Emails


 
 

Re: 2724327 Gdsn William George Butler
 

Hi Ivor

I came across your great web site while researching my father’s family history.

My father died in 1964 when I was 5 years old and his military service was before he met and married my mother and she knows very little about it.
I have managed to get hold of his Record of Service from RHQ Irish Guards.
He joined the Irish Guards 17th February 1944 at Caterham. 

His postings included:

North West Europe 29th April 1945 to 1st February 1946 {2IG, HQ 5 Gdr Bde}

UK 2nd February 1946 to 26th February 1947 {1IG}

Middle East Land Forces 27th February 1947 to 18th September 1947

UK 19th September 1947 to 29th November 1947 {Demob}

 I would be grateful for any information on places that he may have been stationed at and jobs/rolls he may have done etc and of course if anyone remembers him.

 I have enclosed below, a photo of my dad, also a couple of photos of his mates. Unfortunately I do not have any names for them except possibly a L/cpl Roberts

Thank you for your time

Yours Sincerely

Adrian Butler


William George Butler


 

Re: Robert Blackledge Photograph 

 

Hi Ivor,
Great Site, don't know where you get the time ?,
Here's a Photo taken in Sennelager whilst Field Firing prior to going on a Cape Tour of Liverpool, Hence we're all Scouse's. I think. Regards Bobby QS.


 
Names:  Graham    ??         Bobby                Big Bill           Marty Dirty
            Wynne    ??        Blackledge            Davies       Dingous  Daley

Can you remember the missing names  ??


 



Re: Peter's Group Photograph

Dear Ivor,
I am wondering if you would be willing to show this old photo which I believe has several Irish Guardsmen in it - apart from Field Marshall Earl ALEXANDER of TUNIS, fourth from the left in the front row.
In the back row fourth from the left is Major J. McCreery. I would be very grateful if your visitors could name the others in this group.

I believe the photo was taken some time in the late 1960's in the RAF Club on Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin. The photographer was probably George LEECH who had served with the RFC in WW1 and who later was a professional photographer with a major Irish newspaper.

I like the site very much, as the son of a Guardsman I like to visit it from time to time.
    Very best regards,
          Peter Cavendish

If you can help - please contact Peter via my Mailbox :

 

 
Re:The late Lieut Tim Ffrench-Mullen
 

Dear Ivor,

I'm wondering whether you can help me. By chance, I fell upon your website and saw a picture of my father, who was one of the Officers named in the Gummersbach Officers Mess group photograph taken in 1945.
Sadly he died in 1982, when I was 12, and I was just wondering whether you had have any other pictures or knew of anyone from that picture who was is still around!

He had a brother in the Irish Guards called Anthony Ff-M who I believe was a POW and fell out of a plane onto a pile of potato peel and survived. I wonder if anyone remembers that incident ?

I'm sure you get a lot of interest from people like me !

Congratulations on the website.

Many thanks,
Tara ffrench-Mullen
             If you can help - please contact Tara via my Mailbox :
                     


 
Re: Sgt Bill Stephens
 

Hello Ivor

                   This is something of a long shot. I am trying to find out any information about my father Sgt William "Bill" Stephens. He served in the 1st Batt  Irish Guards sometime in the 1930s, and then again during the war. I think he may have spent some time at Pirbright Barracks. That is really all I know , and would very much like to find out more about him.           

                      I'm sending you a photo of my Father, Sgt Bill Stephens
                                                      
I'm not sure if the quality is good enough to be of any use, I hope so. I do know it was taken at Windsor Barracks  on 1st October 1939.  Let's hope someone will recognise him.
  Thank you for your help,  

Ken Stephens

You can contact Ken via my Mailbox :
                       

 
Re: No.20 Private Patrick Driscoll

Hi Ivor,
I was wondering if you or your visitors could provide me with some assistance ?
My Great-Grandfather was No. 20 Private Patrick Driscoll of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards from 1900 to 1907.
On the outbreak of WW1, he re-enlisted in the 2nd battalion Irish Guards and went to France on the 15.08.15 and subsequently fought at the Battle of Loos and the Somme. He received gun shot wounds to the head and legs on the 25.09.16 and was returned to Ireland to recover.
 A year later he was sent back to France, but was classified medically as B1 and was temporarily transferred to the Military Foot Police until the end of the War.

  Due to his early involvement in the Irish Guards (he joined them in May 1900) and his early involvement of the 2nd Battalion in WW1, I was hoping that there may be some pictures of him.
Could you provide me with any tips or do you know if there are any resources/collections that may contain a picture of him?? Any advice at all would be appreciated.
 I already have his service records from the Irish Guards, but there are no pictures contained.
Thanks for your help
 
Brian Reilly
You can contact Brian via my Mailbox :
                    


Re: Irish Guardsman Harry Kenall


Dear Ivor

I am officiating at a funeral service on Wednesday 1st  August for an ex Irish Guardsman Harry Kenall.
He served in 1939 - 1945  and was 81 years old. The service will be at his hometown of Chorley at the United Reformed Church. You  may wish to place a notice on your site in remembrance.

Regards
Reverend Tom Carmichael
 

Thankyou Tom,  I am sure that all my visitors will want to join me in remembering
a fellow Mick,  and may I take this opportunity to send my own condolences to
 Harry's family and friends.

"QUIS SEPARABIT" 

Re: Irish Guardsman Tommy Neill

Dear Ivor,

 My Dad, Tommy Neill, died in 1971 while on tour in Hong Kong when I was 18 months old. I have been able to get in touch with two of my Dads old pals and heard some really nice things about him. Can you please put these photos on your web site to see if anyone knows who they are or if they can get in touch with me. 
    
    Many Thanks

Michelle Neill


Bobby Millen and Tommy

 


Tommy the boxer, in action, on the right
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE PICTURES
You can contact Michelle via my Mailbox :
                          
Please quote 'Mail for Michelle' in the Subject box of your Email form  


Re: Gdsn. James Aloyisios Walsh

Hello Ivor.....
I am wondering if any old Micks can help, my father James Aloyisios Walsh volunteered for service in WW2 with his brother Chris although they were both exempt being bricklayers building air raid shelters.  They enlisted in Manchester.
My father Jim was in the 1st Battalions Irish Guards in North Africa and at Anzio where he was wounded and taken prisoner. I think it was early 1946 before he came home. 
He never applied for his medals and he died in 1974 and is buried in Moston Manchester.  He rarely spoke of the war but I know that he was a proud Mick. 
His date of birth was 15.04.1918. Unfortunately we do not have his Regimental Number, but I remember him saying he served with an Emmet Dunne.
Thank you for such a great site - it is a credit to you.  Have enclosed a couple of photos of my Dad...one as an apprentice at Moston Brick (below-right)- the other from the Manchester Evening News about 1945...under the heading 'Freedom's Men'...my father is bottom left. 


James Aloyisios Walsh
Hope to get some response...
Best Wishes and Kindest Regards...
Frank Walsh 
You can contact Frank via my Mailbox :
                           
Please quote 'Mail for Frank Walsh' in the Subject box of your Email form  


 Re: 23495444 Gdsn. John (Alan) Patterson
Hi Ivor,
First may I congratulate you on the terrific site.

My grandfather served in the Micks, and I was wondering if it was possible to put a mention on the site in the hope that some of his old comrades may see him in the photo below. . . . .


 Grandad John (Alan) Patterson is second from the right in the above group

  He came from Derry/Londonderry, N.Ireland
  Enlisted September 5th 1958 as a boy soldier aged just 15.
   Boy service with "F" Flute.
Signals Platoon/Company on turning 18.
 BAOR December 1st 1961 to September 6th 1962
    Discharged September 8th 1962.
Thank You, and best of luck with the site in the future. 

          Conor Breslin
You can contact Conor via my Mailbox :
                           
      Please quote 'Mail for Conor Breslin' in the Subject box of your Email form  


 Re:  Luke 'Kevin' Kelly

                                             

                 Hello there Ivor, I hope this email finds you well.
 
 " I am the grand-daughter of a Luke 'Kevin' Kelly (above) who was in the Irish Guards. Sadly he passed away a few years ago and as you can imagine he never ever wanted to speak about his time during the war. The only information I have is his number which was 2723141 and he was motor lorry driver/guardsman in the Irish Guards. I believe he was definitely in Africa and Anzio as he was captured at some point and was a POW for a while in Italy.

The picture I am attaching  was taken on his wedding day in April 1946.
He married Margaret Grace in St Richards in Bootle, Liverpool.
 
What I would like to know is what squadron/battalion etc he belonged to.
Can I find this out from just his service number ? Is it possible to find his service record ? I have read many stories about the Irish Guards and happenings in both places but would love to know for sure which he belonged to.
I remember there was only one time he did speak and he got so upset he never mentioned it again. I am led to believe that there was a misfortunate happening with a bazooka and his best friend!
 
There are so many blanks I would like to fill in for myself and my family and to truely understand what these men went through. I dont even know where he trained and how and why he received the three war medals he has."
 
I hope you can shed some light on where to go from here.
 
Thankyou and keep up the brilliant website!!
 
Yours sincerely
 
Lorna Kelly

I  have referred Lorna to the Records Office at RHQ , but meanwhile if you have any information for the family,

   You can contact Lorna via my Mailbox :
                          
      Please quote 'Mail for Lorna Kelly' in the Subject box of your Email form  

 

 Re: 2716943 Cpl. Robert Mathew Cullen

Hi Ivor

I'm trying to find out information about my father 2716943 Cpl. Robert Mathew Cullen who was captured at Anzio and appears at some time to have been in Stalag 111a. Have just come across a letter to my mother dated 4th May 1945 where he seems to be making for USA lines. I know you must get lots of requests like this. Any advice would be welcome.

Many thanks,

Robert Aeden Cullen
            You can contact Robert via my Mailbox :
                        
      Please quote 'Mail for Robert Cullen' in the Subject box of your Email form  

 


The Dawson Brothers

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            .
Re: 22692230 Gdsn Bryan and 2724003 Gdsn Ken Dawson
.

 

Sgt B O'Flynn's Squad Oct 1952

No 10 platoon Pirbright 1953

Cpl B Dawson's Squad Sept 1953

 

Sgt B Dawson's Squad May 1953

No 5 Company July 1953

Sgt K Dawson's Squad Oct 1945 

Dear Ivor
I have been searching for information regarding my father and his brother who were both in the Micks. I am sending you the above pictures for publication on your site in the hope that this will encourage some of their Irish Guards mates to contact me.

My Father, 22692230 Sgt Bryan Dawson was in the Micks 1952-1954 He was in No 5 Company July 52, and then  No 7 Company at Pirbright in Oct 52. Early 1953 he was in No 2 Company 1st Battalion. My Dad was part of the Queens escort in 1953 for her Coronation and was in a photograph which included about 96 Guardsmen, but,
 unfortunately never received a copy of this photo..

Dad's brother (Ken Dawson 2724003) was in the Irish Guards approximately 1944 and was part of the invasion force, Guards armoured division, he served under Lieutenant Colonel Vandeleur   and was in the Battle at Joe's Bridge. My Uncle unfortunately died in approximately 1979 from Parkinsons disease which medics believed was brought on by the traumas he experienced during that battle.
This is an amazing piece of history that I am now sharing with my sons who are 22 years old and 26 respectively.
I would love to find a close-up photograph of my uncle Ken for my Dad who is ill in hospital. I have enjoyed looking at the site and would be grateful for any information, photos, or any ideas about where to look for further information.
I do know that Ken undertook his tank training at Hawick, Scotland.

     Thankyou

             Regards

            Janine Dawson

You can contact Janine via my Mailbox :
   
      Please quote 'Mail for Dawson Bros' in the Subject box of your Email form 




Re: 2721450 L/Cpl.John (Jack) Masterson
 

Dear Ivor,

My father who was a gamekeeper in Sussex, joined the Irish Guards and fought both in North Africa and Italy. Like many service men coming back from that war he spoke little about his experiences and the diaries he kept mention the weather and only occasionally make  reference to what was going on.
"Came out of line, had boots off for the first time in days" and "Not many of us left now" are the most graphic of the entries.

My father died before my children got to know this quiet and gentle man who loved and valued his family and home life.  I would like to find out more of my father's war so that my children are able to understand some of the values that he has passed on and continue to live through them.

His was born John William Davey Masterson. As an adult he was known as Jack Masterson. Prior to joining up he was working for Lord Strathcona at Possingworth Manner as a game keeper. He fought in the 2nd World War with the No 2 Company No 1 Battalion Irish Guard 2721450.

He was in North Africa and I know he arrived in Italy with the Highland Brigade climbed mountains and saw Naples and Vesuvius. Embarked on a landing craft for the beach head south of Rome. He spent a night in some caves and days in the trenches. General Alexander visited his company. I also think he was mentioned in dispatches.

 I am only just starting my search and unfortunately many of the papers and photographs I saw as a child I no longer have to hand.

I would be grateful if you could give me any help or guidance on how to take my search forward.

Yours sincerely

Sandra Masterson

If you can help, please contact Sandra via my Mailbox :
                      
      Please quote 'Mail for Masterson' in the Subject box of your Email form  




Re: Guardsman Mick O'Gorman

HI Ivor

I have been given your email address by a friend that was in Boy Service with me in the 60s, I am trying to trace a very good friend called Mick O'Gorman, Irish Guards. He passed out in Oswestry in 1961 or 1962 and joined his Battalion. We then lost contact. could you post a message on the I G webpage to see if any one remembers him and if any one knows his location.

Thank you in anticipation

Gerry Leah

You can contact Gerry via my Mailbox :
   
      Please quote 'Mail for Gerry-Leah' in the Subject box of your Email form 

                           

            Re: Guardsman Alexander Greenaway


Hi there.

 I just discovered your wonderful web site today.

 My uncle Alexander Greenaway was a member of the Guards from approximately 1943 - 1952. I'm not sure of exact dates but I do know that he landed on D-Day +6 and saw action in France, Holland and Germany (quite possibly Italy as well but I am not sure). I do know that he was involved in Operation Market Garden and his best friend Billy Waters was killed there. I can only approximate because, sadly, he passed away this past fall.

 I'm looking for any remembrances or photographs of my uncle that you or any of your visitors might have.

 He so rarely talked of his time during the second war to end all wars and, to my everlasting shame, I never pushed. I always figured there was time to hear his stories later.

 Sadly, there will be no 'later' for my uncle and I.

 Any kind of feedback or information that you could pass on to me would be forever appreciated. 

Most sincerely yours.

 Stephen Howard Greenaway
 

You can contact Stephen via my Mailbox :
   
      Please quote 'Mail for Stephen Greenaway' in the Subject box of your Email form 

 



Re: Guardsman Peter Walker 

 
Peter
 

Hi Ivor, Would anybody visiting your site have known Guardsman Peter Walker from Susan Terrace, Dublin. He was in 3rd.Battalion and killed in action in Belguim in 1944. He had a brother, also in the Guards whose name was Johnnie Walker. He fought in World War Two as well.

                      Peter Walker on a Medal Parade
My name is Joseph Duggan and they were my Nan's brothers.
Any info about them would be great.
Joseph


You can contact Joseph via my Mailbox :
   .
      Please quote 'Mail for Joseph Duggan' in the Subject box of your Email form 

Re: L/Sgt M Kinane's Squad 1963
 

 
Hello Ivor,

Sammy Wilson asked me to pass on this Squad Photo

to see if there are any of them out there ?

If anyone would like to contact Sam they can do it through Ivor's mailbox and he will pass it on to me.

Billy Smyth

 You can contact Billy via my Mailbox :
   .
      Please quote 'Mail for Billy' in the Subject box of your Email form 

Re:22266874 (Formally 6202856)
John Alexander Hughes, Irish Guards

Hi Ivor, I have just found your fantastic site and I am hoping you or your comrades may be able to help me.
I am searching for information about my late father: 6202856 Piper JOHN ALEXANDER HUGHES who was in the Regiment during World War Two.

 I have recently been traced by my half-sister (Kathy) and she has given me a few photos and a little information about my Dad. I was raised in care and the only information I had until now was the name and service number of my father on my birth certificate dated 25th June 1943.
My Dad changed his name to DONOGHUGH (his mothers maiden name) after a dispute with his father but I don't know when the change was made.
Dad moved on and married again and they had a son named Patrick.

I have attached the 4 photos that I now have in the hope that some old comrades may recognise or remember him.


Dad on Palace Duty c.1946

 Dad at an I.G.A. Meeting
(London Branch)
c.1988/89 with his son Patrick

Dad's headstone at Richmond Cemetery.

Dad leading a Parade (Piper on right of photo) c.1945/46?

 I would like to hear from comrades who knew my Dad and especially from anyone who knows about his DCM 
Many thanks in anticipation of good news.
All the Best
John Hughes 

You can contact John via my Mailbox :
                              .
      Please quote 'Mail for John Hughes' in the Subject box of your Email form 



Re:American 82nd Airborne's
504th Parachute Infantry Regiment

Dear Ivor
This is a bit of a longshot, but I wonder if you can help me. I am doing some research into the American 82nd Airborne's 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment during the Second World War, and I'm led to believe that they shared the troopship Capetown Castle with the 1st Battalion the Irish Guards whilst travelling back from Italy to England during April 1944 after fighting in the Anzio beachhead.

If this was the case, then would you know anyone from 'The Micks' who was on that voyage, and might have memories (that they would be willing to share) of the American Paratroopers that were onboard.

Any help you and your visitors can give me would be most gratefully recieved,

 As a matter of interest, the voyage is mentioned in a book (Those Devils in Baggy Pants) written by one of the paratrooper, Ross Carter (he survived the war, but sadly died of skin cancer in 1947): "Aboard were superbly disciplined tall, lean, dry-skinned, powerfully built Scots, Irish, and Coldstream Guards, wearing standard British battle dress which they always kept neat and spotless, making the long voyage home after five or six years’ service for the King in the far corners of the world.

By contrast the ‘troopers resembled a mob of pirates. Nearly all of us, dressed in anything from fatigues to tan jump suites, wore a handlebar moustache and shuffled around with a pistol or knife or both swinging on our shoulder or hip. I am certain that, in modern times, a more desperate-looking gang of ruffians had not sailed on a British ship.

The British Guardsmen, knowing us to be one of the crack regiments of the American Army, surveyed us with undisguised amazement and curiosity. To them discipline was an important factor in war, and if we had any, they couldn’t put their finger on it!”

Once again, many thanks for your help,

Best Regards
Peter Outridge

                  You can contact Peter via my Mailbox :
                              .
                Please quote 'Mail for Peter' in the Subject box of your Email form 
 

Re: Gdsn William Milton

Hi Ivor,

I am emailing you from the USA. I am looking for information on my father, guardsman William Milton. I do not have his number. He was in the Guards during WW II, and also in 1947 when I was born. In September of 1947 he lived at Wilner Cottage, Isfield, Sussex,
I have been told that he was a member of the Queens Irish Guard. 
I never met him because I was adopted, but his name is on my original birth certificate as my father, my mother has given me a little information, but not much. Any help you, or your fellow Guardsmen could give me would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you in advance for your help.

Sybil Morley

You can contact Len via my Mailbox :
.
Please quote 'Mail for Sybil' in the Subject box of your Email form
( This is a new precaution to protect my Visitors from 'spamming' )
or reply direct to:

smorley@earthlink.net



Re: Cornelius Ford - Irish Guards WW1

Hello Ivor, Please can you help. 

I am trying to find where my grandmother came from through her brother, Cornelius Ford, who was in the Irish Guards.

He was a witness to her wedding in 1907 and a photo of him in his uniform was hanging on a wall in her house.

No one knew of my grandmother's background, and on her deathbed admitted to being brought up in a convent.
That's all we have.

I have tried to run down the genealogy of the family without sucess, I think her and her brother came from Ireland.

I am British but live in the U.S.A.. I will be coming over again to see my family, my mother is 96 in October this year,
and hope to narrow my search down.

 I was hoping that as Cornelius is not a common name, he perhaps would be easier for me to trace. I have read about the WW1 losses in France and think he may have lost his life there, as none of my family ever met him. In 1914 my mother was 4 years old and perhaps met him but cannot remember.

Please can you, or your visitors, guide me to find Cornelius Ford's Regimental History.  Thank you,
Len Jackson.

You can contact Len via my Mailbox :
.
Please quote 'Mail for Len' in the Subject box of your Email form
( This is a new precaution to protect my Visitors from 'spamming' )
or reply direct to:
lenjackson@zoominternet.net 




Re: 22779811 Gdsn.Billy Donnelly
  
Hi Ivor,  I am an ex-Mick. I was in Guards Depot October 1956 to December 1956.
I was in Sgt Larry Parks squad and I am looking for anyone who  has a copy of the squad photo, as mine has gone missing. I would be grateful for any help you can give me thank you. 
Billy Donnelly

You can contact Billy via my Mailbox :
.
Please quote 'Mail for Billy' in the Subject box of your Email form
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Re: 2718556 Gdsn.Ernest Joseph Champion 



 Hi Ivor,

My Grandfather Ernest (Eddie) Joseph Champion joined the Irish Guards at 17 around 1932/3. I think he did a 10 years service. He never really spoke about his time in the army. He did tell my mother the story of being on the ship that was sunk on the way to Norway and that the water was so cold. He was terrified of the sea after the experience, he was at one stage missing in action presumed dead, but turned up later in Wales whilst my Gran was pregnant with my Mother. My Grandmother said that she first saw him when he was on guard duty at Buckingham Palace. He transferred to the 8th Bat Royal Ulster Rifles in December 1941 where his brother George was serving. I have attached some pictures, feel free to use them on your site.I have also attached the picture of a badge (above) which I believe may have come from his tunic. Does anyone recognise this ?


Are you in either of the photos below ?


Great Grandad and Grandad

Camp Guards


Grandad and a mate

  I would be interested to know what all the numbers and letters mean on this transfer docket.

If any of your visitors know of or served with my grandad and have any information I would love to know.
Roger Tanner 

You can contact Roger via my Mailbox :
.
Please quote 'Mail for Roger' in the Subject box of your Email form
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Re: Sergeant Thomas Bingham
 

Grandaughter Lisa Goddard writes: 

    " Hi , does anyone remember Sergeant Thomas Bingham. He was my
grandfather.  This is the only photo I have of him taken when he was 19 yrs old in about 1938.  He rose to WO2 rank.  He lost an eye when a Norwegian troop ship was sunk. I would like to know more about him"

You can contact Lisa via my Mailbox :
.
Please quote 'Mail for Lisa' in the Subject box of your Email form
( This is a new precaution to protect my Visitors from 'spamming' )


                                    

Re: Guardsman Tony McGinty


On 11th January 2006 Tony wrote in my Guestbook:

"My name is Tony McGinty and I was in the Micks from 1960 to
1970, and I boxed with the famous Micks boxing team. Also I
was in the bearer party of 'Field Marshal The Earl Alexander' of Tunis KG,

I was one of the two Guardsmen who did escort to the Colour's on the
Queen's birthday parade 1969 'Trooping of the Colour'. "


"I've plenty more to talk about!"


Tony has also sent me a couple of Emails :
 

In a short message referring to Edward Fitzpatrick he says: " I knew Edward quite well as he was my Boxing Coach. He was killed in Aden. I was there and saw him being buried. I have more information if required ".
 

In another Tony refers to 'A Good Old Mick' by Tommy Roach who mentions a Bert Smith in his article on this site. " I'm sure it's the Bert Smith I served with who came to my Wedding and let me and my wife share his home until we got our own Married Quarters. I would love to hear from him or anyone who might know him."
 

"I would also like to get in touch with any of the famous boxing team from 1962-1970. There were the three Sullivan brothers, Sean, Breadan and Gabriel who I would especially like to be in contact with.

You can contact Tony via my Mailbox : .
Please quote 'Mail for Tony McGinty' in the Subject box of your Email form

 

 

Re: Guardsman 2719683 Edward Clare

Ivor 

I am emailing in the hope that you or some of the other ex-Guardsmen can help.

My late father Guardsman 2719683 Edward Clare served with the 2nd Battalion Irish Guards during WWII and I am trying to find out more about his time there.

As with I guess many ex-serviceman he spoke very little about his experiences during the war and in particular about his time spent in a POW Camp in Poland. 

The following is the little I do know but I would be extremely grateful if there is anyone who could add extra details as to the experiences and conditions etc., even if they did not know my father personally but where in the same places at the same time and would be prepared to share any details. 

Name:               Edward Clare

DOB:                12/02/1918

Service No.:      2719683

Enlisted:            Caterham, 15/12/1939

Demobbed:       14/11/1945

From what I can piece together he saw active service in May 1940 with the 2nd Battalion in Holland when they assisted with the evacuation with Queen Wilhelmina of Holland before returning to France on the 22nd May 1940 were he saw action in and around the Boulogne area.

It would appear that he was taken prisoner on 23rd May 1940 remaining in captivity as a POW, near Thorn/Thurn in Poland, working as a farm labourer, until early 1945.

Much more than the above I have no idea what he went through and would be extremely grateful for any details.

I look forward to hearing from you

Yours sincerely

Ian Clare

 


 

Re: Syd Davie

Ivor

 

I had something mentioned on Radio Merseyside yesterday regarding the Association and received a call from the son of Syd Davie.

 

Syd served during the WW2 , he served with Larry Parson's Bog Men and Gen Horrocks.  Syd was nick named Skid.  His son Bob, who lives on the Wirral would appreciate if any one has any info on his Dad, who at 82 is still very active and living in Canada.

 

Cheers

Kenny Owen

                      
 



Re: 2721250 Cpl Hugh Bamford
 3rd Battalion Irish Guards in Normandy 

Hi,  I just spent some time on your very interesting site. I myself am ex Royal Navy, so why you ask am I interested in a `Micks` site. The reason is twofold, I am a caseworker with the Royal British Legion and the uncle I was named after was a Mick. I have very scant info about my uncle and would be grateful if anyone could tell me anything more.

My uncle was Cpl Hugh Bamford 2721250  3rd Batt who fell on 18.07.1944 during the battle for Caen, he lies in Banneville-La-Campagne cemetery.

Yours

Hugh B McNeill 
 

 

 



Re: 2720753 Sgt Francis Denvir
2nd Battalion Irish Guards Armoured Division

Ivor
My Dad's birthday is fast approaching.Dad who served with the Irish Guards 2 nd Battalion Armoured Division  was seriously injured in Bemmell near Nigmegen 23 October 1944.

Francis

Francis with mates

Would you or your visitors have any information on anyone still alive from that time. Dad is 90 years old on 22 october 2005. He was in hospital in Bath for a period of time before being medically discharged due to his head injuries. L/cpl Fitzgerald, L/cpl Rule, gunner Heluwell, wireless operator guardsmen Johnston driver, tank name Clontaff. Date of landing 30 th june 1944. Date of joining Irish Guards, March 1940.  Royal United Bath hospital date of discharge 29 december 1944. .As I spend most of my time in Ireland you can contact me on 00353879520001 or 07712633888 but if you can post these details, should anyone be available to attend that would be most appreciated.             Regards, Brian Denvir



 



Re: Guardsman 2724463  Richard Rossiter

         Earlier this year, in May, Richard's brother David wrote to me about his brother:

'Hello Ivor, I hope you can help or advise me on obtaining information about my brother. His name was Richard Rossiter. His Army No was 2724463. He served with the 3rd Bn Irish Guards and was killed in action 2nd April 1945, aged 19years and 2 months, and is buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery.
Any advice you can give regarding Richards Army Records will be appreicated.
I am the youngest and only remaining member of our family.'

Regards  David Rossiter.
I replied to David, advising him to contact RHQ, and in due course he received a reply giving date of enlistment, UK postings, date of embarkment & when he joind the 3rd Battalion which    was 23.2.45. It gives the place he was serving in when he died only as North West Europe

David has sent me this Passing Out Squad photo hoping that it will jog a few memories and prompt some of Richard's mates to write to him about their experiences, and those days with the       3rd Battalion in early April 1945,  just before the end of World War Two in Europe.

 

 

 



Re: Guardsman 2723732 George C A Edwards
 Hi Ivor

 

 

My late father served as a Driver/Mechanic (Sherman Tanks) with 2nd Battalion Irish Guards and flew to join the regiment as a replacement driver on 12.08.44. He had enlisted in March 1943 at Liverpool coming, as he did, from nearby Birkenhead. Although a remote possibility it would be great if anyone remembered serving with him. He is seated on the right in the photograph. The other 2 Guardsman are believed to be Wally Burrows and Jimmy Lomax although this is by no means certain. He was demobbed in August 1946 and joined the Police Force in Wallasey, where he served, until his retirement after 25 years. He died in 1990 aged 67.

Regards, Colin

 
 

Re: Corporal C Burland
My name is John Gallagher. I am an ex-Lsgt Grenadier Guards and I think your visitors will be interested in these three photos which Cpl Burland's daughter gave me. She now lives in Australia and would like to hear from anyone who knew her father. The document "The Liberation of Norway" bears the signature of  'Olav'  the King of Norway. 

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Please contact John at:


 

Ray 'Jacko' Jackson
 is looking for
Dennis Cardgin
 


 
Dennis please contact Jacko


 


 

Re: 23495976 Gdsn Willy John Hatchell

Dear Ivor
I am trying to help my Dad contact a couple of people he served with in the Irish Guards. I don't have many details but wondered if you may be able to help please?

My Dad's name is Willy John Hatchell and he was born in Lurgan, Co. Armagh in 1942. He served from 1960 - 65 in the First battalion, stationed at Windsor Barracks, Germany in the early/mid 1960's, and then Chelsea Barracks.

He is trying to contact 2 people:

(a)  Ian or Ivan "Blackie" Black who was from Belfast. He served in Germany 1961/62 in the 2nd Company and the 4th Company of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards and was also in the Chelsea Barracks. He was in the Irish Guards from 1960 - 1965.

(b)  Paul "Tiny" Lutton who was from Lurgan. He also served in Germany and started in number 1 Company. He was in the Irish Guards from approx 1960 - 1964/5.

My Dad now lives in Birmingham, England but his father (Billy Hatchell) and brother (Martin Hatchell) still live in Lurgan, Co. Armagh.

Thanks for you help Ivor. Look forward to seeing if anyone responds !

 Regards
   Claire
               

 


 

Re: 2724281 Gdsn Gordon Mansfield

 

Hi Ivor

First of all let me congratulate you on the work done in producing your site.

I am interested in finding out information with regard to my Dad , Gordon Mansfield ,
who served with the 2nd Battalion (Armoured) Irish Guards from 1944 to 1946 ?
He is the Sherman driver on the far left of the photo below:


CLICK ON PHOTO FOR ENLARGEMENT

I am of that age group that grew up half listening to the war stories of my parents and now wish I had paid closer attention ! I should very much like to know more details of my Dad's service, and any assistance would be gratefully received. Is it possible to establish which squadron or troop he served with ?  Do you recognise yourself in the photo ?

                   

Thanks . . . .

Brian Mansfield   Canmore, Alberta, Canada 

 


 

Re: Gdsn Banjo Butterworth

Hi, I served in the Micks 1990-1994 in Berlin then back in the UK with a little tour of Irleand

I am now serving with the 3rd BTN ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT in Armagh where I have been since 1994. I have a brother in the Micks called BANJO. I have been trying to get in touch with him, but no joy. I think he may be in Germany after serving alongside the Scots Guards in Iraq

Are there any Micks out there who could get him to Email me ?

Regards, Gary

                                




Re: 2720136 Gdsn William Addy

I hope you can help me, or point me to where information may be kept. I have just got back from Normandy with my Father-in-law who's father served with the Irish Guards in the second world war. Family history reckons that he landed at Arromanches shortly after D-Day and we visited this place to see what he must have seen. His name was William Addy, Guardsman, 2720136. He was Officer's Servant to a Captain Johnny Dupree who we believe was wounded while overseas.
 

The big question is, where did William actually serve with the Irish Guards, as his widow,  Margaret,  now in her eighties, says he was very reluctant to talk of his service in the Army.
It would be nice for her to know where her late husband was during his time overseas.

Regards 

Martin Shaw.

Note: I have given Martin the address of the Records Officer at RHQ, but it would be great to find someone who served with William . . .
                           



Re: 2726081 Gdsn Tom Lane
 

I am the eldest Son of Gdsn Tom Lane who trained at the Guards Depot Caterham from 03/05/45 and served with the 1st Battalion Irish Guards in Palestine 1946 to 1947. I believe that he may have been an Officer's Servant at one stage. One of his friends was a chap called Richard 'Dickie' Bird. He was released on 18/02/48 in York.
Sadly Dad passed away in 1992.


Me and my Dad - 1955
He didn't talk much about his service much but I am interested to know if anyone remembers him. One of his recollections was of finding scorpions in his boots in the mornings, probably in the tented camp at Khassa, near Gaza.
 

Thanks from Martin Lane

I would be grateful for information from anyone who can conact me at:





Re: 2718840 L/Cpl John Doyle
 

John Doyle was my uncle and he was in the Irish Guards.  He was a Lance Corporal in the 3rd Battalion.  His number was 2718840 and he is buried in Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery.  He died on 22/09/1944 aged 27 years..  I was hoping that someone might remember him. I just came across this site and it has given me some hope that I might make contact with John's son who was born after his death and may be out there somewhere.

Here's hoping
Thank you,   Margaret Lenehan

                            

                             

                          Re: 24339105 Gdsn Peter Heron

My name is Jayne Clegg and I have just been on your web site and found it very interesting. I am trying to find out about my Uncle. His name is Peter Heron and he was with the 1st Battalion Irish Guards and  I know he went to Germany then to Canada - Medicine Hat, Alberta, and I know he was a driver while in Canada.
He died on the 4th September 1976
I hope you can help me find out about him, or if any of his friends could get in touch with me I would be very grateful.  Thank you, Jayne Clegg 23/02/05


 



Re: A Lost 'Mick' Jersey

Dear Ivor,  My name is Lt. Raven Flores of the U.S. Army, I thought maybe you could help  A year or so ago I served with alongside a unit that called itself Her Royal Majesty's Royal Irish Brigade, as a Chaplain and fellow Catholic, one of the Men was kind enough to present me with his jersey, it was rugby or soccer style with 'Mick' on the back as the name, and it said H.R.M.R.I.B. Sadly it was lost and I am no longer in contact with these fellows. When I told my ArchBishop , whose Great Grandfather was Charles Stewart Parnell, a Hero to the Irish People, he took interest in my losing this beloved Jersey, Sir the reason I am calling on you is if it is at all possible to locate one of these jerseys. I would pay whatever the cost, plus freight.
I just need to locate this and thought with your contacts and history you may be able to help. Any help would be appreciated.  
Thank you, God bless,  Lt. Raven Flores  (CH) U.S. Army  8th Texas Cav.





Re: John Singleton - Irish Guards
 

Hi Ivor

I am Vic Singleton, the elder son of John Singleton, who was in Tripoli with the Irish Guards in 1948 and is in the photo you posted on the Irish Guards website, which also included his good friend Harrison Spindlow 

Regrettably my Dad passed away in Northern Ireland  on 17 January 2005 after 4 years battle with what became full-on Leukemia. 

I was moved to do a little research on the Irish Guards and stumbled on the  picture and story about my Dad's desert driving submitted by Peter Mulrennan and I recall Dad having told me the same thing, once or twice. 
Having tried to contact Peter without success I am hoping that he might see this and get in touch.  "Peter,if you are in Melbourne then perhaps face to face.  If you had any more photos with my dad in them, I wouldn't mind getting copies".

 I have attached a photo my sister recently brought back from Ireland showing Dad and Harrison Spindlow when they were  about 20 years old.

 Regards

 Vic Singleton  - Australia


 



Re: Darren Letts - Irish Guards
I would like to know if you could help me out.  I'm a serving soldier with the
1st Bn Scots Guards in Iraq. I'm trying to track down an ex-Irish Guard by the
name of Darren Letts. All I know is that he got out when the Battalion was last posted at Chelsea Barracks and he is currently living in Birmingham.
  MY E-MAIL ADDRESS IS 

                          scott7559@hotmail.com                    
I've tried everything else to get hold of him, . . . . then I thought of your web site.

  .....................................................
I am 24867559 Gdsn Mcclung, Transport platoon ,

Shaiba log base,  op-telic 5, BFPO 645

Thanks very much, 
S. D. MCCLUNG  




Re: L/Cpl Malcolm Harris

Hi Ivor

Just recently I started to trace my family tree, and I came across a photo of my uncle Malcolm Harris in Irish Guards uniform, with Guards Armoured Division shoulder-flash.
I have no info apart from the photo was taken in 1945 and he took part in the D-Day landings.

As he left the UK in the 60s to live in Rhodesia and died in the 80s I have no way of getting any data on him.

If possible could you point me in the right direction in my quest for any sort of information. 

Regards, Ken Harris
Webmaster's note: I have given Ken the address of our IG Records Office


Malcolm Harris 1945




Re: Gdsn 2720721 William George Darlow 

Ivor,
I will shortly be taking a trip to Anzio to accompany an old family friend who wishes to visit his brother's grave for the fist, and possibly only, time.
His brother was 2720721 William George Darlow, and he died, aged 24, on the 24th February 1944.  He is buried at the Anzio War Cemetery.
Research suggests that William was likely the victim of the daily shelling that the troops came under after surviving the attempted breakout of 30th of January and the German attack in late February.

William was from Rothwell in Northamptonshire.

I would be grateful if any visitors to your site could suggest any places
to visit that might be relevant to any action that he would have been
involved in. Even better if anybody knew of William and the circumstances
surrounding his Death his brother would be grateful for as much information
as possible so that he can pay due hommage during his visit.
Regards
Peter Mumford

            

 


 
Re: 22216108 Gdsn Albert McKee
June 1948 to June 1953 
Hello Ivor,

My name is Albert McKee and I served in the Irish Guards from June 1948 to June 1953 I would like if possible to get in touch with some "Micks" that I served with at Chelsea Barricks London.

Guardsman Foster                                                           Stan Roberts

Guardsman McBride                                                        Sergeant Beaver

Guardsman McKenzie                                                Mackerth & Cunnagh                                          
Dusty Smith (he was my best man)

Guardsman Chalker

Tiger Lions 

I am also interested in acquiring a squad photograph, June 1948, the names I remember of the chaps in the photo are:

If anyone has a photograph or knows how I can obtain one I would be grateful.

 Guardsman Irwin                                   Guardsman Bowes                             Sergeant Duffy  (Drill sergeant)

Guardsman Pittaway                             Guardsman Boots                              Sergeant Beaver

Guardsman Donahue                             Guardsman Bruton                             Paddy Mercer   

I would appreciate any feed-back from anyone who remembers me and any of the people I have mentioned.   
 

I am also interested in getting in contact with any of the following people:

 

Erwin                       Bowes                          Beaver

                 Foster                     Donahue                      Chalker