tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47597556550013755212024-03-21T22:13:32.187-07:00A Pithead Polar BearMusky03http://www.blogger.com/profile/14139009587198270829noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4759755655001375521.post-87540820455868853422019-10-27T05:05:00.002-07:002019-10-27T05:05:58.325-07:00At the Grave of Lt. Colonel Montgomery Cuninghame Commanding Officer of 11th Royal Scots Fusiliers (1941-1944)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lieutenant Colonel A.W. H. J. Montgomery Cuninghame</div>
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Manvieu Military Cemetery</div>
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September 2019</div>
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On a recent return trip to Normandy, we had reason to visit the Manvieu Military Cemetery for here lay the remains of a mate’s Grandfather and we had promised him that we would lay an RBL cross and photograph the headstone for him. With this promise honoured I took off on a customary amble amongst the headstones looking at the distribution of Regimental insignia that distinguish the otherwise uniform Portland stone headstones from each other. Given my Grandfather’s military service I have become rather adept at spotting from some distance those headstones that bear the Staffordshire knot or the somewhat compressed grenade of the Royal Scots Fusiliers (RSF).<br />
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Within the confines of the Manvieu Cemetery there are to be found several seems of RSF headstones and this really came as no surprise as the cemetery is located in the village of Cheux which lies approximately five kilometers from Fontenay-le-Pesnil. It was here in the last week of June that the 11th Battalion RSF, as part of the 49th (West Riding) Division (otherwise known as the ‘Polar Bears’, participated in ‘Operation Martlet’ which was intended to capture Rauray and Noyers Bocage to the South East of Caen, thereby protecting the right flank of VIII Corps who were about to launch the better known ‘Operation Epsom’. ‘Marlet’ pitched the Polar Bears against the armour of the Panzer Lehr Division and 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend, not to mention the fanaticism of their Panzergrenadiers! The fighting was bitter and was reflected in the casualty tallies on both sides.<br />
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The name on one grave jumped out at me, that of Lieutenant Colonel A.W. H. J. Montgomery Cuninghame, Commanding Officer of the 11th Battalion.<br />
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The Battalion’s War Diary for July 1944 records the circumstances of his death.<br />
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In the first days of July, the Battalion was engaged in regular artillery exchanges with the Germans, so called ‘stonks’ in army parlance. Late on 2nd July orders were received to establish a strong defensive position in the Fontenay area whilst enemy positions continued to be shelled. At 6.30 pm on 3rd July, the Division’s medium artillery registered on enemy occupied targets forward of the ‘C’ Company positions and as such they were to withdraw. However, in the planning, insufficient time had been allowed for digging in at the new position. Without slit trenches for cover, the men were left lying out in the open when the German artillery replied to the British bombardment. Resulting casualties were high in number. At 7.15 pm Lieutenant Colonel A.W. H. J. Montgomery Cuninghame was talking to the Officer in Command of ‘C’ Company when he was hit in the left shoulder and chest by a mortar splinter. The War Diary reported that ‘He died within half an hour at the RAP, apparently not in great pain but unable to breathe. His death came as a great shock to the whole Battalion, whom he had led with such force, determination and lion-hearted in the attack on Fontenay on 25th June, when his conduct was an inspiration to all.<br />
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At 3 pm on 4th July ‘Lt. Col Cuninghame was buried at the Calvary’. This was the site of the initial interment of all men of the Battalion who fell in the area of Juvigny and Fontenil-le-Pesnil’. The fallen soldiers were later reburied in the permanent CWGC Cemeteries in the surrounding areas.<br />
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'The Calvary'</div>
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Fontenay-le-Pesnil</div>
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‘Pioneer platoon made a coffin on which were placed his flag, belt and headdress’ (I think that this is transcribed correctly!). ‘As the Battalion was still engaged with the enemy, few were able to attend. Approximately 7 Officers and 40 OR’s of the Battalion attended and six officers attended as bearers’.<br />
In his book ‘An’ It’s Called A Tam O’Shanter’ Fusilier Ken West described the forceful character of Lt. Col Montgomery Cuninghame, otherwise known as ‘Big Monty’.<br />
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‘As the name ‘Big Monty’ might imply, Lt.-Col. Montgomery-Cunningham was an awesome figure. Well over six feet tall and built like a giant, he was a forceful and thrusting leader of the Battalion.<br />
He had been in command from the day that the 11th Battalion RSF had been formed in the small county of Rutland back in 1941, and had been the inspiration behind the training of this new unit which was now, three years later, a fighting battalion of the Polar Bear Division.<br />
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Of course, some of the methods he had formulated to attain the present discipline and dedication to the job in hand, had not always met with the instant approval of the rank and file.<br />
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Tales of Big Monty were being retold to those of us who had recently become members of the battalion as we huddled under any sort of cover from the incessant rain on this Saturday morning, the first day of July.<br />
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Back in the British Isles, Big Monty’s constant companions were his huge thumb-stick and his ever faithful dog Bruce. Both had played a part in his disciplinary application.<br />
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We heard how the large black dog would lay at the feet of his master as he conducted the daily CO’s orders. Many an unfortunate miscreant vowed that he had been sentenced by the dog and not by the CO, for on some occasions the CO would look at the dog and say “What shall we do with this laddie, eh Bruce?” then depending on how many times the dog wagged his tail, the fusilier would be given one day’s confined to barracks per wag.<br />
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Bruce himself was not spared his master’s wrath, for on the occasions when he cocked his leg against a signboard or happened to foul the pathway, he would be wheeled in on CO’s orders and given terms of CB, and would be tethered to the leg of the table in the guardroom for the requisite number of days. Revenge was thereby meted out by sly prods and flicks of the toe-end of an army boot belonging to some fusilier who had at some time patted the Colonel’s dog.<br />
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However, since the arrival of the Battalion on the twelfth of June on the invasion beaches, Big Monty had led them with courage and with complete disregard for his own safety. He had died as he set out to visit us at the wood. He was later awarded a posthumous DSO (Distinguished Service Order)’.<br />
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Here in the tranquil surroundings of the Manvieu Military Cemetery, the Commanding Offiecer lies flanked by two ordinary Fusiliers as here like in all of the other CWGC sites no consideration is given to rank and position within these extraordinary spaces.<br />
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Fallen Soldiers of 11th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers</div>
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Manvieu Military Cemetery</div>
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September 2019</div>
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Musky03http://www.blogger.com/profile/14139009587198270829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4759755655001375521.post-91406698497974793272019-08-11T11:16:00.000-07:002019-08-11T11:16:00.189-07:00A Tribute to a Soldier of the 5th South Staffordshire Regiment 75 Years On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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John and Jan Clews at his Father's grave in the Bayeux Militery Cemery</div>
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29th June 2019.</div>
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Last month it was my privilege to participate with members of the 59th (Staffordshire) Division Association in their annual pilgrimage to the town of Thury Harcourt and its environs. The 59th Division landed on Normandy in late June 1944 as a follow up Division. Highly trained in the UK, their time as an active fighting unit in France was short. Such was the intensity of the fighting in which they were engaged in Operation Charnwood (a frontal assault on the Northern perimeter of Caen) and Operation Pomegranate (engagements to the south west of the city intended to force a crossing over the River Orne) that the Division was formally disbanded on towards the end of August 1944 and its soldiers were transferred to other reinforcement hungry English, Scottish and Welsh Regiments.<br />
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The relationship between the 59th (Staffordshire) Division and the townsfolk is very strong by virtue of the fact that on 13th August 1944 the actions of the 59th finally resulted in the liberation of Thury Harcourt.<br />
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My Grandfather served with ‘A’ Company of the 5th South Staffordshire Regiment, a unit within 177 Brigade of the 59th Division. My Grandfather came home from the war, injured but otherwise intact, the same cannot be said for many of his Divisional comrades. One such fellow soldier of ‘C’ Company of the 5th Staffs was 4923121 Private Percy Clews who was killed in action on 10th August 1944, 75 years ago yesterday. One of our travelling party that visited the grave within the Bayeux Military Cemetery was John Clews, son of Percy, who was just two years of age when his father fell. With John was his wife Jan. The couple reside in Lichfield which then as now is the home of the Staffordshire Regiment.<br />
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At the time of his death, the 5th South Staffs were engaged with the enemy on a series of ridges that approached the River Orne and overlooked the town of Thury Harcourt. In that second week of August the 5th from their high ground vantage point were able to direct vital artillery fire into the dense forest of Grimbosq, that faced the fragile bridgehead that had formed across the Orne, in which Panzer Battle Groups were forming up for counter attacks intended to smash the bridgehead.<br />
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At his Father’s plot, John delivered a speech about the fate of his Dad that was largely based upon a letter sent to his mother by ‘C’ Company Commander, Major Pearson which is reproduced below.<br />
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<i>‘Copy of a letter sent to Mrs Percy Clews from Major B. Pearson, The South Staffordshire Regiment</i><br />
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<i>Major B. Pearson</i><br />
<i>The South Staffordshire Regt</i><br />
<i>Maindiff Court</i><br />
<i>Abergevenny</i><br />
<i>Mon. Wales.</i><br />
<i>August 29th. 1944</i><br />
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<i>My Dear Mrs Clews,</i><br />
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<i>You have no doubt been wondering why I have taken so long to write, and offer not only my sympathy, but those of the whole Company at the loss of your Husband, my Batman.</i><br />
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<i>I was hit by the same mine, and I have only just heard officially that Percy was killed, as I had feared. </i><br />
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<i>It isn’t an easy story to tell , Mrs Clews, and I am sure you don’t want to know all the full details.</i><br />
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<i>I found it necessary to lead a patrol with stretcher bearers to recover one of my boys who had been wounded sometime before, and who was in need of treatment. Percy would not think of leaving me behind. We found the man but the Germans had surrounded him with shrapnel mines, I presume they realised that they would try to recover him. A stretcher bearer, after giving aid, trod on a mine which exploded, causing the death of your husband and wounding two of us. </i><br />
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<i>I had the lives of the others to consider so I ordered them back whilst I tried to give Percy some help, but poor lad, he had gone – without pain and without knowing what had happened. He looked very peaceful, his job well done. I had him recovered the same day and he was given a Military funeral, although I regret that I was not present, being on my way to hospital.</i><br />
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<i>Between and Officer and his Batman there develops a spirit of comradeship far above expression by words – we thought such a lot of each other, and I have grieved for him very much indeed. He was killed giving help to his comrades and myself, and all of the Company have missed him so much.</i><br />
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<i>His determination to make sure that I was not left unprotected at any time caused him to be killed.</i><br />
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<i>He volunteered to join me that morning and was somewhat grieved, his words were “You are not going anywhere without me, are you Sir?” He always said, that to remain behind and wonder what was happening to me, was worse than accompanying me on the various excursions.</i><br />
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<i>Above all my personal feelings, he was so very popular with his comrades. I am told that the whole Company were unbelievably depressed after the news had spread around, and each letter that I have had so far mentions how much they all miss Percy. They cannot miss him anymore than I do. His courage, devotion to duty, his cheerfulness, and his great personality endeared him to all our hearts, a sad loss.</i><br />
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<i>Please forgive me for not writing before – I did hope that in the excitement of the battle that my diagnosis of his death might have been false and in fact he might be alive, I hoped so hard but to no avail.</i><br />
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<i>I do hope that your loss has not proved to be unbearable. My wounds are confined to my left leg and I am managing to get around on crutches.</i><br />
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<i>When I come to Lichfield I will endeavour to call and see you, if I may.</i><br />
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<i>With best wishes for the future, and rest assured that your Husband will not be forgotten by</i><br />
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<i>Yours sincerely,</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>B. Pearson. Major.'</i><br />
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To read these touching words from a man that I had previously written about in a book about my Grandfather’s service was something else and it was an absolute honour to be with John and Jan Clews as he paid tribute to the Father he never had the opportunity to know.<br />
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After the speech John laid the Association wreath at the Cross of sacrifice.<br />
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Wreath laying at the Bayeux Military Cemetery Cross of Sacrifice.</div>
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59th (Staffordshire) Division Association memorial wreath.</div>
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Later we paid a visit to the small but highly poignant Museum to the men of the 59th (Staffordshire) Division in Thury. Here there can be found a photograph of Percy Clews.<br />
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Private Percy Clews (Killed in action 10th August 1944)</div>
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'C' Company 5th South Staffordshire Regiment.</div>
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The incription on his headstone reads:<br />
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“MY DARLING HUSBAND PERCY. LOVE STILL LIVES IN TREASURED MEMORIES. WIFE MEG AND SON”</div>
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Memorial to Percy Clews in the 59th (Staffordshire) Division Museum</div>
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Thury Harcourt.</div>
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Musky03http://www.blogger.com/profile/14139009587198270829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4759755655001375521.post-34542533473600061862019-07-19T03:43:00.002-07:002019-07-19T03:43:43.245-07:00A Small Act of Remembrance - Normandy 2019Two weeks ago it was my good fortune to be able to travel to Normandy with members of the 59th (Staffordshire) Division Association on a pilgrimage of Remembrance that formed part of the 75th anniversary commemorations of the D-Day landings.<br />
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My Grandfather, Jim Heath, was born in Silverdale, Newcastle-under-Lyme in September 1914. Although he left The Potteries in 1936 to join his older brothers who had found labouring work in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, soon after war came he travelled to Brighton to enlist. In January 1940 he joined the North Staffordshire Territorials and received instruction to report to Lichfield Infantry Training Centre where upon completion of his basic training he was transferred to ‘A’ Company of the 5th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment. It was with the South Staffords, as part of 59th Division, that he sailed to Normandy as a follow-up Division in the third week of June 1944.<br />
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In our small travelling party were close family members (sons and nieces) laying wreaths at the graves of their relatives. But, my Grandfather came back. Nevertheless, I wanted an act of Remembrance of my own. With hundreds or even thousands of graves in each of the three British War Cemeteries that we visited I did some homework to find someone in each with whom I could say that there was a connection with my Grandfather (be it home town or fighting unit or as in this case). Some basic research on the Commonwealth War Grave Commission website threw up some worthy candidates. I picked one Private William Edwin Robinson, like my Grandfather a soldier of the 5th Battalion and of a similar age, separated by 12 months or so (in relative terms at 30 and 31 they were old within their ranks).<br />
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On 7th July 1944, the newly arrived troops of the 5th South Staffs looked on from their forming up positions directly north of Caen as Bomber Command sent in wave upon wave of Halifax and Lancaster bombers (467 aircraft all told) over the northern perimeter of the Norman capital. They dropped a combined payload of 2,560 tons of high explosive, incendiary and delayed action bombs. This action was controversial and still triggers passionate debate despite the passage of 75 years. The issue was that Bomber Command insisted upon a 6,000 yard distant safety margin forward of the British line. However, such was the close proximity of the two opposing forces that the raid only served to damage areas behind the German defences and the result was that the bombing gained very little strategic advantage. At best it provided a morale boost to the newly arrived Staffords about to experience combat for the first time.<br />
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The 5th South Staffs (of 177 Brigade) were to be held in reserve in front of the fortified village of Cambes-en-Plaine with a view to exploit any gains of 197 Brigade opposite Galmanche and 176 Brigade facing La Bijude, La Londe and Epron.<br />
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The 5th first went into action on the afternoon of the 8th July with an attack on the Chateau of Galmanche. In a baptism of blood and fire the 5th Battalion and the 2/6th Battalion suffered heavy losses. Private Robinson’s ‘D’ Company launched a further attack on the Chateau in the half light of evening but were forced to withdraw. A regrouped ‘D’ Company would renew the assault on the 9th.<br />
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The fighting on the 9th and 10th July* in which ‘D’ Company of the 5th Battalion were engaged is described within the Battalions War Diary. Where military abbreviations have been used I have added the meaning in brackets for ease of reading.<br />
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‘At 1915 hrs 9 July, orders were received for the Coy (Company) attack to be put in on GALMANCHE, an enemy stronghold which the 2/6 S. STAFFORDS had not been able to capture. A recce (reconnaissance) was carried out and a plan was made. A troop of tanks was given to the Coy to support this attack.<br />
<br />
The Coy was brought up from the assembly positions and the attack was timed to go in at 2045 hrs. At 2040 hrs the tanks were withdrawn from the Coy, as they had to go and rejoin their Regt. As arranged the attack went in, 16 Pl (Platoon) right, followed by 17 Pl who were detailed to carry out the thorough clearing of the buildings. The final objective was a row of trees some 400 yards from the start line.<br />
<br />
The Coy advanced about 200 yards before it was opened up on by 6 or 8 M.G.s (machine guns) firing from either flank – the fire from these M.G.s was held until such time as the nearest M.G.s were firing almost into the rear of the Coy, thereby hemming them in. The enemy M.G.s fire was so fierce, that it was impossible for the Coy to advance further., although some men from 16 Pl actually reached the objective – they were however so few in numbers that they were unable to hold it.<br />
<br />
17 and 18 Pls made desperate efforts to enter and clear the buildings, and under the leadership of Lieut L.A Stilling and Lieut T.H. Dando they succeeded in killing several Germans. Fierce fighting continued in the area of the buildings and adjoining orchard, until the enemy fire made it necessary for both the Pls to be withdrawn to the line of the hedgerow some 50 yards from the main buildings. Meantime the remainder of 16 Pl and Coy HQ were pinned to the ground by strong enemy fire from the left and from M.G.s sited in the upper rooms of the house. As it was by this time impossible to advance further, the only alternative was to remain under cover till dark, when it would be possible to withdraw the Coy. At approx. 2315 hrs the Coy was withdrawn, after having been more or less under continual heavy fire for almost 2 ½ hours.<br />
<br />
During the clearing of the house excellent leadership was shown by 3770737 Pte (Private) Robinson, who after destroying an enemy M.G. continued to organise parties of men to try and clear the house. The Coy having been withdrawn, it was found that 5 men had been killed and 16 wounded, Lieut L.E. Hall, Comdr (Commander) 16 Pl had also been wounded.<br />
<br />
During the night the Coy was reorganised and preparations were made for a further attack the following morning, this time two troops of tanks and on troop of AVREs (Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers) were in support.<br />
<br />
The attack was starting at 1015 hrs and right away the tanks almost completely destroyed the buildings – the Coy advanced with 17 Pl left, 18 Pl right and 16 Pl following 18 Pl to carry out the clearing of the buildings. On this occasion the attack was successful, the objective taken and held until orders were received to rejoin the Battalion. One man was wounded’.<br />
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*As one would expect the account included the above quoted Appendix tallies with the information in the body of the War Diary itself in all but one detail. The Annex states that the fighting took place over the 9th to 10th when in fact the battle was fought over the 8th and 9th July, with the 10th occupied by weapons and equipment salvage and burial of the dead.<br />
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An aerial reconnaissance photograph of the Chateau and its grounds exists. It is clear even to the non-expert eye the extensive efforts that the SS had made in an attempt to make this stronghold impregnable.<br />
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The fortified village of Galmanche ahead of the 59th Division attack.</div>
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Today, Galmanche is a remote hamlet. The Chateau has been rebuilt, albeit on a more modest scale. The uninformed visitor would hardly know that anything had happened during the war in this place. Even to those in the know the clues are subtle. If approaching the new building along its extensive drive two of the outer walls of the original Chateau can be seen. Close examination reveals a great many pock marks left by bullets and scars gouged into the masonry by shells. At the top of the driveway almost hidden from view is a memorial to the men of the 59th who gave their lives in the struggle to capture Galmanche.<br />
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The battle scarred outer wall of the original Chateau that was destroyed on 9th July 1944.</div>
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The memorial to the 59th at Galmanche</div>
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(one of the hardest momuments to find in the whole of Normandy).</div>
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Our Private Robinson survived the battle and for his leadership of men on 8th July he received the Military Medal.<br />
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The citation reads as follows:<br />
<br />
‘Pte Robinson took part in “D” Coy attack on the strong enemy posn (position) of GALMANCHE on the evening of 8th Jul 44. His Pl was detailed to clear buildings in which were several enemy machine guns. Several of his section were either killed or wounded, but in the face of heavy enemy fire, Pte Robinson went forward alone with a Bren gun and destroyed one enemy post. He then re-organised his section and continued the attack. Throughout the attack his gallant actions and powers of leadership were an inspiration to his comrades.’<br />
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The citation is signed by B.L. Montgomery Commander-in-Chief, 21 Army Group.<br />
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The recommendation for the award was initiated on 12th July; just four days after the events took place. However, the passage of the recommendation up the established chain of command was slow such that by the time that Monty added his signature, then Corporal Robinson’s war was over. The Military Medal was awarded posthumously on 19th October 1944.<br />
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Corporal William Edwin Robinson was killed on 9th August 1944. He was 31 years old. At that time 176 Brigade had forced a crossing over the River Orne to form a bridgehead opposite the Forêt de Grimbosq. At the same time the 5th battalion with 177 brigade were further to the south fighting for the successive ridges of high ground that approached the river and overlooked the town of Thury Harcourt. It is likely that he fell in this fighting that aimed to hold up German troops and armour and prevent them from turning their attention on the fragile bridgehead at Grimbosq.<br />
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In the oppressive heat (37°C in Bayeux) that scorched France on the weekend of our visit, I located the plot and placed a Royal British Legion cross at the grave.<br />
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William was son of Emily Duncalf and husband of Annie Robinson, both of Liverpool. His grave bears the inscription ‘A Foreign Grave is a Painful Thing Where Loving Hands No Flowers Can Bring ’.<br />
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‘When you go Home, tell them of us and say, For your Tomorrow, we gave our Today’.<br />
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Musky03http://www.blogger.com/profile/14139009587198270829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4759755655001375521.post-42736127880993569402018-09-01T03:25:00.003-07:002018-09-01T03:25:28.097-07:00Joe Hoadley 49th (West Riding) Division Recce Regiment RIP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7EILWucaYdoFaSdTwYnKB3C2UbsZH_aQP5TLkKlmppGXr1EJa4IxhzI7yz6VOzzaU9oTIa7VVzPTEXTjqtX5YoIznCIyG3jjAtlz4y9t3lp3sN0PYvkI2OdeYQF3QHy_jfBwf7YxEgH5/s1600/joe+old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7EILWucaYdoFaSdTwYnKB3C2UbsZH_aQP5TLkKlmppGXr1EJa4IxhzI7yz6VOzzaU9oTIa7VVzPTEXTjqtX5YoIznCIyG3jjAtlz4y9t3lp3sN0PYvkI2OdeYQF3QHy_jfBwf7YxEgH5/s400/joe+old.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Last week it was with sadness that I was informed of the passing of Joe Hoadley of the 49th (West Riding) Division Recce Regiment. Joe was one of the first British soldiers to enter the town of Turnhout in Belgium on 24th September 1944. At the time my Grandfather with 'D' Company of the 11th Royal Scots Fusiliers was a little way over the Antwerp-Turnhout canal waiting to enter the town. The men of the 49th (West Riding) Division, The Polar Bears, are commemorated as liberators of the town each September. Joe was a regular attendee of the service held in the CWGC section of the Kwakkelstraat Communal Cemetery. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to meet and talk with Joe as for the last couple of years when I have attended, poor health prevented him from travelling. I know that within the Polar Bear Association community the man will be greatly missed.<br />
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Good on you Joe!<br />
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<br />Musky03http://www.blogger.com/profile/14139009587198270829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4759755655001375521.post-4894184085069635852018-09-01T03:09:00.001-07:002018-09-01T03:09:19.572-07:00Bronze memorial to the men of the Royal Scots Fusiliers who fell in World War II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4VjjWKmumF5a9tgrWQSEu92eh6FGfMvndnP-P-t5lhrMOEp_bcotQRLwoyTnAeGZ4Aq7imcwp7DgonyLKTgl48C66bnde0pBKdGHOFBhuy_WowjxoTNoNBUGN5oAk5mNDTSaxH_sjT0O/s1600/29103418_10211932887543535_3797748728962482176_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="473" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4VjjWKmumF5a9tgrWQSEu92eh6FGfMvndnP-P-t5lhrMOEp_bcotQRLwoyTnAeGZ4Aq7imcwp7DgonyLKTgl48C66bnde0pBKdGHOFBhuy_WowjxoTNoNBUGN5oAk5mNDTSaxH_sjT0O/s400/29103418_10211932887543535_3797748728962482176_n.jpg" width="196" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">'Statuette based on the War Memorial at Ayr to personnel of the Royal Scots Fusiliers who fell in the Second World War'.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum, Glasgow 2018.</span>Musky03http://www.blogger.com/profile/14139009587198270829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4759755655001375521.post-75816918287188612572018-09-01T03:04:00.000-07:002018-09-01T03:05:23.283-07:00Lieutenant Colonel Willian Dewhurst Douglas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhES6omDBgIRoxFKQkzpqW0LbtjW2drOUGhvhkxaJwxy9WnZKWAP0fWVTLmshlj5UT-mENBI86Oaznl8kg2EkLpXUiQpLg-SX6E4oPkIeualwdZGz7UkM6yAEP8NUT6uxPHvG_dxqrOQTsB/s1600/29067254_10211932842782416_8184033068399460352_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="960" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhES6omDBgIRoxFKQkzpqW0LbtjW2drOUGhvhkxaJwxy9WnZKWAP0fWVTLmshlj5UT-mENBI86Oaznl8kg2EkLpXUiQpLg-SX6E4oPkIeualwdZGz7UkM6yAEP8NUT6uxPHvG_dxqrOQTsB/s400/29067254_10211932842782416_8184033068399460352_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">518 Sauchiehall Street, an impressive building designed by that much loved son of Glasgow, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, houses the museum of the Royal Highland Fusiliers. Now I have been travelling to Glasgow annually for 8 years or thereabouts for Scottish dates on UK Stranglers tours. However on each and every occasion to date the date in town has been on a Saturday night and the museum does not h</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">ave the resource to open on the weekends. This year however the show in Glasgow was on a Thursday night, so I finally had my chance. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: #1d2129;">Heading into the WWII section I was impressed by the amount of material that they had. I looked at each and every photograph and was thrilled to find a contemporary photo of William Douglas.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #1d2129;">For those of you who kindly bought my book, 'A Pithead Polar Bear' will know that William or Bill was a very prominent figure, he being at one time my Grandfather's commanding officer. I had previously searched online for a picture of Colonel Douglas, thinking that as a recipient of the Military Cross he would appear, but alas no. It was therefore great to put a face to a voice (his IWM audio interview was my first jumping off point for my own research).</span><br /><br /><a data-lynx-mode="asynclazy" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fapitheadpolarbear.blogspot.co.uk%2F&h=AT3HGgX-QH3iHrw3a8ThDnspXcSnpRr_fuFHC20_LJQvjMj1B0-QWoNKqrvlWxdlE7Ra9RCaArNJEJaxGkqbEukOxWWWpypKpODA2MT1LaV73HMR93XJL4_K9iO7U025gjZC_zJVQOl5jvfYGukAaQ" rel="nofollow noopener" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">apitheadpolarbear.blogspot.</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit;"></span>co.uk/</a><br /><br /><span style="color: #1d2129;">After publication, Bill sent me a lovely letter which I have included below:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #1d2129;">'5th July 2017.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #1d2129;">Dear Adrian,</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #1d2129;">Many thanks for your letter of 10th June and your book about your Grandfather. Both only reached me yesterday as I had been away from home.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #1d2129;">I have speed read your book today and congratulate you on your tribute to your Grandfather. He must be proud of you and grateful for your insight into his time in the Army.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #1d2129;">I was only too pleased to be able to help you – particularly through Charlie Arrand (one of my star History pupils).</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #1d2129;">Your Chapter 1 (your Grandfather’s funeral) I rate brought tears to your eyes. It certainly caused a brief few tears to me as the memories came back.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #1d2129;">Your account of the battle for NOYERS brought back a memory. Some days before I had done a recce patrol from south of Fontenay-le-Pesnel (page 146) to check German positions on the long slope leading down to Noyers station. I recall reporting that the area was full of German positions!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #1d2129;">I think that you are correct in placing your Grandfather in 16 Pl ’D’ Coy because of his knowledge and concern for Sgt. Little.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #1d2129;">What a good idea to send profits from the book to the Associations for the newly created museum and the 49th Newsletter.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #1d2129;">I never had the opportunity to be much associated with the 49th Div. after the war. In July ’45, I was on a troop-ship bound for the Far-East when Japan surrendered. I spent four years in Rhodesia with the African Rifles, then Staff College, the Far-east (Malaya-Korea). In fact very rarely in the UK, with my loyalties to the 2nd Div., 3rd Div., and 1st Guards Brigade.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #1d2129;">Once again, my </span><span class="_ezo" id="u_fetchstream_12_3" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;">congratulations</span><span style="color: #1d2129;"> on your book and many thanks for my copy.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #1d2129;">All Good Wishes.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #1d2129;">William Douglas.'</span></span>Musky03http://www.blogger.com/profile/14139009587198270829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4759755655001375521.post-11234171504307838832018-01-09T13:16:00.001-08:002018-01-09T13:16:40.203-08:00With The Back Tuesday Club Monknash 19th December 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Plough & Harrow</div>
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Monknash, Vale of Glamorgan</div>
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As I posted sometime ago, back in October I travelled down
to Southsea in Hampshire to attend the UK gathering of the 59<sup>th</sup>
(Staffordshire) Division Association a.k.a. The Friends of Thury Harcourt.
There it was my great pleasure to meet (for the first time with the exception
of Michele Guillerm) other people with a shared interest in and/or history with
the 59<sup>th</sup> Division.</div>
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One such chap was John James from Bridgend in South Wales.
At a quiet moment in the evening’s proceedings, he took me to one side and asked
what my diary looked like in December and would I be interested in travelling
to Wales to be a guest speaker at the annual Christmas gathering of a group of
friends that collectively go under the name of the ‘Back Tuesday Club’.</div>
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‘The Back Tuesday Club’ is I learned a collection of
likeminded individuals who meet weekly in a local pub for general chat and
discussion around issues military. Each year, their ranks are increased for a
planned trip to a theatre of war or some other site of military significance.
Their club shirts feature a roll call of manoeuvres completed to date (The
Western Front, Normandy, Arnhem, Waterloo and the Tower of London).... with the
exception of Waterloo these are all places where I too have spent time. The ‘Back
Tuesday’ term relates to the duration of these annual long weekend excursions. </div>
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It was with not a little trepidation that I accepted the
invitation. The trepidation stemmed from the subject matter. Whilst I am very
familiar now with my Grandfather’s service history as related in ‘A Pithead
Polar Bear’ I have never presented on the subject (to date Powerpoint
presentations have been confined to dry topics such as pharmaceutical drug
registration etc etc!). This was something entirely different.</div>
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Nevertheless, I think that I pulled it off and the group of
30 or so somewhat inebriated Welshmen (mostly from the Vale of Glamorgan
farming community), with whom I shared the evening in one of the bars of the
rather lovely Plough & Harrow pub in a place called Monknash, were very
appreciative.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What was especially pleasing for me was to be able to speak
at length about the 59<sup>th</sup> Division with John in the audience since
his father was in killed in action fighting with the Division (2/6<sup>th</sup>
South Staffordshire Regiment) on 8<sup>th</sup> July 1944 (two days before the
birth of John). He lies in Cambes-en-Plaine CWGC Cemetery, Normandy.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KBbkD1LOGEeMMEnq5smQC4GGn8oLI6MvEmD4G8-e5KxGsPYa6QQ1L_RUBgx48fewThlZngqjRy2WFIH0b4w0j3OG3oU5BBLEzFNXVAg98KzClCaYOt9-qdCca-cHH5TeOQQCoF7hQb07/s1600/john+james.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KBbkD1LOGEeMMEnq5smQC4GGn8oLI6MvEmD4G8-e5KxGsPYa6QQ1L_RUBgx48fewThlZngqjRy2WFIH0b4w0j3OG3oU5BBLEzFNXVAg98KzClCaYOt9-qdCca-cHH5TeOQQCoF7hQb07/s400/john+james.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is making such connections and sharing such personal
histories that I have found to be the most rewarding aspect of this project.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday I received a very nice email from the club:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<i> Dear Adrian,<br />
<br />
I apologise for the delay in emailing, but I thought you would be pleased to
learn of the universal appreciation given to your talk by the club members and
the other attendees at the gathering in the Plough & Harrow pub on the 19th
December 2017.<br />
<br />
Everyone who attended felt the uniqueness and importance of what you were able
to tell us. Most of those assembled were born after 1945, and have no direct
experience of conditions during WW II. However, I think it is true to say that
everyone present has a keen understanding of its huge significance, and its
relevance to the well-being of those alive today.<br />
<br />
As a group we make an annual excursion to some location that has some relevance
in terms of military history, usually relating to one or other of the two world
wars. <br />
<br />
However, the relating of the experiences of a single individual who has endured
the horrors of war always adds a different perspective. <br />
<br />
Finally, may we wish you well, and long may you give others the benefit of your
unique insights.<br />
<br />
Yours Very Sincerely<br />
<br />
Malcolm Lloyd <br />
<br />
Back Tuesday Club<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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I would like to thank all of the members of The Back Tuesday
Club for the warm reception and kind words and to John for the initial invitation.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Cheers!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Adrian.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8LzGye4Hn8uTxvUva-AcTaNkuLcS4-FPuyQscVxF5Xelo58zaYDyDFt1SExplboj4szu9t2r8GV8Z38qc8Y0kaxCX25JdXyEkmEFnKUAaHVYZNP4USAktHrZAg5v5idPMBD1vtOqStaE/s1600/DSCN0701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1555" data-original-width="1600" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8LzGye4Hn8uTxvUva-AcTaNkuLcS4-FPuyQscVxF5Xelo58zaYDyDFt1SExplboj4szu9t2r8GV8Z38qc8Y0kaxCX25JdXyEkmEFnKUAaHVYZNP4USAktHrZAg5v5idPMBD1vtOqStaE/s400/DSCN0701.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
South Staffordshire Regiment headstone</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Cambes-en-Plaine CWGC Cemetery.</div>
Musky03http://www.blogger.com/profile/14139009587198270829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4759755655001375521.post-12014435851607220012018-01-03T12:52:00.001-08:002018-01-03T12:52:14.258-08:0049th (West Riding) Division Facebook page and web site<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBytHXZRXpfQOF1MaMSYTZM5nJhbDSzh2oXP9qnGebugcpVUauY2VKdLtwY7rICYyPHc2ON2b5d9GdPe7E3Df2XDp-1eYEQa7DH2zGAlWraRvULi3p3PTi-jSD9ywBbZDW9slF7Tmj8DHR/s1600/PB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBytHXZRXpfQOF1MaMSYTZM5nJhbDSzh2oXP9qnGebugcpVUauY2VKdLtwY7rICYyPHc2ON2b5d9GdPe7E3Df2XDp-1eYEQa7DH2zGAlWraRvULi3p3PTi-jSD9ywBbZDW9slF7Tmj8DHR/s400/PB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Memorial to the men of the 49th (West Riding) Division - The Polar Bears in Doorn near Utrecht. The 49th Recce Regiment entered the town on 7th May 1945.</div>
<br />
I would like to draw your attention to two 49th Division related sites maintained by Eelco Warmerdam. Please take a look.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/49thWestRidingInfantryDivision/">https://www.facebook.com/49thWestRidingInfantryDivision/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://49thwestriding.weebly.com/">https://49thwestriding.weebly.com/</a><br />
<br />
Adrian.Musky03http://www.blogger.com/profile/14139009587198270829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4759755655001375521.post-64290581660092051562017-09-20T00:51:00.001-07:002017-09-20T00:51:14.619-07:00Fusilier Kenneth J. West - Sad News<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wE96ltRVCkEyAix60nX9OsBZIJchVfywWqJUaEwEVUmAHg34ZdWaiKqjBEY5FnXHdzY2wgxVxcm8LK85jiFkPczvhAb7EivXfrStWpfbHiQ5HAm6dxOFp3Pr7QhXMLS3fm2X0TOeLur1/s1600/ken+45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wE96ltRVCkEyAix60nX9OsBZIJchVfywWqJUaEwEVUmAHg34ZdWaiKqjBEY5FnXHdzY2wgxVxcm8LK85jiFkPczvhAb7EivXfrStWpfbHiQ5HAm6dxOFp3Pr7QhXMLS3fm2X0TOeLur1/s400/ken+45.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Gunta and I were very saddened to receive a call from Steve West last night to say that his Dad, Ken West died last Saturday. Ken served in the same Regiment as my Grandfather (11th Royal Scots Fusiliers across North West Europe in 1944-1945). When I wrote my book Ken was so generous with his time and excellent memories of those dark times. In the book I described him as my source of information and inspiration. The two of us feel truly honored to have spent some hours in t<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">his man's company listening to his stories that were always so well told.</span></div>
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<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px;">
We met on three occasions, but the most memorable was the first when, sporting his 'bling' blazer with the Legion D'Honneur topping his other campaign medals, as we parted he kissed Gunta and said 'You thought you were coming here to meet an old soldier but now you have kissed a French Knight!'.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Ken fought with the RSF in Normandy, receiving wounds in Fontenay from a phosphorus shell. He was an active member of the Normandy Veterans Association until is dissolution. With this in mind, when Owen and I were last in Normandy I bought a couple of bottles of Calvados, one of which I gave to Ken with a copy of my book. This evening we raised a glass of the Normandy spirit from our own bottle to Ken West..... Fusilier and friend!</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Our thoughts are with Ken's family and many friends.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
The photograph shows Ken on leave in Brussels in February 1945.</div>
</div>
Musky03http://www.blogger.com/profile/14139009587198270829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4759755655001375521.post-18335618511332171952017-07-16T09:00:00.004-07:002017-07-16T09:44:13.416-07:00Lieutenant Colonel Willian Dewhurst Douglas Writes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHCVVbJnQdvDn4Emo-IwFHYzWXn91Ab01NHG4FnEsjb5kZNr1DXvndbEw7O3AvzxtIFA4CUqCjL2UIvc7IIFVWuAZtoFt9UJqDvK-MLQSix9zxsj5fGO32AnawqaZ3283XN8TSwioALGb/s1600/MC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="149" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHCVVbJnQdvDn4Emo-IwFHYzWXn91Ab01NHG4FnEsjb5kZNr1DXvndbEw7O3AvzxtIFA4CUqCjL2UIvc7IIFVWuAZtoFt9UJqDvK-MLQSix9zxsj5fGO32AnawqaZ3283XN8TSwioALGb/s400/MC.JPG" width="198" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Now presentations to royalty are all well and good and some achievement, even if I say so myself, but last week I received some feedback that was much more important for me.<br />
<br />
When I re-started this project in early 2014, in researching the activities of the 11th Royal Scots Fusiliers in North West Europe, I stumbled upon an Imperial War Museum audio interview with one of their officers. This detailed two hour interview served as a first hand road map of the progress and achievements of the Battalion. The interviewee was William Dewhurst Douglas.<br />
<br />
The interview can be found here:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.iwm.org.uk_www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80011010">http://www.iwm.org.uk_www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80011010</a><br />
<br />
Lieutenant Douglas, as he was at the time, was at some stage in Holland my Grandfathers Commanding Officer. He was on the highly audacious, not to mention highly decorated, raid over the River Waal that took 'D' Company of the 11th RSF behind enemy lines in order to 'create mayhem and bring back prisoners'. Indeed William Douglas was awarded the Military Cross for this action.<br />
<br />
Later and quite by chance, an enquiry relating to the 11th RSF brought a response from an ex-pupil of William Douglas, with whom I enjoyed a very fruitful email exchange which included clarifications on my then understanding from said officer.<br />
<br />
Upon publication of the book I sent copies to both men, with letters of thanks. Needless to say, I was thrilled for receive a very complementary, hand written letter from Lieutenant Colonel Douglas himself.<br />
<br />
To get this close to my Grandfather's personal military history, 22 years after he died and 72 years after the events in Holland is for me amazing and completely unexpected.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
From Lt Col W.D. Douglas MC</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
5<sup>th</sup> July
2017.</div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Dear Adrian,</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Many thanks for your letter of 10<sup>th</sup> June and your
book about your Grandfather. Both only reached me yesterday as I had been away
from home.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I have speed read your book today and congratulate you on
your tribute to your Grandfather. He must be proud of you and grateful for your
insight into his time in the Army.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I was only too pleased to be able to help you – particularly
through Charlie Arrand (one of my star History pupils).</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Your Chapter 1 (your Grandfather’s funeral) I rate brought
tears to your eyes. It certainly caused a brief few tears to me as the memories
came back.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Your account of the battle for NOYERS brought back a memory.
Some days before I had done a recce patrol from south of Fontenay-le-Pesnel
(page 146) to check German positions on the long slope leading down to Noyers
station. I recall reporting that the area was full of German positions!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I think that you are correct in placing your Grandfather in
16 Pl ’D’ Coy because of his knowledge and concern for Sgt. Little.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>What a good idea to send profits from the book to the
Associations for the newly created museum and the 49<sup>th</sup> Newsletter. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I never had the opportunity to be much associated with the
49<sup>th</sup> Div. after the war. In July ’45, I was on a troop-ship bound
for the Far-East when Japan surrendered. I spent four years in Rhodesia with
the African Rifles, then Staff College, the Far-east (Malaya-Korea). In fact
very rarely in the UK, with my loyalties to the 2<sup>nd</sup> Div., 3<sup>rd</sup>
Div., and 1<sup>st</sup> Guards Brigade. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Once again, my congratulations on your book and many thanks
for my copy.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>All Good Wishes.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>William Douglas.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
William Douglas, is a hale and hearty 96 year old, who is in late stage preparations to remarry. Such men were cut from a different cloth entirely !!</div>
<br />
<br />Musky03http://www.blogger.com/profile/14139009587198270829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4759755655001375521.post-26034039466372211402017-07-15T04:04:00.001-07:002017-07-15T04:04:06.347-07:00Presentation at Hill 112 Normandy 9th July 2017Last weekend marked the 73rd anniversary of the battle to take Hill 112 to the South East of Caen. This modest area of high ground was viciously fought over as to command it meant control of the strategically vital surrounding area. Indeed Rommel described Hill 112 as the most important hill in Normandy. The task to take it was given to the men of the 43rd Wessex Division in an action code named 'Operation Jupiter' that was launched on the 9th/10th July 1944.<br />
<br />
As with many significant sites across Battlefield Normandy, Hill 112 hosts many memorials, notably one to the 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QkX1Wlofc6UXd3y30d1FK5Nx58LmiHE8jPRAtkMrFLXP9SnoxHq_ioRnrpfcHJ_JBz-Lx3kGMljeTLNU2A6tVby5BPyQG97gglwsGvVxDo35uOMiatbhvXsTZWOzDZnavcs8IA1bNel9/s1600/210+ed+Memorials+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="321" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QkX1Wlofc6UXd3y30d1FK5Nx58LmiHE8jPRAtkMrFLXP9SnoxHq_ioRnrpfcHJ_JBz-Lx3kGMljeTLNU2A6tVby5BPyQG97gglwsGvVxDo35uOMiatbhvXsTZWOzDZnavcs8IA1bNel9/s400/210+ed+Memorials+3.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hill 112</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Also of note is the Churchill tank at the site, a memorial to the many tank men who lost their lives in the actions.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlV2eBP0_W5I4EYj9z_MPxl6Ut2nP6-F-J5nojf7G5CBr5qB_g7ltDgX8fpOB7fOg7s8mhOH6OwtcH42qvILllI8XsQltkWymGBE_gSWzrGZqvHwOKyYq3TFSwjmzPEpZMxC77egiv_EO3/s1600/Hill-112-Tank-Memorial-600x474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="582" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlV2eBP0_W5I4EYj9z_MPxl6Ut2nP6-F-J5nojf7G5CBr5qB_g7ltDgX8fpOB7fOg7s8mhOH6OwtcH42qvILllI8XsQltkWymGBE_gSWzrGZqvHwOKyYq3TFSwjmzPEpZMxC77egiv_EO3/s400/Hill-112-Tank-Memorial-600x474.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Two weeks ago I met up with Dennis Dimond, Secretary of the 49th (West Riding) Division Association to pass over a number of copies of the book. He informed me that for one copy he had some very specific plans. He intended to travel to the location of Hill 112 to participate in the anniversary commemoration and to take the opportunity to make a donation from the Polar Bear Association funds to his counterpart in the Hill 112 Association for the maintenance of the Churchill tank pictured above.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It so happened that Prince Edward (the Queen's youngest son) would also be in attendance. Edward has close associations through his position as the Earl of Wessex. Dennis's plan was to make a presentation of 'A Pithead Polar Bear' to Prince Edward or at the very least pass a copy on to one of his aides.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In the event he did a very good job and further more was able document the presentation on camera. Many thanks to Dennis and the other Polar Bear representatives who were in attendance last weekend.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4WbcExYlAfu6XDvFjf1dKLGPHP_cwWrDoCzMjGLuy-SmbkoSu_5fZhN3RcdacwQQaQjRsQgq5KqZU7qreszIQNUNq6-NzloetvNZgtF9OHcsvYlfapey2_cB-nJ7f__j-nWOjlj2l8HX/s1600/%2521cid_R1cQWw3H4UTIaO3MgAwv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4WbcExYlAfu6XDvFjf1dKLGPHP_cwWrDoCzMjGLuy-SmbkoSu_5fZhN3RcdacwQQaQjRsQgq5KqZU7qreszIQNUNq6-NzloetvNZgtF9OHcsvYlfapey2_cB-nJ7f__j-nWOjlj2l8HX/s400/%2521cid_R1cQWw3H4UTIaO3MgAwv.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dennis Dimond greets HRH Prince Edward</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpPC6dxHdVnZz8sbwZOhZ51k3_iEEAz-hoZVVcNylbaelZ4zvg9szWi9C2AzBRzP7p1kPHRjvCNDsVOI-p_7eWrTBHxF-zj_T_qjq6S3og5iyow5uu0kwxTyjhpTfTywn0gy0NSQN0eei/s1600/%2521cid_siyNmD0sPCm7u8Wcie9Y.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpPC6dxHdVnZz8sbwZOhZ51k3_iEEAz-hoZVVcNylbaelZ4zvg9szWi9C2AzBRzP7p1kPHRjvCNDsVOI-p_7eWrTBHxF-zj_T_qjq6S3og5iyow5uu0kwxTyjhpTfTywn0gy0NSQN0eei/s400/%2521cid_siyNmD0sPCm7u8Wcie9Y.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now down to business....</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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And up, up and away, with a aide clutching said the book.</div>
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So there you have it. That this book may be currently sitting on a royal bookshelf appeals to my sense of humour. I think that my Grandfather would be amused.</div>
Musky03http://www.blogger.com/profile/14139009587198270829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4759755655001375521.post-88813423943557824022017-07-10T13:51:00.001-07:002017-07-10T13:51:42.478-07:00 A Veteran of the 5th South Staffordshire Regiment Responds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsx8c3D5FdXKJ1DQ44m4aVrBPXla8ixncTJasjDgBbov-btGSx-52BmFaykSXbWD0G67xOpcA_Kb4RdBWrPbwlC-ktBTKGFJNtC6bkBtbMrX9uy-3ENBxVonEmDNlpIwc8wMMl0CYXC2hj/s1600/Bert+Bamford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="451" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsx8c3D5FdXKJ1DQ44m4aVrBPXla8ixncTJasjDgBbov-btGSx-52BmFaykSXbWD0G67xOpcA_Kb4RdBWrPbwlC-ktBTKGFJNtC6bkBtbMrX9uy-3ENBxVonEmDNlpIwc8wMMl0CYXC2hj/s400/Bert+Bamford.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
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Bert Bamford</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5th South Staffordshire Regiment.</div>
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Today I was the very happy recipient of a personal letter from one of the veterans who kindly took the time to share his wartime experiences with me during the preparation of 'A Pithead Polar Bear'. Herbert (or Bert) Bamford was, like my Grandfather, a soldier of the 5th South Staffordshire Regiment within the 59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Division. Prior to sailing to France in mid June 1944 he trained on the North East Coast, in Northern Ireland and Kent. Once in France he shared the experience of battle to the north of Caen, in Noyers Bocage and on the high ground overlooking the River Orne before the Division was disbanded in August 1944 to supply other regiments with much needed reinforcements.<br />
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6th July 2017</div>
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<i>Dear Adrian,</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>Many thanks for the book, I have read a few pages and look forward to reading the rest. I am glad you were able to find the monument at the Chateau Galmanche. Also you were able to still see the signs of the battle. </i></div>
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<i>It must have taken a lot of work and research to complete your book. I also enjoyed being able to talk and reminisce about those times as my memory is getting a little hazy these days, a sign of age I suppose. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>Again, many thanks for the book.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>Yours,</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>Bert.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesxZmB-geAP9Ef5zDYjz4OQBPK5KK_1DzcNE-fjpWqAn4_Vo83SBLm6O5Iht2mj83ughf5DHHvDbBTtz9yxnKSb8QwQBl1sr5tJkUwELQ6ULq4LB2Q3bJeMZRvpZyH6CQnxo8FCWrfPpB/s1600/bert+st+contest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="877" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesxZmB-geAP9Ef5zDYjz4OQBPK5KK_1DzcNE-fjpWqAn4_Vo83SBLm6O5Iht2mj83ughf5DHHvDbBTtz9yxnKSb8QwQBl1sr5tJkUwELQ6ULq4LB2Q3bJeMZRvpZyH6CQnxo8FCWrfPpB/s400/bert+st+contest.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bert (on the left) with a fellow veteran at the St Contest Memorial to the actions of the 59th (Staffordshire) Division on the area on the 8th and 9th July 1944.</div>
Musky03http://www.blogger.com/profile/14139009587198270829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4759755655001375521.post-40376962136155046732017-07-04T14:05:00.003-07:002017-07-06T13:02:03.249-07:00Feedback for 'A Pithead Polar Bear'<i>'Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on writing the book. I am very pleased for you and I was delighted to read it. It is a great achievement and I'm sure that your grandfather would be very proud of you and that the rest of your family are incredibly proud of you. I think it is a great and very personal book, a real act of affection, and a proper memorial to your grandfather, and also those who served alongside him in both battalions, just ordinary men wrenched from ordinary lives doing their best, no doubt despite being rightly terrified, in extraordinary circumstances.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I am still lost in awe of the sheer magnitude of the task which faced this extraordinary citizen army, all that it took to plan and the sustain the effort through all the years of the war, and the commitment which ultimately saw them victorious.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I have really enjoyed the book, and found a number of things in it relating to 11 RSF which I had not come across before, which was a real delight. Having devoured it first time round, I’ll probably read it again over the Summer and take a little more time to absorb it'.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Charlie Arrand (ex-pupil of Colonel William Douglas 11th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers).</b><br />
<br />
<i>'The book has a arrived and I was quite taken aback. I was expecting a slim xeroxed pamphlet wonkily stapled. Instead this is massive volume of your not inconsiderable talent in writing great prose. It must have taken you ages? Really really impressed Mr Andrews - I look forward to your next volume which I hope will see a wider audience and produced by a mainstream publishing house. You are a talent for writing - go for it!'</i><br />
<br />
<b>John Day.</b><br />
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<b></b><br />
<i>'The book is excellent. I am about half way through already!'</i><br />
<br />
<b>Dennis Dimond (Secretary of The 49th (West Riding) Division Association.</b><br />
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>'Enjoying the book immensely, I've learnt a lot of things about the 59th (Staffordshire) Division that I never knew'.</i></div>
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<b>Ken West (WWII veteran, 11th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers).</b></div>
Musky03http://www.blogger.com/profile/14139009587198270829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4759755655001375521.post-71207725048772844142017-06-26T11:44:00.000-07:002017-06-26T11:44:02.283-07:00Book Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99xsVtmmkiOWSwx45kGof2mkvE9zm1Kddltodlt_uhtVl2HQ2gKpsfrFgwF79E4XR9ZtxpVMNARV7ZcMYfwjawKFCVn7cjfrnu01g9FDsMiP8LNwJHnBxgtQltrjvLDYbBig1JqR36CAS/s1600/lina_NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1121" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99xsVtmmkiOWSwx45kGof2mkvE9zm1Kddltodlt_uhtVl2HQ2gKpsfrFgwF79E4XR9ZtxpVMNARV7ZcMYfwjawKFCVn7cjfrnu01g9FDsMiP8LNwJHnBxgtQltrjvLDYbBig1JqR36CAS/s400/lina_NEW.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
<br />
Good evening all! I just wanted to say a big thank you to all those who have purchased a copy of my book 'A Pithead Polar Bear' to date. I am really pleased with the way that the sales are going. So far, 108 books of the 150 print run are accounted for. It is quite something for me to think that this humble family history is to be found on the bookshelves of friends and colleagues in the UK, France, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, America, Canada and Australia. Thank you one and all!<br />
<br />
Adrian x.Musky03http://www.blogger.com/profile/14139009587198270829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4759755655001375521.post-17283743843143023142017-06-17T02:04:00.001-07:002017-06-17T02:04:06.434-07:00Tribute to Corporal Peter W. Pimlott 7th South South Staffordshire Regiment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIM5MkoEjN8knhFLpECiS05w-cZa4AuFSdYGjUP6KLAiCjus0eJRu5k1slKgTYfGqPp8JfV7dfFXthNnaT-t9r3b7FZqQnBcuvZfaiBMfxrvRRa9e11-KDhji44iN0G-vDPJQ8a9qkRHGl/s1600/frame.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1053" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIM5MkoEjN8knhFLpECiS05w-cZa4AuFSdYGjUP6KLAiCjus0eJRu5k1slKgTYfGqPp8JfV7dfFXthNnaT-t9r3b7FZqQnBcuvZfaiBMfxrvRRa9e11-KDhji44iN0G-vDPJQ8a9qkRHGl/s400/frame.JPG" width="262" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
As ‘A Pithead Polar Bear’ was in its final stages of
preparation, I received an email requesting some assistance in providing
information about the South Staffordshire Regiments in Normandy. The email came
from Paul Simpson MBE, a retired warrant officer, who is researching the
service of his great uncle, Corporal Peter W. Pimlott of the 7<sup>th</sup>
South Staffords. As this enquiry neatly coincided with a planned return to
Normandy I said that if at all possible I would visit Corporal Pimlott’s plot
in the Banneville-la-Campagne cemetery and lay a Royal British Legion cross.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Corporal Pimlott was killed in action with the 7<sup>th</sup>
South Staffordshire Regiment on 7<sup>th</sup> August 1944 in the Grimbosq
bridgehead established in order to allow the 59<sup>th</sup> (Staffordshire)
Division to cross the River Orne. He survived just 41 days in Normandy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Yesterday I received an email from Paul with a photograph of
his great uncle’s mounted medals.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1whdY4ugUvVjOhCE7hvS19i5Se86qA96T6Y93tjEFvq0GhYCB1_XakEonz1ce6iLCnimR7eplU8X2ga9JuET2qNoUmZ1qbv-V-ByUD9HGKnBrPEkAh3Zw7u70glr-SDTOBiFM3FPH1z2D/s1600/PW+Pimlott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1239" data-original-width="777" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1whdY4ugUvVjOhCE7hvS19i5Se86qA96T6Y93tjEFvq0GhYCB1_XakEonz1ce6iLCnimR7eplU8X2ga9JuET2qNoUmZ1qbv-V-ByUD9HGKnBrPEkAh3Zw7u70glr-SDTOBiFM3FPH1z2D/s400/PW+Pimlott.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
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Corporal P.W. Pimlott</div>
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7th South Staffordshire Regiment</div>
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Killed in Action on 7th August 1944.</div>
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Musky03http://www.blogger.com/profile/14139009587198270829noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4759755655001375521.post-49115642384569787342017-06-08T00:13:00.000-07:002017-06-08T00:13:00.232-07:00A Pithead Polar Bear is Now Available<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRY9Dd6R8ej5ossbTVPUoPQ4Xk7XNsamIAROm6G4LILlSRGucCsGREFKyfXZbesmqTq_cSiq4dbKGplNmlKS-t7GDOAbP9aaCUmPNBeV13LgENpOF5ZjsyRH7Pc7S8ADfHzY4ux6Dyr2T/s1600/cover_edited-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1194" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRY9Dd6R8ej5ossbTVPUoPQ4Xk7XNsamIAROm6G4LILlSRGucCsGREFKyfXZbesmqTq_cSiq4dbKGplNmlKS-t7GDOAbP9aaCUmPNBeV13LgENpOF5ZjsyRH7Pc7S8ADfHzY4ux6Dyr2T/s400/cover_edited-2.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
<br />Musky03http://www.blogger.com/profile/14139009587198270829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4759755655001375521.post-14701298594719819972017-06-01T14:19:00.003-07:002017-06-01T14:19:55.220-07:00Update on Publication DateHi,<br />
<br />
I decided to postpone the publication date by one week in order to be in a position to include some additional photographs and information resulting from my most recent visit to Normandy in mid-May. I think that the poignancy and relevance of this additional information justifies this additional delay many times over.<br />
<br />
I have been informed by the publisher that the books should be with me by <b><span style="color: red;">9th June</span></b> at which point I can start sending them out.<br />
<br />
As I have stated on the flyer and elsewhere, the book proceeds will be split between projects relevant to both the 59th (Staffordshire) Division and the 49th (West Riding) Division. Given the fact that my Grandfather transferred to the 11th RSF after the conclusion of the Battle of Normandy, my focus in this area has always been on the 59th Division. This fact took me back to Thury Harcourt, a significant Norman town on the west bank of the Orne that was liberated by the men of the 59th Division in August 1944.<br />
<br />
Previously I had been here oblivious that I was in extremely close proximity to a recently opened permanent exhibition to the town's liberators.<br />
<br />
The Old Fire Station, located within 10 meters of the main 59th Division memorial now houses the start of a permanent tribute to the men who fell (and indeed those that survived) in the Division's ultimately successful efforts to liberate the town.<br />
<br />
It was on an early Friday morning the my travelling companion, Owen, and I met up with a lovely lady by the name of Micheline Guillerm, the 'French Connection' in terms of the 59th (Staffordshire) Division, a.k.a. 'The Friends of Thury Harcourt'. Micheline was a young witness to the liberation and the recollections of the events have stayed with her in the intervening years.<br />
<br />
We discussed the meaning of the museum and plans for possible expansion into additional rooms of the old station. I told her of my proposal to make a donation to the project and at this she welled up. I hope that Micheline is the first and last French lady I make cry!<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2dXsWWhTrOcEA_rr7qkh-VyCrlrlG-p29K-rXQRK_zFg9AeLDe9PlNbs-pXuAiNa8HcFDJEd-3QcDvDivLq6GI7r1sQLuE-fd8zjSWF6s4_3URJ5dGEYg6EmDpnk0YtyEa_Iu0-6gil2/s1600/micheline+post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="452" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2dXsWWhTrOcEA_rr7qkh-VyCrlrlG-p29K-rXQRK_zFg9AeLDe9PlNbs-pXuAiNa8HcFDJEd-3QcDvDivLq6GI7r1sQLuE-fd8zjSWF6s4_3URJ5dGEYg6EmDpnk0YtyEa_Iu0-6gil2/s400/micheline+post.jpg" width="347" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Adrian and Micheline Guillerm</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thury Harcourt May 2017.</div>
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<br />Musky03http://www.blogger.com/profile/14139009587198270829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4759755655001375521.post-19321641281796310412017-05-08T12:34:00.001-07:002017-05-08T12:34:47.712-07:00Publication in May<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The waiting is nearly over. I have taken the plunge and sent ‘A Pithead Polar Bear’ off to the publishers so I can say with certainty that it will be available this month.</div>
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Details of how and where to get the book will follow in the next few days.</div>
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Many thanks,</div>
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Adrian.</div>
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<br />Musky03http://www.blogger.com/profile/14139009587198270829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4759755655001375521.post-65321511373529462202017-01-30T14:09:00.000-08:002017-01-30T14:09:38.548-08:00A Pithead Polar Bear - Contact Email AddressIn order to address any enquiries about the book I have set up a dedicated email address. Please feel free to direct any questions that you have to:<br />
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<a href="mailto:apitheadpolarbear@gmail.com"><b>apitheadpolarbear@gmail.com</b></a></div>
Musky03http://www.blogger.com/profile/14139009587198270829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4759755655001375521.post-21723418091512820422017-01-24T14:05:00.004-08:002017-01-24T14:05:49.724-08:00Book Foreword by Kenneth J. West<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtptCEUgsI_nu2llQKOkcmqVb_j-YtDte_TpxxPlcUurjZWVabYiwoqWUGdh6h2gm21PjP3WpYmFWa_2uh3cGTRtr9L-9G1lkScJnzwAGoqtEleqsHswGkJ1geAgpLJazhmLiK_FxFHJCH/s1600/IMG_NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtptCEUgsI_nu2llQKOkcmqVb_j-YtDte_TpxxPlcUurjZWVabYiwoqWUGdh6h2gm21PjP3WpYmFWa_2uh3cGTRtr9L-9G1lkScJnzwAGoqtEleqsHswGkJ1geAgpLJazhmLiK_FxFHJCH/s400/IMG_NEW.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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I am honoured, not to say more than a little chuffed that when I asked Ken West if he would be so kind as to write a few words to serve as a foreword to the book, he agreed without hesitation.<br />
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Ken's book 'An' It's Called A Tam O'Shanter' was one of the first relevant books I read about the everyday existence of infantry soldiers in North West Europe in 1944-1945, soldiers just like my Grandfather. Far from being a typical stuffy book full of strategic discussion and dry talk of Army and Corps campaign plans, Ken tells how it was from the perspective of a slit trench! There are tales of Regimental Sergeant Majors head down in latrines and novel uses for a British Army issue Bayonet! At the same time, the evident humour is tempered with moments of reflection and remembrance that were all a part and parcel of the unpredictable life of an infantryman in the field.<br />
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Some weeks after reading 'Tan O'Shanter' I joined the 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division Association (also known as The Polar Bear Association). My joining closely coincided with the publication of the June 2014 issue of their periodical, 'The Polar Bear News' from which I learned that not only was Ken still with us but he was still gallivanting across Holland with the Association.<br />
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To cut a long story short I wrote to Ken, we met and have maintained quite regular contact since. It is Ken, through his willingness to discuss his time with the 11th R.S.F. in Europe in writing and conversation, not to mention his encouraging words concerning the preparation of this book, that has meant that this book will finally make it to publication.<br />
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For these reasons having Ken, a veteran of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, who fought in the same towns and villages as my Grandfather, endorse my efforts is really very special for me.<br />
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Thanks Ken, you are a nonagenarian mine of information and inspiration!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xBq0MQ6hVIsDjN_wx0bnTD1hB0A5GUtyJhVrr714fzgX1WtzN83FrSpF4SR5j6ptkWLyo1o7SmJBOcIJOBAhTho1eZb8mMlY6VvVBAv43hu1I7VU_NtLRHK62C6kmeWalhkuglwqKgIe/s1600/Me+and+Ken+West.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xBq0MQ6hVIsDjN_wx0bnTD1hB0A5GUtyJhVrr714fzgX1WtzN83FrSpF4SR5j6ptkWLyo1o7SmJBOcIJOBAhTho1eZb8mMlY6VvVBAv43hu1I7VU_NtLRHK62C6kmeWalhkuglwqKgIe/s400/Me+and+Ken+West.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Adrian and Ken</div>
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Leicester October 2014</div>
Musky03http://www.blogger.com/profile/14139009587198270829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4759755655001375521.post-87005795638122935612017-01-01T03:22:00.001-08:002017-01-01T03:22:37.822-08:00Artwork for the book<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizY-ttaSOoQ8QhXNgi7o_iZndTNjOun52qQG9ozSyXjYTUdt1IfNtsOYouKqShmM9kltSVcD212FevMXaGw7zuL-_mdynx0timYn9S2sipcr9HJU2exFMlsIyVj9Pz6dAh4qicwapg7HOf/s1600/cover_edited-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizY-ttaSOoQ8QhXNgi7o_iZndTNjOun52qQG9ozSyXjYTUdt1IfNtsOYouKqShmM9kltSVcD212FevMXaGw7zuL-_mdynx0timYn9S2sipcr9HJU2exFMlsIyVj9Pz6dAh4qicwapg7HOf/s400/cover_edited-2.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
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Well here's my first attempt at putting a cover together for 'A Pithead Polar Bear'. I opted for a collage of original documentation. The following items are featured.<br />
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<ul>
<li>Early photograph as a new recruit taken some time in the first half of 1940 when he was with the North Staffordshire Regiment</li>
<li>The 'pithead' insignia of the 59th (Staffordshire) Division</li>
<li>The 'polar bear' insignia of the 49th (West Riding) Division</li>
<li>Jim Heath's sign up papers from January 1940</li>
<li>His entry pass into Bergen-Belsen camp from July 1945</li>
<li>His certificate of release to the Army Reserve dated 24th December 1945</li>
<li>'The Kings Badge', a silver lapel badge awarded to soldiers disabled during service</li>
<li>Medal ribbons (clockwise from top right):</li>
</ul>
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The War Medal</div>
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1939-1945 Star</div>
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The Defence Medal</div>
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The France And Germany Star</div>
Musky03http://www.blogger.com/profile/14139009587198270829noreply@blogger.com0