Where Did Your Grandfather Serve?

[miserableoldgit]

Don`t know too much about either of my grandfathers but my dad served in the RN during WWII as an ASDIC (u-boat hunter) operator on HMS Forester on the Artic convoys and on D-Day.

[John Boy Saint]

My Grandfather was technically too old to have been drafted as a civilian but because he was in the Territorial Army he was still available to serve, and being able to ride horses he was a despatch rider. He went to France on the second wave of D-Day and fought drove and survived all the way to Germany, he happily told his tales of daring do............. Probably in the vain hope of not being outdone by his wife my Granny who lived through the bombing of Southampton with a baby.

 

My other Grandad did his bit in the First World War with the Royal Flying Corp so was too old for WWII

[Atticus Finch of Maycomb]

Mine served in Pizza Hut until 1992.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

I *think* it was on the orders of Hitler as he wanted as the captial instead of London. I could be talking complete tosh though as I can't find any reference on the web.

 

I checked out the ultimate (3 volume) reference guide on the subject : 'The Blitz - Then and Now' and I can find no reference to Winchester being bombed at all throughout WWII . This may be just a coincidence or related to the fact that the Winchester lacked many important war industries , but it does seem that city was unusually lucky to put it mildly .

 

As for a special no-bombing order being in place , I can only say that is news to me and I take an interest in the Luftwaffe .

[Marsdinho]

My Nan worked with Ted Bates at the Folland Aircraft Factory in Hamble.

[SO16_Saint]

My grandad served in Burma.

 

He was a POW and was declared dead by the Army, and his papers were given to his family.

 

His (twin) brother didn't believe this and went to Burma to look for him, and was in a bar one night and sat at the other end was dear old Gramps. He had lost all his hair due to stress etc etc.

 

Amazing, really.

[Bongo badger]

My family went all over the world serving our great nation, gramps was in Africa with Monty. Was a butcher by trade and kept chickens, while out on patrol his jeep got hit by a luck shot and blow up. He was thrown clear and when he looked back all he could see were loads of feathers floating everywhere and his mates skeleton holding the steering wheel. I must say out of all my family members everyone came back from duty in one piece. My Granddads bro, was in Burma, his hat was to big for him, he took a bullet through the top of the hat and his buddies thought he had copped it, it missed his nut by an inch.

One other story.

I had a ancestor was a powder monkey at the battle of Trafalgar serving under Nelson. He was called George and was 14 years old. He died back in England after the battle due to his injuries by being hit on the head by a cannon ball, lol, Must laugh but if he was anything like my family today he probably didn’t feel it and carried like nothing had happened lol.

[Sergei Gotsmanov]

Bridgey that story needs expanding

[Deppo]

Mine built the planes.

[SO16_Saint]

Bridgey that story needs expanding

 

well that's about as much as I know unfortunately, and he's dead now so cant ask the old bugger first hand.

 

I'll speak to my brother who may know more.

 

Surprisingly (or not, maybe) but it took until my Nans death (6 years ago)for him to say ANYTHING about the war and what happened out there.

 

I will endeavour to find out some more....