Visit to Tunisia - March 2012.

Friends,

Just to let you know, I shall be visiting Tunisia next week for a few days to visit the areas where my father, Edmund, and his comrades spent a relaxing few months from Nov 1942 to May 1943.

Amongst other places, I am planning to visit the areas near to Bou Arada/Goubbellat, around Medjez-El-Bab, and along the Mejerda Valley.

And, of course to pay respects to the thousands of men buried and in memorial at Beja, Oued Zarga, Massicault and Medjez war cemeteries. In fact, 115 friends of my father lie at peace there - many he had known since Oct 1939 when he was conscripted as a 20 year old.

I am looking forward to reporting back to you with a full story and some photos/video from peaceful post revolution Tunisia. It may even help to counteract some of the recent negative publicity from the region.

If anyone wants some specific markers to be photographed, please let me know,

Faugh A Ballagh !

 

Looking forward to your trip report, have a good time, be safe!

 

Hello Richard
Looking forward to reading about your trip on your return. My father fought with the 78th Div also (56 Recce). It will be lovely to see some pictures of that area.

Lesley

 

Lesley,

Kendal Chevasse, was of course, a Faugh. Yes, there were many legendary exploits undertaken by 56 Recce over those years

best regards,

 

Richard

Have a cracking time and let's see the evidence on your return

Ron

 

Diane,

As you say, there's quite a number of Irish Guardsmen, 130 Micks at Medjez, Massicxault and Oued Zarga. I'll take as many as I can.

I''ve got 355 men from 38 (Irish) Brigade on my list - 100 in Memorial - and someone I know is about to publish a book about the East Surreys in Italy/NAfrica, and there's 184 from 1/6th East Surrey Regiment men there.

And of course, that's just a small % of the total

Makes you weep at the memory.

 

Ron,

Ta, very muchly.

My father would say, "stop talking, just get on with it..." - he taught me age 11 at primary school.

 

Enjoy, been to Tunisia twice...Medjez-el-Bab Cemetery and Memorial to the Missing is very moving....a patch of green in a sea of sand on the outskirts of town.....

 

Richard-
As you so succinctly point out - that period between Nov '42 - and May'43 - was indeed a most relaxing period- you forgot to add of course, that it was the bowels which relaxed more than anything else.
Have a memorable vacation

Cheers

 

Tom,

Yes - I think my Dad got the idea of how relaxing it would be when they were Stuka-ed just after arrival in Algiers harbour, and then when they marched out from the city in blazing sunshine on 22nd Nov 1942, men started to collapse all around him: that first day he ended up carrying a bren and a 2'' mortar. And then after dusk it became so bitterly cold that the Battalion CO came round begging for a share of blankets. And that was all before they met some good natured men who had just arrived from Italy.

It was true that at Sousse in June. my father did get his requisite bottom complaint - by being bitten there by a scorpion which was having a snooze in his shorts. My father preferred to stand for quite a few days after that : the scorpion wasn't around to comment...

thanks for the best wishes

 

Richard

Know the feeling as 66 RAC types marched ten miles in 90 degrees to Cap Matifou- while the 6th Black Watch went by truck to their camp just six miles away - THEN we were invited to a bully beef stew - before it got cold !!!

Fun days
Cheers

 

Hi Richard

I certainly envy you your trip to Tunisia. My husband and I hope to visit Medjez-el-Bab some day. My husbands father's name is on the memorial there as sadly he has no known grave. People have kindly posted photos of the memorial in the past and I have been able to see that the cemetery is a little oasis in the middle of the desert. Visiting all the places you mention will be poignant I am sure. Have a good trip.
Cheers
Rosey

 

Rosey,

What is the name of your father in law, so I can look out for him when I'm there, and tip my hat in remembrance, and say a small prayer?

Coincidentally my father's army nickname was Rosy after he sang "The Rose of Tralee" at the first battalion social event after he was conscripted. At that event, there was also performances by Nigel Stock (later Owen MD) and Jack Allen (who had played Willoughby, rather woodenly, in the original 1939 Korda directed Four Feathers), who had both joined the TA in early 1939, and were in the "actors company" of my Dad's battalion.

Owen,

On safety, we have a contact in Tunis, who has given us a basic all clear on the current situation. Tunisians are friendly and welcoming - and they had to put up with a rather difficult leader for 33 years. Our contact is also bringing along a video unit to record some or all of our visit. I think some opportunities to learn more - and a contemporary resonance and all...

thanks again

 

Richard I have some requests for Recce Headstones. 2 PMs sent due to message size constraints

Cheers
Paul

 

Hope the trip works out well Richard, look forward to seeing some pics and videos.

 

Richard

It sounds a really fantastic and moving journey you are about to go on. If possible, would you be able to take a photo of this mans grave please?

Name: BROOMHEAD, JAMES EDWARD HEATON
Initials: J E H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)
Unit Text: 1st Bn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 01/04/1943
Service No: 3856930
Additional information: Son of Pearse and Mary Broomhead, of New Springs, Wigan, Lancashire. His brother , John W.S.H. Broomhead, also died on service.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:
I. F. 6.
Cemetery:MASSICAULT WAR CEMETERY

I'm not sure if you will visit this cemetery, but if you do please would you consider taking a photo of this man's last resting place?

Name:FAIRHURST, SYDNEY
Initials:S
Nationality:United Kingdom
Rank:Private
Regiment/Service:The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)
Unit Text:1st Bn.
Age:25
Date of Death:21/04/1943
Service No:3858894
Additional information:Son of John Fairhurst, and of Ellen Fairhurst, of Worthington, Lancashire.
Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:1. D. 5.
Cemetery: MEDJEZ-EL-BAB WAR CEMETERY

I hope you have a great trip.

Jonathan

 

Hi Richard,

I have sent you a PM.

Cheers

Geoff