|
|  |
 |
Members: 4,308
Threads: 15,300
Posts: 191,451
Online: 128
Newest Member:
lours78 |
|
|
| Battle for Europe Concerning WW2 in Europe, spanning the invasion of France, the Battle of Britain, D-Day to VE Day. |
June 23rd, 2005, 09:30 PM
|
 |
Ace
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Citizen of the world, though quite misantropic!
Posts: 6,393
|
|
Welcome to the forums, Andy! It's so nice to have you here!
As Martin say, please feel free to comment on anything you see around. Then responses will come. That's for sure. 
By the way, may I ask if you're a war veteran, like Brian?
Regards. [img]smile.gif[/img]
__________________
"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars
"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun
|
June 23rd, 2005, 10:21 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Surrey
Posts: 80
|
|
Thanks for the welcome FH, me a vet no, the only thing im a vet of is 15 years of marriage, which is a drop in the ocean compared to say Brian and his good wife.
Andy
__________________
 
|
June 23rd, 2005, 10:28 PM
|
|
Ace
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Citizen of the world, though quite misantropic!
Posts: 6,393
|
|
Ah! I see now, Andy. But the pic of your sign confussed me… (is that Brian, sitting?) 
Anyways, welcome aboard!
__________________
"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars
"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun
|
June 23rd, 2005, 10:43 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Surrey
Posts: 80
|
|
Yes apologies for that, thats Brian and his good friend Dick Harris who im sure readers of this thread will know about.
Andy
__________________
|
October 31st, 2005, 12:52 PM
|
 |
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Fort Worth Texas, USA
Posts: 811
|
|
|
Brian
I have spent the last few days going through your story of a young soldier's journey from Sword Beach to your wounding and recovery. I shall continue to search out your other postings here on the forum, and eventually read them all.
I want to thank you for sharing your story with us. Your tale was grounded and touching. The view of a simple soldier with the good fortune to have experienced much and survived. The humble ramblings of a man brave enough to admit his fear and strong enough to honestly share his experiences when so many others only repress them. I have wondered at the unimaginable horrors you have tried to describe, fought back tears at your poetry, laughed with you in your moments of humor, triumphed with you in your recovery, and thanked God for the dedication and sacrifice of yourself, your unit, and those like you in the effort to make the world a better place.
I want to thank you for your service to your country and to the Allied cause. There were many who fulfilled their obligation in the huge effort that was the Allied victory in WWII, you sir were one of the people at the cutting edge of the point of the spear. Your efforts and your mate's sacrifices can never be sufficiently appreciated. Thank you. [img]graemlins/vc.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/vc.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/salute.gif[/img]
There have been many comments in the forum about the way the current youth are ignorant of what your generation went through to secure their freedoms. I hope that your generation can look at that as your greatest tribute. The very fact that these spoiled pampered young people can parade around in their self-absorbed frivillous lives is because of your efforts. When you were making your way accross France, Belgium and Holland the few children you saw there could never have imagined the prosperous lives their children and grandchildren live because of the efforts of those like yourself. I do hope that enough of them will remember though. Remember so that it doesn't have to happen again. There will always be tyrants and despots in the world. May all the future generations remember to keep them from getting into positions of power where they can drag the flowers of a generation's youth together to try and destroy each other.
__________________
PEOPLE SLEEP PEACEABLY IN THEIR BEDS AT NIGHT ONLY BECAUSE ROUGH MEN STAND READY TO DO VIOLENCE ON THEIR BEHALF. GEORGE ORWELL
|
October 31st, 2005, 02:37 PM
|
 |
British Normandy Veteran, Royal Engineers
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 433
|
|
That is so kind of you. Not for anything that I may have done, but in your taking the trouble to write to express your feelings. That is always pleasant, Thank you very much
Brian
I have been contributing to another site where the war is discussed, and the whole story not only of my very meagre efforts, but also contains the story of a great friend; Richard Harris of the First Suffolk Regimen, And also the quite long story of Captain Edwards RE. Who wrote a narrative entitled "Bash on with 246 RE to Bremen" of the five of us that I write for, and about. he was the only one to get to Bremen.
I also have Stan Houghs Naval log of a D Day assault ship. "The Princess Astrid" It is a day to day log over several years leading up to, and after D day.
The site is a friendly one, with just a great bunch of friends, quite a few that I have had the pleasure of their company, here in my Dorset home. If you wish? I can send you the address and introduce you...That is if you dont already visit it?
Best Regards.
Brian (Sapper)
|
November 1st, 2005, 12:42 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Fort Worth Texas, USA
Posts: 811
|
|
|
Thank you for the invitation Brian. I would love to take you up on that. If I can manage to get myself to the United Kingdom any time in the near future I will certainly take you up on your offer. I have a patient ear and would love to sit at your knee listening for hours. God bless you for your service and for your willingness to share your experiences in the hopes that no others will have to face similar horrors. [img]graemlins/salute.gif[/img]
__________________
PEOPLE SLEEP PEACEABLY IN THEIR BEDS AT NIGHT ONLY BECAUSE ROUGH MEN STAND READY TO DO VIOLENCE ON THEIR BEHALF. GEORGE ORWELL
|
December 2nd, 2005, 04:50 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Surrey
Posts: 80
|
|
Thought I would post a few pictures of Brian that ive taken over the last couple of years
Brian at Stings house
Not taken by me, Brian holding Sten gun
Note Brians commando knife, dont tell Hitler
Brian recieving his 60th Normandy anniversary medal from the local Mayor
Excuse the ugly bugger on the right, Brian a couple of weeks ago
__________________
|
December 2nd, 2005, 04:59 PM
|
 |
WW2F Veteran
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Texas Ambassador to Ohio
Posts: 3,955
|
|
Great Pics! Thank you and best wishes to you both. [img]graemlins/salute.gif[/img]
__________________
American by birth, TEXAN by the grace of GOD!
|
December 5th, 2005, 02:45 PM
|
|
Ace
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Citizen of the world, though quite misantropic!
Posts: 6,393
|
|
Amazing pics, Ham! Thanks for posting! It's much appreciated. [img]smile.gif[/img]
And I'm glad you're doing (and looking) fine, Brian! [img]graemlins/salute.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/salute.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/vc.gif[/img]
__________________
"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars
"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun
|
December 6th, 2005, 12:54 AM
|
 |
WW2F Veteran
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: The Library
Posts: 2,923
|
|
Superb pics Ham! [img]graemlins/salute.gif[/img]
|
January 1st, 2006, 09:52 AM
|
|
British Normandy Veteran, Royal Engineers
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 433
|
|
Happy New Year Everyone, with much happiness
Sapper
|
January 1st, 2006, 10:52 AM
|
 |
Acting Wg. Cdr.  |
|
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: London
Posts: 8,953
|
|
|
Thank you Brian - best wishes, good health and happiness to you in 2006.
Our sincere appreciation, also, for continuing to support our forum.
Cheers ! [img]graemlins/salute.gif[/img]
__________________
"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson
|
January 1st, 2006, 12:24 PM
|
|
WW2F Veteran
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: The Library
Posts: 2,923
|
|
Happy New Year, Brian. Many more of 'em mate! [img]graemlins/salute.gif[/img]  |
January 5th, 2006, 03:36 PM
|
 |
Member
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: thats a good question!
Posts: 634
|
|
suberb pictures
__________________
"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." -Winston Churchill
|
January 5th, 2006, 07:59 PM
|
|
British Normandy Veteran, Royal Engineers
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 433
|
|
When I look at myself like this. I despair! Am I so old and grey? YUK!
Sapper
|
January 6th, 2006, 11:21 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Surrey
Posts: 80
|
|
I feel that way Brian and im only 34
Andy
__________________
|
January 7th, 2006, 07:32 PM
|
|
British Normandy Veteran, Royal Engineers
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 433
|
|
That picture of me holding the Sten Gun Andy, was taken at the deserted village of Tyneham,
The old gentle man and myself in the picture did a live broadcast on BBC TV. They sent me the complete copy of that cast.
That old Gentleman beside me, was the Colonel in charge of the Ulster Rifles on D Day. He was very proud of his regiment.
It was his birthday on D Day. He told me that as they were doing the run in towards the beach, the gun fire started to come towards them. One Irish lad bent over his shoulder and said.
"look Sir they are sending you birthday presents"
|
January 8th, 2006, 01:23 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Surrey
Posts: 80
|
|
I remember reading Brian about the fighting going on around Lebisey Wood, I think the KOSB were dug in and the RUR were attacking, the RUR came under very heavy fire and pulled back. A chap from the RUR jumped into a trench and said moves over Jocks, were the paddies.
Not the best of presents to getting on your birthday 
Andy
__________________
|
January 8th, 2006, 06:32 PM
|
|
British Normandy Veteran, Royal Engineers
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 433
|
|
Sometimes Andy i look back at what was in reality 61 years ago. A life time. When I see pictures of the old places. Everything has changed. Nothing is anything like it was.
I suppose it is the same with me, An old buzzard from long ago. I met my old pal yesterday. The one that flew the "Stringbag" torpedo planes in the Pacific theatre of operation. The one plane tnatcould fly backwarsd in a high wind.
He is like a bag of bones walking. very frail. Bless Him. Most of my old pals are gone now. makes me very aware of my own mortality.
My best pals have left us. Oddly, I only have Dick Harris to talk to now and he is very frail. We cannot now have lunch together, it is too far to drive for either of us.
Lots of Good wishes.
sapper
|
June 26th, 2006, 09:41 AM
|
|
British Normandy Veteran, Royal Engineers
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 433
|
|
Veterans Day tomorrow folks! the 27th of June.
Sapper
|
June 26th, 2006, 10:07 AM
|
 |
Member
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: UK/France
Posts: 536
|
|
My Dad is off to a reception in his local town, given by the council for WW2 vets. Anything planned where you are Brian?
|
June 26th, 2006, 09:00 PM
|
|
British Normandy Veteran, Royal Engineers
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 433
|
|
Nort a damned thing! and it angers me, for this is a celebration mainly for those that served around the world since 1945.
I have designed and bought as a special order some car flags. 20 by 12 inches in blue, with the Third Div red and black triangles...Another with the white number 49 that we carried across Europe. ...the next Sword Beach Normandy 1944... and the last...Market Garden Nijmegen September 1944.
I will drive around with these flags, to remind the "could not care less" public of the debt they own to those that never came home. I will also get Sheila to take a photo as the car goes past... so that others can have a look at what this old buzzard tries to do.
Cheers and best wishes,
Brian
|
February 14th, 2007, 04:02 PM
|
|
| |
