I have no idea. Am going to have a go tomorrow at trying to contact d day museum to see if they can help in any way. When I saw the photo I thought they may have been done on the way to gold beach as it is loaded up. Un damaged and that it looks like Southampton in the background d
Hi, LCT 711 was transferred from 55 LCT Flotilla to 59 LCT Flotilla sometime between the 11th and 25th December 1944. Based in the Weymouth/Portland area. Regards Danny
Danny, I knew you would know ! Based on the clothes the chaps on the port bow are wearing I would venture some time around or after spring 1945 then... The vehicles look like US trucks, one of them with a big office body or similar, but I couldn't vouch for it. We need the advice of another expert here, on softskins this time. Trux, are you listening ? Michel
Hi, My apologies for popping up here many years after this was posted. My grandfather (Wilbert Docherty) sailed on LCT 923 and when I was doing some searching this post came up. I was then amazed to see that there was a photo of his LCT in the post. This is first one we have ever come across and strange that we haven’t seen it before. We have stories from the Skipper and my grandfather from D-Day which can be shared along with photos of the crew. I can see the photo of the LCT is from a website Critical Past but I was unable to locate it when I went there and looked to try and obtain a copy. Do you know how this photo has been labelled or referenced? Many thanks, Simon
Hi Edward, It was this photo that was given by Michel Sabarly in response to your original message. This was my grandfathers LCT and I was looking to obtain the image with the stamp removed. Simon
Simon, The answer is in the image filename (923 LCT(4) COLOUR beg - 65675038037_000529_3.jpg) The first part (65675038037) is the Critical Past reel number and the second (000529_3) is the frame number. If you go to the Critical Past website and search for the reel number you will find it: 65675038037 stock video footage and royalty free HD video clips and photos.(page 1). I believe this colour film is of Canadian origin, because I could not find it anywhere else (e.g. at the IWM), and colour films of D Day were mostly Canadian (or US of course) rather than British. Unfortunately the original Canadian films disappeared in a fire a while ago... You can order individual frames from Critical Past at $5 each (at 1382x960 resolution, for personal use only). Michel
Hi Michel, This is brilliant thank you. I’ve just been onto Critical Past and ordered the image. This image of them was from a few days after, I think at Utah. On D-Day they were stuck on Gold after beaching on a hedgehog however I remember in his notes that the remaining trips were mostly to the American beaches. I’ll have to dig them out tonight for a read. Can’t wait to show the family. Thank you so much. Simon
Simon, I'm glad you could get a better copy of this frame. It's the only picture of LCT 923 that I know. Contrary to what I said earlier, it must be part of a US, and not Canadian, film, the original of which might still be in existence somewhere in the US archives... You mentioned some notes made by your grandfather. Do you think you could post them here (removing any part which may be of a private nature, of course) ? Michel
Simon My uncle (Eric Myhill) also served on LCT 923. He was a cook on the vessel and also told the story you relate below of being stuck on the beach on D-Day. He also mentioned that one of the crew had his arm ripped off by the loading ramp chains (although whether this was on D-Day or later I'm not sure). I have also dowloaded the photo on Critical Past. I note that some time has elapsed since your post but if you are prepared to share the stories you mention I and my family would be extremely grateful. I'd also like to thank all the other posters on this thread especially Michel Saberly for the fantastic information regarding LCT 923 and her sister craft. Mark Ratcliff
Michel My uncle also said that his LCT was carrying Bren Gun/Universal Carriers which gives support to your suggestion above that LCT 923 carried LTIN 2913. Best wishes Mark Ratcliff
A couple more photos of craft of 55 LCT Flotilla: LCT(4) 907 & 922 during Exercise FABIUS II: Source: IWM A70 14-5 Source: IWM H38235 LCT(4) 1121 on her way to GOLD Area on 5 Jun 44: Source: IWM A70 33-2 Michel
Great Photos! Last night I came across this article on the British Newspaper Archive... I seem to have the names of two other members of my uncle's crew. I'm unsure if my uncle attended the reunion, however he wasn't a man who dwelled on the past so I somehow doubt it! Hayes & Harlington Gazette - Wednesday 08 June 1994
A partial confirmation of my above theory about Hull/LTI Numbers matches for these LCT: Source: The D-Day Story Collection LTIN 2811 = LCT(4) 922 This does not mean that the remainder of the matches is confirmed, but it is still a good indication that they may be correct. Michel