D-Day landing

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pureclaret
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D-Day landing

Post by pureclaret » Thu Jun 06, 2019 7:04 am

I have just spoken to my Dad who said 75 years ago today at 6;45 he jumped into the sea and waded ashore at Sword beach.
He should have been at the beach today with the other veterans but unfortunately hes in hospital with water works problems.
Hats of to them all they did this without knowing what was to come.
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Blackrod
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by Blackrod » Thu Jun 06, 2019 7:31 am

Brave man. You must be very proud.

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Re: D-Day landing

Post by Andingle » Thu Jun 06, 2019 7:52 am

Total respect and thankyou.

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Re: D-Day landing

Post by beddie » Thu Jun 06, 2019 7:58 am

pureclaret wrote:I have just spoken to my Dad who said 75 years ago today at 6;45 he jumped into the sea and waded ashore at Sword beach.
He should have been at the beach today with the other veterans but unfortunately hes in hospital with water works problems.
Hats of to them all they did this without knowing what was to come.
Without such brave men as your dad I dread to think of the consequences. We owe him and others so much. It doesn't bear thinking about what they and their families must have gone through, not knowing if they'd come back. I hope he improves and gets back home from hospital very soon.
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by claretonthecoast1882 » Thu Jun 06, 2019 8:01 am

pureclaret wrote:I have just spoken to my Dad who said 75 years ago today at 6;45 he jumped into the sea and waded ashore at Sword beach.
He should have been at the beach today with the other veterans but unfortunately hes in hospital with water works problems.
Hats of to them all they did this without knowing what was to come.

This is why all ex servicemen deserve our respect (sadly lacking in a lot of our younger ones as shown the last few days) Hope he is out soon pureclaret
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by PaintYorkClaretnBlue » Thu Jun 06, 2019 8:08 am

Please thank your dad for me, one cannot imagine the fear they must have had when stepping off the craft.

We owe him, and them so much.

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Re: D-Day landing

Post by Suratclaret » Thu Jun 06, 2019 8:27 am

Heroes...every one of them.
Respect and good wishes for a speedy recovery to your dad.

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Re: D-Day landing

Post by Corky » Thu Jun 06, 2019 8:42 am

pureclaret wrote:I have just spoken to my Dad who said 75 years ago today at 6;45 he jumped into the sea and waded ashore at Sword beach.
He should have been at the beach today with the other veterans but unfortunately hes in hospital with water works problems.
Hats of to them all they did this without knowing what was to come.
Was he with the 1st South Lancashire Infantry who attacked Hermanville?

"ordinary people doing extraordinary things"

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Re: D-Day landing

Post by JohnMac » Thu Jun 06, 2019 8:53 am

Screenshot_20190606-072157_Gallery.jpg
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The Bravest Generation

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Re: D-Day landing

Post by wilks_bfc » Thu Jun 06, 2019 9:11 am

Although few days after D-Day, my grandad also landed at Sword.

We were fortunate enough to accompany him back there in 2012.

He was always reluctant on talking about those times but in that trip he really opened up about it.

On the ferry over we were sat at the front looking out when he says “it’s a lot calmer than the last time I did this, it was so rough we were leaning over the edge being sick and when I turned back my rifle had gone”
“Oh no, what did you do?”
“Took somebody else’s” was his reply

Despite his mind going from dementia, he was still able to rattle off his army number

We felt privileged to have been able to accompany him on his return there and will always make sure the generations to follow will know of the sacrifice those men made which allow us the opportunity to do what we do today

This is one of my favourite pics of me walking over Pegasus Bridge with him
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by Lancasterclaret » Thu Jun 06, 2019 9:42 am

Full respect to all of them.

Never forget
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by ecc » Thu Jun 06, 2019 9:48 am

May we never, ever forget. For those of us who are fortunate enough to have children it is our duty to ensure they know what those men did and why they did it.
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by 2 Bee Holed » Thu Jun 06, 2019 9:49 am

[quote="JohnMac

The Bravest Generation[/quote]

That's a fascinating collection there JohnMac. Do you know his story?

The central medal is the Defence Medal isn't it? i.e. service at home?
Do you know what the second from left is? I have no idea.
Then after the war, he obviously served in Palestine.

Can you put my mind to rest?

After the defeat of Germany, I bet these lads thought they'd be allowed out and to go home.
Oh no, my Dad was sent to India (along with 2 East Lancs), to help with the partition and to hand India back to self-govern herself.
Clearly JohnMac's relative went to Palestine.
It was 1947/48 before they were de-mobbed.
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by claretonthecoast1882 » Thu Jun 06, 2019 9:50 am

wilks_bfc wrote:Although few days after D-Day, my grandad also landed at Sword.

We were fortunate enough to accompany him back there in 2012.

He was always reluctant on talking about those times but in that trip he really opened up about it.

On the ferry over we were sat at the front looking out when he says “it’s a lot calmer than the last time I did this, it was so rough we were leaning over the edge being sick and when I turned back my rifle had gone”
“Oh no, what did you do?”
“Took somebody else’s” was his reply

Despite his mind going from dementia, he was still able to rattle off his army number

We felt privileged to have been able to accompany him on his return there and will always make sure the generations to follow will know of the sacrifice those men made which allow us the opportunity to do what we do today

This is one of my favourite pics of me walking over Pegasus Bridge with him

Great photo wilks
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by wilks_bfc » Thu Jun 06, 2019 10:01 am

claretonthecoast1882 wrote:Great photo wilks
Thanks
Got to admit to being effected by “dust in the office” when posting that.

Towards the end with him was hard, but asking him for his army number would bring a small part of him back to us.

It’s a number that I won’t forget either as I got it tattooed in honour of him
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by ClaretAndJew » Thu Jun 06, 2019 10:25 am

My grandad served from 1939-1945 but I only know he was in the Royal Navy. Can't see anywhere online that I can search for records. Would love to know more.

Brave men. RIP to all.

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Re: D-Day landing

Post by Ashingtonclaret46 » Thu Jun 06, 2019 10:41 am

2 Bee Holed wrote:[quote="JohnMac

The Bravest Generation

That's a fascinating collection there JohnMac. Do you know his story?

The central medal is the Defence Medal isn't it? i.e. service at home?
Do you know what the second from left is? I have no idea.
Then after the war, he obviously served in Palestine.

Can you put my mind to rest?

After the defeat of Germany, I bet these lads thought they'd be allowed out and to go home.
Oh no, my Dad was sent to India (along with 2 East Lancs), to help with the partition and to hand India back to self-govern herself.
Clearly JohnMac's relative went to Palestine.
It was 1947/48 before they were de-mobbed.
I think that the medals are 1939/45 Star: France & Germany Star: Defence Medal: War Medal and the GSM for Cyprus and Palestine.
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by JohnMac » Thu Jun 06, 2019 11:38 am

2 Bee Holed wrote:[quote="JohnMac

The Bravest Generation
That's a fascinating collection there JohnMac. Do you know his story?

The central medal is the Defence Medal isn't it? i.e. service at home?
Do you know what the second from left is? I have no idea.[/quote]

They are my Dad's medals.

France and Germany Star
1939-1945 Star
The Defence Medal
The War Medal
General Service Medal with clasps Palestine 1945-1948
Cyprus (1959 Emergency)

Oak Leaf is a Mention in Dispatches which he was awarded for bravery during an incident in Palestine.

He landed in Normandy sometime after D Day aged 18 and was wounded in August, a bullet in his thigh, evacuated back to UK and back in action in February.

He originally tried to join at 14 but was rumbled!

Edit - My Dad stayed in after the war serving until 1966

Sadly he died very young, only 52.

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Re: D-Day landing

Post by Foreverly Claret » Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:30 pm

My late dad was actively involved in D-Day.He was in the Royal Navy...on Motor Torpedo Boats ( MTBs ) and they were backwards and forwards to and from France from the 6th onwards..protecting the Mulberry Harbours etc..mainly at Arromanches .He was 26 and was by far the oldest seaman ( non officer ) on the boat .I know he was an incredibly brave man...I have all his citations and medals.../but he very very rarely talked about his experiences even into his 90s .One of the things which upset him most was the number of young lads he served with..many in their teens...who were killed before and after D-Day .I do remember him telling me once that its a very strange feeling you get when someone is trying very hard to kill you .Thank you to them all.
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by HatfieldClaret » Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:46 pm

ClaretAndJew wrote:My grandad served from 1939-1945 but I only know he was in the Royal Navy. Can't see anywhere online that I can search for records. Would love to know more.

Brave men. RIP to all.
I think if you contact the imperial war museum they will direct you. My mother obtained my grandfather's war records (East Lancs Regiment) a while back. Possibly free or small fee. Give it a go. You'll see which ships he was on then search the relevant dates for where the ship was involved.
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by HatfieldClaret » Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:48 pm

Just been to the RBL D-Day memorial in Welwyn Gdn City and met a veteran from Sword beach (Royal Fusiliers) who then went on to guard Pegasus Bridge.

Remarkable chap.
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by Vintage Claret » Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:55 pm

The thing that strikes me when WW2 veterans talk about WW2 and the D-Day landings especially is how dignified and humble they always are.

They don't see themselves as brave heroes, although they undoubtedly were/are and everyone of them deserves our respect and thanks for the job they did and the sacrifices they made.

My Dad was a 22 year Army man (not during WW2, he was only a child then) and later my big brother was a Royal Marine Commando and both experienced combat service though neither would ever talk about it.

Sadly both are no longer with us but I'm very proud of both of them also.
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by Clarets4me » Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:18 pm

ClaretAndJew wrote:My grandad served from 1939-1945 but I only know he was in the Royal Navy. Can't see anywhere online that I can search for records. Would love to know more. Brave men. RIP to all.
" ClaretandJew ", this site will be of help to you ...

http://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org ... s_page.htm

We used a similar facility to obtain my Grandfather's records ( Royal Signals, died during the Coventry bombing ), and my wife's Grandfather, who was a Japanese POW, held in Thailand. We also got copies of my Dad's National Service record ( Royal Signals, serving in Egypt and Cyprus ). In addition, if anyone had a relative killed during the two World Wars, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website is very good, with some basic details, you can find date of death, place of buriel etc, if it's known. Once found, you can download a free commemorative certificate ...

https://www.cwgc.org/

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Re: D-Day landing

Post by Rileybobs » Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:19 pm

claretonthecoast1882 wrote:This is why all ex servicemen deserve our respect (sadly lacking in a lot of our younger ones as shown the last few days) Hope he is out soon pureclaret
What has happened over the last few days?

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Re: D-Day landing

Post by Lancasterclaret » Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:54 pm

Rileybobs wrote:What has happened over the last few days?
Must be referring to the old guy getting pushed over at the anti-fascism thing, which absolutely everyone condemned.

If anyone is interested, LBC are just having people ringing in telling them about their parents and grandfathers at D-Day and after.

Its superb, and there is a lot of dust in my room at the moment.

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Re: D-Day landing

Post by Damo » Thu Jun 06, 2019 2:51 pm

Can we not start bickering on this thread please lads.
It's a brilliant thread. Huge respect to the people who were involved all those years ago
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by Rileybobs » Thu Jun 06, 2019 3:57 pm

Lancasterclaret wrote:Must be referring to the old guy getting pushed over at the anti-fascism thing, which absolutely everyone condemned.
Cheers. Haven’t actually seen or heard about that.

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Re: D-Day landing

Post by evensteadiereddie » Thu Jun 06, 2019 4:47 pm

Some absolutely incredible stories of ordinary men and women doing exraordinary things in truly horrible times.
They put the nonsensical era of isolationism in which we live in true perspective.

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Re: D-Day landing

Post by 2 Bee Holed » Thu Jun 06, 2019 5:10 pm

JohnMac wrote:That's a fascinating collection there JohnMac. Do you know his story?

The central medal is the Defence Medal isn't it? i.e. service at home?
Do you know what the second from left is? I have no idea.
They are my Dad's medals.

France and Germany Star
1939-1945 Star
The Defence Medal
The War Medal
General Service Medal with clasps Palestine 1945-1948
Cyprus (1959 Emergency)

Oak Leaf is a Mention in Dispatches which he was awarded for bravery during an incident in Palestine.

He landed in Normandy sometime after D Day aged 18 and was wounded in August, a bullet in his thigh, evacuated back to UK and back in action in February.

He originally tried to join at 14 but was rumbled!

Edit - My Dad stayed in after the war serving until 1966

Sadly he died very young, only 52.[/quote]

Similar story to my Dad. Arrived in France D-Day+20. Machine gunned aged 19 on 17th July! Died aged 47.

Sorry to labour a point. How did he get the Defence Medal too? When he was clearly a soldier.

Also the reason I didn't recognise the France & Germany Star (your second from left) There is a big difference to the normal ribbon.
5 equally spaced bars of red, white and blue. Photo here to show you what I mean.
F and G Star.png
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by JohnMac » Thu Jun 06, 2019 5:41 pm

[quote="2 Bee Holed"]

I had them refurbed a couple of years ago, probably just how it's been re-done, I never noticed.

And me a former RSM, shame on me! :D
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by Harrythomsonscap » Thu Jun 06, 2019 6:43 pm

My Uncle Edwin Born 1901 died 1979 fought at the battle of the SOMME. He was at Normandy for the D Day landings. His brother played for Burnley 1946 to 1950
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by 2 Bee Holed » Thu Jun 06, 2019 6:51 pm

[quote="JohnMac"][/quote]


There's me thinking all NCO's, especially RSM's had an eye for detail, especially very small details!
:lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by bobinho » Thu Jun 06, 2019 6:57 pm

Struggle to understand how these men were feeling as they waited for the off.

A bravery most of us can only imagine.

We owe them.

RIP the fallen. Peace to those that remain.

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Re: D-Day landing

Post by bobinho » Thu Jun 06, 2019 7:00 pm

JohnMac wrote:
And me a former RSM, shame on me! :D
Yes Sir, Shame on you... ;)
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by bfcjg » Thu Jun 06, 2019 8:03 pm

Humbling when you hear their amazing stories.

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Re: D-Day landing

Post by nil_desperandum » Thu Jun 06, 2019 8:24 pm

I found the BBC "highlights"programme incredibly moving.
What struck me was that sadly none of those veterans will still be with us for the next major commemoration (in 2044), though I guess there will be smaller scale events to mark the 80th anniversary.
But we shall never see their like again. It was a unique occasion.

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Re: D-Day landing

Post by Pad1951 » Thu Jun 06, 2019 9:26 pm

Total respect,all hero’s
Best wishes to your father.

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Re: D-Day landing

Post by Burnleybabe » Thu Jun 06, 2019 9:48 pm

Mikes Dad was a Airspeed Horsa Glider Pilot. He always said he " wasn't officially" at Pegasus Bridge.
But he did get back to England by swimming out to one of the boats returning from Normandy.
He had got home he went into a cafe for a cup of tea, but the tea woman refused to serve him saying he should be over there with the rest of them
Ironic that he had been there and got back.
He cant deny being at the Battle of Arnhem, as he was captured and became a POW.
His family were told he had lost his life, and held a memorial for him
Eventually they received the news he was in a POW camp.
He never talked about it, but did write a diary which we will get to read when Mikes Mum dies.
After he died we were clearing his Wardrobe and in every suit pocket were pieces of toilet roll.
He was an after dinner speaker as an past president of the English Golf Union.
So there were locks of pockets to go through.
Apparently he had these so he was never without it, as when he was a prisoner that was something they never got.
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by Claret Till I Die » Thu Jun 06, 2019 10:14 pm

Image
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by pureclaret » Thu Jun 06, 2019 11:37 pm

Thank you for your kind comments and also the comments of about other Veterans, one thing that this week has shown about these young men who we consider to be heroes. to a man all say the same, we had a job to do and we did it, we did not know what was to come but we new we had to do it.
Lots of dust in my house as I watch and listen to them.
Went to see my Dad this afternoon, and hes still likely to be in for several more days, we talked about what was happening with regard to the D-Day services, he said about this time we had left the beach and was heading along the roads toward Caen.
In the next 2 weeks I and my wife will both be 60 and this weekend we are having a small party with the family, he said he did not think he would be fit to come but for us to have it and just say cheers to him once in a while. So I said when you are better we will take you out for a meal, his reply was oh dont bother about that just do a barbecue at home and show me the recording form iplayer of the last few days.
To me I just thought these heroes dont need fuss, the just want to be loved for who they are not for a ''job they had to do 75 years ago'' I gave him a hug and told him I loved him, he said and Iove you Chris ( what a dusty hospital it is)
So Id just like to say (and I am sober) Love and hugs and good wishes to all these Heroes
And thank you for what you so unselfishly did so that we are able to enjoy the freedoms that we do.
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by Cajun » Fri Jun 07, 2019 12:11 am

My Old Man, just 20 at the time, was the "sparks" on the destroyer Kootenay, one of the group of ships tasked with protecting Allied operations in the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay in the build up to, during, and after D-Day. Kootenay credited with sinking 3 U-boats in its patch following D Day. He never wanted to talk about the war a lot, (he much preferred talking about the Clarets!) but wish he was still around to discuss it with now.
My father-in-law's elder brother Marvin died when his landing craft was hit coming ashore on Omaha Beach.
Visited the Normandy beaches in 2002, emotional place.
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by Healeywoodclaret » Fri Jun 07, 2019 5:49 am

wilks_bfc wrote:Thanks
Got to admit to being effected by “dust in the office” when posting that.

Towards the end with him was hard, but asking him for his army number would bring a small part of him back to us.

It’s a number that I won’t forget either as I got it tattooed in honour of him
That brought a tear to my eye Wilks. The picture is wonderful what a great Keepsake. Brave brave men. Makes us all so proud.
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by Healeywoodclaret » Fri Jun 07, 2019 5:51 am

wilks_bfc wrote:Thanks
Got to admit to being effected by “dust in the office” when posting that.

Towards the end with him was hard, but asking him for his army number would bring a small part of him back to us.

It’s a number that I won’t forget either as I got it tattooed in honour of him
That brought a tear to my eye Wilks. What a wonderful photograph and Keepsake. Brave brave men. Make us.all so proud.

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Re: D-Day landing

Post by Healeywoodclaret » Fri Jun 07, 2019 5:56 am

Words can't describe the anger I feel when I wtness lack of respect by the younger generations.

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Re: D-Day landing

Post by wilks_bfc » Fri Jun 07, 2019 8:25 am

I really need to stop reading this thread in the office



(Either that or we need new cleaners)

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Re: D-Day landing

Post by evensteadiereddie » Fri Jun 07, 2019 9:37 am

Healeywoodclaret wrote:Words can't describe the anger I feel when I wtness lack of respect by the younger generations.

....and our current gaggle of political pygmies, national and international, who are happy to attend or respect such services while preaching the exact opposite of what these services stand for.
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by evensteadiereddie » Fri Jun 07, 2019 1:38 pm

Healeywoodclaret wrote:Words can't describe the anger I feel when I wtness lack of respect by the younger generations.

Yet you support Tommy Robinson and his views. How does that work, then ?
Not bickering, just genuinely curious.
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by cricketfieldclarets » Fri Jun 07, 2019 9:59 pm

Just seen this thread. Brave, brave men. Well boys. My granddad joined at 15 years old. And went all over fighting in the navy.

He was sunk several times. Including once in the middle of the night. In january. In the arctic. In winter. And still survived.

He was trapped in one sinking behind fire and managed to escape. He was also torpedoed. And survived again before ending up in a coma in France. But later developed emphysema as a result. It ultimately caused his death. But he battled just as hard all his life. He promised my mum as a little girl he would live to 'three score years and ten' - 70. He died in 1995.... aged 70!

After the war he moved to Burnley from Wales for work, despite health problems from the war. And worked for many years at bellings. And I think Michelin. Before having his own market stalls. Moving near to Turf Moor and one of the reasons our family became such big Burnley fans despite him being welsh. Aal talented footballer himself. (Almost signed for Cardiff before the war broke out).

He was the nicest man you could wish to meet. And a real family man. Despite everything he went through and suffered with he was the happiest and most positive man you could imagine. Could learn so much from people like my Grandad and his generation. True inspiration who is still very sadly missed and fondly remembered.
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Re: D-Day landing

Post by Jimmymaccer » Fri Jun 07, 2019 10:07 pm

Can’t begin to imagine...............

Thankyou.

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Re: D-Day landing

Post by tiger76 » Sat Jun 08, 2019 12:23 am

Sadly not everyone shares our respect and admiration for the wartime generation.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-48553889

What makes this attack worse is it was targeted,absolute **** anyone who can stoop to such depths. :(

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