Looking for help! 23rd Hussars

Hi Bruno,

If you check out my album:

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/album.php?albumid=927

you'll see three photos taken on that day in Antwerp. If you can identify the streets I would be very grateful.

Sadly my father died three weeks ago, but I remember him telling me that the people were so joyous at their liberation that they ignored the German gunfire (and the warnings from the tank crew to take cover) to climb on the Hussars' tanks - several were killed.

I will be meeting some 23H veterans on November 11th (Remembrance Sunday), so I will ask them for their recollections.

 

Article about 2Lt Bob Evans and Antwerp on BBC WW2 People's War:

BBC - WW2 People's War - Flowers From the Grave: A Story of Dedicated Friendship in War

and a (small) photo of him:

BBC - WW2 People's War - Flowers from the Grave I/D A 1973919

 

Hi Grimmy,

I already knew the story of 'flowers on the grave' but thanks for posting it anyway.
I don't think your three pictures were taken in Mortsel. I don't recognize the buildings. Therefore I've asked a historal society. When they'll answer me I'll let you know.
Here are the first two pictures taken in Mortsel on Sep 4, 1944. Can you show them to the veterans on Nov 11. They may recognize somebody.
I'm very interested in all the stories from those early september days, up until the crossing of the Dutch border. (pictures are also very welcome).

Bruno

 

liberation of Mortsel by the 23rd Hussars

 

liberation of Mortsel Sep 4, 1944 by the 23rd Hussars

 

the graves of the soldiers killed on Sep 4, 1944 around Antwerp

 

the grave of 2nd Lt Evans and trooper Watts

 

Wow, some great pics there Bruno. Many thanks for posting.

The first tank picture looks very much like Sgt John Sear in his Firefly (C Squadron). I'll send it to his son John when he returns from Spain. I will also take the pics to show the veterans at Bridlington on Sunday.

According to some notes given to me by the late Ian Daglish, there are some 'superb' wireless logs relating to 23H in Antwerp. I'll dig out the WO reference.

Thanks also for the grave photos - it's important to remember these men.

 

graves of members of the 23rd Hussars at the Schoonselhof Cemetery in Antwerp Belgium

 

Thanks Bruno, that's brilliant.

Hansom and Jolliffe had gone on leave to Antwerp on Dec 16th as 23H settled in Ypres to re-equip with the new Comet tank (and hopefully enjoy Christmas - but the Ardennes campaign put paid to that).

They went to the Rex Cinema..........


HANSOM, GEORGE DEREK
Rank: Trooper
Service No: 14438494
Date of Death: 16/12/1944
Age: 19
Regiment/Service: Royal Armoured Corps, "B" Sqn. 23rd Hussars
Grave Reference: V. A. 46.
Cemetery: SCHOONSELHOF CEMETERY
Additional Information: Son of Charles H. and Isabella Hansom, of Burnage, Manchester.

JOLLIFFE, CHARLES VICTOR
Rank: Trooper
Service No: 14287442
Date of Death: 16/12/1944
Age: 21
Regiment/Service: Royal Armoured Corps, 23rd Hussars
Grave Reference: V. C. 14.
Cemetery: SCHOONSELHOF CEMETERY

 

Hi guys really interesting information on here does anyone have any pictures of b squadron seems theres a lot on c but not much else I lost my last relative who could give me any info on my uncle and I wish now I had sat down and asked questions now. Having said that I have come across a lot of my uncles belongings I now have in my possessions a cross he wore out in combat to the point it's taken the curvature of his sternam which is really surreal. If anyone could help I would really appreciate it.

 

Hi Scott,

You do know that Frank Greenwood was in HQ Squadron - not B?

 

Grimmy thanks for reply all I know is he was b but I'm after some pictures of b squadron my nan died and we have found some of his information more than what I have so far

 

Hello everyone, I'm also seeing if I can find anything out about my Dad's Grandfather. His name was John (Jack) Newton from Preston, Lancs and he served in the 23rd Hussars, I know that he survived the war but that's all I've got I'm afraid as he apparently didn't discuss the war much up until his passing.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

 

Hi NewtonJ and welcome.

My Dad was from Preston, Lancs, served in the 23rd Hussars and survived the war. Coincidence? HA!

I'll check my records at home (am at work right now), I know there were several 23H men from this neck of the woods.

Any photos of him?

 

The only info I have on John Newton is that he was in B Squadron and his address after the war was:

103 Broughton Street, Preston

I'll ask a couple of B Squadron veterans if they knew him.

 

Hi NewtonJ and welcome.

My Dad was from Preston, Lancs, served in the 23rd Hussars and survived the war. Coincidence? HA!

I'll check my records at home (am at work right now), I know there were several 23H men from this neck of the woods.

Any photos of him?

It's a small world ha! I've no pictures to hand but I'm visiting my Grandma tomorrow so I'll ask her if there are any and scan them in if so. Also, when my Grandad (John's son) passed away I was given a dagger that John brought home with him, so I'll put a picture of that up when I get chance in case it has any relevance to the 23H.

You've definitely got the right man anyway as my Grandad was born on Broughton Street. Thanks for your efforts Grimmy it's appreciated!

 

Hello Vinny. I have a copy of The Battle by Geoffrey Bishop, because your grandfather was my Uncle the brother of my mother Doreen Bishop. I knew him after the war but he never discussed what he did until he wrote the book many years later. I followed the recent tv prog Tankies with his book and all the dates matched. I too would like to know what he did before DDay and after the battle on the hill for which I think he received his MC. Do you have the medal? Are you a son of Gail or Zoe? Best wsihes John Verity

 

Did he go into business with Ted Harte (another 23H man) after the war?

I'm in contact with relatives of Charlie Sarson who was Geoffrey's gunner (kia 9-9-1944) after he (Geoffrey) moved to C Squadron. He gets a few mentions in the book.

Any photos of Geoffrey? The only one I've seen is the rather grainy one in the 23H History.

 

Hello Grimmy. As far as I know he returned to his building and estate agent business of Hickman & Bishop based in Kingston on Thames. A very succesful busines because he drove around in a Rolls Royce and had a very large house in Ripley Surrey. Was Ted Harte in the building or property business? I do not have any photos to hand but I will ask around the family, there must be several post war somewhere. Thanks for the additional info. regards John