Can anyone tell me is this Veteran alive or deceased? I did do a search and saw nothing that would answer this question. Anyone have any information? I really enjoyed the book and just wondering if he is still among the living. Are there any Vets of the 2nd Battalion still alive? Anyone have news articles from local papers about any of these chaps? Anyone that goes to Arnhem talked to any soldiers who were at the Bridge? Love those Vets stories! Thanks Ttyman
Hi teletypeman, Yes there are I had the pleasure of meeting 2 Arnhem Bridge Veterans sometime back... Arthur Latchford and Len Horne both 2 Para Mortars at the Bridge in fact here you go... And to James Sims book yes I agree it is a good read But was he there ?????? I hear that he wasn't.... Cheers Tom
I think I'm right in saying that James Sims passed away a while ago. If I remember correctly he was residing in the Brighton area when he died. As Tom says, Arthur Letchford is still very much with us (went to Arnhem with him and Tom and several other vets in September!). Arthur was also in the same platoon (mortars) as Sims. Sims was also definitely at Arnhem and was taken POW, number 118370, and ended up at Stalag 11B, Fallingbostel. All the best..........
I met James Sims when the book was first released at IWM. I must say I never even thought to get him to sign it. But what intrigues me is - why would someone suggest he wasn't there? Where has that come from?!
I've heard that rumour too Paul but I don't know where it originates from. I seem to remember hearing somewhere that Sims never went to any of the 2 Para reunions or gatherings either
Tom, Paul and Paul. Thank you for sharing. Tom were you stating you had heard that James Sims was not at Arnhem or that he never attended any vet events? I would also like to thank you for sharing the photo. As I stated I did a search before starting the thread. There is a thread dated from 20 Jan 2009 from a member named Donnie. He stated he had found his Grandfather in Arnhem Spearhead. Wondering if we could point him to some of these Vets so if what he stated is true, these Vets could tell him more about his Grandfather. I see that he has not posted anything since 2012. I just did a search for James Sims and the thread is on the second page,titled " My Researching Luck has Returned". I just thought this might be helpful to Donnie. I plan on buying a copy of the book because I liked it. I thought it had quite a bit of information from a soldiers viewpoint. Some of Sims story is also included in C.Ryans, A Bridge too Far. Paul P. sad to hear that Pte. Sims is no longer with usRIP. I always have more questions. Do any of you know if the vets in the photo have had their stories told in interviews? If so is there a way to abtain those? Once again Thanks for the Info. Regards Ttyman
Hi All, Yes thats it Thanks Paul, teletypeman I do have a spare copy of this book if your interested... All I ask is that you cover the cost to post to the US .... Cheers Tom PM we if you want this book
Do any of you know if the vets in the photo have had their stories told in interviews? If so is there a way to abtain those? Hello mate, The guy on the left in the photo "Arthur Letchford" has been in numerous TV documentaries about Arnhem. I'm not sure about his brother though? Both the guys give quite detailed descriptions of events, both at Arnhem and in N. Africa, in the book "Without Tradition" by Robert Peatling. This book is easy to obtain and I'd recommend it to you if you're interested in 2 Para. All the best.............
First once again Thank you all for the comments and information. I found two soldiers stories at Pegasus Archives. One was Len Hoare/Horne and the other was Bill Gibbard. Bill was also in the Mortar Platoon. I realize that both are probably transcribed from an audio interview, but Bill states that James Simms/Sims was at the Bridge. I will have to search to see if I can get a copy of "Without Traditon" from a library. My spouse says I never saw a War book I can't live without. I have to try and get it that way first, to keep her happy. Again Guys THANK You! Regards Ttyman
