Another poser from my father's POW "Wartime Log."

Discussion in 'Prisoners of War' started by David Layne, Feb 21, 2014.

  1. David Layne

    David Layne Well-Known Member

    Lance Corporal R.J. Utteridge who gave his wartime address as 13 Harpenden Road, W. Norwood, SE 27 London was shot down on 13 June 1940 in a 142 Squadron Battle at Rouen on an operation to Foret de Gault.

    Utteridge wrote on the first page of my father's log as can be seen below. I would be grateful to learn in what language it is written and what it says.

    Thanks, David

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

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  3. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    There is an R Utteridge, RAF, but he was in Stalg Luft 6 (Lithuania) ??

    UK, British Prisoners of War, 1939-1945 about R J (Dfm) Utteridge
    Name: R J (Dfm) Utteridge
    Rank: Sergeant
    Army Number: 536916
    Regiment: Royal Air Force : Officers & Other Ranks
    POW Number: 741
    Camp Type: Stalag Luft 6
    Camp Number: L6
    Camp Location: Heydekrug, Lithuania
    Section: Royal Air Force : Officers & Other Ranks

    Whether it is the man above or not, perhaps the author of the note was at university studying ?Greek?, before his call up.

    TD
     
  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    RAF Regt start at full screw - They don't have lance jacks mate. Think their equivalent is Leading Aircraftman.
     
  5. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Wild random guess....Hebrew?
     
  6. David Layne

    David Layne Well-Known Member

    During the Battle of France Lac's were gunners in Fairey Battles, when it changed I don't know but someone will.
     
  7. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  8. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    They would wouldn't they - I guess Leading Aircraft Person doesn't have the same ring :lol:
     
  9. David Layne

    David Layne Well-Known Member

    That's him. I got the LAC from Clutton-Brock's "Footprints" and was reading it as Lance Corporal and not Leading Aircraftsman, thanks for the correction. I presume he got promoted when a prisoner.

    As he was shot down 13 June 1940 one would assume he was not called up but a regular.
     
  10. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  11. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    He got his DFM in June 1940. Let me know if you want the citation typing up.
     
  12. David Layne

    David Layne Well-Known Member

    Yes please
     
  13. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    536916 Leading Aircraftman Robert James Utteridge DFM, 150 Squadron RAF.

    Gazetted 16/8/1940 Wireless Operator/Air Gunner. Air 2/8885

    Whilst acting as Air Gunner on a bombing raid on 13th June, 1940, with Flt Lt Hewson as pilot, he shot down one Me 109, one Me 11O and disabled another Me 109. But for his airman's skill and courage, it is probable that the aircraft would have been shot down before being able to reach the cover of the clouds. Throughout his service with the squadron, this airman has maintained a very high standard of efficiency, both in air gunnery and as a W/T operator.

    27th June 1940.
     
  14. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Hi Guys

    Does this look something like:

    ο τροπος ςαομων τον ανθρωπον εστιν

    (Greek)

    TD

    edited to change phrase:
    ο τροπος ςαομων τον ανθρωπον εστον

    which apparently translates to : the way the man salmon Estonia ?? - maybe there are some Greek scholars among us to help make a better translation. This done via Google translate https://translate.google.co.uk/#el/en/
     
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  15. David Layne

    David Layne Well-Known Member

    The picture below on the right hand page is where I found Utteridge's address. This is the combine my father was in at either or both Stalag Luft VI and Stalag 357. All these men are NCO's, of note is Meyrick, D. 38 Coronation Rd. Gilfach Goch, Glamorgan. AC1 150 Squadron Battle L5540, shot down attacking enemy columns in Luxembourg and crash landed in the target area near Bonnevoie, 10 May 1940.

    The picture on the left is from when he got his commission and moved to Stalag Luft III

    [​IMG]
     
  16. David Layne

    David Layne Well-Known Member

    With the exception of the third word beginning with what looks like a d you have it, what does it mean?
     
  17. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    David - see edit to post #14

    TD
     
  18. snailer

    snailer Country Member

    One of my colleagues at work is a young lady from Greece and even she had a bit of trouble translating it, apparently it is written in 'Old' Greek. So, translated to Modern Greek and then to English she came up with:

    'The evil way is in a human's nature'

    Rgds

    Pete
     
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  19. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Good effort Pete !
     
  20. DPas

    DPas Member

    ὁ τροπος δαιμων Τον άνθρωπον ἐστιν

    Google translate says "The way demons man is he"

    I think I trust Pete's friend's version over the computer!!!
     

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