How many British WW2 Veterans are still around ?

This evening I spent a wonderful couple of hours on the phone with a Black Watch WW2 veteran who now lives in the United States. He served with the 2nd Battalion on Chindit 2 in 1944 and before that at Tobruk. He had some very interesting tales to tell, especially about the relationship between Wavell and Wingate and Wavell and Churchill.

Hopefully there might be a second instalment further down the line. Always great to listen to these gentleman, such a privilege.

 

Hi thought this may be of interest

 

Had the great pleasure of meeting two Veterans from the Normandy Veterans Association, York yesterday. They had a small stand at the Yorkshire Air Museum in Elvington, York.

Ken Smith, of 5th DCLI and Ken Cooke, 7th Green Howards.


They also led a walk around York city centre on Saturday
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/12941005.York_marks_70th_anniversary_of_VE_Day/


Lesley

 

Ken is a forum member

 

Stevie Mac,
As per post 131 Jimmy Coglan MM has passed away RIP Jim.


http://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/12935908.Skipton_Second_World_War_hero_Jim_Coglan_dies_at_age_of_94/





Kyle

 

Had the privilege of meeting Veteran George Cruse, aged 91 at the Monte Cassino Society service yesterday at the National Memorial Arboretum.
He served in 132 Field Regiment, R.A. with the 78th "Battleaxe" Division, another D-Day Dodger




Lesley

 

What a great picture Lesley,

 

Went to see 95 year old Wilf Shaw again in Oldham yesterday. Looking good.
(picture of his mother in the background)

 

*
Hello Kyle,

I have only just found your note about the death of Jim Coglan MM today. Sad news, and together with that about Joe Brown (of the Forum).

I noticed that his Obit said he was at Monte Cassino, Italy and no mention of Operation Husky/Sicily; oh dear, where do they get these reporters. There is no way that the 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry were at Monte Cassino. Not saying that individual soldiers couldn't have been detached for a while, but it is unlkikely.

Anyway, thanks for posting. Much appreciated.

RIP Jim Coglan.

 

Can I introduce you to Gunner Dick (Walker) Irving, 14375924. 153rd Leicestershire Yeomanry Field Regiment RA.



Here is a link to my gallery http://ww2talk.com/forums/gallery/album/850-gunner-dick-walker-irving/

These are Dick's photos so a big thanks to Dick for allowing me to post onto the forum.

Dick is 91 and still driving and keeping us youngsters on our toes at work, he is a real character and a great laugh always puts a smile on my face when he comes for the crack.

Dick also had 2 other brothers who served in the war.

Tom Irving, Lance Serjeant. Royal Fusiliers (city of London Regiment). Died 9/2/1941. Buried Keren war cemetery, Eritrea.

Haven't got the name of the other brother yet but he was a chindt in the Border Regiment,

 

On Friday 19 June 2015 at the Whitehaven Airshow, Cumbria the Festival Company made a special presentation of a replica WW2 Cumberland 'map and compass pencil' to a WW2 veteran of Bomber Command: Douglas Newman, D.F.C.

Unfortunately I was unable to be at the public presentation. I understand that Mr Newman is 93 years old and still assists in fundraising for the RAF charities.

 

I met two veterans today in their 90's

The first was a 97 year former Sergeant who served with Bomber Command. He joined the RAF in 1939 to fly Spitfires but someone noticed he had rather a lot of electronic related qualifications so he was forced to join Bomber Command working on Radar Jamming devices and to stop Night Fighters and German radar seeing the RAF Bombers. During his service he was awarded the BEM and a MiD whilst serving with 101 Squadron.

http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/101squadron.cfm

The second chap was a 94 year old former gunner with 4 Campaign Stars. He served with 146 Field Regiment and later became 146 Medium Regiment. Really nice chap, sharp as a button about his service in North Africa, Italy and NW Europe - Wish I had more time to talk to him.

 

One to make the Airborne community rather jealous....

Not quite in the 'vets still around' category but I met the wife of a rather famous airborne officer that was captured at Arnhem last night. Not often I say this but a total pleasure to meet her and listen to all her stories last night, she made a run of 4 rather shitty night shifts worthwhile and me and my crew mate didn't stop talking about her all shift in between numerous googling on her husband.

 

Prompted by Randy Klein on his trip to Holland the other week- I e-mailed Sapper (Brian Guy) to ask how he was doing as I hadn't heard from him for a while and

he sent this picture as he and his dear wife Sheila are "Toddling along" - and surprising me as to how well he looked at 90 and what he went

through…..many"NEW" members don't know his story but anytime he loosens his belt - his pants fall down - as he has NO hips to hold them up - teaching all of us

not to ride a motor bike while being shelled- he is worth a visit if you are anywhere near Swanage in Dorset - near the Tank depot at Bovington as he is a real

character...

cheers

 

I was at a POW's Dinner a while back, and a speaker was in full flow and saying how they were now all in their 90's.
A lady chimed up and said, "Not all of us".
She then went on to explain how she had been born in Changi POW camp in 1942.
The civilian POW's are often forgotten when we think about the attrocities carried out in the Far East.

Mike

 

Thanks for the update.

 

Well I am still dodging along

 

This reminded me of a story that happened in Burma when an officer came across a driver of a broken down vehicle. He enquired as to what was wrong and got a typical squaddie reply using all terms of fuck in one sentence..."fuck, the fucking fuckers fucked!"
Lionboxer