David Haig-Thomas is mentioned a couple of times in the diary of my father, W.J.Milne, in March 1942 when, as a Recce Corps officer, he was attending the School of Winter Warfare at Skogar Camp near Akureyri in northern Iceland. David Haig-Thomas was one of his instructors. Here is one entry from when they were up on the glacier on the mountains above the camp:
18 March. Vindheimajökull. My birthday! The mist was down completely – we paraded on a little slope and the trudge up that slope just after breakfast almost kills one, although the rise is only about a hundred feet - but, carrying skis and all the other paraphenalia, it is completely exhausting.
Even Scott, the Chief Instructor, the man who explores Greenland and glaciers, rather feels the strain when he goes up this business of the parade slope.
It's rather amazing the few clothes that one has to wear in the daytime and when one is doing anything at all. When we were building igloos this afternoon, we were again in shirt sleeves. ...
David Haig-Thomas is mentioned a couple of times in the diary of my father, W.J.Milne, in March 1942 when, as a Recce Corps officer, he was attending the School of Winter Warfare at Skogar Camp near Akureyri in northern Iceland. David Haig-Thomas was one of his instructors. Here is one entry from when they were up on the glacier on the mountains above the camp:
18 March. Vindheimajökull. My birthday! The mist was down completely – we paraded on a little slope and the trudge up that slope just after breakfast almost kills one, although the rise is only about a hundred feet - but, carrying skis and all the other paraphenalia, it is completely exhausting.
Even Scott, the Chief Instructor, the man who explores Greenland and glaciers, rather feels the strain when he goes up this business of the parade slope.
It's rather amazing the few clothes that one has to wear in the daytime and when one is doing anything at all. When we were building igloos this afternoon, we were again in shirt sleeves. Igloo building, by the way, is great fun - one gets a good constructive satisfaction out of cutting a good snow block and then building the walls. Haig-Thomas says the walls didn't slope enough and that an Eskimo builds one in an hour with just a knife. We took quite an hour in cutting and laying the first layer.
Posted by Robin Milne on Tue 04 Jun 2024 16:30:13 EDT
#5 we believe is my grandfather Francis ‘Irvine’ Steadman. He has been identified by his Son (my father) as well as matching him with other photos we have from his Army days. We’ll be staying in Normandy for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings to pay our respect and would appreciate any stories or details of where 3 troop served during those times. Like many he chose not to talk much of his time in the Army so we have very limited information. Thanks
Posted by Matt Steadman on Sat 25 May 2024 00:37:32 EDT
John Bartholomew Davies
Hello all,
John Davies is my grandad and I'm trying to find out abit more about his career if anyone is willing to help me please? I am currently serving within the British Armed Forces myself.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Mon 22 Apr 2024 19:11:59 EDT
Number 1 - Ronald Stanley Freeman
I believe number 1 to be my Grandfather Ronald Stanley Freeman - 6352714. He shared many of his war stories with me, as well as leaving me his medals, which I am now tallying up against the historical data of the No 3 Commando's activities.
He was wounded on the 21st July 1943 in Sicily during the capture of the Ponte dei Malati Bridge (No 3 Commando Bridge).
He was fortunate enough to recover from his injuries and passed away in 1999.
Posted by Gary Walton on Fri 12 Apr 2024 10:53:56 EDT
Sorry to be a bother, but this surname is misspelled, it should be "Withrington".
^Admin (PR). Updated. I can add more if you contact me here [Contact Form]
Posted by Jack Withrington on Tue 05 Mar 2024 01:24:12 EST
Sorry to be a bother, but this surname is misspelled, it should be "Withrington".
^Admin (PR). Updated. I can add more if you contact me here [Contact Form]
Posted by Jack Withrington on Tue 05 Mar 2024 01:22:00 EST
Sorry to be a bother, but this surname is misspelled, it should be "Withrington".
^Admin (PR). Updated. I can add more if you contact me here [Contact Form]
Posted by Jack Withrington on Tue 05 Mar 2024 01:21:44 EST