Antiques Roadshow

Discussion in 'The Lounge Bar' started by David Layne, Jul 11, 2006.

  1. David Layne

    David Layne Well-Known Member

    The American version of Antiques Roadshow came to Mobile Alabama last Saturday. I was fortunate enough to get tickets and pondered long and hard on what to take.

    I decided to take my fathers "stuff." I carted along his Flying Logbook, P.O.W. Log, letters sent to and from him (all with interesting German Censor approval cancellations and postmarks). P.O.W. money, a D.F.C. and a Caterpillar Pin, a Pathfinder Badge, and a multitued of other related items.

    To my mortification the Militaria expert only gave them a cursory glance and was only mildly interested in the P.O.W. Log. My vision of a television apperance to tell my Dad's story gone!

    In their defence I realise I was on the wrong side of the ocean, in the U.K. these items would have drawn more interest. Also you only have about a couple of minutes to show your item. A total of 6000 people came, each being allowed 2 items to be appraised.

    I did see some interesting pieces though. German Helmets from both World Wars, many old uniforms. Beaten up flags. Lots and lots of firearms.
    Swords, daggers, spears etc. and as you can imagine many artifacts relating to the American Civil War.

    All in all it was a good day out albeit a little dissapointing.
     
  2. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    I think it is safe to say the UK program would have been all over your dad's POW log... though a repeat yesterday had a chap who's father was the chief Judge at Nuremburg with a scrapbook/diary full of passes, photo's, caricatures of the defendants etc. along with the Union Flag that hung in the courtroom, might not have been best to have been competing with that.;)

    Anyway David, we like your dad's log!
     
  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    David.I wouldn't have let a collection like yours out the house.Is there another generation of Layne's to hand it down to or is it off to the IWM or RAF Museum oneday?
     
  4. Kitty

    Kitty Very Senior Member

    I went to an Antiques Roadshow in 1998 (i remember the day well, but for entirely different and horrendous reasons). I can safely say to anyone interested in going...don't bloody bother. Rude, obnoxious and a waste of time unless you have some faberge or tiffany.
    But david, if you want to give your dad's stuff to a willing volunteer to give it a good home remember me.:)
     
  5. David Layne

    David Layne Well-Known Member

    David.I wouldn't have let a collection like yours out the house.Is there another generation of Layne's to hand it down to or is it off to the IWM or RAF Museum oneday?

    I am the last of the Laynes. I have a married daughter who lives in Jacksonville Florida, she has a son who is only 4 now. My daughter does not seem too interested, my grandson is too young as yet to appreciate it.

    I am going to give the attached picture to the United States Air Force Museum for their R.A.F. section. This museum is located in Dayton Ohio which is where my in laws live. Needless to say when I am in Dayton I spend a lot of time there! The picture is my way of repaying them!
     
  6. KevinBattle

    KevinBattle Senior Member

    Idly watching AR on Yesterday channel last night and some nice wooden furniture came up. Corner cabinet etc and as story developed, there was a date (Feb 1939) and initials carved on it. Chap said that the 4 pieces were commissioned as 21st birthday gift from his parents and his twin brother had the same. Turning to camera, he said that his brothers furniture had the initials CMF and he would dearly love to find them. His brother had been shot down and killed over France with 207 Squadron...

    So....
    207 Squadron Lancaster Mk I. Serial Number: LM125. Squadron. Code: EM-G. Operation: St Leu d'Esserent. 4th/5th July 1944
    LM125 was delivered to 207 Sqdn 12 June 1944. LM125 took part in the Key Raid against Wesseling 21/22 Jun 44 When lost this aircraft had a total of 42 hours. LM125 was one of two 207 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: ND570. Airborne 23:37 4 Jul 44 to destroy a flying-bomb storage depot. Crashed at around 01:35 5 Jul 44 between Apremont (Oise) and Vineuil St Firmin, 2 km NE of Chantilly. All are buried in Creil Communal Cemetery.
    P/O J. Wilson KIA; Sgt J. Matthews KIA; F/Sgt H.G. West KIA; F/Sgt C.M. Firth KIA; Sgt C.A. Hallett KIA;Sgt C. Stapleton KIA and Sgt A.D.Roper KIA

    Name: WILSON, JOHN HORSBURGH. Rank: Pilot Officer (Pilot)
    Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Unit Text: 207 Sqdn.
    Age: 29. Date of Death: 05/07/1944. Service No: 175818
    Additional information: Son of David Ritchie Wilson and Mabel Mary Helen Wilson, of St. Andrews', Fife.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot 1. Joint grave 371. Cemetery: CREIL COMMUNAL CEMETERY

    Name: MATTHEWS, JEFFREY. Rank: Sergeant (Flt. Engr.)
    Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Unit Text: 207 Sqdn.
    Date of Death: 05/07/1944. Service No: 2220485
    Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot 1. Coll. grave 371B. Cemetery: CREIL COMMUNAL CEMETERY

    Name: WEST, HENRY GEORGE. Rank: Flight Sergeant (Nav.)
    Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Unit Text: 207 Sqdn.
    Age: 21. Date of Death: 05/07/1944. Service No: 1313137
    Additional information: Son of George William and Alice Amelia West, of Merton Park, Surrey.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot 1. Coll. grave 371B. Cemetery: CREIL COMMUNAL CEMETERY

    Name: FIRTH, CHARLES MORTON. Rank: Flight Sergeant (Air Bomber)
    Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Unit Text: 207 Sqdn.
    Date of Death: 05/07/1944. Service No: 1390489
    Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot 1. Joint grave 371. Cemetery: CREIL COMMUNAL CEMETERY

    Name: HALLETT, CLEMENT ARTHUR. Rank: Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.)
    Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Unit Text 207 Sqdn.
    Age: 22. Date of Death: 05/07/1944. Service No: 1393049
    Additional information: Son of Albert James Hallett, and of Florence Agnes Hallett, of New Cross, London.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot 1. Coll. grave 371B. Cemetery: CREIL COMMUNAL CEMETERY

    Name: STAPLETON, CYRIL. Rank: Sergeant (Air Gnr.)
    Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Unit Text: 207 Sqdn.
    Age: 19. Date of Death: 05/07/1944. Service No: 1874338
    Additional information: Son of Leonard and Beatrice Evelyn Stapleton, of Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot 1. Coll. grave 371B. Cemetery: CREIL COMMUNAL CEMETERY

    Name: ROPER, ALBERT DERRICK. Rank: Sergeant (Air Gnr.)
    Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Unit Text: 207 Sqdn.
    Age: 19. Date of Death: 05/07/1944. Service No: 1590901
    Additional information: Son of Albert and Mabel Roper, of Northallerton, Yorkshire.
    Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot 1. Grave 372. Cemetery: CREIL COMMUNAL CEMETERY

    Does anyone have anything to add to this?
     
  7. ciderlion

    ciderlion Member

    Some fascinating stories worth watching
     
    CL1 likes this.
  8. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    Just how good a programme was that?

    Incredibly moving and powerful stories. If you have missed it then you really should try to catch it on iPlayer.
     
  9. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Yup just watched it.
    I do like the comment from the RN chap, saying the Argentine had contacted the HMS Glamorgan website to say sorry for firing an Exocet at the ship.
    Seems they good mates now.
     
  10. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    I thought it was very well done and the last part at the end was so moving........... and just goes to show the sort of men and Woman that we had fighting for this country inspiring to say the least, and I really must go to the National Memorial Arboretum one day soon.
     
  11. mandy hall

    mandy hall Junior Member

    There is more to see on the red button at the moment.

    mandy
     
  12. Suzi500

    Suzi500 Junior Member

    My uncle was also in the Wesseling raid 22nd June 1944 but sadly lost his life. They were in EM-M LL973. Three men were killed, two captured and two escaped. They were the 'Solly Crew'. As I'm pushed for time I'll say my information comes from '207 squadron.raf.info.' I don't know if this is what you're looking for.... :)
     
  13. Ultracobbler

    Ultracobbler Junior Member

    I've checked some birth records for the above and it appears to confirm that Charles Firth had a twin brother. According to records Charles M Firth and Kenneth L Firth appear in the birth records for Halifax West Yorkshire to the same mother in Jan-Mar 1917 (mothers maiden name was Lumb). This would put them having a 21st birthday in 1938. The RAF records do not give family details for Charles.

    I have done some research on this particular aircraft, My uncle Sgt. Cyril Stapleton was the mid upper gunner on the St Leu Raid. Charles was the Bomb Aimer and Joined the Wilson Crew on the Pommeevral raid of 24/25 June 1944. On the previous Wesseling raid Denis Dear was the Bomb Aimer in this crew. Denis survived the war and his account of this raid is published on the 207 squadron association website.

    On the 5th July 1944 207 squadron Lancaster LM125 was shot down by a Me109 using "Wilde Sau" tactics whilst on the Bombing Run over St Leu D'Esserent all the crew were killed R.I.P.
     
  14. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    On tonight's TV is the BBC's Antiques Roadshow.

    Watch out for the famous bugle that sounded the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava.
    http://www.lincstothepast.com/the-balaclava-bugle/97.article

    My old mob was there chaps ! (thanks Wikipedia)

    The 4th Hussars fought throughout Wellington's Peninsula Campaign and gained distinction in the Afghan War. They participated in one of the most glorious actions of the British Cavalry when they charged ( as the 4th Light Dragoons) with the Light Brigade at Balaclava alongside the 8th Hussars.

    Ron
     
  15. Wills

    Wills Very Senior Member

  16. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Sod's law dictated that my BT Vision has packed up so I was unable to record the program although I watched it with no problem.

    However. I did manage to take a few snaps with my Coolpix camera.

    We even got to hear the bugle being played :)

    Ron

    ps
    More from YOUTUBE
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lydjkYqMkeU
     

    Attached Files:

  17. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Just me? Or has that been on Antiques Roadshow before?
    Had a sneaking feeling it had.

    Nice to see these things from Museums though it is, I always feel just a tad that they stray outside the spirit of the programme.
    Been watching some old editions and it used to be more 'dense' with public-supplied objects.
     
  18. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Anyone see the UK version last night?

    A rather pleasant Royal Enginner/Commando Lieutenant was on there talking about his Military Cross and meeting Rommel after he was captured in May 1944 on the coast of Normandy. Quite a modest chap and well worth a watch on Iplayer. Shame they never said his name, his MC was for clearing a path through a mine field in North Africa for the British tanks to advance.
     
  19. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    is this him?

    Roy Wooldridge
    I didnt watch it.
    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-two/11243123/British-soldier-Field-Marshall-Rommel-gave-me-beer-and-cigarettes.html
     
    Drew5233 likes this.
  20. Mike L

    Mike L Very Senior Member

    Yep, that was the guy.
    Great to see the crowd applaud him at the end of the piece
    Fantastic story.
     

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