If it helps, My grandfather was Griff Thomas, 22 IPC, and I am in touch with one of the survivors of his aircraft (V1740, Harwell) I have lots of photos of them all on 5th June and a copy of the Pathe newsreel film from that day. The navigator of the aircraft received a DFC for his nav despite dropping them on the wrong dropzone. I am in contact with his nephew and also the brother of Delaney O'Sullivan (KIA 6th June) My e-mail is tessa dot thomas at tesco dot net Thanks for the reply Rob----any photos would be appreciated.
Hi Rob, you in Cardiff? welcome and great pic! I hope im right in saying SGT Ramage, is Herb Fussell who has met a few forum members both here and over at WW2F and I join Smudger, in saying post what pics you have, and any more information you have on your Grandfather it would be much appreciated regards, Jason Hi Jason---Sgt Ramage is definitely Herb Fussell[ when i met him he showed me a lot of photos during his service.]---Last time you said Herbert was'nt well--lets hope he is ok. Sadly the numbers of the D-Day Paras and airborne mob are diminishing[though a good few were boozing in the cafe Gondree in the early hours this year,including Herbert!]
Hi Jason---Sgt Ramage is definitely Herb Fussell[ when i met him he showed me a lot of photos during his service.]---Last time you said Herbert was'nt well--lets hope he is ok. Sadly the numbers of the D-Day Paras and airborne mob are diminishing[though a good few were boozing in the cafe Gondree in the early hours this year,including Herbert!] Hi Ranville, it seems Rob, has made a few contacts with relatives of 22nd members, be good if he could add another with Herb or his Grandson, I will make some phone calls round the local British Legion clubs I have a good idea where to start.
Hi Ranville, it seems Rob, has made a few contacts with relatives of 22nd members, be good if he could add another with Herb or his Grandson, I will make some phone calls round the local British Legion clubs I have a good idea where to start. Good luck with that Jason.---Keep us informed.
Hi, I came across this site looking for photo's of Herbie Fussell. We (Jan and Lin) run a site www.kitbagmates.com and were honoured to have been able to sponsor Herbie's trip to the 65th Normandy Anniversary last year. When we heard he was in hospital ill, we sent flowers to him in anticipation of his 90th Birthday, but sadly he passed away a few days later. We have contact details for Herbie's grandson if anyone wants more information. I'm sure he won't mind.
Hi, I came across this site looking for photo's of Herbie Fussell. We (Jan and Lin) run a site www.kitbagmates.com and were honoured to have been able to sponsor Herbie's trip to the 65th Normandy Anniversary last year. When we heard he was in hospital ill, we sent flowers to him in anticipation of his 90th Birthday, but sadly he passed away a few days later. We have contact details for Herbie's grandson if anyone wants more information. I'm sure he won't mind. Thanks for the Sad info. RIP Herbie Really sorry to hear that.He was a smashing bloke and as i said previously, looked fit as fiddle in June.---He certainly played an important[and extremely brave] role on D-Day and it is a shame that his unit does'nt have a seperate commemoration somewhere in Normandy[as he would have liked.
R.I.P. HERB Sad news indeed im afraid other things kept me from following up on this as mentioned in earlier post, it is also a crying shame that no memorial exits for the 22nd and also that thier deeds have not been put into print by way of a history
I knew I'd seen some reference before to "Griff Thomas" and I remembered ity was on The 6th Airborne Division in Normandy I did a restoration on a photo from there some time ago - are you the 'owner' of this photo? Anyway glad I've found a home for it. Iif you email me the other "postcard" trio in a reasonable quality I will happily work on that - see my PM.
Firstly I would like to say RIP Herb. I am new to this site,ex forces I served with the Lifeguards, Household Cavalry,5 AB Brigade. I have recently joined a re-enacting Association,the unit we portray is 22nd Independant Parachute Company.I would like to use Herbs name after reading this thread.If there are no objections I will hopefully portray him as fine soldier.The unit tries its utmost to carry on the good name of the 22nd.Here is the link to the group. http://www.para.nww2a.co.uk/index.html I have been following this thread with great interest and found it very helpful,thank you all for your input. Steve.
Hello Rob, I don't know if you've tried the Paradata website but in case you haven't here's the link: 22nd Independent Parachute Company (Pathfinders) | ParaData Good luck! Paul take at look at the second pic in this link of the four officers syncronising watches cant imagine who posted the link
Thanks Jason. Here's the pic of De Latour I found on Getty Images. Tha caption reads: Paratroop commander Robert De Latour preparing to jump from an Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle transport plane, 1944. I know the photo appeared in the March 18th edition of Picture Post Magazine and going by what it says in the book "The Tenth", De Latour must have been training alongside men from that Battalion or he just happened to be there at the same time??
Could anybody assist me with my research,I am trying to find out what insignia and headress the 22nd would have worn.For instance would they have worn side-caps? It is believed they wore white & Blue flashes on the epaulettes (White on top) to signify they were attached to HQ. Does anybody have any information to confirm any of this,or have any information to point me in the right direction? Best Regards. Steve.
I have managed to find this during my research. The First of Many by Frank Spittle This short book, written by a veteran of the Normandy campaign, focuses on Captain Robert De Latour, a Canadian pathfinder of the 22nd Independent Company, killed in action on the 20th June 1944. It provides an overview of his life and contains numerous colour photographs in its 31 pages. Price: £4.95 + £1.00 P&P. All copies will be signed by the author and may be purchased by writing to: Frank Spittle, Ridgeway, Victoria Road, Wolverhampton, WV10 0NG, United Kingdom. Hope this is of assistance to you. Steve.
My father is in this photograph - the nearest on the left. James Francis Morrissey. Sgt Ramage on board 295 or 570 Sqn Albemarle aircraft with Lt De Lautour from Harwell.
My grandfather is in this photo, he is the one sitting nearest the 2 chaps standing at the back applying camp paint.. Sgt Jack Long
Hello all, I have only just come across this thread so sorry for being so late wit the information but the caption on the back of the half picture in posts 13 and 28 relates to two operations mounted by 2nd SAS in 1944. The first part of the handwritten caption mentioning Villaine is the route taken by the jeep patrols in Operation Wallace led by Roy Farran. The second part, mentioning areas on the border of Germany, is from Operation Pistol later that year. I wonder why it is on the back of this photo? Is it wartime pre-summer 1944 or immediately post-war when many of those in 2 SAS joined the paras when the Regiment was disbanded? All the best, Skip
Madsteve, Here are a few examples of epaulets used by 22 IPC. Photo: 2 The photo of Cpl. Jones speaking to the Queen mother he and two others are wearing the epaulets too. Photo 3: You can see Pte. Povey is wearing the epaulets which are blue and white, I assume the epaulets were not worn on operation as the white would stand out in the dark. Regarding their epaulets signifying their attachment to HQ I am not sure about. If you look at the Operation Order I am sure it will contain something about wearing distinguishable attire i.e. the epaulets. brithm
