It certainly looks like my father. He went to Poona, was attached to McIlroy's 505th PIR Medical Detachment at Groesbeek and 47 RM at Dishoek, Walcheren where he was one of the 7 Dutch commandos wounded. After the war, he joined Unilever, spent 11 years in Trinidad and died in Bromley on 16 May 1971.
Posted by Duncan Cramer on Thu 10 Aug 2023 01:18:00 EDT
Donald Gilchrist wrote Castle Commando which is freely available to read on Internet Archive.
Posted by Duncan Cramer on Wed 09 Aug 2023 19:19:22 EDT
This photo is part of a larger one showing Kieffer shaking hands with General Giraud.
Posted by Duncan Cramer on Wed 09 Aug 2023 19:02:07 EDT
This seems to be the tank on the Westkapelle monument. The following information has been copied from Traces of War.
Corporal Frank Reginald Himsworth 1153990
1st Lothian and Border Yeomanry
79th Armoured Division
Commander of the M4 tank as a monument on the dike of Westkapelle.
Under the command of Lt. Col. C.J.Y. Dallmeyer.
Corp.. Frank Himsworth was almost 21 years old and one of the youngest tank commanders in the British army, landed on June 10, 1944 with his unit at Gold Beach (Normandy). His unit was usually part of the 1st Canadian Army.
The landings craft LC (T) 737 which was loaded with tanks, left the port of Oosteinde (Belgium) on October 31 1944. He landed back on a beach, but now at Westkapelle with his tank "Bramble 5" (blackberry, also Flail tank and the crew called it "the crab"). The Bramble 5 was the second tank which landed at Westkapelle.
During the landing the tank became unusable, caused by water in the tank.
This seems to be the tank on the Westkapelle monument. The following information has been copied from Traces of War.
Corporal Frank Reginald Himsworth 1153990
1st Lothian and Border Yeomanry
79th Armoured Division
Commander of the M4 tank as a monument on the dike of Westkapelle.
Under the command of Lt. Col. C.J.Y. Dallmeyer.
Corp.. Frank Himsworth was almost 21 years old and one of the youngest tank commanders in the British army, landed on June 10, 1944 with his unit at Gold Beach (Normandy). His unit was usually part of the 1st Canadian Army.
The landings craft LC (T) 737 which was loaded with tanks, left the port of Oosteinde (Belgium) on October 31 1944. He landed back on a beach, but now at Westkapelle with his tank "Bramble 5" (blackberry, also Flail tank and the crew called it "the crab"). The Bramble 5 was the second tank which landed at Westkapelle.
During the landing the tank became unusable, caused by water in the tank.
The ammunition was transferred from the tank into a amphibian vehicle for troop transport. Due to its heavy load dropped the vehicle became deeper into the mud. Eventually the vehicle drove on a mine which caused a huge explosion.
Himsworth himself was injured and was treated in Vlissingen to his amazement and then transferred to Breskens.
Looking back on the war Himsworth says:
For us it was easier than for the Dutch.
We had to fight, but we had enough to eat and shelter.
Our country was not occupied. It must have been terrible. We just did our work.
Himsworth heard in 1999 about a reunion in Westkapelle and decided to urge attend.
After the meeting Himsworth went to the monument at the dike of Westkapelle.
Once arrived at the tank, he discovered at the rear of the tank the entitled "Bramble 5". The brass plate in the tank confirmed his suspicion. After more than 50 years he stood beside his tank which was part of the liberation of Westkapelle.
On the back of the tank is a plaque with explanatory text:
"Flail" (flail) tank of the 79th Armoured Division (1st Lothians & Border Horse), part of the 56nd (Lowland) Division. Used in the Allied landing of the Royal Marine Commandos on November 1th 1944 in Westkapelle.
Did come ashore from the landing boat LCT 737 (Bramble), flooded at high tide in the middel of the Zuidstraat in the night of November th to November 2nd 1944.
After the war, partly demolished - and saved as a monument. Placed on the Zeedijk in thanks and tribute to our liberators.
We ask you to honor this monument.
Besides this text there is also a technical description of this type of Sherman tank.
Sherman V (M4A4) equipped with a 75mm cannon and equipment to defuse mines. Powered by a 30 cylinder engine from USA-Chrysler with 425 hp.
Total weight: 40 tons.
Length 6 to 8 meters (incl. Flail).
Width 2.5 to 3 meters (including Flail).
3 meters height.
Posted by Duncan Cramer on Wed 09 Aug 2023 18:59:06 EDT
This photo is a clearer one of, from l to r, Franks, unknown, Laycock, unknown, and Emmet travelling from Ostende to Walcheren
Posted by Duncan Cramer on Wed 09 Aug 2023 18:50:30 EDT
My Dad
Seated 5th from the left looking at the photo, Sgt Leslie George Woodward.
My dad, he died 30th April 1994 aged 76
Posted by Joanne Lesley Matthews (nee Woodward) on Thu 13 Jul 2023 14:50:31 EDT
Number 19 Leslie George Woodward
Sgt Leslie George Woodward also known as Darky is my dad. Sadly he died April 30th 1994 at the age 76. We miss him everyday.
He is number 19.
Posted by Joanne Lesley Matthews (nee Woodward) on Thu 13 Jul 2023 14:40:00 EDT
My Dad
Sgt Leslie George Woodward also known as Darky is my dad. Sadly he died April 30th 1994 at the age 76. We miss him everyday.
Posted by Joanne Lesley Matthews (nee Woodward) on Thu 13 Jul 2023 14:36:39 EDT
Adding a name for number 280
My dad is number 280 Lesley George Woodward. Sadly he died 30th April 1994.
Posted by Joanne Lesley Matthews (nee Woodward) on Thu 13 Jul 2023 14:26:19 EDT
No. 1 Commando panorama photo
Number 251 I believe is my father, Terence "lofty" Cooling I'm keen to know if anyone knows anything at all, as he died in 1990. And I've only just found this picture
Posted by Michael John Cooling on Fri 07 Jul 2023 14:18:31 EDT
Epaulette
If anyone recognises the epaulette please add a comment
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Mon 03 Jul 2023 17:32:14 EDT
Cap Badge
If anyone can identify the cap badge please add a comment
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Mon 03 Jul 2023 17:10:29 EDT
Marine Oates
There was a Marine Brian Oates, 47RM Commando, killed in action at Normandy. Not known if the man identified as Oates in this photo is one and the same. [view ROH]
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 04 Jun 2023 10:59:53 EDT
Update
Reported on in the Dumfries and Galloway Standard 28 June 1941
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 30 Apr 2023 11:53:21 EDT
