My father is in his 93rd year and is a Normandy Veteran. He often talks about 3 close friends, who were killed just after The Landings in '44. He would love to know of anyone that might know the families of: Tom Kirby - from Romford, Essex Bert Roper - from Rainham, Kent Les Wilshire - from Sutton, Surrey All were from 405 Battery, 123 LAA, 6th City of London Rifles. Thank you.
Hi Celia In order to trace the families of the people above there would need to be more information than given. One way to do that would be to apply for their service records https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records#how-to-apply-for-service-personnel-records which would provide their dates of birth, their next of kin (either wife or parent (s)). Is it possible there is a veterans association for the unit? if so contact them. Whatever amount of information you can find and post should help TD
PS if he is interested in travelling to Norm,andy for the 70th Anniversary I am organising a Gunner oriented visit for West Middlesex NVA 4-8th June 2014 which will coincide with the RA commemorations. . We can provide help applying for Heroes return funding for a veteran and carer
Hi celia. My grandad was also in 405 bty, he was the BSM Alfred Dishman from Morden I would love to find out more?
The original poster was last seen in Feb 2014 They did not reply to the forum members advice 123 LAA Regt, RA - 22 September 1944
Have this moment picked up your message. It was so nice to hear from someone with the same connections as my father. My dad's pals who were in the TA and went through the war together were:- Leonard Stevens and Albert Stone. They remained friends and in contact all their lives. To my sorrow my dad died on the 19th July 2016 he was nearly 95. I am certain I remember them talking about Alfred Dishman. Because of your grandfather's address being Morden I feel he would have known Albert Stone. For many many years they attended the yearly dinner held in the Trafalgar Club?. If you would like to talk to me please let me have your telephone number. Kind Regards. Celia Peters
Gunner KIRBY, THOMAS HENRY Service Number 967934 Died 16/06/1944 Aged 28 405 Bty., 123 (The City of London Regt.) Lt. A.A. Regt. Royal Artillery Son of Thomas Henry and Florance Maud Kirby; husband of Martha Louise Kirby, of Romford, Essex. Buried at HERMANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Location: Calvados, France Number of casualties: 903 Cemetery/memorial reference: 1. S. 10. Gunner ROPER, ALBERT GEORGE Service Number 1590021 Died 23/06/1944 Aged 32 403 Bty., 123 (6th Bn. The City of London Regt.) Lt. A.A. Regt. Royal Artillery Son of Benjamin and Edith Roper, of Rainham, Kent; husband of Summer C. Roper, of Rainham. Buried at HERMANVILLE WAR CEMETERY Location: Calvados, France Number of casualties: 903 Cemetery/memorial reference: 1. P. 21. Gunner WILSHIRE, LESLIE RAYMOND Service Number 2045488 Died 23/06/1944 Aged 24 123 (6th Bn. The City of London Regt.) Lt. A.A. Regt. Royal Artillery Buried at LA DELIVRANDE WAR CEMETERY, DOUVRES Location: Calvados, France Number of casualties: 1025 Cemetery/memorial reference: VIII. C. 5.
