Date: 16/11/2010
Views: 4845
Owner: Pete Rogers (Admin)
Bill Johnson, Sammy Ryder, and another
Bill with the sniper rifle, Sammy, his spotter, directly behind him,
This information from John Martin who provided the photo. John's uncle was Sgt Don Martin of 1 trp : "Pte Bill Johnson, one of the snipers in 1 Troop 4 Cdo. It was taken in Flushing, Holland on or about 3rd November 1944, after the successful assault. Bill died some years ago in Canada, but I met him two or three times in Normandy on visits with my late uncle. He rejoiced in being known as the scruffiest and dirtiest man in 1 Troop but that probably went with the job! "
Photo posted by Pete R.)
Update 13/8/2011 by Pete R.- Peter Ryder adds the following " The guy behind Bill is my dad, Sammy Ryder. I have this picture. Dad always told me that the third guy, lying down, had been sent out to bring Bill and Dad (his spotter) back to the unit. Dad dropped with David Haig Thomas who was the liaison officer with the 1st Canadian. David Haig Thomas was killed in an ambush shortly after the drop. Dad rejoined 4 commando approx. 3 days later. I'd appreciate any more information about his service."
The Sniper Rifle in this photo was the .303” Lee Enfield No: 4(T) fitted with a X4 Sniperscope usually used at ranges up to 600 yards. At that range when fired you could see ‘swirl” as the bullet passed through the air and could follow that into the...
The Sniper Rifle in this photo was the .303” Lee Enfield No: 4(T) fitted with a X4 Sniperscope usually used at ranges up to 600 yards. At that range when fired you could see ‘swirl” as the bullet passed through the air and could follow that into the target.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 04:01:00 EDT
David Haig-Thomas
Peter,
I am David Haig-Thomas's grandson. I have not heard much about my grandfather's last day, the ambush etc. Do you know any more about it, perhaps though your dad, perhaps other sources?
Alex HT
Posted by Alex Haig-Thomas on Thu 27 Oct 2011 10:34:22 EDT
The guy behind Bill is my dad, Sammy Ryder. I have this picture an Dad always told me that the third guy, lying down, had been sent out to bring Bill and Dad (his spotter) back to the unit.
Dad dropped with David Haig Thomas who was the...
The guy behind Bill is my dad, Sammy Ryder. I have this picture an Dad always told me that the third guy, lying down, had been sent out to bring Bill and Dad (his spotter) back to the unit.
Dad dropped with David Haig Thomas who was the liaison officer with the 1st Canadian. David Haig Thomas was killed in an ambush shortly after the drop. Dad rejoined 4 commando approx. 3 days later. I'd appreciate any more information about his service.
Pete Ryder
Posted by Peter Ryder on Sat 13 Aug 2011 16:20:11 EDT
Recent comments
The Sniper Rifle in this photo was the .303” Lee Enfield No: 4(T) fitted with a X4 Sniperscope usually used at ranges up to 600 yards. At that range when fired you could see ‘swirl” as the bullet passed through the air and could follow that into the...
The Sniper Rifle in this photo was the .303” Lee Enfield No: 4(T) fitted with a X4 Sniperscope usually used at ranges up to 600 yards. At that range when fired you could see ‘swirl” as the bullet passed through the air and could follow that into the target.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 04:01:00 EDT
David Haig-Thomas
Peter,
I am David Haig-Thomas's grandson. I have not heard much about my grandfather's last day, the ambush etc. Do you know any more about it, perhaps though your dad, perhaps other sources?
Alex HT
Posted by Alex Haig-Thomas on Thu 27 Oct 2011 10:34:22 EDT
Identification
| show fullshow summaryThe guy behind Bill is my dad, Sammy Ryder. I have this picture an Dad always told me that the third guy, lying down, had been sent out to bring Bill and Dad (his spotter) back to the unit.
Dad dropped with David Haig Thomas who was the...
The guy behind Bill is my dad, Sammy Ryder. I have this picture an Dad always told me that the third guy, lying down, had been sent out to bring Bill and Dad (his spotter) back to the unit.
Dad dropped with David Haig Thomas who was the liaison officer with the 1st Canadian. David Haig Thomas was killed in an ambush shortly after the drop. Dad rejoined 4 commando approx. 3 days later. I'd appreciate any more information about his service.
Pete Ryder
Posted by Peter Ryder on Sat 13 Aug 2011 16:20:11 EDT