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Pte. George Gabbitas . British Army Sherwood Rangers from Worksop George Gabbitas served with 9th Battalion, Sherwood Foreesters in Gallipoli.
He was evacuated as a casualty via Imbros and Mudros. Family anecdote says he suffered frostbite.
He returned to the UK and then transferred to the Durham Light Infantry. He was later discharged as unfit for war service back to the coal industry. He had been a coal hewer (miner) pre war.
In 1923 he enlisted in the Notts Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry and was mobilised with them in 1939 as part of 5th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. They went out to Palestine on policing duties to stop trouble between the Arabs and Jews. He returned to UK because of his age and posted to Catterick. Shortly afterwards he was discharged because of his age back to the coal industry. He was awarded the Territorial Efficiency Medal during service with the Yeomanry.
He died in 1961.
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HL Gabbitas . British Army Duke of Wellingtons West Riding Regiment HL Gabbitas served with the Duke of Wellingtons West Riding 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.
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Evan Percy George "Podger" Gabe . British Army 5th Battalion Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry from Wyke Regis, Weymouth My father, Evan Gabe, known as Podger, died in 1988 although his first death certificate was issued during the war after he was hit by a shell and left for dead on the battlefield at, I believe, Hill 112. Whilst crawling around drinking from dead men's water bottles a German soldier, presumably trying put him out of his misery, shot him in the head but the bullet hit the arm of his metal rimmed glasses and passed down the side. Eventually dragged back by colleagues to a field hospital where a captured German doctor operated on him and saved his life.
Waiting on the harbourside in rows of stretchers waiting to get back to England first a Stuka strafed them but missed him. About 3 or 4 stretchers before him they stopped loading the ship which sailed and sunk (mine or torpedo?) just outside the harbour.
Eventually back in England in a Leeds hospital a nurse was shaving off many days growth and said "My God, Podger Gabe, but you're dead!" Her mother who lived in his village had written telling of his reported death. Having lost his dog tags and all ID he had trouble proving his identity (and getting his back pay!) but returned home to Weymouth.
His wife died in the early 50's and he married my mother in 1954 and they had me. My mother donated his medals and papers to the Regimental Museum at Bodmin several years ago. I wish I had recorded his story but it was many years before he would even talk about his experiences.
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Carl D. Gabrielson . United States Army 313rd Field Artillery Btn., Baty C 80th Inf. Div. My dad, Carl D. Gabrielson, was a forward observer in the 80th Infantry Division, 313rd Field Artillery Bn, Battery C. I am interested in learning more about his time in Europe during WW 2. I would welcome any information.
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Leonard Gacka . Polish Army 16th Infantry Division from Poznan, Poland On the 29th August 1939, under General Mobilisation my poppy, Leonard Gacka, was recalled to his unit, the Polish 16th Infantry Division stationed on the border with East Prussia. A day later on the 1st September, the German's launched their blitzkrieg on Poland, beginning World War 2.
Pop's unit felt the full force of this new lightning war and was subjected to constant bombing, artillery and tank attack. As they fell back in disarray, he found himself cut off from behind enemy lines and then captured by German Soldiers, who were going to shoot him. At that time he said to them in perfect German "You are German Soldiers, you fight for your country...... I am a Polish soldier, I fight for mine". A German officer nearby who overheard the conversation asked Poppy where he had learnt to speak German so well and was convinced he was a German Pole. The officer told him to disappear over the hill if he knew what was good for him. Pop needed no further prompting, and he tore up that hill and towards a forest where he found a Polish Cavalry horse, jumped on and galloped back towards the Polish lines. A further 2 weeks of confusion followed for Pop, during which time he was buried in rubble then rescued with his uniform in tatters.
Capitulation soon followed and together with thousands of Polish POW's he was marched hundreds of kilometres through Poland and into Germany where he was interned in Stalag 2A, North of Berlin. Along the way an interesting incident took place, a German NCO strode through the crowds of POW's asking for a barber who could give him a good shave and he would pay them 6 cigarettes. Although not of that trade, Pop obliged and cut him up so badly the poor bloke almost bled to death. However, he was unaware of this until he made it to a mirror some time later. For 3 days the Germans hunted that demon barber but he was hidden by his mates.
There, then followed years of internment with frequent beatings. During the severe winter of 1941, with his uniform in tatters and only a ragged blanket he almost perished had it not been for the gift of a pair of Long Johns sent through the Red Cross by his former employers wife, who informed him that her husband had been executed by the Nazi's.
In 1942 the Germans moved many POW's out of Stalag onto farms where they were used as Forced Labour. Farms meant food so they could supplement their meagre ration of 1 boiled potato a day by pinching the odd egg, chicken or a bit of pork.
Pop also joined the camp choir who sang as they marched to work each day, much to the annoyance of the German population who complained to the Commandant, "How can you allow the prisoners to sing at the top of their voices while our boys are dying on the Eastern Front in Russia".
Poppy often recounted how only 3 nations were marked by the Nazi's during those terrible times, Poles C who had to wear a P , Jews C a Star of David, and Russians a similar emblem, failure to do so could result in summary execution.
One day towards the end of the war while being marched out to work, Pop passed another P coming from the opposite direction, she was a young girl named Lola, as they passed they exchanged greetings and pledged to meet sometime in the future. Lola too had had a harrowing time. Arrested in a Warsaw street round-up in 1940, she was taken to Soldau Concentration Camp where she was interred for a year then released to work as forced labour to a German family who treated her very badly with frequent beatings. Enduring enough, she removed her letter P and ran away only to be caught soon after and sent to prison for 6 months. On release, she was placed with another German family who told her to behave and obey her Nazi Masters.
Both Pop and Nanny, were liberated by the British Army near Lubeck, North Germany in 1945. Pop and Nanny married in early 1946. Poppy got a job with the British Army as a Police Interpreter and even acquired his own Jeep. He also played soccer with a Polish team. They beat an RAF side 7-1 in a friendly, and he also played the drums in a dance band. At the time of the birth of their first child Uncle Lenoard in 1946, they lived in the Falinbostel Camp together with thousands of other displaced persons.
They then planned a return to their native Poland, however a letter from Pop's mother changed all that. She wrote, "Dear Son, it may be best for you to remain where you are at present, Soviet Occupation Forces are arresting Polish soldiers and Home Army Officers as they return home. Already 15,000 Officers have been executed and hundreds of thousands of Poles have been deported to Siberia." It was clear that the Russian regime wanted no opposition to its plans for their new Poland.
In 1949 Pop took the family to France, but returned to Germany 9 months later disillusioned by the unfriendly attitude of the French to outsiders. On their return to Falinbostel, Nanny gave birth to her second son Edward (my dad) in 1950. Poppy had also heard that a delegation of Australian Immigration Officials were scouring the Camp for potential New Aussies, he couldn't find them quickly enough. Within months they had set sail from Bremerhaven on the SS Skaugum bound for Port Melbourne and arriving in November 1950. From there it was bus to Bonnegilla, then Cowra Migration Centre.
Pop found a job with the NSW Railways and also supplemented his income by playing drums in a dance band. They played a lot of Country Dances in Cowra, Forbes and Orange districts. Times were difficult at first, but poppy loved the freedom and the friendly Aussies. This was akin to his Polish Soul. Often work took him hundreds of miles away and he could only return to the family on the weekends. Also, he had to pay lodgings for the family in the camp as well as his lodgings close to work. However, he always ensured his family was well fed and clothed and even bought the children an occasional gift.
In 1953, Nanny sadly gave birth to a stillborn girl Halina, this was followed by a move to Scheyville Migrant Centre near Windsor, where another son Tadeusz was born, but sadly also died at 10 months of age from convulsions. Then, in 1957 Uncle Peter, the baby of the family came along and Nanny decided that was enough. She often lamented the lack of a daughter to help her with the housework.
By 1959, Poppy had saved enough money for a house in Blacktown and the family moved. At the same time, Pop joined his beloved Blacktown Workers Club while it was still a tin shed. His badge number was 63.
In tribute to Poppy and Nanny they raised a great family through some very difficult times. Early in their arrival they learnt English and assimilated well into Australian Society. In fact, English has been the first language at home for more than 50 years, even though poppy was a bit hard to understand in later life. My poppy sadly passed away in 2008 with his family surrounding him. He will be greatly missed.
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FG Gadd . British Army East Kent Regiment FG Gadd served with the East Kent 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.
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Sgt George Edward Gadd . Royal Air Force 101 Squadron from Dunstable (d.3rd April 1943) George Gadd was mid upper gunner on Lancaster Bomber W I4923 from RAF Ludford Magna. He was killed by flak 3rd of April 1943 in a raid over Essen in Germany. The rear gunner and one other crew member were also killed. The pilot managed to get the plane back to England, RAF Holme on Spalding in the Moor, although it was severely damaged. They returned safely at 0335 albeit badly damaged by Flak.
The story was told in several newspapers at the time although unfortunately we have lost the copies.
George told my father on a previous leave that he knew that their chances of survival were very small and that it was almost taboo in the mess to ask after a missing face.
The tragedy was that our parents went up to Yorkshire, arriving by bus. They thought George was at the bus stop. On arrival it was the Padre with news of his death. They were not allowed to see the body.
George is buried in Dunstable cemetery.
He started work in typewriter repairs and then at AC Sphinx Dunstable.
He made a name in amateur boxing, topping the bill on one occasion.
George was engaged to Lilian Smith (one of 4 daughters of the local farmer) while at RAF Holme on Spalding in the Moor. She became a friend of the family for some time after George's death. Several times I went and worked on their farm in Yorkshire. She eventually married a South African diamond magnate.
My parents suffered in that George's brother John volunteered at the age of 17, becoming first a mid-shipman and then sub lieutenant on Landing Tank Craft. Fortunately he survived the war.
On Dday his was the third ship with tanks to land. The first tank slued sideways on the exit board. The army commander gave the order for the second tank to push the first into the sea so the other tanks could land! I do not know if the tank crew drowned or survived.
I was very proud of both of my brothers. John started work at Leighton Buzzard Gas Board as an apprentice. He worked his way up to becoming Chairman of the North Thames Gas Board. He was awarded the C.B.E. in 1988 and died in 1995.
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F/O A. Gaddass . Royal Canadian Air Force bomb aimer 419 Sqd.
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Edna Gadman . Land Army from Sutton Flats, Salford I would love to hear from Edna Gadman who lived at Sutton Flats, Salford, and served in the Land Army with me at Holland House, Spalding, Lincolnshire.
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EF Gadsby . British Army Royal Armoured Corps EF Gadsby 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.
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RP Gaffing . British Army RP Gaffing 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.
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Sgt. Sydney John Gage MID.. British Army 2nd Btn. Middlesex Regiment from Stoke Newington Sydney Gage joined up in 1932, he was unemployed at the time. In the army he learnt trades and excelled in sports, particularly boxing.
He became a Reservist in early 1939, was recalled at the outbreak of war and went to France with the BEF. He recalled that he Owed his life at Dunkirk to Major Bazalgette during evacuation from beaches. He landed in France again on DDay.
He had a lifetime friendship with boxing mate Sidney Smith. He served with his brother in law Charles Potter, who Dad carried to safety of a first aid unit when he was wounded.
Dad was Mentioned in Despatches. He had fond memories as batman to Major Bazalgette who was later cashiered for debts!
He died aged 101yrs in 2014 in Poole, Dorset.
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L Gagg . British Army Yorkshire Regiment L Gagg served with the Yorkshire 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.
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Mm1/c Augustine Raoul Gagnon . US Navy
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Pte. David William Gagnon . Canadian Army Calgary Highlanders My dad, David Gagnon wrote a small book of his war stories.
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Cpt. Bernard Arthur Gain . British Army AAC (d.16th Feb 1944) Captain B.A. Gain was killed in close combat with German paratroopers at h 593 16/2 1944. He was from AAC and dressed in a new Sussex uniform, how did an airman get into an Infantry close combat?
I´m a Swedish documentary filmmaker and I had an interview with the German paratrooper who shot him at point blank range with his pistol, and we visited B.A Gain's grave. After 65 years the German was wondering who he was.
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PFC. Irving Gainen . US Army from Bronx, NY My Great Uncle Irving Gainen was captured in France on 7th of December 1945 as reported by The Red Cross. I only just recently found out he fought in WW2 in the US Army, never the less a Prisoner of War in Stalag 4B.
He wrote a letter to his sister (My Great Aunt), upon his liberation, explaining how they were forced to march for 3 days as The Red Army was getting closer. I wish we knew his story before he passed in 1990. He never did talk about it
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Able Sea Raymond George Gaines . Royal Navy HMS Pembroke from 2 Normanton Place Ash Vale Surrey
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Chester Devoid Gainey . United States Army from Laurel, Mississippi My father, Chester Devoid Gainey, from Laurel, Mississippi and his army buddy, Merle Inman of Tulsa, OK, were captured by the Germans on 1st January 1945 and were POWs at Stalag 4B until the war ended.
After the war Chester and Merle did not meet again until Christmas 2001 when Merle spent the holidays with the Gainey family. It was a wonderful Christmas present for both, as my dad died on 2nd March 2002. At my dad's funeral, one of the soldiers who had come to play taps and fold the flag said that members of his family had been overseers of the German POW camps. His immediate family had left Germany because they didn't like that connection. Life sure has some twists!
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CL Gainsford . British Army CL Gainsford 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.
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Mary Gair . Civilian I lived mostly in Canterbury during WWII with my mother and sisters. We watched the dog fights overhead during the Battle of Britain. Canterbury was blitzed in June 1942, although we had had quite a few bombs drop on the city before that. I married a Canadian soldier in November 1942 and then, when the war was over, I travelled to Alberta, Canada with my baby girl.
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Flt.Sgt. Hubert Phillip Galarneau DFM.. Royal Canadian Air Force 426 Sqd. from Hamilton Hubert Galarneau was born 1916 in Hamilton, Ontario, he lived in Woodstock, Ontario and worked as a Salesman. On 21st of May 1942, he enlisted in London, Ontario Ex-RCA. He was commissioned on the 8th of April 1944 and trained at Mo.4 WS, graduating on 19th of April 1943 and No.3 BGS graduating on 23rd of July 1943).
His original recommendation for immediate DFM, dated 11th of July 1944 when he had flown 19 sorties (81 hours 35 minutes) details that when the pilot regained control he found that the navigator, wireless operator, bomb aimer and flight engineer had baled out. "Sergeant Galarneau went forward to the aid of his skipper, who had decided to return to England, and assisted the gunners in the Engineers duties. Having had some experience with wireless, he also worked violently to make the instruments serviceable, so that contact could be made with a Landing Field, but without avail. Then, as it was impossible to jettison, he went to the Bomb Aimer's compartment and defused all bombs. Three different aerodromes were circled before a safe but shaky landing was eventually made with a full bomb load. Sergeant Galarneau, by his coolness and presence of mind, and his complete disregard of personal safety, contributed in a large degree to the safe return of his aircraft to this country. This airman was the mid-upper gunner of an aircraft detailed to attack the railway junction at Acheres recently. During the outward flight the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire, causing it to go into a violent spin. The pilot regained control but extensive damage had been sustained. Despite this he decided to attempt to fly the aircraft to this country. On the return flight, Flight Sergeant Galarneau proved a most resourceful member of aircraft crew and proved of great assistance to his captain. He set a fine example of determination and devotion to duty."
Distinguished Flying Medal - Award effective 19th of September 1944.
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Sgt. Zygmunt Stefan Galazka . Royal Air Force 304 (Silesia) Squadron from Zyrardow Prior to WW2, Zygmunt Galazka's civilian profession was a locksmith mechanic working for the Polish Home Office servicing office machinery. He was in this role for 18 months.
With the possibility of war, he joined the Polish Army and from 22nd March 1939 to 30th September 1939 was with the 36th infantry regiment with the Polish rank Plutonowy. Germany invaded Poland on 1st September 1939.
Zygmunt was caught crossing the border into Russia and sent to a Siberian concentration camp. He was released by Stalin in September 1941 along with thousands of other Poles, following the German attack on Russia. He had been incarcerated for one year. Released Poles including women and children were told to travel to Persia (Iran) via the Caspian Sea.
On 18th September 1941 he joined the 19th infantry regiment training in Iraq, known as Anders army, who were later sent to fight at Monte Casino, Italy. The Polish flag was the first to be planted on the top of the monastery. However, Zygmunt did not go to Italy as he had been classified as future personnel for the Polish Air Force and was shipped via South Africa to Greenock in Scotland for training. On 17th January 1943, was transferred to Royal Air Force. Service Number 704885.
On 11th April 1943, was transferred to Polish Air Force Depot in Blackpool with the British war rank Corporal.
On 21st April 1943, started training as pilot in 25 Polish Elementary Flying Training School.
In February 1944, he restarted training in 25 EFTS. Then on 18th May 1944 was transferred to 16 SFTS.
On 18th September 1944, he obtained a trade and insignia of pilot. Promoted to Flight Sergeant.
On 3rd January 1945, he started training in 6 Operational Training Unit which was a training unit for Coastal Command.
On the 12th April 1945, was attached to 304 Polish Squadron which at that period was under Coastal Command. Wellingtons were equipped with radar and a searchlight looking for U-Boats recharging their batteries on the surface at night. VE day was 8th May 1945.
In December 1945, was transferred to Polish Resettlement Unit on RAF Station Hucknall.
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Galbraith . British Army Galbraith 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.
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Jack Galbraith . Army 5th Btn. The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
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Flying Officer P R Galbraith . RNZAF 59 Squadron
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Spr. Arthur Herbert Gale . British Army 226th Field Coy. Royal Engineers from 17 Rosegarth Ave, Didsbury Arthur Gale was a Prisoner of War. He escaped at back end of war and was helped by a Polish farmer with twin daughters.
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Capt. Authur Patrick Gale . Royal Army Service Corps (d.29th May 1940)
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E Gale . British Army Royal Armoured Corps E Gale 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.
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GM Gale . British Army GM Gale 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.
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