Would you like to find a long-lost wartime friend?
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Over the next few weeks on The One Show we'll be marking the 70th anniversary of the start of World War II. Inspired by the film on tonight's show about wartime reunions, The One Show has decided to try and reunite lost friends who met during the war years but who subsequently lost track of one another.
Do you have a long-lost wartime friend or colleague that you'd like to be reunited with?
We're asking for your stories and pictures of lost wartime friends. Maybe you met as evacuees, served in the same regiment or met through the work you did on the Home Front - whatever the situation, we'd love to hear your stories. These might be your own stories or pictures or someone else's - maybe a parent or grandparent - why not ask them if there's anyone they'd like to find again?
We'll be reading out some of your stories on the show and appealing for any information about your lost friends.
So how does it work?
You have two options, you can:
1) Tell us about your friend on this blog
2) Share a photo of your friend or you and your friend in our gallery
Share stories on the blog
Tell us your lost friend's name and a story about them and in the blog below. To make it easier to find them, please include the following information -
- Name of lost friend:
- How and where you met:
- If you served together, you could include details of rank, regiment and place/years of service
- Story/memory about them (150 words or less): maybe a funny story or a moment shared with them or the reason why you would like to find them now.
IMPORTANT:- Please DO NOT LEAVE yours or anyone else's personal contact details (email address, phone number, address etc.) anywhere on the website. We'll do our very best to put lost friends in touch with each other.
Share a photo in the gallery
If you have a picture of your long lost friend or of you both together you can also add your pictures in our wartime reunions gallery.
- Please include the name of your lost friend as the title of the image.
- You can also leave details about your long lost friend in the gallery.
Thank-you, we look forward to reading your stories and seeing your pictures.
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~28~RS~)
Comments
My mother Beryl Fordham, Nee McNerney served in the Women's Land Army during the war and would love to trace her friend Hilda Longbottom (known as Cherry) Cherry came from Goole in south Yorkshire
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I am hoping someone might have known my father-in-law, a former WWW2 MP?
"Acting Sergeant George Arthur Grinham, No.7686494"
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I have been desperately searching for the last couple of years on behalf of my elderly Uncle for a German prisoner of war who was taken in by my grandparents, father and Uncle. The mans name is Hans Rass, he was a prisoner at Wickenby, Lincolnshire, he was a very young man of about 17, he was from the wine making area in Germany and I have a photo of his wedding. Other than that my family the Bradleys (farmers) took him in and treated as one of the family I don't know much more. I would dearly love to reunite these two men before it's too late, my Uncle is in his 80's and Hans must be similar. I hope there is someone who can help me or at least point me in the right direction. Thank you.
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My mother was evacuated to Petworth House in sussex with her Mother, Aunts, brother, sister & cousins. While there she met Lord & Lady Mountbatten. The family were made to line up & were presented to the Mountbattens who were very caring. Lady Mountbatten was wearing a black & white checked suit. Also she was told that the D Day planning was done at Petworth while they were staying there. It was the first time she saw a real telephone & being a bit naughty wandered around the 'out of bounds' areas of the house. We will be taking her back there in about 3 weeks time as a suprise. Most of the others are dead & my muns getting a bit forgetful so it will be nice to see where she lived & get her memories while we can. Patti
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I am anxiously trying to trace a fellow member of the choir of Holy Trinity Church Kingsway London.. Her name was Eileen J Berry. We were in the church and heard the declaration of war announced. The sirens had sounded and we were in the crypt for safety.
I joined the Navy as a Wireless Telegraphist on minesweeoing and anti-submarine trawlers. Eileen, I believe, was in either the army or Air Force as a plotter. Regretfully we lost touch with each other although I have heard (through a mutual friend who has also lost touch) that she survived the war.
I would very much like to make contact again or have news of her
jollybillhew
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I was evacuated from London during WWII to Fraserburgh and was always beaten for top of the class by another evacuee - a girl called Rosemary Lane. I wonder what became of her ?
There was also a Josephine Arnold and a boy with surname Luxton whose family also moved during the war to NE Scotland. There were many other families whose names I have forgotten, but I would be intrigued to hear from anyone who shared the move of the CPT Company.
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My grandad was a paratrooper in the second world war, and my great grandfather was in the first world war, my family and i are trying to find out information regarding both of these, and anybody that would have been in the same regament as either of these.
Both men were called Harry Ballard, if anyone has any information on either of these please get in touch as we are desperate to find out information about what they did.
thank you.
Stacy
x
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My Nan was evacuated to Yorkshire during the war. She was evacuated at 9 years old. The parents Nan was sent to were called Mr and Mrs Payne (unsure of the spelling) She felt they were about 60 years old. They had a cat called Tiddles. I would love to help Nan find Mr and Mrs Paynes daughter Freda (unsure of the spelling). Nan's name was Vera Chatfield. Freda would be a bit older than Nan (she was probably about 13 at the time)
I have an audio recording of me as an 11 year old interviewing my Nan about being an evacuee, my Grandad about staying in the Southwick area as a young teenager, and an uncle that was in the navy.
I have always wanted to do this for Nan and would love any opportunity to do this.
All the best
Dan
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A tough one for you
I was born to a member of the Canadian Royal Air Force flight crew (who was killied over Germany in the last few months of WW2) and a British (married) woman
When her husband was demobbed he refused to accept me and I was put up for adoption. I have found my birth mothers name but cannot find any reference to my natural father
I do not wish to intrude into my birth families lives
Do you have any suggestions
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I am trying to contact any one who worked in Binbrook Naafi during 1942 - 1947 especially Pam Wishart and Joan Fisher. My mother would dearly like to see them if they are still with us. She has fond memories of nights out with the RAF lads..one was so smitten he cycled all the way up bully hill with her on the cross bar only to be jilted a few weeks later. Perhaps that was a good thing as she went on to meet my father!
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My brother and I were evacuated from London to Audley End House in Audley End, Saffron Walden, Essex probably in late 1940 until about spring 1941 when the house was requisitioned to become Station 43, an SOE Polish Section training school.
I took my mother back to the house in about 1985 but she was not very forthcoming about information about our stay there. She did point out on the upper floor where we both slept and I have strong and vivid memories of this room. Despite being only about 1 year old on arriving at Audley End in 1940 I have vivid memories (corroborated by several incidents at a later date) of incidents and places within the house. I have managed to trace three other evacuees who were considerably older than my brother and I but they have no recollection of other evacuees being there at the same time. They were house in the laundry wing away from the main house but we were billeted, with about 10-15 other children on the upper floor of the main house. I have visited the house several times and explained our story to English Heritage, who own the property. At first they were astounded as they had no idea any evacuees had been housed there. I have carried out a lot of research but have yet to find any documentary evidence of our stay.
Some people I have spoken to from the area, local archive assistant etc think I have made up or just repeated the story as they feel a child of my age could not possibly have remembered it. Several incidents (of which my older brother says he has no recollection) have corroborated my story and the last such was when we were being shown round the house by one of the officials and I said, "You know, I thought that the floor tiles (the great hall has a pattern of large grey stones interspersed with tiny corner black stones) were starkly contrasting as black and white and they were all exactly the same size squares!"
The senior rooms' assistant looked at me astonished and said, "This corridor was fitted out with black and white chequered lino but this fact was only found out when somebody did some research during the 1960s! The lino was removed during the 1960s."
I would really like to hear from anybody else who thinks that they stayed as an evacuee at Audley End at the same time.
Peter Harden
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My mother Winifred Ellen Sullivan, now Oakes would love to trace her friend Morgan Mc Donald Nicknane "Mac" he is approx. 80 years old and now lives in London Ontario Canada Married to Christine McDonald
They met through her sister's husband Jonny Moody whilst living in Byfleet in Surrey in 1944 evacuated from London during WWII he was in the Canadian Army a regular haunt was the Black Prince Pub Holly Avenue NewHaw Byfleet
Many Thanks
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I have a very good friend who is German and has lived here since the 1950s. She was only nine at the end of the war, and she has a very sad and heart rendering story to tell of how the Russians treated her Mum and Sister when they entered Germany, how they lost everything financially; her Mum lost an arm and her sister lost an eye. She also lost her village because when Europe was 'carved' it was given to Poland. Shutting everything out for all her life she finally found the courage last year to return to her home to lay to rest her ghosts and can at last finally talk about her horrific experiences.
Perhaps we ought to hear something of the other side.
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I travelled home from Hong Kong on the Viceroy of India which left on 15th February 1940. There were several stops on the way back including Singapore (20th Feb.) Penang (21st Feb) by which time there were 190 troops & 507 passengers on board. We disenbarked at Marseilles & travelled through France by train. I would be very interested to hear from anyone who travelled on the boat.
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I'm writing on behalf of my mother who does not have internet access. my mother Jean Roberts is looking for her second cousin
Michael Vine ; his mum and dad were Maud and Ed Vine, Ed Vine was a baker in Lewisham - he came to live in Marhamchurch Cornwall in Under Lane Marhamchurh. Last seen in the 1940's when his mother took him back to London - he took my mother to the theatre in 1949 which was the last time that she saw him. My mum was an evacuee aswell and they both stayed with their aunt Mrs Lily Bradford. If anybody knows anything please let us know. Many thanks.
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I am searching for anyone who was at Hydneye House School which was at witherden, near Germansweek, Devon during the war. I was there from 1941 - 1945 when we returned to Hastings for my last term. Names I remember were Nigel Stisted, Seaman (I forget his christian name)the Pidcock twins, Walter Weg. Also Michael Fry, who I stayed with during the 8-week summer holiday of 1944, an idyllic eight weeks of sand and sun in North Cornwall, near St Minver.
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I forgot to leave my name re Hydneye House - Geoffrey Gover.
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We nearly all know about the first world war Christmas Truce but did you know about similar fraternization between nazi troops and the" tommys" in World War 2? i didn't until I got hold of a captioned german soldiers photo album which showed snapshots of gifts left in an old tyre to trade with the germans -bully beef for water purificatiuon tablets schnapps etc. What is really exciting is that i have located this German former soldier now a retired professor in his 90's He was captured after tobruk by the americans and transported to the u.s. for interment in pow camp .(I have all his papers) later in the war ,towards the end he was sent to cambridgshire to work on a farm as a p.o.w. worker. Even though one of the sons of this family had been killed in the Pacific theatre the family were kind to this soldier and continued to write to him and send food parcels to him at his home in ?Dresden after the war. He was friendly with the daughter of this family who was a teacher and after quite a lot of research and visiting this little cambridgshire village i have managed to locate this lady who is also quite an age but has moved to herefordshire. I have found other family members and villagers who remember as lads working with this prisoner on the farm and taking in harvests etc. They were all very excited to hear about him.I have been in contact with one of the German soldiers former students and he is planing to bring him to england fairly soon so he can meet up with his old friends and the girl who was so kind to him. It would make a wonderful documentary but probably involve too big a slot for the one show. but if you have any one in your documentary section have them contact me and i will discuss it further and show them some of the most fascinating documents and photographs of this 2 world war period where the two enemies had a mutual respect for each other and a friendship is about to re emerge after almost 70 years
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Hi I am looking for several people from london, 117 lichfield rd london who were evacuated to shefield. There were 9 in the family and they were called:- Gill, Shirley, David, Alan, Wendy and 2 more children.
the dad was a bus driver the surname was ridley although i am not sure of the spelling. My name was Audrey Heald at the time
I woul;d be grateful for any one who can help.
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Adrian O'Connor was evacuated to Llanedy, my village in Wales, during the war.
We were at school together there and great friends.
Adrian left for Sevenoaks when he was about ten years old.
Where can I find him?
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George Newton lived at Archway N.London, and from 1942 on we were apprentices together in the sheet metal shop at Handley Pages. George was the first from our group to be called up to the army. He went in to the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry. was pushed out to Burma.where the Japs gave him such a hard time . George was invalided out and he returned to work at Handley Pages. By this time, I and the others in our group were doing our bits in the forces. I have'nt seen or heard of George since. Now retired, and George must be too, I would dearly like to get in touch again.
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I have a wonderful ships dinner menu from the HMT 'Highland Princess' on Xmas Day 1946. It is signed by 7 men who, I presume, are returning home from the war and find themselves eating Christmas dinner together. The right hand page contains the menu, wonderful fare it is too, the left page is headed AUTOGRAPHS, beneath which is the following: (the handwriting is not always legible you might be able to fill in any gaps)
Spud Murphy
Paddy Holmes
Omar Bradley Manchester
TOP Manchester
W..m kendall L.R.H.M., A.R.C.M.
a Pr..i.. RA
A Mackenzie (R.A.O.C.) 25/12/46
I have this framed and on a wall. My mum, then a child, lost her father in the war and she and I loved to talk about these men eating this spendid dinner together and looking forward to seeing their loved ones. If anyone knows any thing about these men it would be wonderful to know their real stories and perhaps to know if they ever met again.
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My mother, Irene Norris, was 16 when WWII broke out. She always had a passion for dancing and at 86 and widowed she wished she still could go ballroom dancing. She was in the Army Pay Corp at the same time as George Mitchell, (of the Black & White Minstrels) George worked for the Army Pay Corp and held dances in the foyer/basement of one of the Oil Company huge buidings in Finsbury Square, London. They asked for volunteers to show people how to dance etc and my mum joind in. Her friend Bobbie Cousins volunteered to do the makeup. My mum was one of the first Mitchell Singers and Dancers. Anyone out there remember dancing between the air raids ?
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I was evacuated twice during 39/45 war First to St Just in Penwith in 39. Like to contact any other ex E17 evacuee or Cornish friends -Frank Stevens. We were billeted in butchers in Bank Square, first then down to Boscean Farm
Second to Alderley Edge Cheshire. stayed in house with about 6 others-anyone remember Alec Smith or brother Bob?
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I am Norwegian but have lived in England for nearly 20 years now. My father, Nils Kristian Jorstad, was a student when the war broke out and initially wanted to become a pilot and fight the Germans. He first avoided being rounded up by the Germans (as they did with most young students) by escaping to Sweden. He then started taking lessons in glider planes, but thought the training would take too long and decided to join the British Navy instead. He never spoke much about what he did, but by the time the war ended he was a sub lieutenant in the British Navy. He died in 1977, unfortunately, and I have never been able to find out what he did during the war. He did mention being on mine sweeping duties once, but my brother thinks it may have been something else. Is there anybody out there who knows something? I still have his Navy id card
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My partner's father, Mr Ronald Charles Shears served on the Prince of Wales and survived the sinking by the Japanese on December 10th 1941. He was a boy seaman and is now aged 85 years old. Born 1924. He then went on to serve on the Teezer and escorted the Merchant fleets from Russia to England. We are interested to know if there are any living survivors from the Prince of Wales and the Teezer at the time my father in law was serving. Would love to make contact with anyone.
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My name is 'Bunny' Mattocks and I am searching for Anthony Francis Kelly. We joined the navy together as 15 year old aircraft artificer apprentices on Jan 19th 1944 becoming members of Effingham Division. After he left the navy Tony married my cousin June Smith and I was his best man but we lost touch when I was posted abroad. Of course he may no longer be with us but if any of my relations recognise my blog please get in touch.
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I was evacuated to Kettering in Northants in May 1941 after the last big raid in south London.In 1942 I became friendly with Paul Hobley And we both were mad on the warplanes being used at the time
among other likes which were Swimming,visiting the local American
airdrome which was at Grafton Underwood.This friend became Wing Commander Paul Hobley who was the Adjutant to The Air Vice Marshal
Of the Royal Air Force.This I found out because in the 1980s This is
your Life programme was on the Television in which he appeared.
We used to go to the swimming baths in the summers of 42/43/44
each weekday evening and Saturday morning.One
particular Saturday morning we arrived just as the baths were opened at 7.30 and we were the only swimmers in,this was an openair swimming
Pool,so being daring we both decided that it would be very rude to both jump off the high board(5 metre) board naked holding our cossies
so we had an excuse in case the staff on duty caught us.This pool was
surrouded by houses on hilly rises on 3 sides so we were in full veiw of anybody out in there gardens.Clever bods.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
As a 7 year old, I was evacuated to Wigstone Lane, Aylestone in Leicester with a Mr and Mrs Stephenson (Stevenson?). I believe that it was No.204. They had a granddaughter named Jaqueline who celebrated her 6th Birthday whilst I was there and I remember buying her a book entitled Peter Pan at the great cost of 3 shillings and sixpence. This would have been in 1943. My Sister was billeted next door to me with Mr and Mrs Platt. I vividly remember Cows in the fields, a visit to Wigstone Park and constantly sunny days. I have nothing but happy childhood memories of my stay in Aylestone and cannot imagine why I ever wanted to get back to South East London to watch the doodlebugs fly overhead.
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I often wonder what happened to my friend Micheal North. We were near neighbours in Evington Road Leicester when the Pavilion on Victoria Park was hit by a land mine, flattening the pavilion but leaving the park keepers hut intact. We acquired a large spool of industial yarn and while the parkie was enjoying a rest in his now isolated cabin we repeatedly circumnavigated it until he was caught in our web. My parents disapproved of these activities and tried to keep us from meeting. Later we went to different school and drifted apart.
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Krummacher. I am trying to trace friends of mine from the 1940's who lived in Portslade Sussex. Most of them lived in the Melrose avenue area. Their names are Douglas Knap(p), Peter Parker, Eileen Rowe, Dennis Hills, Brian Harrison, Brian Cox, Allen Scott, Frank Meopham.
There are more I could mention. Why am I thinking about these people I really don't know. I do want to get into contact with them.
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I was evacuated to Norfolk - Gissing Hall near Diss - some time in 1944. My memory is very sketchy and I'm wondering if anyone else was sent to this place. I have checked with surviving family members and they confirm I was evacuated there but they have been unable to give any details. I checked with Diss library but they have no records of Gissig Hall being used for this purpose !! Any information will be much appreciated.
Best Regards.
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I watched youre program re Penrhos College being evacuated to Chatsworth House during the War.My mother was a pupil there during this time and was confirmed at the church at Ensor. Her name was Joyce Lilian Hancock. Sadly my mother died in 1984 at only 56, I have no records or photographs of her time at Chatsworth and would love to hear from anyone who may have photos or memories of her, I would like to share these with my children, as sadly they never knew their Grandmother.
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Hi, i'am looking to find Derrick Doreen & Rita Rance,of Putney Bridge Road London, I was evacuated from Acton along with them to Mrs Kemp's in St.Johns, Woking.
My sister Ann and myself John Flower where @ Mrs Kemp's from 1940 to 1945.
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During the last years of the war I worked for a small engineering company in Bournville Birmingham, this was opposite a firm called Barber Electrical and next to them was Collins the Furriers who employed several girls in the manufacture of very high quality fur coats.
We all cycled in those days and the girls bikes and ours were locked away in the bottom part of our building for safety during the working day. It was my job as the youngest to open up for the girls at 4.30pm when the girls left to go home.
I can remember one afternoon being down early to unlock the door for the girls and seeing a large piece of cast iron bar some 6 ins diameter and narly as long I decided to handicap one of the bikes and put it in the saddle bag, she cycled all the way home to West Heath with this onboard. This young lady was called Pam and her friend was a girl called Irene Dugmoor, I left Birmingham a couple of years later and often wonder what happened to them.(my nickname was Jim)
I know Pams father kept the lump of cast iron to prop open his garage door !
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I would be interested to hear from anyone who was serving in the forces based at the British Army HQ in the King David Hotel in Jerusalem when it was bombed on the 22 July 1946. As part of an OU course on writing Family History, I interviewed my Aunt who told me that my Dad, Maurice James Tilley (known as Jim) was there at the time of the bombing. My Dad never spoke of this period in his life and unfortunately he is no longer with us to ask. I realise that this is a little bit after WWII but hopefully there will be someone who can add to the small amount of information I have.
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My Father, Ted Garner served in the RAF during WWII. He was stationed in Andreas in the Isle of Mann and made a great friend known by his surname McKenzie, who came from Elgin in Scotland. My Dad never knew McKenzie's first name and they lost touch when my Dad was posted to Egypt in 1944. Occasionally, over the past 60 years, Dad has tried to find him - even visiting Elgin, where he left his only photo of McKenzie at the local RAF club. Nothing came of it and I would very much like to reunite them as my Father is now 87.
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on the 1st september 1939 I was 8 yrs old (nearly 9)and living in Sheffield, when the order for evacuation came. My father made me a little rucksac for my things and we went to the station. I was sent to Newark and billited with another boy Max Watson. we kept in touch for a long time after the war bot lost touch about 50 yrs ago.
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My grandfather- born in catterick -served in the royal engineers during world war two from 1939 to 1945 taking part in the BEF/Dunkirk,North African,Italian and Greek campaigns.WILLIAM (Bill) WEST rose to the rank of sergant during these years when he would have been 23-29 years of age.Although deceased (1981) my grandmother and I would be interested to know of anyone who served with him or knew him-especially during the Sicily and Salerno landings then his movements northwards to Monte Casino.Having spent many holidays in towns in southern Italy in the 28 years since his death I am now trying to retrace his exact steps/route.
Following my own travels to this area of Italy and a long time aquaintance with an Italian family-originally from Portici(napoli)-I would also like to hear from anyone from the CHURCH STRETTON (shropshire) area who ,during 1944-46,may have encountered an Italian
P.O.W., who worked on a milk farm in that locality,named UMBERTO CORTESE.A sailor in the Italian navy,Signor Cortese was lucky to survive the sinking of his ship and ,once in captivity,I believe he spent periods in P.O.W. camps in South Africa as well as Scotland.
Although now sadly deceased (in 1996),I am still in contact with his daughters who I know would be curious about some of their father`s
friendships during his time in England -a country he truly loved.
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We were an RAF family travelling (escaping!) from Singapore back to the UK in 1942. We (my mother, brother - aged 7 - and myself aged 3) left S.A. on the liner LACONIA. We were torpedoed, my brother was lost, my mother and I finished up in a Vichy camp in Morocco. I believe there are still some survivors and would love to meet someone with knowledge of the events. (I believe Alan Bleasedale is doing a programme on the sinking(?)
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My 90 year old husband enlisted in the Royal Signals on 30th August 1939 and trained as Despatch rider, Driver and W/T Operator (B11) at Catterick, Yorkshire. He was at the camp on the 3rd September 1939, when war was declared on Germany. He is hoping to visit Catterick on 3rd September this year. He has tried through various newspapers to contact others who may have been at Catterick 70 years ago, but without success. He is hoping that he is not the only survivor of the 1939 recruits!!
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I have been trying to find out information on my late Fathers war years: I would be interested in information from any relatives of anyone that might have known him, He used to attend Army reunions when I was a child with a Guy called Wag Harris and a guy called Albert ( who I know owned a veg shop in Hounslow) sorry I can not remember his surname?
My Father was in the 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment from 1931- 1946? His name was Joe Hunt
I understand he was in a P.O.W camp and he was at Dunkirk he was also a very keen boxer while in the regiment, however I have never been able to find any information on this
I would dearly like to hear from anyone who could help me piece together some of my Fathers war experiences. I have read in depth the battalions involvement in all theatres of war - I ask myself 'How did he get home unscathed' as without a doubt he did see virtually continuous action.
Many Thanks
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I am trying to contact RAF chums who were stationed at Western Assembly 320MU RAF Drigh Road Karachi 1943-46 especially those associated with the concert party Cactus Capers
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I worked in the Chief Accountants Office of the Great Western Railway in Berkshire during WW2.They had evacuated from Paddington. I would like to meet David Friedman who worked in the Cash Section.
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I am hopeful that I might find a cousin, Mary Cox who I have not seen since 1947. She lived with my aunt Hilda(dads sister) and uncle Ted in Carmalite Road in Coventry. My dad had died in 1944 and we lived in Redditch. My mother did not have much money so we did not manage to see them and my grandparents who also lived in the same street very often. Because my mother remarried in 1949 we then lost touch.
I remember being told of the horrors of the biltz on Coventry in 1940.
If anyone can help I would be very grateful.
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I would like to hear news of my friend Vivienne Rye, who was evacuated from Dover to Blaenavon (then in Monmouthshire) during the war.
My name was then Pat Symons and I attended Pontypool Grammar School for girls. Vivienne was transferred to this school from a Dover Grammar School and was in the same form as me, until I left in 1947.
We lost touch in the next few years and I would now like to have any news of her, if at all possible.
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Joan Gage (nee Wright)would so love to make contact with her best friend during the wartime - Elizabeth (Charlie) Charlewood. They met at the Royal Free Hospital (Greys Inn Rd) when they were doing their nursing training together 1942. Charlie was from Cullercoats, Whitley Bay, and was bridesmaid for my Gran and Grandad. Gran has clear memories of sleeping under the bed together when bombs were being fired. She has one clear memory when her and Charlie were under the bed, they heard a flying bomb coming towards the hospital and dived out from under the bed into the linen cupboard! The bomb was a direct hit on the hospital and the dash to the linen cupboard must have saved their lives. Naturally, after the hit, they went straight to their wards to deal with the devastating carnage the bomb had left behind. After finishing her training Charlie moved to Australia where she married and became Elizabeth (Charlie) Foalkes. They lost touch, but Gran would love to have any news of Charlie if possible.
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My father,Alan Wallace, was evacuated to Windelsham Surrey during World War II. Whilst he was there he became friends with Humphrey Wittick (not sure about the spelling) who was the grandson of Field Marshall Douglas Haig. My father has often wondered over the years what happened to him and with the advent of this web site I was hoping I might be able to make contact with either Mr. Wittick or one of his family on behlaf of my father.
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My mother Gem Evelyn Rogers, now 84 yrs, (then called Evie Merchant) was a land army girl at Ridlands Farm just beside Chartwell, Churchills home at the time. She was 19 in 1943 and worked with several other girls - Hilda, Norma, May, Barbara, Joan and Betty Firminger until Xmas 1945. She was one of the first to see a doodle bug going over the fields at Chartell and thought ih was chasing her up the hill (she thought it was a bomb headed straight for her)They had Italian POW's on the farm but they weren't allowed to get wet so when it rained only the land army girls had to break their backs in the fields. She'd love to hear from any of 'the girl' or their children - at least one went to live in Australia.
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During World War Two I served with The RAF 5924B signals unit, mainly on the island of Ramree off the Arakan coast of Burma. I would like to know if there are any surviving members of this unit. Jim Fraser LAC
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I left Bootle, Merseyside in 1944 to join the army. Left UK in 1944 for France. Just after the end of WWII I married a Belgian girl and now have 2 daughters, 3 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. I have lived in Belgium untill now. What I would like to know is if any of my comrades who served with the 143 Inf. Ord. Field Park.RAOC could be found. I was lucky enough to have an army friend visit me last month after over 60 years. He made the trip from Australia at 86 years of age ! We keep contact over the net. Greetings to all those who lived through WWII.
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Ronnie Fletcher would like to contact Eric Finnety or anyone who served in the navy aboard the LST383 during the second world war.
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My Mother-in-law Jean Baker nee Ashley, served in the ATS at Shelton Hall, Shrewsbury. She would very much like to trace her friend Mary Atwood nee Nelson.
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My name is Joseph Frederick Cook, I am looking for friends in my Royal Army Ordnance Corp who were with me at the DDay landings at Kings Beach crossing with Col Gore on Henry Austin Ship with the canadians, A John Aitkenhead (nickname Joc) who played for motherwell Football Club and A Charlie Cooper, Arthur Chapman along with me nicknamed The 3 C's. After the war staying at Vechicle park 171 Hamburg Horn Litzmann Kaserne Honer Trab Rembahn. I was a tank driver during the war and when staying in Hamburg after the war I met a German Girl Margot Harrs who I later returned with to England and Married. I am still married to her for over 60 years. We kept intouch and later stayed with Charlie Cooper and his wife but have since lost touch. I would love to have contact with my friends after so many years I know we are all getting on as we were some of the youngest I was only 18 years myself now 85 years. I will put some photos in the gallery on the one show site in the hope someone recognises me or my friends. Many Thanks Joseph Frederick Cook
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My name is Alistair Clay and I'm trying to track down one of my grandfather's Navy colleagues. My Grandfather's name is Philip Bull and his wartime pal is called Noel Matthews, but he used to go by the name of Chris Matthews. The pair met in the Royal Navy Volunteer Wireless Reserves in around 1942/1943 on HMS Maloja on it's way to India. Chris was a very artistic man and introduced young Philip to the world of ballet (Chris was a friend of Dame Margot Fontaine) and the opera. They even made the most of some free navy tickets while they were ashore in Italy and saw Madame Butterfly. Chris also penned many very moving poems about the war, many of which my Grandfather still has to this day. Chris spent the first Christmas after the war at my Grandfather's home in Leicester. Shortly after that he emigrated to New Zealand. He sent back a few letters but sadly they lost touch as the world returned to normality. From my research Chris was still in New Zealand in the mid 1970s, working in advertising, but after that the trail runs cold. I know it would mean the world to my Grandfather if he could see Chris again. The pair were very close, and my Grandfather often says how Chris opened "this 19-year-old lad from Leicester's eyes to the beauty of the arts". It's always felt to me that my Grandfather wants to meet up with Chris to thank him for shining a little light into the dark days of war at sea. Philip also survived the Dunkirk evacuations aboard the mine sweeper HMS Polly Johnson and the Atlantic convoys aboard HMS Swale. Any help tracking down Chris/Noel Matthews would be fantastic.
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I am writing on behalf of my mother Megan Tingey nee Gittins. She is from Barnsley in South Yorkshire and was a member of the Women's Land Army during WW2. She was stationed in Surfleet near Spalding Lincolnshire with other young women from Yorkshire she worked on Mr Muckslow's farm and at the ICNA market gardens. She would love to here from Chris Morley or Nancy Lee or any other of the Land Girls who may remember her.
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shakyglamgran:
During WW11 my family lived in Farley Green, Nr. Albury, Surrey and we had evacuees come to stay with us. I remember two boys from London, Kenny and Arthur Hainze (not sure of the spelling) and if anyone asked them their names one would say, "I'm Arfur and 'e's the uvver 'alf!" and then curl up with laughter! Dont know what happened to them after the war - don't think my parents kept in touch, just wonder if they would recognise themselves from this message. Also remember watching doodlebugs pass over us towards London.
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Between 1942 and 1944 two cousins named Dorothy Ellis and Sheila (surname unknown) along with myself Shirley Nicholls were billeted with a Mrs Jones and Mr Bufton in Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales. Shelia is on the left of the picture and Dorothy is on the right. My sister Thelma was originally evacuated with me but went home in 1942 when she left school. Sadly she was only home for a few weeks before she was killed in an air raid. I lost touch with Sheila and Dorothy but I know they were from the Dungeness area in Kent. I would like to know if they remember me.
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I was watching your show on Chasworth House. My mother said she was a secretary at Chasworth House. I presume it might of been when it was a school for young girls. She was in the WRAF from 1939. I would love to know if there is anyone out there who might have know her in 1939 or before at Chasworth House? Would she have been recorded on Chasworth's records? Her name was Laura Aspinwall. I have never been there but would like to visit one of these days.
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My mother Audrey Howlett was evacuated from Wandsworth to Eastbourne in 1939 with her brothers George, Eric, Bobby and Eric. They had their photo taken on Eastbourne beach by a press photographer and it was published in a news paper. My mother died may years ago and the copy of the newspaper was lost. I thought it was published in the Sunday Pictorial but Mirror newspapers informed me it was not. However my Uncles are still alive and I would love to get a copy of the photo to give them. Any ideas where I might find it? I have tried the National archives but had no luck
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hi. A difficult one, I'm sure. Mother had evacues in war time. would like to know where one of them is Barry Walker-Dumbleton. married to Teddy Walker-Dumbleton in Saffron Walden.My father was best man and mother bridesmaid. The Walker-Dumbletons emigrated to New Zealand with 2 children... Joanne and Brett in the 1950s , she thinks. Can you find them?
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Hi. I`m making enquiries for a mate William (Bill) Frost of Telford who would be very interested in any details relating to his Service pal Robert (Bob) Sargent who lived in South Yardley Birmingham. They served in the RAF from 1946 to 1949 as National Sercicemen mainly at RAF Cosford in Shropshirewhere they worked as fire crew. Although it is almost 60 years, Bill is keen to know if Bob is still around. Thanks
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also here are some of the addresses that i lived at that might jog my friends memories :
31 New King St. SE8 AFG
19 Northbourgh St. Goswell Rd. EC1
24 Ironmonger St. EC1
8 Cottesbrook St. SE14 AFG
hope this may help finding my friends
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DOES ANYBODY KNOW REGGIE WATTS ?- born sometime between 1920-1930
Reggie was the eldest of 3 children born to Arthur Llewelyn Watts and his wife Florence. He had a younger brother Ronnie and a sister Joan.
His father Arthur was in the Royal navy, and was lost at sea when
HMS Charybdis was sunk in WW2. Arthur Watts was originally from Penpont, Breconshire and had a sister Edith and a brother Penry.
it would be great to hear from anybody who knows of Reggie and/or any descendents. Rose
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the family that lived upstairs in cardigan road, kilburn, london n.w.6 mother died and the youngest children were put into a home,and i lost touch, john the eldest went into the navy and was lost on h.m.s. ajax, i would love to hear news of the rest of the family their name is Ward, i still have a small farm animal that belonged to sissy the youngest over 80 years ago, also any one who went to gordon memorial school at the war outbreak, thank you, may berry.
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my father john edward milner known as [jack] to everyone was flt engineer co-pilot in a 115 sqn lancaster based at raf witchford ,cambridgeshire in early 1945.he is trying to track down any other surviving crew members.their names were junior fellows[bomb aimer]the crew called him junior being the youngest,real name not known, from burton-on-trent.bob leonard[wireless operator]from bristol.albert bevan[tail gunner]from london,known as bev.are you out there?dad and i flew to northern ireland to meet the skipper last year hugh hernan.sadly the other two crew members have past away.hopefully someone knows these people and can put them in touch with jack milner,thank you geoff milner.
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I was 3 yrs old in 1940 and I lived on the Shurdington Road in Cheltenham. I would like to trace a friend called Hannah Lowe who, with her family, was staying across the road from my grandmother's house where I lived. They had come to Cheltenham after fleeing from Czechoslovakia when Hitler invaded. I was taken critically ill with double pneumonia (this was of course before the NHS and my parents being very poor could not afford medical treatment and it was before penicillin was prescribed anyway). I do remember the 'crisis' point of my illness with my parents boiling kettles of water to make steam to ease my breathing. It was during this night when my life was in the balance that I asked for my little toy Panda called Billy Boy which my friend Hannah has borrowed. I often wonder where she is now and would love to be re-united with her.
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The One Show is now part of my life. Have always commented on life in verse. Hence: Christine and Adrian dress as Flanagan and Allen and sing their version of "Underneath the Arches."
"On the television/A programme good and true/At the stroke of seven/We meet a motley crew/Cameras are ready/With microphones on high/Round a little table/Chris and Adrian/Start to look and pry/Can we find what's happening/In England and abroad?/Taking those good shots,never bored/Used to dance, play football/But now we're studio bound/It is called the One-Show/But many more we've found."
If they have to, they could do a soft-shoe shuffle!
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Just following your poetry theme this week
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I write on behalf of my mother and god-mother who met during the war at the Elizabeth Gaskell school of home economics 3 miles outside of Manchester.The building is still in use as part of Manchester University.They wondered if anyone is still alive who can remember those days of bombs dropping and the students rushing to air-raid shelters.Their accomodation was in what my mother calls a gentleman's house approx.6 miles from the college.Both my mother and godmother are 89 in November.There maiden names are:Gwenyth Evans,and Mary Moulton.
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My Husband, Aubrey Brydges, who is 86, was a Lancaster Bomber Pilot during the war. He did 63 missions. He was in Squadron 61 and his aircraft was No. 777. He was stationed in Skellingthorpe, amongst other places. He cannot remember the names of his crew, but if anyone remembers him I know he would love to hear from them.
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Is the BBC under a directive to promote war and support the forces 'cos we are getting a lot of propaganda just lately
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Although this is not a WWII Story I am looking for all ex, RAF Halton 217 Entry, Apprentices or "Brats" (as we are know as!). If anyone responds ro this search please do a seach for Freewebs, 217Entry, and sign the guest book (at least!). We are having a 40th year Reunion in Sept 2010, and I would love it if EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU attended. Please, Please, Please, get in touch guys!
Sweaty Betty 'D845'
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I am trying to trace 2 cousins of my mother. They are Arthur and Dennis Chamberlain. Sadly both their parents were killed in the blitz in 1943. My mother is Ellen Meaden nee Cook she is now 86 years old and would dearly love to know what happened to them.She had a brother Philip and twin sisters Bella and Beatrix. I believe at some point they visited my grandmother in Wiltshire. I am starting to do the family tree and would be grateful for any information that would help with this.
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I was 7years old in 1940/41 when we had three evacuees from Bristol.Pam Charles and Michael Palmer who were cousins and Johnny Evans. We were the Rogers family, Uncle Bibs,Auntie Doris and me, Janet.We lived at Tregastick Wood,near Widegates in Cornwall. My mother became pregnant with my sister so they were moved and we lost touch. Pam did come to visit my parents when she was on her honeymoon but by that time I was married and living away from Cornwall.
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I am looking for any information on my Mother. Her name was Grace Lilian Taylor nee Bundock. I last saw her in 1942 in Walthamstow. I have been told that she may have gone to America at some point. I would be grateful if anyone could give me any information on what happened to her.
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My father is now 83 and has written the following account of being evacuated not once but twice!!
“I was part of an unusual evacuation, I am the middle of five boys of an army/air force family who were posted in Egypt and Palestine & aged about 12/13 at the time when war broke out.
When war started we were first evacuated to live with our mother in a Hotel in Jerusalem.
Among the children I went to school with at the time were:-
Dorothy Wilkinson
Ronald Eley
Eileen Hall
Joyce Cross
Raymond Copper
Daphne Short
Betty Goodsell
These were all about my age at the time & would now all be in our 80’s – 85’s. They should remember the “Moss” boys – my older brothers, Phil (aged about 16/17) had flown back to England to join the air force, Bill (aged 14/15), my younger brother Dennis (aged 9/10) & my youngest brother Anthony aged around 3.
When the Germans were coming up the desert we were all evacuation again in June 1941, most went to South Africa (Durban) but we were evacuated to ENGLAND
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I would like to know if any knows or knew my Uncle. We have not had word from him and I have never seen himin my life time (I am 48). We do not know if he is still living. He would be 81 years old now. His name is Raymond Horton. He was in the Navey at was on HMS Collingwood 1946, he married Jean I think when he was 47. He travelled widely, he was stationed at Istanbul, Hong Kong, Turkey and later Salisbury which was then Rhodesia. If this rings any bells for anyone would love to hear to find out more about him.
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Does anyone know what happened to a Joan Newton? She was evacuated to Streatham, London in 1940 where she lived in The Swillet. She had a Sister called Winnie and her Mum was the shower lady at the school. Sheila Jones (my Mother) and her brother Dennis also went to that school and Sheila became best friends with Joan.
The school was Aspen House Open-air School. Shelia was billeted at a house called ‘Quickly’ in Stag Lane Chorleywood with Captain and Mrs Lawford.
Joan and Sheila used to play together in haystacks and Sheila, who is now 80, remembers a story about her and Joan using the mincing machine. It jammed and Sheila broke a knife in it trying to unblock it. They were so scared of being told off, they took it across the field and threw in a haystack! She said they also used to race horse-flies across the fields.
They were happy time for my Mother and she would dearly love to hear what happened to Joan and whether she is still alive.
Please get in touch if you know her or her family.
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I have been trying to find members of my family from Blackpool. My Second Uncles Kenneth Johnson who was a Typhoon pilot. He trained new recruits how to fly this very difficult plain during WW2. Kenneth was died somewhere over the Bristol Channel in a mid-air collision with another Typhoon pilot on the 31/12/43. Just21 days before his 21st birthday. He served in the 198 Squadron of the Royal Air Force. His brother Joseph Johnson served in the Royal Artillary 137 Field regiment.He started as a gunner and got promotion as Acting Bombadier and then Warrent Bombadier.His Regiment was being sent to the Far East and asked if he could revert to rank of Gunner so he could fight along side his companions. This was granted and off he went to the Far East. He was captured at the battle of Slim River and was a POW in Japanese hands. He was held at Pudu Gaol,Kuala Lumpa but died of malaria which suggested he had been on the run in the jungle for some time before capture.His brother William Johnson my Grandfather was in the Royal Navy serving on the ships like the Impregnable, Emperor of India, Renown he joined as a child classed as boy 1 on the Renown.He servived the WW2 Their half brother was Lesley Coltman he joined the Hussars and served for a very long time.I cant imagine what it must be like to lose 2 brothers who were very young not to think of what their Mother and Father must have felt. To live missing your children grow up it must have been so hard. Waiting for the telegram saying your children are dead. I would dearly love to find any of my family from Blackpool. I have been trying for 25 years to find family members. I was hoping my Father could meet the family also but sadly he died May of this year never knowing anything about his Father side of the family. There Father and Mother were. William and Ethel Johnson. Please help.
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RAF Pilot died with faith undimmed."The Sunday Chronicle" printed some of Kenneth Johnsons diary who lost his life on fighter patrol over the channel.It reads as follows.
August 12th went down this morning to the flights and was introduced to a 2,400hp Typhoon. God what a size these machines are, and the four cannons look like field guns. When they take off its like a wild bull tearing across the field-some machine.
"The boys came back from a rhubarb (an attack). They got 2 trains and a barge. Not bad."
"Just found out how lucky I am. There are only a certain number of Typhoon Pilots in the group, so its quite a thing to join them".
Aug 13th - Air raid last night. Not very thrilling. Fell asleep before the all clear. The boys went on night intruding. Walrus from the Air-sea Rescue pranged landing. Bad show. Getting to know the routine.
Aug 14 About 50 spits landedearly to go sweeping. They flew across in their own formation - three sets of four. These spitsare pretty good.but cant touch our Tiffys for speed and armament.A good party in the mess tonight a farewell to one of the Squadron, and what a farewell.
Aug 21 - Boys got two barges to-day. Not bad. C O went to London. He doesnt like this place. Defence exercise - bags of fun.
Aug 24 - Early scramble as sirens went. Nothing found. Rhubarb today. Two trains.
Aug 28 -Things getting hotter. Early shipping strike this morning. Big show to-night. Hurrys to attack locks at Flushing. One Squadron to give cover from North. Our Squadron to come in from the South and keep enemy aircraft on the ground.
Black Day - The C O Squadron - Leader Mickey, went in the drink two miles out from French coast. This shook whole squadron, becausethere can never be another Mickey.Got drunk with rest of the boys. A very black day. Three Typhoons in one day. Our CO and one flight commander horrible luck.
Aug 30 More kites today. Our new CO Squadron leader Bryan, D.F.C and Bar.Very young wizard type. Just the man Mickey would want as his successor.
Sept 1 The operation on which Mickey and Scotby were lost is attempted again. The lock gates at Flushing. Hurricanes escorted by our Squadron and another. Dame good show, but three hurrys lost. Squadron leader McEwan last seen attacking. Our Squadron saw ships on way back. Shot em up. Flight Serg Osborne an Aussyspun in after attacking. No hope for him as the plan broke up violently.
This is some of the extracts from Kenneth Johnsons diary. Frightning read for such a young man.
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Would like to hear from anyone who was on the ship "Empress of Asia" that evacuated people from China in 1941 it left from Shanghi and arrived in Vancouver on January the 11th 1941.We were followed by a Japanese Sub for part of the way,I would like yo hear from anyone who experienced this journey. .................Cleanupman
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1 KNOW THIS IS A LONG SHOT ,AS 1 WAS EVACUATED WHEN 1 WAS ABOUT 18 MONTHS OLD TO A BIG HOUSE SOMEWHERE IN WALES ,AND CAME HOME TO LONDON W,10 WHEN 1 WAS ABOUT 5YRS OLD.
MY NAME WAS MAUREEN WALLINGTON,,,,DOES THAT NAME RING ANY BELLS ???
1 CAN STILL REMEMBER A BIT OF WELSH WE WERE TAUGHT .
AND BIG CUPBOARDS WITH LOTS OF CLEAN LINEN IN ,I REMEMBER THE FRESH SMELL EVEN NOW ..
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my name is George Lyons. In my message of 11th Aug. I made a mistake with the date I left my hometown Bootle. This should read nineteen-fourty-two and not 1944. Sorry
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Hong Kong Christmas Day 1941
My father along with officers from Fortress HQ and Admiral Chan Chak and his party escaped from Hong Kong on Christmas Day 1941 with the 2nd MTB Flotilla. 68 men got ashore at NanAo in Mirs Bay China after scuttling the boats and proceeded to march 80 miles inland through the Japanese lines to Waichow, Huizhou today in Free China.Here at the mission they were patched up and a group photo taken. The naval party eventually travelled 3000 miles overland to Rangoon in Burma just in time to meet the Japanese invading forces. They had to escape all over again, this time to India. I am desperate to find as many escapees and/or their descendents as we the HongKong Escape Reenactment Organisation (HERO) are having a re-enactment/reunion this Christmas to celebrate both the escape and to mark the 60th anniversary of the death of the legendry one legged Chinese Admiral Chan Chak KBE CN who led them through their epic ordeal. More information at: www.hongkongescape.org
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I'm looking for Jean who was engaged to my brother Leslie Cook in 1944 before he was sadly killed at Arnhem. I'm hoping she can tell me about him as I was only three years old at the time. They were both in the Royal Artillery.
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My mother, who is 93 enjoyed having evacuees during the war - she has been reminicing and I thought it might be a nice idea to try and get in touch with them. Unfortunately I don't have many details - they stayed at Chapel Street in Portmadoc (Porthmadog)or East Avenue.
There were two boys - Peter and Donald and two girls (sisters) Joy and Eunice (Allan?) The two stories I remember my mother talking about was when Donald was having a bath - tin bath in front of the fire - soot fell down the chimney and he was covered in it and when Joy's mother came to pick her up she didn't want to leave!!! My mother has many more happy memories which are locked in her mind and she loves to share them when her memory allows her. All were from the Birkinhead/Liverpool area and if anyone has any information I would be eternally greatful becasue it would make my mother happy and content to find out what happened to her lovely evacuees
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I'm searching for Jean who was engaged to my brother Leslie Cook in 1944 before he went to Arnhem, where sadly he was killed. Hoping she can tell me about him as I was only 3 years old at the time. We lived in Lawford Essex, having moved there from Mistley Essex that year.
Both Jean and Leslie were in the Royal Artillery.
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This is a plea for any members or family of men who served with the Reconnaissance Corps from 1941 to 1946. The corp was disbanded in 1946 so numbers are dwindling at Remembrance day. There is little to be found about the corp. These were the men who moved quickly, behind enemy lines and between us and them and sent the signals back. They served in all areas of war, were picked not volunteered and were intelligent, brave and highly skilled. They are sadly overlooked by historians and the media alike. All contacts via my e mail address will be passed on.
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I am looking for anyone who may remember my father Charles Curtis of 1 GHQ Liaison Regt. The British Army's secret Intelligence and Communication Regiment of World War 11. He served with Phantom from its inception in 1940 until it was disbanded in 1946. He was at Richmond and then was sent with G squadron to Northern Ireland where he stayed until 1942. He went to France on June 14th 1944 and was in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. His commanding officer was a keen ornithologist and gave different groups bird names, I think my father was a tern.Following orders to the end he never wrote anything down and rarely mentioned anyone by name, although in later life he spoke about his experiences some funny, some very sad,and some horrific especially Arnhem and Buchenwald. His main claim to fame was nearly shooting David Niven when he was on guard duty at the barracks in Richmond during the black out, luckily he didn't otherwise we wouldn't have gone on to enjoy his films etc. If anyone remembers Dad I would be really grateful to hear from them.
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Bernard Tombs would like to know if his pal Norman Lord of Ashton under Lyme is out there.They first met at Bury St Edmund's in Jan 1942 after Norman had been transferred from an Essex Regiment and Bern from the Irish Fusiliers To the London Irish Rifles. They became good friends in Sicily and served throughout Italy and beyond together, eventually returning to England and demob.
They then lost touch although Bern has never forgotten his pal and all they went through together.
Bern lives in the Black Country with his wife, he has a son & daughter,four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
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Hi i am looking for a (Harlold Victor Farmer) he was in telecommunications during some part of the war stationd outside london his family came from folkstone kent he met my grandmother there who was doing war work her name was Mavis Ridd they had a child out of wedlock my mother Gaynor Ridd they could not marry as Harold was alredy married with children but he did pay maintenance for gaynor ridd for about 5 years which was orderd by the military court 5 shillings a week. as his grand daughter i would just like to know what happend to him after the war and did he emigrate as we were told that he had to Africa thank you .
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My Grandfather was a POW at MOJI in Japan in 1939 and to this day has only been able to contact two of his fellow POW's, namely George Bell and Bob Vincent. My Grandfather is George Herbert Gregory of Belper, Derbyshire. If he could be reunited with any surviving members that he knew fom the same POW camp he would be very grateful.
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Before and during the War my best friend was John A Richards who lived in Bryanston Road Woolston, Southampton. When I left home for University in Birmingham i lost touch with him and his family. I know that he was a Post office engineer but I would like to know if he is still alive and/or what happened to him
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As an addition to the request that I posted earlier, it might be useful to know that the CPT = the Consolidated Pneumatic Tool Co. of 232 Dawes Road Fulham and The Tool Works Fraserburgh, as at the start of WWII, and that its London employees were transported north (many in their own cars with no sign posts - but we had a guide came South named Jimmy Burnett). Initially we were gathered in a house called Crimond Mogatt (still there I think) and after hostilities ceased we returned south to stay for a time in a house in Mulgrave Road Sutton Surrey. Any history of wartime CPT would be good to know. Greetings.
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I was delighted to see the clip of Penrhos girls arriving at Chatsworth in September 1939, at the beginning of the war. I was also one of them and of the same vintage as Jean Brett and Connie Llewellyn and Josie.
I didn’t recognise the three elderly ladies until Connie and Jean identified themselves in Edward Halliday’s painting. All these girls were my compatriots – Edwina, in the guide uniform was a friend of mine.
One friend of Penrhos/Chatsworth days was Margaret Turton-Smith with whom I have lost contact. I wonder if anyone knows what has happened to her?
As a sixth former in my final year, I spent a lot of time doing music and art – the Orangerie made a good studio. I was asked to make a list in calligraphy of all the rooms and galleries used by the school and state what use we put them too; for instance the large state rooms were usually dormitories – Beaver boarding was used to protect the painted walls behind the beds (see the painting). The list was given to Chatsworth and is, I think, somewhere in the library.
I remember the difficulty of finding a piano for practice; perhaps in a dormitory; or in a niche off a gallery along with a statue with any protruding legs well bandaged to prevent any damage from the girls. Sometimes I was asked, “Please move, you’re disturbing my lesson!” I remember too sitting with the rest of the choir on the steps of the painted hall.
I would love to hear from anyone that may remember me.
Margaret Barker
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My mother Margery Cooke, (Maiden name Newton), has been searching for her friends Doris and Bill Stone for many years. Doris was mum's bridesmaid in 1942 and a very good friend. They met my dad Ernest and Bill when they were putting up posters during the war. Mum was 17 in 39. Doris stayed in touch with my Gran after we emigrated to Australia in 1964. If anyone can help we would be so grateful. Mum is now 87 and would love to have news of her old friends.
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I am writing on behalf of my 84 year old mum Florence Anderson from Dalston, North London who joined the Womens Land Army in 1942 and was
sent to Lippiatt Camp, near the Bristol Aircraft Company in Corsham, Wiltshire. There team leader was Ann Hall, sadly now Deceased. My mum tells me that 26 girls from London went to Corsham, and she would dearly love to make contact with any of them if possible, especially a
"Jacqui" Jeff whose real Christian name was Catherine. My mum Florence was nicknamed "scotty" as her surname Anderson is Scottish.
"Jacqui" was a bridesmaid at my mums wedding to George Thomas Wright my dad also from London, Shoreditch in January 1947, but then Jacqui herself got married to an Australian and emigrated to "Australia"??? and apart from one letter from "Jacqui", my Mother Florence hasnt heard from her since. So if you were one of the girls from the Womens Land Army stationed at Lippiatt Camp, Corsham, Wilts from 1942 please get in touch and I will put you in touch with Florence "Scotty" Anderson whos team leader was Ann(e) Hall, now sadly deceased. My mum Florence remembers seeing the gliders practising beforehand and taking off for the D-Day Landings from the area around Corsham .
Hope that someone can help my mum reunite with some of her WW2 comrades.
Many thanks to Christine, Adrian and all the front room and back room staff on the "One Show"
Yours Sincerely,
Keith Wright
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Michael Denny & his mother were evacuated to my Grandmothers house in Kidlington during the war. I did not know him until years later, when my then husband worked with him, we & his wife became friends, one evening I mentioned a 'mystery' photograph my Grandmother had of a baby on a rug whose name was 'Michael Denny' and to my amazement he was that baby! Subsequently my marriage broke up and we all lost contact - I would love to make connection with him again and do some exchange of family news.
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My mother, who is 86, was one of the first 12 girls of the Womens Timber core who did their training at Wetherby in Yorkshire, in 1939 or 40, managed by a Miss Peacock. She is wondering who else remembers this time? Her name then was Kathleen Raffle.
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Blog 55 (mowheeler) Mentions her mother-in-law Jean Baker and that she was in the ATS and stationed in Shrewsbury. I'm wondering if she is the Jean I am looking for who was engaged to my brother Leslie Cook in 1944. He too was in Shrewsbury 1942/43 with the Royal Artillery, and was then posted overseas, and was sadly killed at Arnhem in September 1944. After which the family lost touch with Jean.
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Hi i have spent the last 3 years desperately trying to trace Charles H OSBEN b 1912 i belive he served in the 2ww along with his two brothers EDWIN G OSBEN d 24/02/1944 and James V OSBEN d05/05/1941 . I am also trying to trace there 4 out of 5 sisters IVY VOLET , ROSIAN FRANCES , HILDA P ,and LILLIAN MAY , the 5 sister EVA VERA ( my mum ) is nolonger with us .
The last i know of them thay were in the lambeth , epping sort of disteric . There is also one more person i wpuld like to find in all of this and that is my long lost coussion FREDRICK G MEADWAY son of HILDA. Hoping that some one can help me please .thanks
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I was evacuated from London to a baby Home in Wales without my mother and returned home only for a few months at end of War, before going into long term childrens homes.
I have no record of where in Wales I might have been or how old I was. Any information or leads as to possible baby homes in Wales would be appreciated.
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My dad, did his National Service in Hong Kong in 1956.He loved it, he was only 18yrs. My dads name is William James Cooper and he is from Bilston,Wolverhampton in the Black Country.Having seen the Reuionson the one show I knew I had to give it a shot to see if someone out there rememebers my dad, he would be so overwhelmed with joy if someone knows him to please, please get in touch, some of the things I know are that his number was GNRWCOOPER 23267813 and from the 25 Field Battery, and also the 19TH field Regiment SERVING in KAM TIM AND NEW TERRITORIES, some of the names he rembers are, ROBERT DRING FROM CALTON, NOTTINGHAM..JIM BROOME FROM COUNTY DURHAM... ROY FEWKES NOTTINGHAM??.....JIMMY NEWEL FROM LONDON, MY DAD IS NOW 72YRS. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS, please someone remeber my dad.x x x x x
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I am hoping someone may know what happened to Lily Horne, she was evacuated in 1939 from Islington London to Willingham village in Cambridge along with my Mum Rosina Smith. They were good friends and lived in the same house in willingham and Mum would love to know if she is still around or what happened to her. Mum lived in Peabody buildings off Essex Rd Islington, does anyone remember her ? She was 11 when she was sent away ( she is 81 now )
thank you Val
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I hope that some of these evacuees will be attending the 70 year commemorative Thanksgiving service in St. Paul's on 1 September next month. Entry is by ticket only through the Evacuees Reunion Association, details of which can be found online.
I went from Wanstead, London to Boston, Massacusetts for 5 years from the age of 5 until 10. My foster parents are now dead but my 2 foster siblings have now decided to drop the word 'foster' as it is irrelevant. We are full brother and sisters and i am in regular contact via email or phone. When my parents wrote to me while i was in the USA a letter took 6 wweeks to arrive so any reply would take another 6 weeks. Communication today is nothing short of miraculous and very much appreciated by me.
Awesome Blue Pearl
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I would very much like to make contact with anyone who knew my Mother, Catherine Clancy who came over to Britain from Fermoy, Co Cork, Eire, during the 2nd world war. She was in the land army and I'm not sure if she was stationed around Mere in Wiltshire or around Brize Norton in Oxforshire where my Father was stationed.His name was Leslie Doddington and his home town was in Mere where they were married in 1947. Both of my parents have now passed over.
Thanking you in anticipation.
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In November 1941, I was with 258 Squadron ready for embarkation overseas but, at the last minute posted away. The squadron landed in Singapore shortly before it fell. The Squadron escaped to Sumatra, where it was overrun by Japanese Para's. I would dearly like to hear from any of my friends to learn what happened to them. In particular, what happened to Tony Dolt, a printer before the war.
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Does anyone remember my mother Barbara Winifred Hardman? She served as a WREN in Portsmouth circa 1942-1943. My father was an American marine who she met while stationed there and I would love to have any snippets of information that friends of hers may remember.
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My brother and I (John & Pam) were evacuated to Regina Canada in aug. 1940. We sailed from Liverpool on SS.Oransay. I would love to contact any other children who were evacuated to Canada and spefically Regina in 1940. John & I stayed there until 1945, when I returned on SS Rangitata in Feb 1945. I do remember one boy - Leslie Horobin - who I would like to get in touch with - but if anyone knows anybody who was in Canada for the duration I would be thrilled. I have tried to find references to the children who were there, but it is very dificult. We came home to a totally different place (London) and didn't like it!
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Subject: Somewhere near Stoke?
We had had several bombs fall in the street, but now we had the doodle bugs. Our area was bombed quite heavily. It was suggested that the Germans were trying to locate Plessey’s electrical factory which was situated in the underground station at Gants Hill. I was too young when the rest of the school had been evacuated. So when I was sent away it was with total strangers from other schools and areas. My name is Norman Jones. I was evacuated from Beehive Lane, Ilford in Essex in spring 1944 at the age of 5. I attended Highlands School but was not evacuated with a group from that school, but there must have been at least 30 of us on the train. When the doodle bugs kept dropping rather close to us. My mother decided to send me off. I was evacuated to a village near Stoke on Trent. I stayed with the Rowley Family. The lady of the house was called Carol. The son who was a similar age to me was called Kenneth. I have tried to find the village several times using landmarks that I could remember without success. The street was a crescent of terraced houses. There was a clay pit on one side and a railway line on the other behind the house, perhaps to a clay pit. The village school was within easy walking distance. The father of the house worked on a nearby American base as a stoker. The daughter married an American serviceman whilst I was there, and I was a page boy at the wedding. It would be nice if I could make contact with the family again and also locate the village to which I was evacuated, also anybody else who was evacuated to that area.
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My mother Betty Smith (maiden name Dugdale) originally from the Lake District now Manchester is keen to trace a good friend Beryl Head (maiden name) orginally from East Grinstead with whom she served in the Land Army when they were in their early 20s.Service was in Hemel Hempsted and other locations around the UK. They had such fun and my mm has a photo (i can't seem to upload) of my mum with Beryl and another friend leaning on the cab of a truck. Beryl had a sister called Joan and a brother called Basil(?). Another friend was Neena Dolan from Newcastle .. time is short girls so if you or a relative is out there please get in touch with the programme.
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Hi I'm trying to trace two evacuees who came from East Ham in London to Bridgwater Somerset. My grandmother is Dorothy Gardner now aged 95 and is looking for Dennis and Lily Old who were brother and sister.
Can anybody help please. One of them stayed with Dorothy and the other stayed with the Hallet family.
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I would like to contact the family or friends of P O Dillon who died when his plane crashed on 7 October 1945 on the way back from Cairo. My grandfather was on this flight and I studied the circumstances for my dissertation. I have some important information I wanted to pass on to Pilot Officer Dillon's family. He was in 299 Squadron, Shepherd's Grove.
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I wish to contact any women who were conscripted to war work of any kind who are willing to talk about their experiences of demobilization in 1945. I am carrying out research on women's experience of demobilization - how they felt and were treated.
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I am trying to find any details of about the wife of my uncle. Pilot Officer David Peacock Robertson Cameron enlisted in the RAF in 1939 and served without much mishap until the end of the war.He married on VE day but was tragically killed very soon after on 20 May 1945 when his bomber crashed just after takeoff from Lossiemouth,killing all on board as well as civilians in the row of houses where the plane ended up.David was only 22 when he died and we know nothing about his wife,just a newspaper report of his death which mentioned her(we think she was a WRAF but we don't even know her name.)If anyone was stationed at Lossiemouth or perhaps another of his postings and knew of David,,his family are very keen to hear from them.
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My father Alistair Hutton Cameron,was evacuated from Edinburgh to Auchtermuchty but we know nothing about his time there.If anyone still living in the town has any recollection of him,or perhaps his mother,Janet Hutton,who may have been born in the town,we would love to hear from them.
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Between 1940-43 my father Lt. Bill Ashby was a Scout Section Officer in Britains Secret Resistance Army – the Auxiliaries. He trained local civilians in Sussex to become saboteurs and resistance fighters to act behind German lines had they invaded. Besides leading the teams he, with a small group of men from the Queens Royal Regiment and Royal Engineers, constructed secret underground hides for them to use as bases.
I would like to hear from anyone with information or memories of the ‘Auxiliaries’ in Sussex.
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Hope you like a challenge.
I am trying to trace a lady who lived with my Mother in Law in Dagenham for a few years between 1942 - 1946. This lady is called Jean (I am afraid I do not have a surname) and eventually married a Doctor. At this time Jean was around 16 - 20 years old. She originally came from London and worked in the Ford Plant with a lady called Ivy Butler, who first introduced her to the family.
Keeping my fingers crossed.
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Ivy Wiley is seeking Ruby White who she shared her house with in Dagenham, Essex. They also worked together at Plesseys in Ilford, Essex during the war years. Plesseys moved to Redbridge Underground Station and they worked together there. My Mum always remembers that Ruby, who came from Devon, was absolutely terrified of the bombs and because of this they slept downstairs in the living room. One morning they woke to find the front door and glass from the windows on top of them, they had slept right through it all! Ruby got married and moved to Bow and then my Mum lost touch with her. She would dearly love to know what happened to Ruby. My Mum is 89 now. Please get in touch if you know what happened to Ruby White.
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*** USAAF ST 133 Cheddington, England 1944***
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Looking for crew of B24s who flew with 1st Lt Norman Landberg and members of the 36BS based there during WW2. A memorial to this crew and the 36BS RCM unit is being unveiled near Cheddington WW2 USAAF base on 15/11/2009.
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