I am the son of Frank who sadly died on the 16th
February 2008, aged 82 years. My dad never discussed in detail what took place
when he served during World War Two, but it was obvious that he was very proud
of his service in the Irish Guards. Over the years Frank spoke about being
involved in Operation Market Garden and the push through Holland and into
Germany. When in Germany he was in barracks in the Cologne area. He recently
told me about travelling from the Cathedral in the centre of Cologne in the back
of an Irish Guards truck to watch a form of representative football match. The
truck was driven by a well known former professional footballer who was serving
in the Army, but I cannot remember his name. He described how the RAF had
flattened all the surrounding buildings, butthe cathedral remained relatively
untouched.
Frank later served in Palestine, and on his return
to the UK he was in barracks at or near to the Tower of London. He has described
to me the Ceremony of The Keys which I believe he took part in. He also told me
that he took part in guarding Buckingham Palace and I believe that he may have
taken part in the Trouping Of The Colours and a Rememberance event at the Albert
Halls.
I have found some pictures from his time in the
Army, and I will forward them to you ASAP.
I am due to spend a few days sightseeing in London
over the Easter weekend, and I intend to visit the locations I have mentioned. Could you or anyone confirm if he was in
barracks at the Tower Of London, or provide any information about the Battalion
in which he served and his time in the Irish Guards. Is there a particular book
I could read about my dad's battalion.
Brian Urmson. |
