Thanks Ian for sharing the link, I'll have a look! Good to hear you've visit the Bevrijdingsmuseum. The founder, Kees Traas, is a passioned collector and the museum gives the visitor a very good impression of the Battle of the Scheldt. If anyone gets the chance I can recommend a visit to the museum. Bevrijdingsmuseum Zeeland – Bevrijdingsmuseum Zeeland toont de bewogen geschiedenis van Zeeland tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Het museum besteedt daarbij in het bijzonder aan de Slag om de Schelde, John
Hi John, I wonder, am I talking to the John I have had many email conversations with? I met Kees and Stef at the official re-opening of the museum. I always remember the warm welcome and the hospitality and how the Dutch people remember those who took part in the liberation of Walcheren. Just thought I'd mention, I'm shooting a 1943 Lee Enfield sniper rifle tomorrow, same as the one my father used. He and his corporal put 10 - 12 rounds through the ventilation slit of a heavy gun emplacement bunker at 300 yards and an officer and 6 other ranks surrendered to them, their German Shepherd wouldn't let my father into the bunker, he had to shoot the dog! Ian.
Hi Ian, sorry, i don't recall we emailed before so that must be another John. Could that be John Meijboom perhaps? I saw him yesterday in Vlissingen at the ceremony for a No4 commando who past away last month. De local newspaper made this report: https://www.pzc.nl/walcheren/arthur...jheid-maar-er-ook-zijn-hart-verloor~a109ae68/ (I'm the one wearing 52nd Lowland Division/KOSB battledress and riding the first BSA) But I was at the official re-opening of the museum as wel, so we have met in a way ;-)
Hello John, the surname is de Rooij, sorry I got things wrong. John was much involved with the museum. Ian.
Can't say that his name does ring a bell, but there're so many people involved with the museum (and that's a good thing! ;-)
Hi Ian, Thank you so much for your post & many apologies for not responding on this page sooner. I feel ashamed not to have gotten back to you personally before as I welcome every piece of information can get but 'life' & hospital appointments seem to have taken over. I am saddened to learn of your Father's passing but well done you for having the hindsight to speak with him &, more importantly record your conversations, so he is able to live on through your family & his old comrades' families. I am trying to get all the information I can before I try to arrange a trip (probably my last trip abroad) to retrace my Dad's footsteps. I wish to God things could have been different during his life & we could have taken him back to 'lay a few ghist's to rest' but was never to be. My Dad (Georgie) spoke exactly of the things you mention, mostly about the Scheldte, always referred to just as Walcheren. When he did mention place names, especially towards the end, he seemed to get confused but I could still recognise, Nijmegen & he seemed to have been at several towns along the Rhine, then the big push in to Bremen. I have his war records & have read many books on the subject but still can't seem to pin him down exactly. I know he was in Scotland, in Stirling & Rothes on Spey, then training in the Cairngorms, living in snow holes in the dead of Winter. Should you ever transcribe any of your conversations or have any more information I would dearly love to hear from you. You must be so proud of your dear old Dad & we must never, ever forget what they went through. If it weren't for them none of us would be here. I have issues myself with coping with life & still can't believe what 'man does to man' & can't believe what is going on in the world today. When will we ever learn!! Thanks again Ian, With best regards, Chris.
Hello Chris, I don't think I'll transcribe any of the conversations as they are videoed and on DVD's. I posted a link to a thread on Milsurps where there are several videos of my dad, if you haven't seen them already, have a look. I wonder if your dad and mine ever met. My dad met up with a pal of his from a Commando unit in Belgium and they had a few drinks in a bar. They ended up drugged and I think robbed, the Military Police attended. As a result, he was late back to camp and was knocked down to private. He got his stripes back not long after. Ian.
Hi I have previously put pictures and posts up about my grandfather that was in the 52nd lowland mountain division from 1942 I have recently found another picture of his regiment that I thought I would share Any info would greatly be appreciated Thank you
Side note to anyone interested in the division, Andy Aitcheson and Merryn Walters are making a podcast called The Lowlander which examines the weekly newspaper of the division and what the division was doing in that period, one week at the time. Andy (and Merryn?) are also planning a tour in Europe next year based on With The Jocks.
Hello Ian, I can't seem to find where I ever replied or thanked you for this most interesting anecdote, if I haven't I owe you the sincerest of apologies. Yes, it would be interesting to know if there paths ever crossed. I believe I checked out the Milsurps link but was unsuccessful. I will try again as soon as time allows. Life seems to have taken over for now what with bereavements, house up for sale & paperwork everywhere. With kindest regards, Cheers, Chris.
