F/O. J. Craven . Royal Air Force 50 Squadron
|
PR Craven . British Army PR Craven served with the British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: The Wartime Memories Project is no longer in contact with Dan , his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
|
Thomas Craven . My father, Thomas Craven, spent 4 years in Stalag 8b but would never talk about any of his military life. It was only after his death that items have been shared; his German dog tags and numerous photos from Stalag 8b which I am willing to share with others.
My father was captured on Crete in a village called Xamadohouri and I am still in touch with people from this village who knew my father and they still have photos. If anyone would like to see the photos please let me know.
|
Pte. Maynard C. Cravens . United States Army 192nd Tank Btn from Hart County, Kentucky
|
Aircraftsman 1st Class Allan Cooper Craw . Royal Air Force from Larkhall, Lanarkshire My dad, Allan Craw, was in the R.A.F and was in Oflag 7b from 23/11/44 to 14/05/45. He joined the R.A.F on 23/07/1941 aged 19 and after he did his basic training at R.A.F Hunmanby Moor he went on a ship to Egypt via South Africa, the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Serving with the ground support with the R.A.F in North Africa. He was captured at the fall of Tobruk on 22/06/42 and taken to Benghasi on the 27/06/42. He was taken over to Taranto in Italy on the 23/07/42 and then onto Brindisi on 24/07. Moved to Benevento on 04/08/42 onto Capua on 02/08 and finally to Macerata on 22/11/1942. He escaped on 16/09/43 and was on the run until he was re-captured nearly 6 months later on 02/02/44 about 7 miles from Orsogna trying to get back to the Allies who had advanced near this point. Whilst he was on the run he was fed and sheltered by the Italian people in their homes at great risk to themselves, he never forgot their kindness and generosity towards him. He said the reason he got caught was that he had found a parcel dropped by the Allies and it contained among other things some new boots so he had the boots on and was later questioned by a German soldier speaking in broken Italian asking were he got them from, the soldier wasn't happy with his answer. Anyway he was taken to the police station. Of course they knew straight away he was Scottish and not Italian and he was re-captured. After he was captured he was taken to L'Aquila on 29/02 then onto Latina on 23/03/44 then onto Mantova on 12/06 and finally to Mooseburg in Germany on 18/06/1944. After 2 weeks he was sent off on a working party to Munich to help clear up Allied bomb damage. He was then taken from there to Oflag 7b on 23/11/1944 where he met up with his old friend John Campbell who was in P.O.W camp in Macerata. He was in the column of men who were marching out of the camp to Mooseburg on 14/04/1945 when they came under attack from Allied aircraft thinking they were German soldiers, killing at least 11 and wounding over 40 more. Arriving in Mooseberg on 23/04/1945 he was released on 29/04/1945 taken to Ingolstatt and flown from there by Dakota c47's to Rheims in France and then back home by Lancasters. My dad was Aircraftsman 1st Class Allan Craw 1557340 he was demobbed on 11/12/1945. He was born in Bellshill, Lanarkshire in 1922 and died in Rotherham, South Yorkshire aged 80 in 2002. All the imformation and details were taken from his war time log book.
|
Bmdr. Alexander John Crawford . British Army 260th Field Regiment Royal Artillery from Fraserburgh My Grandfather, Alexander Crawford was captured at Cambrai on 24th June 1940.
He was transferred to Stalag XXB on 19th March 1941 then to Stalag 357 (XIB) on 22nd August 1944.
He was freed from the camps on 8th of May 1945 and eventually arrived back in the UK on 9th May 1945.
|
Bmbdr. Alexander John Crawford . British Army 56th (Highland) Medium Regiment, 221 Battery Royal Field Artillery from Fraserburgh My grandfather, Alex Crawford, served with the local TA (222 Battery) from 1934 to 1939. When promoted to Bombardier he was moved to 221 Battery. It would appear he was a Signaller when he was captured at either Courtrai or Moorsele in Belgium on 24th/25th May 1940 whilst serving under III Corps. He was then a POW in Stalag XXA from 9th June 1940, moved to Stalag XXB in March 1941 where he spent most of the war. He was then transferred to Stalag 357 Fallingbostel/Oerbke on 22nd of August 1944.
We had one photograph of him at XXB but since carrying out my research we have found a second. I'm not expecting to find any from Fallingbostel as I believe the conditions were atrocious by the time he arrived there.
Having looked at the War Diaries (from the National Archives) of 56 Medium Highland Regiment RA there were a number of men either captured, killed or injured on those dates in May 1940.
|
Sgt. Allan Stewart Warren Crawford . British Army Seaforth Highlanders from Goven. My grandfather, Allan Stewart Warren Crawford, born 28th November 1908 at 34 McLellan Street, Govan. We know he served with the Seaforth Highlanders and trained around the Strathpeffer area, possibly based at Fort George, and saw action in the Middle East or Palestine, during WW2. We also know he was a machine gunner, a boxer and attained the rank of Sergeant. He died of natural causes in Glasgow in 1997 and received a pension for his hearing loss (machine gun) in 1993.
What we don't know is his service number, what unit within the Seaforth's he served in and where this unit saw active service. An absolute bonus would be to find out if he received any commendations during his service time or if there was any photos of him or group photos of his unit before or during the war years. I'm conscious I could be at the beginning of a fairly lengthy period of searching but would love to have this info in time for my father's 70th birthday in October, to tell him about his father's war service and present him with some period momentos of the Regiment which I'm currently searching for, Glengarry's etc.
All help or assistance will be very much appreciated by all our family.
|
L/Sgt. Allan Warren Crawford . British Army 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders from Glasgow My grandfather, Alan Carwford servede with the Seaforth Highlanders in WW2.
We have received an extensive lot of info from the MOD in Glasgow and now know he was in the 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders for the majority of his time (almost 18 years), from 1927 till demobbing in September 1945.
Between 1927 and the outbreak of war he served in India and Palestine (with periods in the UK as well - location unknown). Initially he was with in D company (coming 3rd in his class in 1928 and 2nd in class in 1932). From January 1940 till June 1940 he was with the British Expeditionary Forces in France (he was lucky and got away). From June 1940 till June 1942 he was in Britain, but whereabouts unknown, Strathpeffer - regrouping ??. From June 1942 till August 1943 he served in the Middle East, being wounded in Egypt in November 1942. From August 1943 till Nhe was in Britain, whereabouts unknown. From June 1944 till Sept 1945 I can't make this out on the paperwork it looks like 'WWE'?? In September 1945 he was demobbed. He attained the rank of Lance Sergeant but appears to have been a naughty boy and busted to private before going up again.
We also know he received a number of medals which the MOD has infomed us of ( x 6 ). Unsure if he would have got the 'Long Service or Good Conduct' medal due to previous bit of info. This was not noted as being awarded on the MOD notes.
The last pieces of info we are trying to put together are: 1. Are their any pictures of the 2nd Battalion Seaforths anywhere? Even scanned copies would be amazing. Does anyone have info as to where the battalion was located when in Britain? When he was wounded in Egypt it has listed him as 'S.W'? Does this mean severely wounded or shot and wounded?.
After he was wounded he was apparently located in an area called '106 S.A. Gurhorpt'? The writing on the paperwork is hard to make out. Is there any info on this location in the campaign briefs or have I misread the place?
Editor's Note: Between June 1944 and September 1945 2nd Seaforths were in the Western European Theatre, fighting from the Normandy beaches, through Caen to Le Havre, through Belgium to Anwerp and the River Maas passage, crossing the Rhine in March 1945 and pushing through into Germany.
|
Dvr. Cyril Crawford . British Army 211 Coy. Royal Army Service Corps
|
D Crawford . British Army D Crawford served with the British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: The Wartime Memories Project is no longer in contact with Dan , his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
|
D Crawford . British Army D Crawford served with the British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: The Wartime Memories Project is no longer in contact with Dan , his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
|
Pte. Douglas Frederick Norman Hugh Crawford MM.. British Army Seaforth Highlanders My father Doug Crawford served with the Seaforth Highlanders and received his MM on 21st January 1943. He was a stretcher bearer & received his medal for attending 2824600 Pte. Thompson & 3058511 Sgt. Wardlaw.
I would like to know where the attack was and if Pte. Thompson & Sgt. Wardlaw were ok.
|
Eric Richard Crawford . Royal Navy HMS Electra
|
F. Crawford . Royal Canadian Air Force 419 Sqd.
|
FG Crawford . British Army Highland Light Infantry FG Crawford served with the Highland Light Infantry British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: The Wartime Memories Project is no longer in contact with Dan , his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
|
J Crawford . British Army Highland Light Infantry J Crawford served with the Highland Light Infantry British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: The Wartime Memories Project is no longer in contact with Dan , his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
|
W/O J. M. Crawford . 97 Squadron
|
Jim Crawford . United States Army 191st Tank Btn. I was a driver of the company commander's tank for a while. I was at Salerno, Benevento, Venafro and the Volturno River, then back to Naples, and Anzio and Rome. Drove S/Sgt Billmeyer's in Southern France on into Germany with Willie Williams, gunner.
|
JJ Crawford . British Army Royal Armoured Corps JJ Crawford served with the Royal Armoured Corps British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: The Wartime Memories Project is no longer in contact with Dan , his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
|
LAC John Bennett Crawford . Royal Air Force from Bridgeton, Glasgow I have, in my possession, a letter from The Director of Netherlands Air Force Colonel I. A. Alen. It states: "On behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, I wish to convey my warm appreciation to John B Crawford for the services rendered to Nr. 320 (Dutch) Squadron during the World War 1939-1945. There is no doubt that the magnitude of your effort has contributed very greatly to the part played by this squadron in the liberation of the Netherlands. You have helped in a great cause and assisted in the establishment of true understanding and fellowship between our two nations. The Director of the Netherlands." The cover letter which came with it states, "I take this opportunity of congratulating you on this award, for it is one very sparingly given. It is unfortunate that, as you are no longer serving, it is not possible for the Certificate to be presented to you on a muster parade, in accordance with the customs of the Service. Group Captain Beaulah" We never knew about the existence of this letter until 4 weeks ago. If anybody can help explain about this, please do.
Editor's Note: Serving as an LAC Jackie Crawford would have been ground crew, from this letter and certificate, it can be presumed he was serving with 320 Squadron and had been demobbed before the certificate was issued. 320 Squadron was a Dutch squadron of the Royal Air Force, consisting of members of the Royal Netherlands Air Force flying from Britain as Holland was under German occupation.
|
John McLaughlin Crawford . British Army 1st Btn Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) from Scotland Glasgow John Crawford, born 11th of September 1913 served with the 1st Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) in WW2.
|
JW Crawford . British Army JW Crawford served with the British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: The Wartime Memories Project is no longer in contact with Dan , his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
|
Cpl. Lena "Titch" Crawford . WAAF At the age of 21 years I was called up to join the WRAF. I had to report to Somerset House in London. I was billeted in RAF Benson in Oxford. I worked in the Laundry and in the canteen. I met Paddy Finnegan (The Legless Pilot) and Vera Lynn “the forces Sweetheart”. She came to RAF Benson to entertain the troops by singing “The white cliffs of Dover”. After she had entertained the troops she came and had tea with me and my colleagues. She also took a photograph of us all. I was a corporal in the RAF and my men used to call me “Titch”. I served between 1940 and 1944. I was often moved about, when in the RAF, sometimes I was in the laundry doing the airmen’s bundles and sometimes I was in the canteen. I still have a scar on my hand, where I opened hundreds of tins of corned beef! I didn’t mind and during the War you just had to get on with it and do as you were told. I also packed the parachutes. This was obviously a very important job, because if you got it wrong, lives depended on it!
|
Gnr. Luke Crawford . British Army 127th Field Rgt. Royal Artillery (d.16th June 1944) My grandad died on 16th June 1944. He was a gunner with 127th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, 8th Army Desert Rats.
|
MA Crawford . British Army Durham Light Infantry MA Crawford served with the Durham Light Infantry British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: The Wartime Memories Project is no longer in contact with Dan , his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
|
Margaret Crawford . Auxiliary Territorial Service from Sunderland My mam, known then as Margaret Crawford, from Sunderland served in the ATS during WW2. She was stationed in Edinburgh, she had a best friend Babs Jennings. I have just found out she gave birth to a daughter and that the baby was brought up by her grandparents. I now have a sister I don't know where or when she was born. I would love any information.
|
MCH Crawford . British Army Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment MCH Crawford served with the Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: The Wartime Memories Project is no longer in contact with Dan , his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
|
RB Crawford . British Army Reconnaissance Corps RB Crawford served with the Reconnaissance Corps British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: The Wartime Memories Project is no longer in contact with Dan , his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
|
Sig. Robert Sloane Crawford . Royal Navy from Whiteabbey, Belfast My father, Robert Crawford, served as a signalman. I have his Certificate of Service showing that he joined up in July 1940. He was mostly on minesweeping and anti submarine trawlers.
He was awarded The 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star with France & Germany Clasp, Africa Star with North Africa Clasp and The War Medal 1939-45.
This is all I know because Dad never spoke about his time in the War.
|
|
