WW2 Talk Members you have met

When I prepared a two months’ journey through Great Britain, I thought it was a good opportunity to meet some forum members with which I have been in contact during my time here. All of them agreed, and it was a good idea indeed.

Several hours talking about our hobby, the world and other things is quite different from (and even better as) posting here and exchanging private messages. And as we all think this forum is a great place, we also agreed on sharing some photos of our meetings.


Idler: Two long evenings, the second one with his wife, on WW II and other things. A jack of all trades, able to add a bit or considerably more to any WW II topic.


Gary Kennedy: Discussing my more global accessing the British War Establishment system. He is always very detailed and deep into his special research projects.


Mike “Trux”, the wise old man: And I thought I had many books and models … And though not in my focus, and out of topic here: A really impressive collection of painted figures from the Napoleonic era. And of course, the War Establishments again.


Three very fine members. Glad to have met you here and in reality. Thanks for sharing your time and knowledge with me.

 

Great pictures .
Now I know what Mike, the lovely Trux looks like. Looking very well Mike .

Lesley

 

Aixman Glad you made it back safely - was beginning to wonder. Hope you got to tick everything off on your itinerary.

The story behind the photo (more or less):
I: "So, have you seen the Fens yet?"
A: "Yes. But it is not a very interesting fence. We have those, too."
I: "No - the Fens. Behind the fence."
Of course, 'fen' had to have Germanic roots.

Thank you for a couple of entertaining evenings, and the sneak peek at the spreadsheet.

And Ashikin has just about forgiven you for being able to speak pretty much every language except hers!

 

Idler,

yes, everything ticked - and more. Was just back and away again for the weekend and a family reunion. Yesterday, I arrived "home" finally.

Should add that we have a similar thing (marsh, bog, swamp) like the Fens here: Hohes Venn, Hautes Fagnes, Hooge Venen.
High Fens - Wikipedia

By the way: Shikin's fruit cake was great!

 

Now that Aixman is safely back home I have to say that he is a most interesting person and very easy to talk to on many subjects. He arrived with me at 11am and left about 5pm and I honestly had no idea it was so late.

Mike

PS.
I have been without a computer for the last week so have only just seen the photographs.

 

Just over a year since we last saw them , we are back to the same apartment block after seeing Juha & his wife again.

If any members has any questions on Finnish military history, ask him.

 

This year's motorbike tour with my friends took us to Normandy. There I made an appointment with member Northumbrian, who some time ago explained to me the connection between the unique Unit Mobilization Serial Number for each battalion, company, platoon, depending on the unit (5-digits code) and the colour coding of the units on G-1098 material. Although I am somewhat familiar with unit codes, I had never heard of their use for labelling unit material until then. The last two digits are used for a colour code of three bars. Two bars in the colour for the penultimate digit enclose a bar with the colour for the last digit.

For a description of the Unit Mobilization Serial Number by member Michel Sabarly see here:
What was a unit serial number?

Northumbrian collects British material from the Second World War and also trades in it under the ‘company name’ ‘Le Tommy’.

 

I had the pleasure of meeting Idler at "We have ways Fest" last month. It's a very civilised event, albeit rather expensive for the paying punter. Incredibly, he recognised me in all my BEF kit but failed to claim his five pounds ! I believe he took a double-selfie but he hasn't shared it yet.

 

Oops! Had done the camera but not the phone.
This is the closest we got to smiling:

 

And an even later entry from 2017...



hZain
Zaf1

 

awwww ur here as well…. Great!!

 

It was a pleasure to meet you Wolfgang!
Jean-Charles

 

During my tour through Great Britain this year I have seen
idler
and his wife again - no new photo necessary because HIS appearance has not changed -
WW2 Talk Members you have met

Then, I met Mike
Deacs
with whom I have been exchanging information for over a decade.
In incredibly beautiful weather, he showed me some of his favourite parts of his beloved Cooom-brrria.
And I learnt a lot about northern English dialects.
Thank you Mike!

I always find it very valuable to meet members ‘in real life’.

Wolfgang

 

So was Mike hiding behind the camera . It's about time he showed his face.

Lesley

 

Hi Wolfgang

Sorry I've just spotted this for some reason, it was a great pleasure to meet up with you and I'm glad you could understand my broad Cumbrian accent even the wife at times struggles especially when I've had a few beers hahaha.

Hope you had a great visit to the UK and your welcome back to visit any time.

Kind regards Mike

 

Met Chris C at Richmond, North Yorkshire today.

He's the pretty one .
Great fella, fantastic day, lovely weather, Yorkshire at it's best. So pleased to meet you Chris. Enjoy the rest of your holiday and safe journey home .

 

Fantastic!

You fine pair have just made my day!

And not a raindrop. That's God's country for you, where the sun always shines on the righteous.

Kind regards, me? I just get soaked all the time , always,

Jim.

P.S. Which one of you has the Metcalfe in your back pocket?

 

I've just twigged Lesley, Chris.

Are you sister and brother (from another mother?)

The brilliant smiles, the unwaveringly happy outlook, the spectacles even, not to mention thd co-ordinated attire.

Corsican brother(s) and sister going strong!

Kind regards, the two of you, just superb, always,

Jim (call me Calvi) Herriot.