Green Howard photos - D-Day veterans

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by paulcheall, Feb 27, 2014.

  1. paulcheall

    paulcheall Son of a Green Howard

    As some members will know, I am researching my Dad's war memoirs continually and from time to time little gems of info/pics pop up to make my day! I'm always on the lookout for info on Dad's comrades and am pleased to say that I have just had contact from the grandson of Capt J C Linn who was Dad's senior officer on D-Day (C coy, 6 Green Howards on Gold beach). He was shot dead whilst trying to wave his troops off the beach.

    The only pic I had relating to Capt Linn was of his grave at Bayeux. Recently his grandson, Matthew Linn has sent me several great photos of his grandfather including one of the officers. I can't recall seeing any officers' pics before and am intrigued as to who may be on it. Certainly, it must contain several heros who are mentioned in the history books, such as Sgt Maj Stan Hollis VC (back right?). I wonder if the senior officer front centre with the cane is C M Hull who was overall GH commander on the day. And I'd like to spot Capt Chambers who took over when Capt Linn was killed - he too was killed in later fighting. I would be so grateful if anyone can point out any names. If it is Stan Hollis then it is a younger man than the one who fought on the beaches as he hasn't got many medals yet.

    The link below takes you to more info on Capt Linn plus pictures, incl the officers.

    Paul Cheall

    www.fightingthrough.co.uk/#/linn-story-book-diary/4556846613
     
    4jonboy likes this.
  2. sirjahn

    sirjahn Member

    I have two Green Howard officers in the Rennes PW hospital are either of them in the photo?

    MAJ

    Hudson, Ronald H. E.

    134357


    LTC

    Richardson, Philip Herbert

    40514
     
  3. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Morning Paul,

    There are very few Green Howards that I would recognise in a photograph, but Stan Hollis is one that I would (and your Dad). I don't believe Stan Hollis is in the photograph.

    Was the information I sent about Sgt Mison/Myson of any use?

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  4. paulcheall

    paulcheall Son of a Green Howard

    Hi Dale
    Not sure what you meant there. I don't know any of the names in the photo - that's what I am asking members for.
    Paul
     
  5. paulcheall

    paulcheall Son of a Green Howard

    Hi Steve - Corporal Mison stuff was on the money - was so pleased - it tracks back to CWG perfectly. I must have tried every spelling except that one! I am sorry but I thought I'd written to you before now to say thanks. Anyway, I have just updated the entry on Dad's remembered page for him, with links to CWG etc. See link below to the page. One day I hope a relative will write to me. I'm hoping to get a mag/paper article printed this year on all these missing links so maybe something will come from that. What a desolate battle Wadi Akarit was for these lads to die in.

    http://www.fightingthrough.co.uk/#/remembered/4544691911

    Paul
     
  6. sirjahn

    sirjahn Member

    Paul,

    I was just piling on here to ask/prime the responders for my own work on the Rennes PW Hospital. You said you didn't know any of them and I didn't expect you to respond. The names I gave might be some of the faces in your photo.
     
  7. paulcheall

    paulcheall Son of a Green Howard

    Ah OK Dale, I see. Have you got a web site for your project? It sounds interesting. Dad was wounded in Normandy and was helped at the 22nd Canadian general hospital near Southampton. For interest sake, this is what he said about it:
    "Two orderlies carried my stretcher off the ship and
    put me into one of a fleet of ambulances, which was soon on its way to a Canadian
    hospital, just outside of Southampton. It was a brand new complex, built for the
    specific purpose of receiving casualties and was made up of numbers of well-built
    wooden structures each about twice the size of a Nissen hut, all on ground level. It
    was situated in lovely countryside and each building was joined by a corridor to the
    next. It was the 22nd Canadian general hospital and its entire staff were Canadian,
    devoted to their calling, who treated us all with the utmost care and consideration
    for our comfort, showing gratitude for what we were, wounded soldiers who had,
    at first hand, experienced the horrors of war and who now needed their skilled
    attention."

    Thanks again

    Paul
     
  8. sirjahn

    sirjahn Member

    My project is in progress and doesn't have a website yet. Probably in a year or so when I feel comfortable with what I have. The Rennes Military Hospital (aka Frontstalag 221 W, Stalag 221, Rennes EPS, Rennes Zweilager) was the German run PW hospital where a lot of the wounded parachutists ended up. My Dad was one of those parachutists (3/508th PIR 82nd AB). I have collected a pretty definitive list of the PWs that were treated there and I am trying to get their unit information and other data to complete the picture. I have some photos with unidentified PWs in it and if I can get photos with defined names I am going to run facial recognition software to see if I can pick up names on the PW photos.
     
  9. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

    Hi Paul

    Thanks for posting the story of Capt Linn and the pictures.

    I hope some of the faces can be identified.

    Lesley
     
  10. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    *
    No worries, Paul. I am pleased that the Cpl. Mison information was useful.

    If you recall, I was going to visit the Green Howards Museum in January 2013, a trip that got snowed/iced/fogged off and although I've been up to the North East about 4 or 5 times since I still haven't managed to get along to the museum. Tut, tut.

    I wonder if the museum will have information about your Dad's mates, the ones he believed were KIA but don't appear on the CWGC rolls? Maybe we should go onto PM and draft a wish list for the day I actually make that trip to the museum?!?

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  11. paulcheall

    paulcheall Son of a Green Howard

    You could set up a simple blog at worst with whatever material you have to date(try Google) and set a few "fishing lines" out. Google will sniff out the words and it may help you get more support than you imagine.
    Paul
     
  12. paulcheall

    paulcheall Son of a Green Howard

    You're welcome Lesley. You know what they say about buses coming in threes? Well the secong one popped up yesterday - another contact pertaining to Dad's time in the 22 Canadian General Hospital near Southampton - anyway, more to follow on that one soon. A great story!

    Paul
     
  13. paulcheall

    paulcheall Son of a Green Howard

    Hi Steve
    No probs with the delay - may be worth waiting anyway till the museum has been refurbished.
    A list is a good idea ...!
    Ok ...
    Photo Dad's bayonet from multiple angles
    Any trace of R Bristow (Killed in Sicily, 1943)
    or Charlie Lee (Killed in Sicily, 1943)
    Hmm ... will have a think

    Paul
    *
    No worries, Paul. I am pleased that the Cpl. Mison information was useful.

    If you recall, I was going to visit the Green Howards Museum in January 2013, a trip that got snowed/iced/fogged off and although I've been up to the North East about 4 or 5 times since I still haven't managed to get along to the museum. Tut, tut.

    I wonder if the museum will have information about your Dad's mates, the ones he believed were KIA but don't appear on the CWGC rolls? Maybe we should go onto PM and draft a wish list for the day I actually make that trip to the museum?!?

    Best,

    Steve.
     

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