My dads war storys. Chapter One.

Hello, Amanda 123,
Just now, I see you.
I have a book in Dutch with the fights here. I will
Translate for you in English. And make copies of the graves.
Written by an close by withness / neighbour.
Also photograps of his grave and his Comrads.
Mail to me.. I have sent you an PM.
Regards, Gerard.

 

Hello, Amanda,
I can answer your questions, I think.
Mail to me, I will sent you my mailadress by private message P.M.

 

Amanda have you applied for his service records.
Get a copy of military service records

PrivateHIGSON, ROBERT
Service Number 14420535

Died 30/10/1944

Aged 20

2nd Bn.
Gordon Highlanders
Casualty


https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18045036/robert-r-higson

 

My father Lt. James Clingan was in this battle and was outflanked the last day. He was in The 48th Armored Division Company A. He was Moved to Berlin and interviews on a German radio and then sent to Oflag 64 in Poland.

 

There was no 48th Armored Div in WW2.
Do you mean 48th Armored Infantry Battalion ?

 

I think he might mean - 48th Armored Division (United States) - Wikipedia

TD

Please note - I am no expert on USA Divs etc, I only offer this as an alternate and due to the fact that the posters relative was a US Lt in North Africa

 

I mention that as the OP's relative was in Tunisia at the time Col Waters was captured, so assume he was a US soldier (Lt in fact)

TD

 

Not in ww2.

48th Armd Inf was in 7th Armored Div which was fighting in the Netherlands in the area the OP is discussing.

 

TD

 

48th Armored Infantry Battalion formed part of 7th US Armored Division.

A division that fought in Holland in the fall of 1944: at Overloon (end of Sept 44) and in the Peel Marshes (Oct/Nov 1944).

I would recommend reading:

Overloon battle : Kampfgruppe Walther and Panzerbrigade 107: A Thorn in the Side of Market Garden: Jack Didden, Maarten Swarts: 9789080039391: Amazon.com: Books

German counterattack at Meijel: Wesley Johnston's "Battle of the Canals". See: Battle of Canals, Operations of 7th Armored Division: 27 October - 7 November 1944, Meijel and Vicinity, Netherlands: W. Wesley Johnston: 9781502981677: Amazon.com: Books

 

He would say the British were good fighters and would talk about them heating up their tea out in the field.

He also fought at Metz prior to going to Holland.

He lost 60 pounds on the march back to Germany.

 

Yes Greg, the 7th Armored Division had quite a battle record. They fought in Patton's Third Army before being transferred to Holland.

See: The Lorraine Campaign - U.S. Army Center of Military History

In December/January they were involved in the Battle of the Bulge (famous stand at St.Vith - which completely disrupted the German offensive).

See The Ardennes - Battle of the Bulge - U.S. Army Center of Military History and this recent publication: https://www.amazon.com/Loss-Redempt...Vith+redemption&qid=1580283787&s=books&sr=1-1

 

Dear Mr Jeuken, beste Gerard,
Ik hoop dat het goed met u gaat.

Your post about the two soldiers, Adolphus Appleton and George Robinson is already from such a long time ago, 2011...but I was so happy to find it a few months ago when my own research began.
At that time I had not heard from you and I didn't know anything about those two lads.

I'm Dutch, in fact I live in Helmond and my husband and I recently adopted the grave of Adolphus Appleton at the Mierlo War Cemetery. When I noticed the boy resting next to him, George Robinson, died the same day and later found out they both died in your father's farm I asked if we could also adopt Robinson's grave. However, this was not possible because someone else already adopted it. Pity but the most important thing is ofcourse that there is an adoptant and someone is caring for the boy.

For weeks I have been searching for information about Appleton and a lot of people helped me and sent me all they knew, such as a lady of the Church in Cockermouth, the Cockermouth Heritage Group, a lady who organises the Remembrance sunday events, far relatives who have a fantastic family tree.
The lady from the Cockermouth Heritage Group even sent me copies of your letters in which you write about what happened to the two boys.
We would love to get in touch with you. I have no idea if there is a possibility. Maybe email contact, maybe a visit, it is up to you. Just let me know.

As you know, our hometown Helmond is close to the cemetery and we visit it on a regular basis to pay our respect, put some flowers on his day of death, a candle on Remembrance Day and soon we'll be there again because december 11 is his birthday and he deserves some flowers again.

We would love to find a photo somewhere, to put a face to his grave. I was hoping maybe you have one.
On january 11 the official adoption certificate will be handed to us. We are honoured and looking forward to it.

I hope this will work, after so many years.

Lieve groeten,

Rian van Hout

 

Rian,

Welcome aboard. Mr Jeuken has not logged into the site since June 2024 and has not posted for five years. Given his age he may not respond to posts.

I will send him a Private Message (PM) next, asking him to return and read your post.

PM explanation

If you hover over the name of the member in their avatar it will show a new text box and within is the date of their last logged visit. Some members "flag" their interest in a thread, which means they get a system alert. Once you have posted five times - a measure to stop spam - you can send a private message (PM) to members using 'Start a private conversation' accessed via your avatar. Such messages depend on their email given at registration is still valid. You can receive and reply to a PM already.

 

Thank you David, I'm new here and yes, Mr Jeuken is in his eighties, I know. I thought I'd give it a try. Thanks for helping me!
I'll wait and see what happens.
Best wishes, Rian