Hi, I wonder if anyone can help! My war veteran grandfather Islwyn Edwin Howe (Also known as Ted/Edward) has recently passed away and I'm trying to find information on his past. Unfortunately, I don't have much information other than the photographs below, his medals, and his regiment number - 2666006 (Sgt I E Howe 5th Bn Coldstream Guards). I've tried searching online but to no avail. Does anyone have any photographs of his division within their archive, or have any other information which might help me understand a little more about him and how he served his country? Ollie P.s the torn photographs were in his wallet at the time of his passing. My family and I would really like to know who the people are in the photographs. If anyone recognises any faces then please let us know.
Welcome to the forum Ollie. Please apply for the service records, forms here Get a copy of military service records: Apply for the records of someone who's deceased - GOV.UK Will cost £30 and a few weeks wait, but worth it for the official info. If your Gran is still alive the fee will be waived. Had a search of findmypast and didn't turn up anything military, no entries in the casualty lists, so didn't appear to sustain any injuries. I did find this overseas marriage entry from 1948. Don't waste your money on anything else but his official record for the moment. Once you establish his movements/regiments, then you can start thinking about the official war diaries.
amberdog45, thanks for the warm welcome and your help with this - really appreciate it! Yes, I'm about to obtain his records through the Coldstream Guards Headquarters in Wellington. They want £33 so I'm guessing it'll consist of the same information as the gov.uk one.
Hi, Forum member dbf (Diane) has transcribed several years worth of 5th CG War Diaries War Diary: 5th Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS, Jan - Dec 1943 War Diary: 5th Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS, Jan - Dec 1944 War Diary: 5th Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS, Jan - Oct 1945 If you use the forum search facility and type in 5th Battalion Coldstream Guards you will find many topics on this Battalion. Good Luck Steve Y PS my father served 3rd CG 1937/46. PPS Correct me if I'm wrong but is that a Police Long Service Medal? If so nice to see he followed the regular post Guards army service career by joining a Police force (known as Police service nowadays!).
Its nice to see the medals were found following last years burglary . War veteran, 91, has medals stolen in burglary - BBC News Medals stolen from veteran of 5th Coldstream Guards Kyle
Oliver Welcome Service records for Coldstream Guards are held by the Regiment themselves - link - Archives TD
Thank you Steve. I'm not sure about the medal on the right but I do know he joined the police force after the CG so it must be a police medal as you mentioned. Well spotted and thanks!
Hi, If you mean the medal on the far right of his 6 medal bar I expect that is the French Croix de Guerre that has been issued in recent years by the French Government to surviving British combatants of the 1944 campaign in France. I recognise the commemorative Normandy Campaign medal but don't recognise the other 2 medals - also likely commemorative rather than official government issue. His PLSM will have his name and Police rank at the time of issue - after 22 years Police service (now only requires 20 years) - on the rim. Steve Y
Following sight of TD's image (Ribbon in Dutch National Colours?) I would hazard a guess that the second medal on the Normandy Vets bar is a Belgian Commemorative Medal (Ribbon in Belgian National Colours?). Steve Y
The medal on the very right is: Medal commemorating D-Day on June 6, 1944 awarded to those in attendance at the 50th Anniversary who took part in the 1944 D-Day and Normandy Campaign TD
That covers the first 4 medals from the left, there are 2 others 5 & 7 from the left I do not know TD
Richard, Presume you meant first 4 medals from the right? 5th from right is Police Long Service & Good Conduct Medal I referred to above. 7th from right is The Defence Medal. Steve
Defence medal The list/leaflet that Oliver has uploaded post 12, is for the first 4 medals from left to right TD
Dear Ollie, My dad knew your grandfather ... Sadly Dad ..L.Cpl William (Bill) Spearing 2666571 passed away just over a week ago. I think he may well have been the last from the 5th Bn CG..... He also did his basic in Cpl Horrocks squad in 1944 Mark