Hello, I mentioned my Grandfather in this thread http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/ww2-news-articles/23435-news-bad-sort.html and Tom (Smudger Jnr) requested that I post a picture of him. I've attached 4 pictures. Two from when he was in the army during WW2 and a further two when he was older. In the forth picture he can be seen with the Dutch gentleman who tended to his wounds when he was wounded in Oosterbeek. I'm in the process of scanning my familys photo archive so hopefully will have further pictures to post over the next couple of months. I think there's a picture of his platoon with a list of their names in the collection somewhere. My Grandfather served in the 7th Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers as part of the 1st Airborne Division. I believe that he was in No 11 or 12 Platoon C Coy fighting with Lt Col Jim Taylor at some point. He was wounded in Oosterbeek where he had his arm amputated before becoming a POW in Stalag XI B. If anyone has any information directly related to my Grandfather, I would love to here from them. Regards, Paul.
Paul welcome to the forum thank you for posting Forum members with Airborne interests will be along shortly regards Clive
A Photo (with names) of men in what I believe was my Grandfathers Platoon can be found here: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/airborne/38927-7th-kosb-11-platoon-c-company-picture-names.html#post432643
Hi Paul and welcome to the forum. Firstly let me thank you for sharing your pictures. The group photo of No.11 platoon was particularly interesting as you have helped to fill in some names from the platoon I was missing! Have you got a copy of the book "Off at Last" by Robert Sigmund? It is an extremely comprehensive look at the 7th KOSB at Arnhem. Sadly there is nothing in it which is solely about your Grandfather but if you want to find out about what he was involved in at Arnhem then it is a definite "must have". I have another picture of your Grandfather's friend, Howard Lee and I have attached it for you to have a look at. All the best................
If you contact Geert Maassen at the archives in Arnhem, no doubt he can help you with tracing the Dutch fellow, or shall I post him this photograph, and ask for his help?
Hi Paul and welcome to the forum. Firstly let me thank you for sharing your pictures. The group photo of No.11 platoon was particularly interesting as you have helped to fill in some names from the platoon I was missing! Have you got a copy of the book "Off at Last" by Robert Sigmund? It is an extremely comprehensive look at the 7th KOSB at Arnhem. Sadly there is nothing in it which is solely about your Grandfather but if you want to find out about what he was involved in at Arnhem then it is a definite "must have". I have another picture of your Grandfather's friend, Howard Lee and I have attached it for you to have a look at. All the best................ Hi Paul, Thanks for posting the picture of Howard Lee. I'm glad that you found the names I listed useful. "Off at Last" is one of the books which I recently borrowed off my mother from my grandfathers small collection of Arnhem items. It's next on my reading list after "Diary of a Red Devil: By Glider to Arnhem with the 7th KOSB" (not in his collection) which I am currently reading. I had a quick flick through "Off at Last" last night. It actually contains the group picture I posted of 11 Platoon on the other thread. It also lists my grandfather in the appendix, but as you say, I couldn't find anything specifically about him. Paul.
If you contact Geert Maassen at the archives in Arnhem, no doubt he can help you with tracing the Dutch fellow, or shall I post him this photograph, and ask for his help? Hi Philip, Thank you for your suggestion and your offer to help identify the Dutch gentleman in the picture I posted. I do however already know that his name is Mr Hoefakker and that he passed away many years ago. My grandparents paid many visits to the Hoefakkers in Arnhem and I believe my mother is still in contact with Mr Hoefakkers son. Paul.
