Army Film & Photo Section (PR)

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by dbf, Mar 4, 2010.

  1. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    I've noticed a few medal recommendations for men serving in this unit and will post transcriptions.

    If anyone recognises some of their work, please post links or images.
     
  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    5348049 War Substantive Sergeant Daniel William GINGER, 5 ARMY FILM & PHOTO SEC. (PR)
    This NCO has been in action as a chine-cameraman since D-Day and has at all times displayed the utmost courage and devotion to duty in obtaining films of various Fmns under comd 30 Corps in actual ops against the enemy.

    He landed with 69 BDE on D-Day at H+90, and remained with 50 DIV throughout the NORMANDY campaign. He was with GUARDS ARMD DIV during the adv on BRUSSELS, and beyond that to EINDHOVEN. He then went with 43 DIV north of NIJMEGEN. During the REICHSWALD battle he was with 15(S) DIV and with 52 DIV at BREMEN.

    It will be realised that the standard of discipline expected from a camera Sjt working for the most part on his own initiative is very high and this NCO's indifference to danger and determination to get his pictures ace been outstanding.

    The result of his efforts has been that a great number of excellent films of tsp under comd 30 CORPS has been shown in newsreels and films like "LEFT OF THE LINE." In this way the world at large has visible evidence of the tough fighting qualities of the BRITISH soldier.

    MM

    WO 373/56-ir1840
    Some of his photos can be found by entering GINGER in the search page under photographer in IWM online search
     
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  3. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    3059999 War substantive Serjeant Ian James GRANT, 5 ARMY FILM & PHOTO SEC. (PR)

    This NCO has throughout the campaign proved that he has always been ready to go far beyond the normal call of duty to obtain films of British tsp in action.

    Apart from courage and military bearing, he has maintained a consistently high level of photographic quality. He landed on D-Day at H+90 with 45 RM Comdo.

    After the ensuing ops which involved the death of his partner he was transferred to 11 ARMD DIV and remained with them almost exclusively for the campaign. He secured remarkable pictures which attracted great attention, of tanks in action in all the "Beach-head" battles till the FALAISE gap period. After the adv to ANTWERP, he photographed the fighting at the ALBERT CANAL, HELMOND, DEURNE, OVERLOON and VENRAIJ. he was with 1 COMDO BDE in their crossings of the RHINE and the ELBE. Otherwise he was with 11 ARMD DIV till the end of hostilities.

    The result of his work is that some very fine operational pictures have been taken all through the campaign of BRITISH tks in action, so that through the newsreels and such films as "LEFT OF THE LINE" world wide recognition and publicity have been given to the BRITISH soldier.

    MM

    WO 373/56-ir1840
     
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  4. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    1987172 War substantive Serjeant Dennis Morris SMITH, No 5 ARMY FILM & PHOTO SEC. (PR)

    This NCO has time and again proved his determination to get photographs of Fwd Inf and tanks in action, and has displayed great courage in so doing.

    After taking all the "still" photographs at ARNHEM, he took part in the battles in the SITTARD "triangle" in the latter half of Jan and Feb. He served with tanks of 22 ARMD BDE and, among other Inf Bns, the 1st Bn RIFLE BDE, 2 DEVONS and 9 DLI. He got some of the best pictures of the campaign of tanks mopping up MG nests, flamethrowers in action and Inf fighting in fields and streets.

    One photograph of a mortar bomb bursting near two men diving for cover is probably unique in the World. The authenticity of the photographs is beyond all doubt, and it will be realised that an exceptionally high standard of courage and discipline is required for a Sjt action quite on his own, to hold a camera to his eye and get close-up photographs of action. Offrs have frequently commented on this NCO's excellent example under fire.

    The result of his work is that some splendid photographs of tsp of 7th ARMD DIV in action have been published in papers and magazines in GT BRITAIN and throughout the World as a testimony to the tough fighting qualities of the BRITISH soldier.

    MM

    WO 373/56-ir1840

    Some of his photographs can be found by entering Smith (Sgt) in the search page under photographer in IWM online search
     
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  5. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    A-42276 Sergeant Jack Arnold STOLLERY, CANADIAN FILM & PHOTO SECTION PR UNIT (CMF)

    In the battle for ORTONA, A-42276 Sgt STOLLERY entered the town with the forward Infantry at 1000 hrs 21 Dec 43, to carry out his duties as an Army Photographer, and secure action shots of leading adv elements.

    During that day he displayed the utmost fearlessness and disregard for his own safety, exposing himself on numerous occasions to enemy fire in order to obtain the best pictures possible.

    On the second day of the battle, he again went forward with the leading Tanks to secure pictures, despite the fact that he was within range and sight of the enemy, and continually in extreme danger.

    During the entire battle for the town, his gallant conduct and devotion to duty was outstanding. His appearance with the forward troops in moments of great danger, armed only with a camera, was commented on and was in no small way responsible for bolstering the morale of the fighting troops.

    Throughout the whole campaign Sgt STOLLERY has continually displayed great gallantry and devotion beyond the call of duty.

    MM

    The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details

    WO 373/7-ir226-p239
     
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  6. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    From The War Illustrated, Dec 20, 1941
    Screenshot2010-06-26at214100.png
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2019
  7. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    dbf likes this.
  8. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I came across his Military Medal Citation and wondered if anyone come across any pictures that he had taken?

    [​IMG]
     
  9. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    If it helps no 2 section AFPU, were formed to originaly go to North Africa, they then ended up in Italy.
     
  10. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Andy

    He ended up in 2nd Army. No 5 AFPU in Normandy as a Lt. Took a load of pics at Belsen.

    If you type Wilson in the photographer box, you will see some of his work.

    Imperial War Museum Collections Online Database

    I've got a book on this unit and will e-mail you. His photo is in it

    Rob
     
  11. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Andy

    He sounded a real character. Apparently did not display any fear and used unorthodox tactics to get his pics. This was to lead to him getting a commission later on. It states as such in his citation. His behaviour in Action had been brought to the attention of 1st gards Brigade.

    He went in with Commandos at Cape Serratt, and won his MM there. After a 12 mile march inland, German shells started falling around and he lost his camera. So as to be of some use, he grabbed a Bren Gun from a fallen Commando, shouted some choice Gaelic oaths at the b------s who had destroyed his camera and started spaying them with the Bren.:lol:

    The book about 5 AFPU and AFPU in general is brilliant and they were up front of most advances to get the pics in battle.

    Rob
     
  12. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Cheers Rob,

    He sounds a top bloke, who says the Photographers never see action. Royal Signals - They really do get everywhere :lol:

    Andy
     
  13. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    ROB " The book about 5 AFPU and AFPU in general is brilliant and they were up front of most advances to get the pics in battle".Is it this book?
     

    Attached Files:

  14. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    The one I've got is written by one of Martin's colleagues Ian Grant, who was a Sergeant and also won a MM in Normandy. Called Cameramen at War.

    One of the more well known of course is Alan Whicker, who served with the AFPU in Italy and did that 2 program documentary a short while ago.
     

    Attached Files:

    ceolredmonger likes this.
  15. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    His service number was that of the Royal Signals, but the AFPU were not!!

    They must have retained their original unit names for the citations as Ian Grant has Royal Engineers on his and another, Bill Jordan has RASC on his.
     
  16. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Once a Scalie always a Scalie mate - Up The Corps ! :lol:
     
  17. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    The one I've got is written by one of Martin's colleagues Ian Grant, who was a Sergeant and also won a MM in Normandy. Called Cameramen at War.

    One of the more well known of course is Alan Whicker, who served with the AFPU in Italy and did that 2 program documentary a short while ago.
    Thanks for that Rob, the book I posted looks good and I might just get a copy I know a couple of members have it so will see if they can do a review of it, the Whicker programme was excellent I have a signed copy of the book that mirrors the programme.
     
  18. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Once a Scalie always a Scalie mate - Up The Corps ! :lol:
    See the book cover in my post 5 once a Para...........:p and if you want there is a nice write up on the guy in the middle (Sgt Gordon Walker,) of said pic on Peggy, there is also a nice chunk on his time at Dunkirk. The Battle of Arnhem Archive look under Biographies.......... then Public relations team as the link I have put wont go direct to it.
     
  19. NPMS

    NPMS Junior Member

    Hello. I've just registered today, prompted by this thread.
    My father Eddy "Smiler" Smales was in the first batch of volunteers to the AFPU. He served in the Middle East & North Africa, then in NW Europe all the way from Normandy to Berlin.
    I am close to competing Dad's biography which tells lots of tales about his adventures and those of his mates, who included Bill Ginger, Ian Grant and Dennis Smith, the people whose citations Diane has shared recently.
    In a rush now but I will say more when I've more time.
     
  20. NPMS

    NPMS Junior Member

    Paul Reed...
    You posted a link which indicates that the Bayeux Memorial remembers three in No. 5 Army Film & Photographic Section who died on D-Day.
    Very intriguing.
    Do you have any more info about these casualties? Are they actually listed on the memorial as being with 5 AFPS?
    I ask because (a) the AFPU didn't have privates other than transport staff (drivers, despatch riders), usually on attachment from RASC, (b) AFPU transport didn't arrive until a few days after D-Day, and (c) if these chaps are such, wouldn't they be remembered under their parent units, corps, brigades or whatever?
     

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