The purpose of this blog site is to provide updates on the publication of the book that I have been involved in writing since January 2014. The book now entitled 'A Pithead Polar Bear From Brighton to Belsen 1940 to 1946' is an attempt to understand what my late Grandfather, L/Cpl James Kitchener Heath did during the Second World War.

'A Pithead Polar Bear' is the culmination of another internet blog project that I started, entitled 'A Fragmented Military History', the name being an acknowledgement of the limited information that I had to go on and just how much there was to learn. The original site can be accessed from this site and in many ways can be thought of as being complementary to the published book.

James, or Jim, Heath was an ordinary citizen soldier signed up for the duration of the war. His experiences over the six years of the conflict are similar to those of many thousands of infantry men whilst at the same time unique to him.

My sincere hope for this book is that it may in some part inspire like minded people to take up the challenge to explore a similar history for one of their own relatives. My message is that it can be done even seventy plus years after the events described. It is also hugely rewarding.

Somewhere down the line I wrote words to the following effect, 'in my dealings with our veterans it has become clear that it is not our thanks they seek for what they did but our understanding'. That for me is justification enough for such an undertaking as this.



Saturday, September 1, 2018

Joe Hoadley 49th (West Riding) Division Recce Regiment RIP


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.

Good on you Joe!


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Bronze memorial to the men of the Royal Scots Fusiliers who fell in World War II


'Statuette based on the War Memorial at Ayr to personnel of the Royal Scots Fusiliers who fell in the Second World War'.

Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum, Glasgow 2018.
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Lieutenant Colonel Willian Dewhurst Douglas


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 have 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. 

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.

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).

http://apitheadpolarbear.blogspot.co.uk/

After publication, Bill sent me a lovely letter which I have included below:

'5th July 2017.

Dear Adrian,

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.

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 was only too pleased to be able to help you – particularly through Charlie Arrand (one of my star History pupils).

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.

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 think that you are correct in placing your Grandfather in 16 Pl ’D’ Coy because of his knowledge and concern for Sgt. Little.

What a good idea to send profits from the book to the Associations for the newly created museum and the 49th Newsletter.

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.

Once again, my congratulations on your book and many thanks for my copy.

All Good Wishes.

William Douglas.'
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