Originally Posted by Bodmin-Bill

Hey mum, thats me in August 1973.

It does not matter what rank we held or how many years we served, we all started off as a raw recruit! :D

ah Swinderby , I knew it, well . I suspect we were still using those wooden slr's when I passed through in 88

Originally Posted by General Melchett

Wanted to join up in 1915 but at 16 years old he was too young.

My Great Grandfather had to lie about his age when he went to join up in 1914, but it was because he was too old being 48 and having no previous military experience at the time.

He joined the Royal Warwicks Regiment, fast tracked to the rank of Sgt and he spent most of the war at a transit camp in Essex. He never made it out of ther country, which although it doesn't make for a very distinguished army career, is interesting for the fact that it proves that people lied about their ages at both ends of the scale.



My Great Grandfather (Sgt Evans) is on the right with the D Coy CSM WO2 Boot (I don't know what Bn.)

Thanks for the additional contributions

Melchie , I don't know what it is , but your Grandad LOOKS like a squaddie , if you get my meaning?

PP , re your Great-Grandad , have you tried the Regimental museum at Warwick for additional info?

PTP

Another two titbits to keep the thread running, the first picture below is my grandfather pictured in 1943 whilst serving with the RA, I think it was 57th HAA?.
The Second is a copy of a statement my grandfather made in june 1916 after he was captured on patrol and managed to escape, the patrol had been bounced and my grandfather became detached from the patrol, whilst providing covering fire. The officer commanding the patrol on returning to their trench discovered that my grandfather was missing took the patrol back out, unfortunately they ran into another german patrol, and the officer was killed and the patrol forced to retreat.
My grandfather then spent the next 24hrs in no mans land before being able to return to his own lines. Strangely this episode possibly helped save his life as he was sent to a field hospital suffering from shell shock, which meant that he missed the attack on the 1st of july, in which the 4th Middlesex suffered very heavy casualties two of there companies being virtual wiped out as they left there trenches. I found the statement in the war diarys of the 4th Middlesex at the PRO (National Archives as is)

Originally Posted by Blackcat

Another two titbits to keep the thread running, the first picture below is my grandfather pictured in 1943 whilst serving with the RA, I think it was 57th HAA?.

Where was 57th HAA in 1943, I know I could find out myself but researching RA units is a pain in the but. (My mum reckons Gramps was in 57th but which variant (LAA, HAA, S/L etc) I don't know except he would have been in North Africa around 42-43).

Originally Posted by polar

Originally Posted by Blackcat

Another two titbits to keep the thread running, the first picture below is my grandfather pictured in 1943 whilst serving with the RA, I think it was 57th HAA?.

Where was 57th HAA in 1943, I know I could find out myself but researching RA units is a pain in the but. (My mum reckons Gramps was in 57th but which variant (LAA, HAA, S/L etc) I don't know except he would have been in North Africa around 42-43).

Don't think it's that one then, he was with one of the Z batterys which I thought were only uk based?

Something else interesting (I hope) from my Grandfathers time in the Royal Engineers in North Africa during WW2. He sent this home...

A pamphlet handed to Allied troops, 'A pocket guide to Tunisia' My Grandfather has marked locations he's been at on the map. (Might help me in researching what his actual specific outfit was)

I find it interesting, bearing in mind that again British troops are seving in a Muslim country, how many of the Do's and Don'ts still bear true today?

(some are frankly quite humorous and say more about the troops than the Muslims) I found the warning that a 'Muslim doesn't know how to box, and can therefore be knocked unconcious with one punch paticuarly amusing

Originally Posted by danvnuk

My Grandfather has marked locations he's been at on the map. (Might help me in researching what his actual specific outfit was)

Looking at his two eastern postings I would say that he had webbed feet, or drove a DUKW..

Originally Posted by whiffler

Originally Posted by danvnuk

My Grandfather has marked locations he's been at on the map. (Might help me in researching what his actual specific outfit was)

Looking at his two eastern postings I would say that he had webbed feet, or drove a DUKW..

:D , I think those crosses signify the Towns Sousse and Sfax...or perhaps your right and there is a dark webbed feet secret in the family.

Danvuk

Thank you once again for a truly excellent post.

Don't be surprised if a red-tabbed grown up contacts you , asking for a lend of that 'Do's and dont's guide' mind you.
:D

Keep those photos coming please, lots of page views , but not many more piccies. If you want to know how to post pictures , just ask!

PTP