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Sgt. William Glen "Larry" Larsen . British Army 238th Field Coy. Royal Engineers from Abingdon Sergeant William Glen Larsen of the Royal Engineers was a loving and kind hearted father and grandfather who did not like to talk about his exploits during the war. He passed away in late 1998 at the age of 78.
After receiving some records of his movements and awards through the war this is what I found:
He enlisted at Paisley as a boy into the Royal Engineers Territorial Army and posted to 238th Highland Field Company on 24.03.37
the transferred to 51st Divisional Engineers on 12.04.37
On attaining the age of 17 years on 25.12.37, William was posted to the Ranks. He was Promoted Corporal on the 11th of August 1939
and embodied for war service on the 2nd of September 1939.
On the 13th of August 1940 he was posted to No. 2 Troop No. 6 Commando.
then returned to 238th Field Company on the 10th of June 1941
He was Appointed Acting Lance Sergeant on the 17th of December 1941, then Acting Sergeant on the 2nd of February 1944
and granted War Substantive Rank of Sergeant on the 31st of July 1944
After the war he was released to the Royal Army Reserve on the 22nd of July 1946
being Discharged from Reserve Liability on 30.06.59
due to the Navy, Army and Air Forces Reserve Act 1959.
His Service with the Colours was from 02.09.39 to 22.07.46
seeing Overseas Service with the British Expeditionary Force France 15th of January 1940 to 2nd of February 1945 and in the Middle East from 3rd of February 1945 to 14th of March 1946
His Military Conduct is listed as Exemplary.
William's Testimonial reads: Sergeant Larsen has been with this unit since before the outbreak of war. He has served with it in the Battle of Dunkirk, North Africa and Italy. Since being in the service he has qualified as a vehicle mechanic and for the past two years has had sole charge of the motor transport of the unit. He is loyal, conscientious and an excellent disciplinarian. He is extremely capable, smart and soldierly in appearance and an all round first class NCO with a very fine record. I have no hesitation in recommending him most strongly for a position of trust and responsibility to any future employer.
Medal issued:
Efficiency Medal Territorial,
1939-45 Star,
Africa Star,
Italy Star and War Medal 1939-45.
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Gnr. Gerald Peter "Larry" Larson . Canadian Army 23rd Field Regiment, 83rd Bty. Royal Canadian Artillery from Halifax, Nova Scotia Gerald Larson served as a Gunner in the Royal Canadian Artillery for 2229 days between September 1939 and October 1945.
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Paul E. Larson . United States Army 83rd Infantry My father was a POW in Stalag 3C from July 1944, through to the liberation by the Russians, which was sometime after the first of the new year.
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Seaman 1st Class Robert Vernon " " Larson Purple Heart.. United States Navy My dad Robert Vernon Larson survived Fukuoka #17 after being captured at the fall of Corregidor. He remained in the military much of his life.
He was awarded the Silver Star and the Bronz Star. He passed away at the Vet's Hospital at Minneapolis, MN in 1991
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F/O. Rodney Boyd Larson . Royal Canadian Air Force 115 Squadron from Penzance, SK, Canada My grandfather Rodney Larson, known as Boyd was a POW in Oflag 3 as PoW no, 1778 after being shot down on 14th of July 1943.
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Pte. David John Wighton Larter . British Army 6th Btn. Royal Norfolk Regiment from Norwich (d.9th July 1943) My mother, Olive Hunt married her childhood sweetheart, David Larter, just two weeks before he sailed for Singapore. He enlisted with his three best friends, these were, his half-brother Edwin Sabberton, my mum's brother Tom Hunt and her sister's husband Horace Crisp. They were all captured by the Japanese and sent to work on the Thai-Burma railway. Only two of them returned home at the end of the war, these were Tom Hunt and Horace Crisp. David and Edwin's war graves are in the Kanchanaburi cemetary in Thailand.
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WG Larter . British Army WG Larter 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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Pte. A. Apetu Larty . British Army Pioneer Corps (d.17th Jun 1940) Pte. A Apetu Larty of the Pioneer Corps lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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F/Sgt. Angus George Larue . Royal Air Force 115 Squadron from Shackleton Sk. Canada
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J Larvin . British Army Royal Armoured Corps J Larvin 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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Kenneth Lascelles . Royal Navy HMS Javelin My brother, Ken Lascelles, served mainly on the destroyer H.M.S. Javelin, also for a time on the battleship H.M.S. Nelson, and included the Mediterranean (Malta convoys), and Far East campaigns. Sadly, Ken crossed the line in 2009. It would be nice to hear from anyone who remembers him. I have several photos of Ken together with some of his shipmates (unfortunately un-named)
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Cpl. Stanley C. Laskowski . US Army 5th MP Company Military Police from South Bend, In.
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Anders Frederik Emil Victor Schau Lassen VC, MC.. British Army 62 Commando Special Air Service from Denmark (d.9th Apr 1945) Anders Lassen was the son of Emil Victor Schau Lassen and Suzanne Maria Signe Lassen, of Nyhavn, Copenhagen. After serving in the Danish Merchant Navy, he came to the United Kingdom shortly after the outbreak of the Second World War and joined the British Commandos in 1940, serving with No. 62 Commando as a private. He was commissioned in the field and awarded an immediate Military Cross for his part in Operation Postmaster, the capture of three Italian and German ships from the neutral Spanish island of Fernando Po, in the Gulf of Guinea.
No. 62 Commando was later absorbed into the Special Air Service in February 1944 and Lassen became a Major by October 1944. During his service he saw action in North-West Europe, North Africa, Crete, the Aegean islands, mainland Greece, Yugoslavia and Italy. He was awarded two bars to the Military Cross, the first dated 27 September 1943 and the seconded dated 15 February 1944
He was commanding the Special Boat Squadron when he was awarded the Victoria Cross. The London Gazette of 4 September 1945, gives the following:
"The King has been graciously pleased to approve the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross to: Major (temporary) Anders Frederik Emil Victor Schau Lassen, M.C. (234907), General List. In Italy, on the night of 8/9 April 1945, Major Lassen was ordered to take out a patrol of one officer and seventeen other ranks to raid the north shore of Lake Comacchio. His tasks were to cause as many casualties and as much confusion as possible, to give the impression of a major landing, and to capture prisoners. ' No previous reconnaissance was possible, and the party found itself on a narrow road flanked on both sides by water. Preceded by two scouts, Major Lassen led his men along the road towards the town. They were challenged after approximately 500 yards from a position on the side of the road. An attempt to allay suspicion by answering that they were fishermen returning home failed, for when moving forward again to overpower the sentry, machinegun fire started from the position, and also from two other blockhouses to the rear. Major Lassen himself then attacked with grenades, and annihilated the first position containing four Germans and two machineguns. Ignoring the hail of bullets sweeping fire road from three enemy positions, an additional one having come into action from 300 yards down the road, he raced forward to engage the second position under covering fire from the remainder of the force. Throwing in- more grenades he silenced this position which was then overrun by his patrol. Two enemy were killed, two captured and two more machine-guns silenced. By this time the force had suffered casualties and its firepower was very considerably reduced. Still under a heavy cone of fire Major Lassen rallied and reorganised his force and brought his fire to bear on the third position. Moving forward himself he flung in more grenades which produced a cry of " Kamerad ". He then went forward to within three or four yards of the position to order the enemy outside, and to take their surrender. Whilst shouting to them to come out he was hit by a burst of spandau fire from the left of the position and he fell mortally wounded, but even whilst falling he flung a grenade, wounding some of the occupants, and enabling his patrol to dash in and capture this final position. Major Lassen refused to be evacuated as he said it would impede the withdrawal and endanger further lives, and as ammunition was nearly exhausted the force had to withdraw. By his magnificent leadership and complete disregard for his personal safety, Major Lassen had, in the face of overwhelming superiority, achieved his objects. Three positions were wiped out, accounting for six machine guns, killing eight and wounding others of the enemy, and two prisoners were taken. The high sense of devotion to duty and the esteem in which he was held by the men he led, added to his own magnificent courage, enabled Major Lassen to carry out all the tasks he had been given with complete success."
Lassen is buried at the Argenta Gap war cemetery and his Victoria Cross is on display at the Museum of Danish Resistance in Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Dvr. Arthur H. Lassetter . British Army Royal Army Service Corps from Birmingham I only have Arthur Lassetter's record. I know nothing more about how he was captured or whether he survived. If anyone can fill in any blanks I would be very grateful.
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Pte. George Last . British Army 1st Btn. Welch Regiment from Bury St Edmunds (d.17th Sep 1944) George Last is buried at the Coriano Ridge War Memorial in Italy.
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Albert Ernest Latham . Army 73 Company Pioneer Corps Albert Ernest Latham of 73 Coy, Pioneer Corps, was on the Lancastria when he sunk. He was my great grandfather; I would like to find out more about it.
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Sgt. Francis Graham Latham . Royal Australian Air Force 466 Squadron from Sutherland, New South Wales, Australia (d.5th May 1943) Sergeant Francis Latham was the son of Edward James Latham and Charlotte Emily Latham of Sutherland, New South Wales, Australia.
Aged 21 he is buried in the De Wijk General Cemetery, Drenthe, Netherlands.
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H Latham . British Army Loyal North Lancashire Regiment H Latham served with the Loyal North Lancashire 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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Tpr. James Latham . British Army Queens Own Yorkshire Dragoons from Doncaster
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John George Latham . My uncle Sargent John Latham, was a pow, prisoner number 229599. Among my mother's possessions was a photograph of her mother which had been sent to John in the camp in 1942. The back of the photograph was stamped by the German authorities as Gepruft and date stamped 23rd May 1942. Any information would be welcome.
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Pte. Leonard Cecil Latham . British Army 1st Btn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.25th Dec 1944) I'm trying to find out as much as possible about my great great uncle, Leonard Cecil Latham. Uncle Len was a private in the Duke Of Cornwall's Light Infantry (1st Battalion), which saw heavy losses in Italy; we think he was eventually sent to Stalag IVB, although we have no firm evidence to confirm this (all paperwork being lost). We do know that he was killed on Christmas Day 1944 after the camp he was in was bombed by allied planes, and is now buried in the Prague War Cemetary. If anyone can shed any further light on Uncle Len, or help confirm details, my family would be so very grateful.
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Able Sea. Patrick Latham . Royal Navy HMS Nile from Heywood
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W L Latham . British Army West Yorkshire Regiment W Latham served with the West 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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JA Lathbury . British Army JA Lathbury 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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C Lathwood . British Army 1st Btn. Royal Tank Regiment C Lathwood served with the 1st Btn. Royal Tank 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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Spr. Reginald Frank Latreille . British Army Royal Engineers from Fulham, London My dear Dad Reginald Latreille used to tell so many stories about being in the prison camp, which he said was the best days because of the comrades. He use to put shows on for the men and make the actors up, including making the actors to look disfigured. He was sent a box of make-up from Max Factor and at the end of the war carried the box until he had to abandon it.
Dad was very proud of making his mates up to look like woman and giving them a peg leg, he would talk about the long hours in the salt mines but would say the friendship he had in the camp was second to none. I have put on the sight some of the programmes produced by my Dad’s friend John Foy and the comrades that played some of the characters.
My Dad met up with John in 1995 in Florida and it was a lovely reunion, Dad would often say he would like to meet up again with others and to return to Germany, sadly he died before I could take him back to Germany and Belgium where he spent a year in hospital.
He has many programmes and letters thanking him for the shows he helped to put on that made the time in Stalag 9c hopefully pass and shine a little light on the situation the men found themselves in.
For anyone who knew my Dad or anyone whose relatives heard the stories of him, I would love to hear from you.
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F/O Joe Richard Latremouille. . RCAF 434 Sqd. (d.11th March 1944)
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PS Latter . British Army 17/21st Lancers PS Latter served with the 17/21st Lancers 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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RH Latter . British Army Kings Royal Rifle Corps RH Latter served with the Kings Royal Rifle 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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PR Lattin . British Army PR Lattin 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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