Where Did Your Grandfather Serve?

[Amesbury Saint]

CL's post / thread about BoB was great.

 

Made me think about my Grandfather. He was in a hussar tank regiment in North Africa and Italy. He did not say much about his war experiences other than being in a tank was not the safest place to be and that he was scared most of the time.

 

Where did your grandfather / father serve in WW2?

[Joey-deacons-left-nut]

Pre-war in Africa/Iraq-Iran.. got some nice pictures of him and some buddies sat on a Jeep with a bunch of dead bodies on the ground.. turns out, when in Iraq-Iran (whetever it was called back then) they used to go bounty hunty for a laugh on their off days....

 

During the war out in the Far-East... think he got caught up in the lot that were stuck out there for a few years after the war... after that in Cyprus

[Thedelldays]

Royal Navy...atlantic convoys

[the colonel]

Don't know about my grand father he was long dead before I was born.

 

But father was in Cold Stream Guards, 8th Army North Africa and Italy

[RedAndWhite91]

My granddad was only 8 when the War broke out, but his Dad was a fireman in London during the blitz I think, as I've seen his medals. On the other side of the family, my great-grandfather served in Italy.

[bridge too far]

One of my grandfathers served in the Merchant Fleet.

 

I don't know about the other one and he's dead and so are my parents, so I doubt I'll ever know.

[Amesbury Saint]

 

I don't know about the other one and he's dead and so are my parents, so I doubt I'll ever know.

 

One day I will go the the military records office and try and find out the full service history of my Grandfather. Dont know how easy it is?

[pilsburydoughboy]

My grand father served in the Fleet Air Arm and shot down the first enemy aircraft of world war two.He also served on the first british ship to be attacked by kamikaze pilots in the pacific.

I had the pleasure of knowing him for only a few years when i was young but his stories were great.

His story is on display at the Fleet Air Arm museum in Yeovil.

[pilsburydoughboy]

One day I will go the the military records office and try and find out the full service history of my Grandfather. Dont know how easy it is?

 

I am sure you can do it online.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

My father served in the Royal Navy during WWII , mostly in the Mediterranean . Not on some terribly exciting destroyer or mighty battleship I must add but on a rather less glamorous type of small launch called a HDML and a converted trawler called HMS Moonstone .

 

Grandad 'did his bit' doing something important at the 'RN Cordite Factory Holton Heath' near where we live in Poole . As the old fella never blew up half of southern Dorset I reckon he did well .

Edited 6 February, 2010 by CHAPEL END CHARLIE
Added image .

[so22saint]

Royal Artillery, first in the BEF before evac at Dunkirk, then North Africa before the jungles of Burma etc. Demobbed 47, rejoined 49 and was the Sgt Major who greeted new recruits at Bovingdon for the last years of his time in (Sgt Maj. Gerald Herbert)

 

He died aged 95 the night we beat Southend to stay in the Championship.

[Chin Strain]

My Grandfather served in northern France, and was shot in the leg in Ypres. He was one of the lucky ones.....it was WW1.

 

I've got his service medals, as he died in 1983, aged 85

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

My grand father served in the Fleet Air Arm and shot down the first enemy aircraft of world war two.He also served on the first british ship to be attacked by kamikaze pilots in the pacific.

I had the pleasure of knowing him for only a few years when i was young but his stories were great.

His story is on display at the Fleet Air Arm museum in Yeovil.

 

Flying the Blackburn Skua that shot down a Do 18 flying boat ?

[carljack]

CL's post / thread about BoB was great.

 

Made me think about my Grandfather. He was in a hussar tank regiment in North Africa and Italy. He did not say much about his war experiences other than being in a tank was not the safest place to be and that he was scared most of the time.

 

Where did your grandfather / father serve in WW2?

 

Behind the bar at the Rose and Crown!

[OldNick]

My grandfather was at D-day landings and also one of the first to get to Belsen. Sadly he died when i was 6 but he would never talk about his war experiences as that generation never liked talking about it. it must have left some terrible mental scars

[hamster]

Meschershmidt (sp) Pilot

 

Markus Liebherr

 

 

Grandad hamster (the english speaking one) was down the coalmines and Grandad hamster the Polish one was at Monte Casino. Sometimes when I'd ask him about 'the war' he would say something in Polish to himself and his eyes would well up.

 

He hated Americans btw, he told me once that his the Polish had recaptured some town from the enemy forces somewhere, but they were ordered to hang back so that the Yanks could do the liberating marching through the town bit. He'd lost quite a few friends and said it wan't about the geting the recognition or the glory, it was about getting to the vodka to drink to their memories.

[TopGun]

Royal Navy...atlantic convoys

 

Were you there TDD?

[CB Saint]

One was a royal marine on the King George V battleship. Fired the guns that helped sink the Bismark. The other was in the Royal Engineers map survey company. We have one of his diaries and as far as I can tell spent most of 1944 drinking, playing football and chasing girls across north Africa and up Italy.

[RedAndWhite91]

Fascinating thread.

[bridge too far]

We should talk about the women too, you know!

 

Sadly my grandmother had a nervous breakdown because Southampton was so badly bombed and her husband was serving. She did recover but it must have been dreadful for her and countless others.

 

My mother was in the TAs at Marchwood, tuning trucks and my aunt was in the Land Army. Another aunt was involved in something quite hush hush (but not like Bletchley Park).

[pilsburydoughboy]

Flying the Blackburn Skua that shot down a Do 18 flying boat ?

 

Yes i have the picture at my mums house.

The blackburn skua what an outdated plane that was.

[pedg]

Going back a bit further as my grandfather served as the pilot of an Re8 reconnaissance plane for the Royal Flying corp in WWI

[Guest Dark Sotonic Mills]

My grandfather served in WWI, just an ordinary Tommy fighting in the trenches. He was gassed by the Bosch but survived (obviously).

 

My father trained at the Portsdown Hills and Bletchley and was on attachment to the Chindits in Burma and later in India. All I know is that he spent a lot of time behind the Japanese lines and knew of some interesting things to do with piano wire. He never served in the European or African theatres and it seems he had several ranks throughout his service depending on the job he did.

He was never very talkative about his service and it took me many many years to glean that little from him. He died eight years ago and to the day he died her never spoke to my mother about his experiences.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

Yes i have the picture at my mums house.

The blackburn skua what an outdated plane that was.

 

That's a seriously impressive claim to fame I'd say , and yes the Skua was awful . I have nothing but respect for that whole generation - the 'greatest generation' as they are sometimes called .

[Winnersaint]

HMS Speaker - Bogue Class Aircraft Carrier part of the British Pacific Fleet.

http://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/ESCORT/Galleries/SPEAKER_Gllery.htm

My dad joined up just before VJ Day. he was peacetime FAA. When he was at sea he was on this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Eagle_%28R05%29

[RedAndWhite91]

That's a seriously impressive claim to fame I'd say , and yes the Skua was awful . I have nothing but respect for that whole generation - the 'greatest generation'a s they are sometimes called .

 

+1

 

And lest we forget those who didn't make it home.

[pilsburydoughboy]

That's a seriously impressive claim to fame I'd say , and yes the Skua was awful . I have nothing but respect for that whole generation - the 'greatest generation' as they are sometimes called .

 

Yes very proud and have taken all my family to see the museum.

We get invited along to a few Fleet Air Arm events which are very interesting.

My youngest took great pride in her presentation at school for history when studying WW2.

[CB Saint]

My great Granddad was forty when he signed up in 1916. Family legend has it that he went to the pub one night, and somehow came back signed up to the Wiltshire Regiment. Unfortunately he was killed in Arras in 1918.

[badgerx16]

One served with the RMP in Burma, the other was a shipbuilder at Vosper's, so in a reserved occupation.

[Block 18]

Great thread, like a few on here Im from a generation who used to ask our dads "how many Germans did you kill in the war".

My father was an army communictor who saw action in Africa, Italy,France and Germany. I do know at one stage he was attached to the Argile and Sutherland regiment and to his dying day hated the bagpipes.

 

My father in law was Royal Navy before during and after WWII he used to laugh at the fact that Pompey gave them free tickets so they would go en masse and cheer on the opposition

[View From The Top]

Paternal grandfather served in Crete, North Africa, Sicily and Italy.

 

Maternal built Spitfires at Supermarine.

 

Lost family on HMS Hood and HMS Barnham and also had great uncles who flew Lancasters and others who fought in Burma and others who fought in Western Europe.

 

Of all of them those who served in Burma seemed to have the most hatred. One would have nothing Japanese in his house nor would he get in a Japanese car.

[exit2]

My grandfather I know was involved in The Siege of Mafeking as I have a medal from there. My Step father also was a rear gunner in the Lancasters at the end of the WWII

[Kadeem Hardison]

My grandfather piloted a Heinkel He 111 during WWII.

[the colonel]

One day I will go the the military records office and try and find out the full service history of my Grandfather. Dont know how easy it is?

 

 

if you know what regiment (if army) he was in you can write directly to them with his details. they will they send a form for you to complete which you have to provide evidence who you are and a small admin' fee.

[Wade Garrett]

My Grandad was 19 when WWII broke out, and served from the off with the Royal Navy on Motor Torpedo Boats, I think around Italy.

 

When I think about the difference between his early adult life and mine it brings home what we owe that generation.

[Smirking_Saint]

My grandfather was a cheif petty officer in the royal navy.

 

He never spoke much about his war experiences as they haunted him a little bit, it is a shame though as the time he took to talk about them were so interesting and me and my dad often thought what a read it would be if he ever found the time to write about them.

 

I know he travelled a lot, he had a lot of ornate things from around different parts of the world, he was also sunk twice !!

 

He spoke of how once they were told not to wear a life jacket when sunk in the south china seas as it was better drowning then being eaten by sharks.

 

He also sailed in 3 times on D Day and marched with a troop of comando's to take Normandy. Also sailed in some river in Borneo to save some sort of Lord or what not.

 

Shame, i really miss him at times. I never really asked him much as i do think he saw a lot he wouldn't want to remember.

 

Oh, and he was on the art royal around the time they sunk the Bismark, though i don't know if it was involved or if he was actually there etc.

Edited 6 February, 2010 by Smirking_Saint

[Just a Fan]

Meschershmidt (sp) Pilot

 

Markus Liebherr

 

 

Grandad hamster (the english speaking one) was down the coalmines and Grandad hamster the Polish one was at Monte Casino. Sometimes when I'd ask him about 'the war' he would say something in Polish to himself and his eyes would well up.

 

He hated Americans btw, he told me once that his the Polish had recaptured some town from the enemy forces somewhere, but they were ordered to hang back so that the Yanks could do the liberating marching through the town bit. He'd lost quite a few friends and said it wan't about the geting the recognition or the glory, it was about getting to the vodka to drink to their memories.

 

 

 

My dad was Polish. He was 16 when the war started. He was taken prisoner by the Russians one night. Escaped from them and went back home. Two weeks later the Germans came to his home at about 2 in the morning and took him and his sister. Not sure how long he was there for, but he did escape from the camp he was in. He didn't go back home though because he thinks he killed a German guard as he was escaping. From there he went deep into the forest and after a day or so was met by the Polish underground. Stayed with them, but eventually joined up with the Polish army and also fought at Monte Casino.

 

Like your grandad, my dad didn't say much, but I remember one day he was watching a programme on the telly about Monte Casino. He had a few tears in his eyes when they showed the gravestones. I asked him why he was crying and he said, look at those graves, all Polish lads, average age 18 years old. He never said anything about the Americans, but he hated the Germans.

 

Who knows, maybe your grandad and my dad knew each other.

[Clapham Saint]

I'm not actually not sure about my grandfathers, they are both dead but I really should speak to my parents to find out exactly where they served.

 

My great grandfather was this chap.

 

The Dambusters link is a matter of particular pride for me but he was an exceptional man all round.

[View From The Top]

My dad was Polish. He was 16 when the war started. He was taken prisoner by the Russians one night. Escaped from them and went back home. Two weeks later the Germans came to his home at about 2 in the morning and took him and his sister. Not sure how long he was there for, but he did escape from the camp he was in. He didn't go back home though because he thinks he killed a German guard as he was escaping. From there he went deep into the forest and after a day or so was met by the Polish underground. Stayed with them, but eventually joined up with the Polish army and also fought at Monte Casino.

 

Like your grandad, my dad didn't say much, but I remember one day he was watching a programme on the telly about Monte Casino. He had a few tears in his eyes when they showed the gravestones. I asked him why he was crying and he said, look at those graves, all Polish lads, average age 18 years old. He never said anything about the Americans, but he hated the Germans.

 

Who knows, maybe your grandad and my dad knew each other.

 

My grandfather and uncle both fought at Cassino.

 

Italy's Sorrow: A Year of War 1944-45 is a good read and covers the Polish troops actions in some detail.

 

[Doctoroncall]

Mine were almost poles apart, a conscientious objector who worked on a farm and the other in army intelligence.

[hamster]

Who knows, maybe your grandad and my dad knew each other.

 

Wladislaw Drabik was his name, known to all as 'Wally', he worked at Pirelli's for many years and lived in both Desborough Road and then Robin Square, Eastleigh. Lot of Polish families in Eastleigh though, not all got on from what I understand, my Grandad being one of the hardest to get on with I am told.

 

I remember helping him to mix his Golden Virginia with Old Holburn to roll his fags with as a very young lad. We used to walk up Home Wood on Chestnut Avenue a lot chopping wood. My fave times with him though , were when we'd watch the banger racing and afterwards we'd go scavenging anyt bits that had been discardede or knocked off, he'd take absolutely anything that he could carry, absolutely anything. His shed wasa treasure trove to me and he is the reason that my own shed all these years later is such a museum of crrrrap.

 

God rest his (and all other deceased Polish Grandad's) soul. We qute simply would not be hear today arguing about Polish Cabbies without them, and our lovely Nans too of course.

Edited 6 February, 2010 by hamster

[Just a Fan]

My grandfather and uncle both fought at Cassino.

 

Italy's Sorrow: A Year of War 1944-45 is a good read and covers the Polish troops actions in some detail.

 

 

 

 

Thank you for that. My dad gave me a book that he had borrowed a long time ago. I was much younger then (obviously) and unfortunately never read it. That's one I'll get when I'm in town next. Thanks.

 

Were your grandad and uncle Polish?

[hamster]

I'm not actually not sure about my grandfathers, they are both dead but I really should speak to my parents to find out exactly where they served.

 

My great grandfather was this chap.

 

The Dambusters link is a matter of particular pride for me but he was an exceptional man all round.

 

 

Cool stuff, rightly proud I am sure.

 

I like the fact that Clapham's Grandad was a proper Communist activist, I think I woulod have liked him mate. What would he have made of the lot we are lumbered with today i wonder?

[RedAndWhite91]

My Nan knew someone, before he died, who was at Dunkerque and he wrote a book about it which was published locally.

 

It was called Bombed, Beached, Bewildered. I remember one part which I'll recall to the best of my memory. He was under some artillery fire I think, he jumped into a crater and landed on someone and they stayed there a while. He apologised, and said his name, introducing himself. The bloke replied, "That's alright, I'm [i've forgotten the name], and I play for Southampton FC!". Just one little anecdote from the War there.

[View From The Top]

Thank you for that. My dad gave me a book that he had borrowed a long time ago. I was much younger then (obviously) and unfortunately never read it. That's one I'll get when I'm in town next. Thanks.

 

Were your grandad and uncle Polish?

 

No, English but nearly every unit, from Poland to India by way of Oz and NZ fought in the hell that was Cassino.

 

They both served and fought alongside the Poles as they battled through the mountains up to the Adriatic.

[Just a Fan]

Wladislaw Drabik was his name, worked at Pirelli's for many years and lived in both Desborough Road and then Robin Square, Eastleigh. Lot of Polish families in Eastleigh though, not all got on from what I understand, my Grandad being one of the hardest to get on with I am told.

 

I remember helping him to mix his Golden Virginia with Old Holburn to roll his fags with as a very young lad. We used to walk up Home Wood on Chestnut Avenue a lot chopping wood. My fave times with him though , were when we'd watch the banger racing and afterwards we'd go scavenging anyt bits that had been discardede or knocked off, he'd take absolutely anything that he could carry, absolutely anything. His shed wasa treasure trove to me and he is the reason that my own shed all these years later is such a museum of crrrrap.

 

God rest his (and all other deceased Polish Grandad's) soul. We qute simply would not be hear today arguing about Polish Cabbies without them, and our lovely Nans too of course.

 

My dad was Wladyslaw Jureczko. He had friends who lived in Eastleigh but I don't remember your grandad's name. We lived in Sholing and Weston. My dad lost contact with his family after he was taken by the Germans as a young boy, but found them again through the Red Cross some 25 years later. We went over there when I was 12 years old.

 

My dad died in 1982 and my son was born in 1985. My mum and I would talk about him all the time and tell Lee all about him. It's strange, but my son has a real closeness with my dad and even has his name tatooed on him arm.

 

You're right, we wouldn't be here without them. I did ask my mum once that if she hadn't met my dad would she still of had me. She said ofcouse she would, but I would just have been someone else.

[swannymere]

One with the Royal Engineers in India and the other as a carpenter at Southampton docks.

[Saint137]

Tank driver in the 9th Lancers. Fought in North Africa & Italy and won the Military Medal at El Alamein (pulled three crewmates from his burning tank and got them to safety under heavy fire). Got to drive tanks because he was short and stocky, not exactly infantry material. After the war he went back to being a milkman with Unigate, such a complete and utter contrast...

Never talked much about it but I have some great photos and his medals which mean the world to me. I'm hoping to get to sit in a Sherman at Bovington this summer, I'd like to see what his working environment was like.

 

Photos here:

 

http://photos.kiloran.com/c225557.html

[hamster]

Tank driver in the 9th Lancers. Fought in North Africa & Italy and won the Military Medal at El Alamein (pulled three crewmates from his burning tank and got them to safety under heavy fire). Got to drive tanks because he was short and stocky, not exactly infantry material. After the war he went back to being a milkman with Unigate, such a complete and utter contrast...

Never talked much about it but I have some great photos and his medals which mean the world to me. I'm hoping to get to sit in a Sherman at Bovington this summer, I'd like to see what his working environment was like.

 

Photos here:

 

http://photos.kiloran.com/c225557.html

 

 

Really enjoyed those photos , treasures every one of them.

[Hamilton Saint]

My father was in the Royal Engineers. He assembled lorries in the Iraqi desert. From there they were driven to the Eastern front - used by our Soviet allies in their push west towards Germany.