World War Forum

Hi I am wondering if any one can help me,my Uncle died aged 23 in I think Italy.I have something from the war graves that says Private Edward John Jones 2nd Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regt) died on 20th of february 1944 and he is buried in the Naples War Cemetary, and i also know he died of a penetrating stomach wound he recieved on the 19th but i cant find out actually where he was when he was injured. if any one can point me in the right direction I would be so greatful
Tina

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Reply from: Alan Greveson York
Date: Tuesday 22nd April 2008 at 8:19 PM
Tina,
In February 1944 the 2nd Bn Sherwood Foresters was part of the British First Infantry Division and was one of three battalions in the 3rd Infantry Brigade.
They had taken part in Operation SHINGLE which was the Allied attack on the Italian coat at Anzio and Nettuno on January 22nd 1944. The British force had landed at "Peter Beach" six miles North of Anzio.
On the night of January 30th a two pronged attack was started to get the Allies further inland. The British First Division moved North East in an attempt to take the town of Campoleone.
At 1030 on January 31st the 2nd Bn Sherwood Foresters supported by tanks from 46 Royal Tank Regiment started an attack from their positions south of a bridge near Campoleone with the objective of seizing the crossroads at Osteriaccia and breaching the enemy positions along a railway embankment at Campoleone. They fought their way across the embankment but then ran into resistance from part of the German 29th Panzer Grenadier Regiment.
The infantry had to withdraw and the Brigade found itself stuck on what became known as the Campoleone salient. On February the 3rd the Germans mounted a counter attack and heavy fighting continued until the Allies had to pull back. On February the 16th the Germans launched a new offensive down the line of the Via Anziate and pushed the Allies back to their original beach-head line of defence which was then assaulted by the 1st German Parachute Corps and the LXXIV Panzer Corps. The Allies then counter attacked and the German advance halted with both sides exhausted by the battle.
The fighting in this area then fell into a stalemate until May 1944 when the Allies planned their breakout from the Anzio beach-head.

The Museum of the Sherwood Foresters is at:
WFR Museum (Sherwood Foresters Collection) of The Mercian Regiment
The Castle,
Nottingham,
NG1 6EL
Tel: 0115 946 5415

For those researching WW1 and who know in which regiment their relative served The National Archives of the UK have now put many World War One War Diaries on their website. They can be searched by regiment freely, and may be downloaded for £3.50 each via credit or debit card.
The war diaries list, in brief form, the activities of a battalion, day by day. They rarely mention people by name, however, they do help place the unit in context of date and place.
Good luck with your searching.
[nationalarchives.gov.uk]

I am trying to locate relatives or anyone who remembers L.A.C.W Peters, she married Thomas Williams A.B Seaman Royal Navy in 1943, she was stationed at Bicester. Any information would be gratefully recieved. I believe Ida came from Cornwall.

I am a serving RAF Medical Assistant and have recently returned from deployment to Iraq. My deployment role was Aeromedical Evacuation and during my 5 month tour I returned to the UK on numerous occasions with critically ill and injured service personnel for onward care. Although I was based at Basrah Air Station, I had 2 days in the UK each time I brought troops home due to return flight times. I received my medal shortly after returning to normal duties in the UK.
I was very upset and angry to hear that one of my colleagues that I had worked with in Iraq doing exactly the same job has been told that she isn't entitled to the Iraq medal. Would anybody be able to point me in the right direction to get some answers as to why this might be?

Regards,

Dave

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Reply from: Bob
Location: Leeds
Date: Wednesday 30th January 2008 at 03:07 PM
Hi Dave,
The first thing is congratulations on completing your tour of duty in Iraq and receiving your medal, as you must be very proud.

As far as I know, all issues of medals are put before a board who decide, but the MOD works in mysterious ways and is very secretive. You could write or ring the Medals Office, but it's unlikely that they would tell you anything.

I would think your colleague would have to enquire herself, as it could *possibly* be an oversight.

The contact page is here which also has phone numbers:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/ContactUs/MedalsEnquiries.htm

Hope this helps.

My Grandfather served in WW1 / I had an uncle killed in WW1 and another uncle killed in WW2. I have some details about them. I do not know if they ever received their medal , if not can I claim them?. I am the only grandson on one family and neither uncle had any children. Can I put in a claim on the internet ? We will be in England in Spring but I cannot find the location of the Medal Office on any map we have. Any help appreciated

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Reply from: Bob
Location: Leeds
Date: Friday 25th January 2008 at 12:28 PM
Hi Bertram,
The UK is very proud of our Allied Forces who helped us in our time of need. Many brave personnel didn't return, as some of your relatives didn't.

Applying for medals can be a very lengthy business, as the MOD Medal Office move at their own speed. It can take up to 6 months. Even so, it's worth it to get something that you can remember them by, and also to pass on to your family.

You can't apply for medals on the internet, or turn up at the MOD's Medals Office. It's all got to be done by post, and it's not automatic that you are allowed the medals. You may have to prove who you are, and what relation you are to the person's medals. It all goes before a board to decide whether you can be issued with them.

I don't think they are still issuing WW1 medals, but you could try. There is a good chance that you can get your uncle's medals from WW2 though. The best thing is to write to them. They will reply, but be prepared for a considerable wait. You could also phone them for advice, but it may cost a packet from Australia. Here are some links that might help.

FAQ's:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/Veterans/Medals/MedalFaqs.htm

Applying for medals:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/Veterans/Medals/ContactingTheMedalOffice.htm

Medal printable application form:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/Veterans/Medals/MedalApplicationForm.htm

Phone numbers:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/Help/HelpWithTelephoneEnquiries.htm

Service records:
http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/service_records.html

A-Z links of the MOD site:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AZIndex/

The Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum is a registered charity. The web site is here:

http://www.glosters.org.uk/

The web site has a free searchable database containing the names of 40,000 soldiers who served in the Gloucestershire Regiment in the First World War. We plan to ad more names from other wars shortly.

Hi there,

I'm currently trying to trace and find out information about my great grandfather, Alexander McGregor. All I know about him is that he met my great grandmother working as a gamekeeper down in Peebles, he joined the Cameron Highlanders, was in the 5th Bn and was killed in action at the Battle of Loos in 1915. I have his service number and medals, but I think his militery records might have been destroyed as I can't find his D.O.B or indeed anymore about him, I am thinking he must have been from up north (caithness / inverness) due to the fact he was in the Cameron Highlanders. Would be great if anyone could offer advice as what to do next in my search, or even better might know of him.

Thanks

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Reply from: Alan Greveson
Location: York
Date: Wednesday 20th February 2008 at 11:21 PM
There is an Alexander McGregor listed on the Loos Memorial of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Rank: Private; Cameron Highlanders; 5th Bn;
Army No:S/11034
Date of Death 25 09 1915 . Age 28
Memorial Panel 119-124

The 5th Bn was created as:
New Armies
5th (Service) Battalion Formed at Inverness, August 1914,
August 1914 : attached to 26th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division

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Reply from: Nhenderson
Location: Aberdeen
Date: Thursday 21st February 2008 at 08:53 AM
Thanks for that Alan, I had looked at the Commonwealth War Graves and the service number you have quoted is definately him, where did you find the age though, because I couldn't find it anywhere. Thats great with the information regarding where the 5th Bn was created, now I can hopefully focus my search better up north.

Thanks again

Nicola

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Reply from: Alan Greveson
Location: York
Date: Friday 22nd February 2008 at 11:48 PM
Nicola:
I have think I have the information you need. However, I need to write it up clearly. Give me 24 hours
Alan

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Reply from: Alan Greveson
Location: York
Date: Saturday 23rd February 2008 at 12:29 PM
Nicola
The National Archives holds a medal card for Alexander McGregor. It lists his three medals. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star for serving in the early part of the war; The British Medal and the Victory Medal. Soliders nicknamed these "Pip, Squeak and Wilfred". The Star was less commonly awarded. The medal card confirms he was killed in action 25th September 1915. The only additional information it gives is that he entered France on 10th May 1915.
Alexander McGregor S/11034 is listed in "Soldiers who Died in The Great War" Naval and Military Press 2006. Here his birthplace is listed as Fossoway, Kinross, Kinross-shire. His residence is Fossoway and his place of enlistment is at Huddersfield, a town in the centre of the Yorkshire woollen trade in England.
Fossoway parish, chiefly in Perthshire, but partly in Kinross-shire, contains the post-office village of Blairingone, [the Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland, edited by John Marius Wilson, 1868.]
The Commonwealth War Graves site does give Alexander's age at death as 28. (birth about 1887).
Taking these details at face value, a search of the Scottish records produces numerous candidates in the villages around Blairingone. The most probable birth record for Alexander is at 32 Union Street Tillicoultry at 4pm on July 9, 1887. His father was Alexander McGregor, a mason, who had married Janet Campbell at Dormiston District (?) Glasgow on May 23rd 1887.
There are other candidates, however this Alexander is consistent with the family of Alexander senior and Janet in the census returns for 1901 and 1891.
Ages are not always consistent in census records, but a three-year-old Alexander is living with Alexander and Janet at 58 Beauclerc (?) Street, Alva. He has a brother James, aged 2. A check on this brother's birth register shows his name as James Campbell McGregor with the right parents and the use of the mother's maiden name. So this appears to be the same family.
This family appears in the 1901 census at Mill Street, Tillicoultry, with the addition of two more sons, Thomas age 3 and George age 10months.. Aged 13, Alexander is listed as working in the Woollen Yarn industry.
Assuming this is the correct family, the most likely record for the birth of Alexander's father is in 1863 - born at 6(?)am on March 29th 1863 at Mary Place, Tillicoultry, the son of Alexander McGregor, a mason, and Margaret Mitchell who had married at Alloa, the county town, on Nov 21 1862.
I hope this helps you. However, to be sure, you need to check the original records yourself using as much local knowledge as possible. I have tried to be as certain as I can but a more thorough search over a longer period of time may produce other candidates. Your starting point can be www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk but their indexes have their limitations.
The regimental archives are at The regimental archives, photograph collections and library are established separately at Regimental Headquarters, Queen's Own Highlanders, Cameron Barracks, Inverness (Tel: (01463) 224380) where researchers are welcome by appointment.
There is a public museum at Fort George, Ardersier, IV2 7TD
(01667) 462800, Ext 8701

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Reply from: Nhenderson
Date: Saturday 1st March 2008 at 8:31 PM
Hi there,

Thats fantastic, thanks for all that work, much appreciated.

His place of enlistment of Huddersfield appears to be correct, as I have a Christmas card that he sent from there in 1914, so that sounds about right. In regards to his age, I've went back and double checked the commonwealth graves website and it definately doesn't have his age on there, so I've gone and done another search for Alexander McGregors who were born in Fossoway and I think I've found him - born in 1893 to a James and Isabella. I'm hoping this is right, but still got a bit of searching to do.

Again, thanks a million for your help

Nicola

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Reply from: Alan Greveson
Date: Monday 3rd March 2008 at 12:37 PM
My apologies, Nicola - you're right - the CWG site does not give his age as 28. That's the age of the next McGregor in the list. Which just goes to show how fraught with difficulties this activity is. My mistake. However, if we've got you on the right track that's all that matters.
Good luck with your searching.

Alan

Hi Can anyone give me any information on tracing my Grandfather . He was enlisted in the 13th Battalion of the Royal Scots Guards he went to France in 1914-1917. I just dont know where to start looking for his war records .If anyone can help me to take my first step I would be very grateful.

This mesage is on behalf of a Miss Margaret Gordon of Footscray, Melbourne, Victoria Australia.

Her family used to look after 2 British RN servicemen, namely Ashbee Hunt (AS Hunt) and Norman Cherry, whilst on leave, when she was a little girl.

Both men served on the HMS Pelores in 1944

She would like to know if they are still alive and contactable, can anyone help

I have been trying to trace my Grandmas uncle and brother who died during WW2 on the CWGC website. Although I have been unable to find those I am looking for I have been stunned to discover my Grandads uncle Corporal William Walmsley lived just around the corner to a house we have recently moved into. We were completely unaware of the connection and I have been left with goose bumps. We have moved to a newly built house in an area we hadn't really planned on moving to and to just 'happen' across this family connection on the site has left me wondering. It is overwhelming trawling through the names of the hundreds of lives who have been lost and fills me with such a sense of sadness. And to top it off the programme I have in the background features a war cemetry. Apologies for going on a bit but I had to share!

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Reply from: Bob
Location: Leeds
Date: Saturday 3rd November 2007 at 12:52 PM
Hi Marie,
Thanks for sharing it with us. It's always nice to hear someone's found something unusual.
You can post any experience like this here.

The war records are heartbreaking to read, but worse than that is to visit one of the many war cemeteries. When my wife and I finally traced her father's resting place in Ranville Cemetery, France, I don't often cry but I broke down myself when we visited it. The place is kept absolutely immaculate, flowers and not a blade of grass out of place.

Good luck with your continuing search.

Anyone serve with my father JOSEPH (JOE) PENNEY in WW2 in Middle East? I have his diary from 1944 where he talks about going on leave to Bethlehem etc.(Holy Land). He was in the ROYAL ARMY SERVICE CORPS fuelling tanks. He died Nov. 1979 & I'm researching family history. We have many photos but no names! One photo taken at El Alamein sitting on ruined tanks but after the battle; he wasn't at the battle. He also talked about Barry Island in Wales & sailed to India but came straight back. The ship he'd gone out on was sunk on return voyage (he wasn't on it.) Some time after the Blitz, he worked in London repairing bombed houses (he was a plumber). I cannot find anything about this work on the web.His mother thought he'd have been safer in the Middle East! He was born Ashton-u-Lyne 1920. Thanks in anticipation.Sue Bates

I am trying to get my father's Silver Star upgraded. He saved two men in Po Valley April 19th 1945. he was in the 688th airborne Machine Gun Btry. 900th AAA(AWBN) 473th Infantry Regimental. Plgt Combat Patrol Platoon Unit of the 5th Army 1942-45. I would love to find families of the men he saved. My fathewr was shot once carrying the first man then shot again carring the second man to safty, He died in 1958 from wounds he received, I was nine when he died and did not get to know much about his military years. Please if anyone knows please contact me.

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Reply from: Richard Wilson Jr
Location: Hillsboro Virginia Usa
Date: Sunday 16th December 2007 at 02:10 AM
Dear Betsy

My father served in the 473 infantry Regt. His discharge papers state that he was assigned to Headquarters Company 3rd Battalion. I remember that he told me he was assigned to a machine gun company anti-aircraft unit. His discharge papers state he was a scout and forward artillery observer directing artillery fire.So some of the info seems to conflict. I recently came across a photo of his. It is a group of men (including my father)
on the back it says " 2 Platoon July 1,1944 688th Airborne. Some other writing that it is crossed out. I do have several other photos of my father with men I have no idea who they are. If any of this will help, please let me know. I can be reached at

540-668-6172 or rwilson@dominionconstruction.com

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Reply from: Betsy Tonihka
Location: Eagletown Ok
Date: Friday 28th December 2007 at 03:34 PM
I was excited to hear from you. Yes any information will help even if it is not my father. dad's article of my struggle is in the Army Time as well as the Daily Oklahoman. It tells of his objection he was involves in. I have the congressman's signature which is needed but, the military awards branch says I need more. Can you upload the picture or send me a copy.
Please keep in touch. I am getting ready to go to the hair olympics in March and I will take some time off to work on dads upgrade. But I check my mail as often as I can.
thanks -Betsy

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Reply from: Ron Barasch
Location: Laurel Maryland
Date: Thursday 21st February 2008 at 05:10 AM
Betsy,
My father, Tech 5 Bernie Barasch, was also in the 473rd Infantry Regiment (Co K). The 473rd was activated on Jan 14, 1945 from several Antiaircraft Artillery groups. My father had also been in the 900th Antiaircraft Artillery AW Battalion (Battery B) and I believe he was also in the 505th Coastal Artillery. I have been researching his military career for the last couple of years. The National Archives II, in College Park, Maryland holds the unit historical records. These include the monthly reports of the 473rd. I have copied some of the records. My father was wounded on March 23 and April 22, 1945. I have the "Historical Record of the 473rd for the month of April 1945", including the names of the wounded, KIA and MIA. In April 1945, the 473rd sustained 155 killed, 551 wounded, and 26 wounded. Pvt Theodore R Tonihka is listed as wounded on April 18, 1945. This list has the names of 17 solders wounded on April 18, and 8 solders wounded on April 19. The Historical Records have brief descriptions of some of the daily events, but they do not go into the detail that you are looking for. If you send me an e-mail, I will send you what I have. My e-mail address is rbarasch@comcast.net. If anyone read this and has any information about my father, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you.
-Ron

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Reply from: Betsy Tooki Tonihka
Location: Eagletown
Date: Friday 22nd February 2008 at 02:48 AM
I was excited to hear your information and greatful you are willing to share. Yes I will email you and here is my email: betsy99@justicemail.com please write.

My mother is very ill. Her father Heny Ryder died on the 16/04/43 when she was a few weeks old. He was in the RAF as a 1st class aircraftman in the volunteer reserves. His service number is 1524389. He is buried in the MEDJEZ EL BAB war cemetry. She has never seen his face or knows anything about him her name was Pamela Ryder and she had a brother called Brian Ryder. I would love to find her a photo or give her any information on him. Could anyone please help?

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Reply from: Wizzywadey
Location: London
Date: Friday 2nd November 2007 at 02:33 AM
Hello Tricia
Henry Ryder is remembered with honour here:
http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=2813196
I too have a relative commemorated in there
You might also try having a look here:
http://www.worldwar2exraf.co.uk/index.html

Regards
Ian

http://www.chingfordwarmemorial.co.uk/

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Reply from: Trish
Location: Ashton Under Lyne
Date: Monday 5th November 2007 at 05:48 PM
Thanks so much for taking the time to reply to my message. I will try all your suggestions. Cheers

Hi trying to find any information on 2700747l/sgt Gerard white 2nd battalion scots guards ...killed in germany on 7th april 1945 if possible would like to know where he is buried ..and if he was awarded any military medals. we dont know very much .but would love to find out more .Gerard was my husbands uncle amd lived in blackpool . he was 19 years old when he died ! hoping someone can help thank you!

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Reply from: Wizzywadey
Location: London
Date: Wednesday 5th September 2007 at 12:01 AM
Hi Judy
Gerrard is listed on the CWGC website
He is buried in Sage cemetery in northern Germany
take a look here: http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=2074243
regards
Ian
http://www.chingfordwarmemorial.co.uk

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Reply from: Judy
Location: Bc Canada
Date: Wednesday 5th September 2007 at 09:21 PM
Hi Ian Thank you so much for your help! its great, that we now know where Gerrard is buried,

regards judy

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Reply from: Wizzywadey
Location: London
Date: Tuesday 25th September 2007 at 02:46 PM
Glad to help!

All the best
Ian

Good day,
I am trying to trace a SAPPER of the name JAMES SHADFORTH, who served with the Royal Engineers during the Second World War.
He sadly was KIA on 12/09/1944. I however don't know what squadron he served with, but have an idea that he was staioned in the middle east. I have found his records on the CWGC site, however, it only informs me of what i already know.
I am trying to establish what he was doing and where he was prior to his passing away, and to gain more information specific to his unit. Did anyone know this soldier, or the best way around gaining this information in light of the current record rules by the national archives. I can't go through the MOD as i am not next of kin, and of no relation to this soldier. How can we ever research the men that gave thier lives, so as to keep history alive, if we aren't privvy to information? Can anyone please help.
Thankyou

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Reply from: Wizzywadey
Location: London
Date: Wednesday 5th September 2007 at 12:07 AM
Hi James
I agree...from what i have heard...every other government allows access to records for free, if you have had a familly member that fought for their countries.
Sadly there is no cheap and easy way of going about this...You may just have to have a trip to Kew and take a good digital camera so that you can photograph the documents as they will charge you an absolute fortune for copies etc...otherwise look around for a good researcher that will do it for you
regards
Ian

http://chingfordwarmemorial.co.uk

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Reply from: Joyce Shadforth
Location: Australia
Date: Tuesday 15th January 2008 at 11:08 AM
James Re James Shadforth, Sapper,Royal Engineers, died Sept 1944

We think that this is my husbands father, All facts fit except that my Jim has always thought that he died of war wounds from Dunkirk

We all come from Hartlepool which you will know of,(Monkeyhangers) lol I though come from West H'Pool

If you would like to contact us then use this address, kovacs@impulse.net.au

best wishes, jim & joyce shadforth

IN THE BLITZ WHAT WAS THE PAINTED "F" ON A BUILDING?

If you have any info at all on private Arthur James it would mean a great deal to me and my family we know he was part of the parachute battalion if u could contact me at looking4ww2hero at yahoo dot com

Hello. My Grandad John Thomas Handley lived in Nottingham and was married there . He was killed in WW2 in 1943 and buried in the MEDJEZ-EL-BAB WAR CEMETERY in Tunisia. He was a Fusilier in the 6th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
What i wanted to find out was :
How did men choose which regiment to join ?
As the Royal Inniskilling regiment is from Ireland, would he have to have Irish roots ?
Would there be somewhere (a base) in Nottingham for him to go to to join Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers ?
Or would he have to travel to join it ?
As there were regiments in Nottinghamshire to be a part of - The Sherwood Foresters - why would he choose one so far removed from the city in which he lived?
Did you have to have any sort of a connection with any regiment to be able to join it or could you just pick one out of a hat,so to speak, and join that one ?

I have been doing family research and only recently started on my maternal side and i don't have an awful lot to go on. So i'm at a bit of a loss with my grandad's side of the family.
Any help, hints or general ten penny's worth will be appreciated.

Cheers, Carole.

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Reply from: Wizzywadey
Location: London
Date: Wednesday 5th September 2007 at 12:14 AM
Hi Carole...
I am more interested in ww1, but maybe some things happened in the same way if you see what i mean lol
Have you tried getting John's medal index card?
This will tell you if he transferred between regiments etc, quite often you just went where they told you they needed you most...well for ww1 soldiers anyway
regards
Ian

http://www.chingfordwarmemorial.co.uk

Hi,
I was wondering if any of your members could shed some light on a certificate that I have received. It belonged to my father John Cuthbert Duffy, when he served in the Royal Navy during the second world war.

The certificate is of the "Brotherhood of the FBI". It's an A5 size and has drawings of things Icelandic eg. igloos, penguins,Eskimos, fish and a mermaid.

It reads "All mankind wherever ye may be, greetings: Know ye men by these presents, that JC Duffy A.B. of the Royal Navy in the good ship HMS Barrheads is hearby initiated into the mysterious terrors of and forevermore elected to the great Brotherhood off the FBI. having entered and endured the requisite period of one hundred and one days or longer in the domain of and waters adjacent to ICELAND". Signed Great Cod: R E Coad. Captain: A V Hennry. Grand Eider: JCS Wag*.

It appears to be tongue in cheek a little like the passing over the equator.

I would be grateful of any information regarding this certificate.

regards
Anne-Marie Bainbridge

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Reply from: Bob
Location: Leeds
Date: Thursday 22nd March 2007 at 04:40 AM
Hi Annemarie,
There is a link http://www.navynews.co.uk/wayn/cosb.asp that Walt Gutowski found about Forgotten Brothers of Iceland.

On it is a contact email to Roger (I haven't included the email here as it would be seen by spammers). I mailed Roger, but there has been no reply. Maybe this email is no longer used.

If you go to the above page, you'll see Roger's message and his email. You could try contacting him to see if he replies.

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Reply from: Annemarie
Location: New Zealand
Date: Monday 26th March 2007 at 07:35 PM
Hi Bob,
Many thanks for your help, I have read Roger's message and have wrote to him. Keeping my fingers crossed for a reply. I will let you know how I get on.
Anne-Marie

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Reply from: Annemarie
Location: New Zealand
Date: Monday 26th March 2007 at 07:47 PM
Hi Walt,

Thanks to you, I too know what the FBI stands for it did have me puzzled.
Anne-Marie

I am writing my family tree...and am looking for any relatives of 'Samuel Cresswell' who died in action 1916... I believe he was wed to Ellen Parkin, and had at least one son named 'Claude' born in 1900 ... they lived in the Alfreton area or could have lived anywhere in Derbyshire...Samuel was the brother of my grandfather...Darwin Cresswell...

Grateful G. Siddall

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Reply from: Walter G Gutowski
Location: Hopatcong Nj Usa
Date: Monday 19th March 2007 at 01:26 AM
Hi,

I have a certificate that was givin to my father on his way home from Iceland during WWII.
He was in the US Army and spent 761 days there.
He was stationed on an airbase in Reykjavik, (I think that is how you spell it).
I never knew until recently what the F.B.I. stood for (Forgotten Brothers of Iceland).
It only states his ship, (American Legion) and his name, sqdn. and ser grp.
His name was Walt Gutkowski, later shortened to Gutowski.

I also found someone from England asking the same question.
(Have removed the email as it will get spammed) but I have contacted him.
Walt - you left your reply in the wrong message :-) anyway thanks for replying.

Walt Gutowski

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Reply from: Wizzywadey
Location: London
Date: Wednesday 5th September 2007 at 12:19 AM
Hi Glenice
I looked on the CWGC website and they have Samuel listed
look here: http://www.cwgc.org/search/certificate.aspx?casualty=757439
regards
Ian

http://www.chingfordwarmemorial.co.uk