhaps I am a bit late with this report, but I'll never forget him.

Art Bridge

Art,

I think many members of the forum would be interested in your views on the controversy around the closing of the Falaise Gap. I know I certainly would. I have not had the pleasure of meeting any vets who fought in that action.
Several historians have claimed that the British/Canadian troops did not move fast enough in closing it. What was your view from being on the ground with the Argyll's?

 

Drew-I just found your enquiry about decorations.
I served in the Falaise Gap battle with the Argyll& Sutherland Highlanders of Canada.
During our service in St. Lambert -sur-Dives, the man in charge was Major David Currie, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his successful accomplishments in this battle.Hewas a squadron commander with the South Alberta Regiment.
Perhaps I am a bit late with this report, but I'll never forget him.

Art Bridge

Art,

Great to see you on the forum...We could use a few more Canadians here.

Randy

 

Art Bridge -
as you say - you will never forget Major Currie - neither did the people of Calgary as the Barracks there are called " Currie Barracks "
Cheers

 

Andy

I saw that this thread had been "bumped up" and it led me inevitably to: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/allied-units-general/24907-1264728-trooper-phillip-raymond-jefford-mm-4th-queens-own-hussars.html
where I learned a lot more about young Phil Jefford's moment of glory.

What you may, or may not have realised in setting up this thread was it's spin-off effect of allowing chaps of my age group to re-live those frenetic days and confirm their shaky memories.

As I read his (Jefford's) citation I was taken back in time to our advance along this particular canal bank and having to squeeze over to let our tanks return laden with wounded draped at the rear of each vehicle.

I question my own memories sometimes.

I ask myself "do I remember this or did I dream it".

It is threads such as yours that confirm my memories and give me solace.

Many thanks !

Ron

ps
Since posting this I remembered writing before about this canal bank and after much searching I found it here on comment #27 http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/battle-specifics/12889-being-frightened-what-you-do-war.html

 

Art welcome to the forum

 

Drew-I just found your enquiry about decorations.
I served in the Falaise Gap battle with the Argyll& Sutherland Highlanders of Canada.
During our service in St. Lambert -sur-Dives, the man in charge was Major David Currie, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his successful accomplishments in this battle.Hewas a squadron commander with the South Alberta Regiment.
Perhaps I am a bit late with this report, but I'll never forget him.

Art Bridge

Hi Art,

Many thanks for your post. Major Currie's bravery is well documented on here-It must be great to say 'I was there'. Do you know of any other chaps from your unit that were awarded medals like Military Medals, Distinguished Conduct Medals etc. I only ask as I am having trouble searching for your old unit on the National Archives rubbish search engine.

Regards
Andy

 

Drew - try 10th bde of Canadian 4th Armoured Div - one of their CSM's Rennie I think it was was awarded the G.C. for falling on a dropped grenade in the Uk before D day in much the same way as Major Dempster in my old 145th Regt RAC at Bone Algeria
Cheers

 

Currie Barracks in Calgary actually pre-dated WWII and was named in honour of General Sir Arthur Currie of WWI fame.

 

Kevin,

Is the military museum complex located right near Currie barracks?

Randy

 

Yes, immediately east of the barracks, across Crowchild Tr. It is adjacent to what was the school that served the base and in the area of what were then PMQs (since redeveloped).

 

Kevin

Thanks for that. Excellent museum covering all Navy, Army and Airforce. I was there last April...


Randy