Hi guys, For some years I am doing research about the war years of my hometowns of Aalst and Waalre, Holland. From interviews I did and pictures I received from local villagers I know that the Fife and Forfar were billited in Waalre with their Crocodiles. I don't know exactly when and for how long but my best guess is that it was between Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge. The Guards Armoured Division liberated the village on the 17th of September 1944, so it can't be before that time. Does anyone have some more information about the unit and Aalst-Waalre? Thanks, Ray
Hi Ray In NW Europe in 1944/45 the 3 fighting squadrons of the 1st FFY operated independently of one another. A and C Sqns were in the north attached to various British and Canadian formations as required, while B Sqn was attached to the Americans further South. I have a copy of a wall chart produced by the Regiment after the War which shows the progress of the squadrons across Europe and and a summary where they were at various dates. It lists C Sqn as being in Waalre resting and refitting between 17th Dec 44 and 29th Jan 45. I can post some photos of the chart when I get a chance and I'll check the war diary an regimental history to see if they give any more info. Hope this helps Rob
The war diary mentions TAC RHQ moving to Waalre on Jan 27th and the main RHQ moving to Aalst on the 29th
Hi Ray, my grandfather was there in Waalre for the winter of 44-45 with C Sqn 1st Fifes. He is 90 in a couple of weeks but I just spoke to him on the phone and he remembers it well, if you have any questions just let me know and I will ask him. My grandfather is still strong as an ox and has a very good memory but it was over 60 years ago so forgive him if he gets some details wrong! He remembers the family in Waalre he stayed with, the terrible weather etc etc. Just let me know what sort of thing would be useful to you and I will get back to you. I am new to the forum and probably won't have much time to devote to it but I will get some of my grandads 1st fifes photos scanned and put them up here if I can work it out. All the best, Chris.
Hello everybody, I'm new to this so bear with me. I'm hoping to find any information on my father, John Edward KING from Liverpool who drove a tank for the 2nd FF and landed in Normandy on D-Day + 6. He was very reticent about his war exploits and I'm going by the very brief things that he mentioned, one of which that he quite enjoyed Antwerp (?!). I understand that he moved on to the 8th Hussars at some time and later drove officers round at the time of the Nuremburg trials. Thank You. Ken
Hello, My name is Ken King and my father, John Edward King from Liverpool served with the 2nd Fife and Forfar in Normandy and onward having landed on D-Day + 6. He was a tank driver. My brothers and I know precious little about this time in his life and I was hoping your contact that served in the 2nd F and F may have known himor point me at someone who can provide any infprmation. Thank You. Kind Regards, Ken.
Hi all My first post on this fine site, and a very informative one it is too. I have a Qu? RE; 4 Tp, A Sdn, 2FFY, Would anybody know what WD 'T' nos or vehicle names used during Bluecoat?, 4th August, when on the Vire/Vassy road. This will aid and abet a diorama that i'm planning Many thanks in advance Nick
Hi Nick, My Dad's best mate, Bernard Briggs, was in 'A' Squadron - wounded on Aogust 5th. Sadly he passed away last year. He did, however, write down his memoirs and Dad and I are hoping to see them some time. His widow has not recovered from her loss yet, so we're waiting for a more suitable time to ask her about them. As soon as I know any more I'll let you know.
Hi all My first post on this fine site, and a very informative one it is too. I have a Qu? RE; 4 Tp, A Sdn, 2FFY, Would anybody know what WD 'T' nos or vehicle names used during Bluecoat?, 4th August, when on the Vire/Vassy road. This will aid and abet a diorama that i'm planning Many thanks in advance Nick Some known A Squadron names:- BENBECULA ( used on a Valentine ) HARRIS ( used on a Sherman V ) ORION PEGASUS PLEIDES ( used on a Comet ) SKYE Some known WD census numbers:- Sherman V T232318 Sherman Ic Firefly T262940 Stuart VI T271433 Unfortunately I cannot confirm the troops that the names or numbers were used in, or for that matter whether for example the name BENBECULA was carried over to a Sherman. But I hope this is of some use. Hopefully someone will be able to pad it out a bit more. Cheers Kevin
Grimmy, KevinT Thank you very much for the information, given and promised, other searches pointed me in the direction of Constelations for A Sdn, and i have found the mmpbooks PDF with vehicle names & no.s (where applicable). My intention is to build a diorama of the 4th August 1944 when S. Brownlie's troop bisected the D512 objective "Rugby", and held the position for 24hrs. Again many thanks gents Nick
Just posted some pictures on here hope this will help you find what you are looking for. Graham Have posted pictures on here of my father in law's. A squadron Fife & Forfar 1940 - 1945 photo here. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/album.php?albumid=973&pictureid=5863
Just posted some pictures on here hope this will help you find what you are looking for. Graham Have posted pictures on here of my father in law's. A squadron Fife & Forfar 1940 - 1945 photo here. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/album.php?albumid=973&pictureid=5863 Graham, Thank you for posting the photos from the album. Is there any chance that you can read any names on the vehicles or any T census numbers as it is not possible to read them from the album, unless you can post any separately. Thanks again for posting. Cheers Kevin
Hi Mickack, My Dad was a Croc driver in F&F. Talked very little about it. All i know is that he was in Belgium, had a deep hatred of guns and wouldn't even kill a fly. I remember him going apeshit when i bought an air rifle to get rid of starlings on the roof. I used to have some photos of him with his mates on the tank, but sadly over time and a couple of moves they have gone. If anyone can give any advice on how to trace any records of his service i would be very gratefull, his name was Alan Richard Johnson, always known as Dick.
If anyone can give any advice on how to trace any records of his service i would be very gratefull, his name was Alan Richard Johnson, always known as Dick. Yes apply to the MoD. Ministry of Defence | About Defence | What we do | Personnel | Service Records | Making a Request for Information held on the Personnel Records of Deceased Service Personnel and Home Guard records
Thanks, I have found a few photos of him with some mates all in uniform. i will have a go at putting them on here to see if anyone recognises some of the others.