Forum member, Mel Jnr ( ‘a well camel’ ), has asked me to pass on the very sad news that Mel Snr passed away a little after 8.30 pm on Wednesday 19 August 2020, following a fall in the early hours of the previous day. Mel Jnr sent me the following information: Mel Snr landed with H section on Gold Beach on D-Day at D+90 mins. This is one of Mel Snr’s early contributions to the forum, which were always posted by Mel Jnr: Hello/Goodbye For those interested, he contributed a wealth of information about his war service and his sense of humour shines through it all. His commentary frequently made me smile or chuckle. In remembering Mel Snr, I’m smiling now remembering his reaction to me passing on the reason why 50 Div was sent to Iraq (which was to fight in support of the Russians if the Germans broke through in the Caucasus); which is probably the best way to remember him: Churchill wanted to send 18th & 50th Divs to Russia To Mel Jnr, again, my condolences to you and your family. RIP Signalman ‘Mel’ Wallace.
Thank you for posting Steve. My condolences to Mel Jnr and his family. Mel Snr certainly had a long, full-on war service, and by your posting the link to the above thread, it seems he had a great sense of humour too. RIP 'Mel' Wallace. Lesley
Thank you for all the kind thoughts. Coming to the Forum was extremely cathartic for Dad and I believe he made his peace with the past in helping with both 50 Division Signals War Diary and Alex MacKenzie's personal diary. In 2010 when we visited Normandy with an organised tour he was off to one side of our party with my son and his wife looking at a old military vehicle. A Dutch couple with two small children approached them and after they learned he was a veteran began to thank him for their freedom and picked their children up to kiss him. Most of the Americans with us were in tears. James told me that his Granddad treated it as if he had just taken a parcel in for them, saying it was nothing and that they didn't need to thank him. Following this he slowly began to accept that not only had those who gave their lives but also those who had survived deserved to be honoured. Thank you again for all the help Forum members have given and their kind words. As he would sign off "Certa Cito - sh** or bust" Mel Jnr