Unknown . My Grandfather was a child in Liege Belguim on a farm of 13 brothers and sisters. An American Pilot was shot down and lived. My grandfathers family hide him in a barn from the Germans. He lived in a box for a week or so. I wanted to find that pilot, can anyone help?.
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Major. Unknown . British Army Royal Artillery I have found a portrait photo of a soldier hidden behind an old picture (which was a newspaper cutting of st Anthony, Roseland, of 3/9/1949).
The picture was bought in a junk shop in Limerick Ireland. I would love to help find the family of this soldier but I have very little to go on...
I know the photo was taken by J. Weinberg in Cairo it has the number 22496 printed on back of photo..
So far I think he was a major in the RA and received a MiD( but looks like the Older WW1 oak leaf from it shape on the photo), his uniform was American made (apparently)! (Historians from twitter helped me out).
I know this is probably WW2 but I am trying any/ every available source to try to name him... Any information you give would be so great.
I attach the picture of him in the hope you might be able to help or redirect me. I was wondering if anyone could help me...
Anything at all would help.
A Twitter appeal identified the coastal scene as Cadgwith and has given certain details about the soldier, whom Claire and her daughter have nicknamed ‘SAM’ (short for Soldier And Mystery).
The khaki colours of the shirt and tie on the uniform are in line with desert colours and from the badge on his cap he was a Commonwealth Royal Artillery Officer. He also has an artillery stripe on his arm.
The epaulette on his shoulder looks to be a crown, meaning he was a major, and the badge near his collar appears to be an MiD award – “mentioned in dispatches” for gallant or meritorious action in the face of the enemy – a silver oak leaf symbol.
His uniform has been suggested as a 1940s pattern battle dress, from the pockets and buttons, issued from 1942 onwards.
The Canadian army did not adopt this jacket, although it is possible Australia and/or New Zealand may have, while the upright bar at the end of the oak leaf may be the start of a Star of Africa ribbon.
The picture appears to have been taken by J Weinberg in Cairo with the number 22496 printed on the back.
Jean Weinberg was a Romanian Jewish photographer based in Cairo between 1938 and approx 1948 and photographed members of the Egyptian royal family, so it may have been prestigious for a military man to be photographed by him at the time. It suggests the photograph was taken during World War Two.
Anyone who has information on the identity of the soldier, or who can suggest why his photograph would be wrapped in a cutting about Cornwall, can contact Claire via Twitter using @clairemsb
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Unknown . British Army Royal Army Ordnace Corps The man in the photo used to work on ammunition in a regiment somewhere in Cannock, Staffordshire with my Granddad's Mother, sadly she has just passed away, before she passed away her family members found a photo of a young looking guy, they asked who he was and she told them that she was engaged to him during the war and that he was her one true love. That was all the information she gave before she passed. I want to know more, I found that he could have possibly been from Richmond, Yorkshire and I found a picture of three guys who wore the same outfit and are in the same position as him. I want to know more, I've tried my best to research as much as I possibly can. Does anyone know who he is?
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Unknown . Polish Air Force I am trying to identify my grandfather and all I have is the attached picture. I know that he was in the Polish Air Force, stationed near Liverpool, around 1942. I have tried many avenues to identify him to no avail - if anyone recognises this picture, or has any idea of how I could further try to identify the picture, please do contact me. Thank you.
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Unknown . British Army Norfolk Regiment I recently purchased medals with this soldiers photograph and would love to know anything about his life. I know he was in the Norfolk regiment he received 5 medals the war medal, the defence medal, 1939-1945 star, the Italian star and African star with the 1st army clasp. If you could please help me out in anyway to see if I can put a name to the photo that would be great.
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Unknown . I do not remember how this item came into my possession but I have had it for many years and would like to know anything about the soldier it is tied to.
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Basil Unknown . Royal Air Force The picture of Basil and his wife were on my mothers sideboard throughout the late 1940s and 1950s. They said he died in the rear turret of a Lancaster bomber. I would recognise his face, I can picture it now. I dont know the surname but believe there cannot be more than one Basil from Yorkshire killed in a Lancaster bomber. If there is a list of rear gunners who died I would love to know.
Editors Note: CWGC lists 1514 airmen named Basil who were lost during the Second World War, we suggest you contact The Airgunners Database
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Sgt. Bill Unknown . USAAF 326th Squadron 92nd Bomber Group My story is identical to many who have lived a life of not knowing their father as a result of the effects of war. Many would have been in this situation due to the loss of their father in combat. They would have been told the facts surrounding his loss. Killed in action, Missing in Combat, Prisoner of War. Others may know that their existence was due to a period of time when it was important to grab a moment of happiness when they could.
One day, at junior school, my teacher asked the class to say what their mother and father did at work. I knew my mother worked in an office but I did not have a father. I asked my mother and she told me that he was killed in the war. At that time in London children played in streets where bomb sites were normal. We knew about the war so there was no reason to ask further questions.
My mother found a partner when I was 9 years old and after several years he became my step-father. My name was changed by deed poll when I moved to Secondary school.
At various times in my childhood and early teenage years I had occasions to question my fathers demise. My Grand-mother (my mothers mother) once told me that my mother had the opportunity to move to America but had decided not to. I remembered being carried on the shoulders of soldier in Trafalgar Square with my mother. At this time I had been given a toy car which I now realise was an american model convertible. It was fantastic, with a steering wheel that worked and individual suspension.
In my early teens I became interested in who my Father was. My Mother would not tell me of any detail other then he was killed in a battle at Caen, France. My Grandmother told me that he was an American who my mother had met whilst working as a bus conductress in Bushy. My grandmother asked me not to discuss this any further and especially not with my mother as she had been warned not to tell me the truth. I had already been threatened by my step father with being put in a children’s home if I was disobedient so decided to give up the questioning.
In 1998 my step-father died leaving my widowed mother living on her own and subsequently relying on me as the only child with few other relatives. To my surprise, one day she produced a photograph of a British army soldier and informed me that this was my father. She gave me the details of his regiment and service number and I was able to confirm he was killed in action in Caen following the D Day invasion. I decided to tell her that her mother had told me that my father was an American serviceman. My grandmother had died many years before. She looked shocked and then denied that the story was true. There was little point in pursuing the subject and nothing more was said.
Following my mothers death I dealt with the disposal of her belongings and was surprised to find a photograph of an American Airforce Sergeant signed on the reverse, Love from Bill, 13033949, 92nd Bomber Group, 326th Squadron USAAF 11th November 1942. My wife, on viewing the photo, said, 'you have his eyes and smile. That's your father'. My only other relative, a cousin, when told of my discovery, said, 'We were told that your father was an American'
I carried out a search on the internet and confirmed that the bomber squadron were on active service from Bovingdon Airfield during the relevant time My birth date also coincided with the possibility that Bill was my father. I discovered that there was a veterans association for the 92nd Bomber Group in the USA. I made contact and was informed that without a surname and the State in which Bill had been recruited it would not be possible to identify him. According to the archivist for the Vets Association each State in America issued the service number. Therefore it could not be used in isolation as a means of identification. I had to accept this as a fact and gave up on the quest.
I reasoned that such time had passed that it was probable that Bill was dead. I had to assume there was a surviving family in the USA and that they would be unaware of my mothers brief encounter during the war. Let sleeping dogs lie…..
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Dennis Unknown . Polish Air Force 300 Sqd. A number of years ago I knew a gentleman known as Dennis the Pole. He had escaped the German occupation of his homeland, made his way to Britain by circuitous means, and eventually becoming a navigator on 300 Masovian Squadron in Lancasters flying out of RAF Faldingworth. Dennis never really talked much about his wartime service to anyone, although he did discuss some things with me - like getting lost for several hours and landing very short of fuel. However one evening in the late 70's I was sharing a pint with Dennis when in came my cousin, himself very interested in bomber command history. Knowing that Dennis had been in 5 group bomber command asked what did you do in the war, Dennis replied "I made car parks in Germany" and quietly carried on drinking his pint. Great understatement from a man that saw much.
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Jack Unknown . We are looking for Jack. Jack was one of the liberators of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in May 1945. He possibly stayed near the Kralingse Plas in Rotterdam but was also able to go elsewhere in the city. It is known that there were soldiers at the beach of the Kralingse Plas. Whether there was also a tent camp is not known.
Canadian and English soldiers entered Rotterdam in May 1945. Army units that had set up their camp in the city are:
4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards,
Seaforth Highlanders,
Saskatoon Light Infantry.
Jack may have been a soldier inside one of these units.
Whether there were other units in town is unknown.
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Jean Unknown . Canadian Army My father was a French Canadian soldier in WW2. I only know his first name, Jean. He met my mother in Rochdale, Lancashire, England, I was born June 20th 1945. Would it be possible for me to find out a list of French Canadian soldiers billeted in North England around 1944? I do have a lot of questions and would like to find out an appropriate venue for information. Can anyone help?
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Cpl. Ken Unknown . British Army Royal Horse Artillery I found this photograph among my mother's belongings when she had to go into a home and I have been trying to find out who the person is. My Mum and her sister, 94 and 96 years old, both have dementia and there is no-one else left in the family who would remember. I wondered if anybody would know who he is. The photo was sent to my aunt as it says on the back 'to Dot with bags of kisses Ken'. I know it is probably a long shot but as my cousin is compiling a family history it would add to the story. Thanking you in anticipation.
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Thomas Unknown . Royal Navy HMS Royal Arthur from London I have come across a picture of my aunts fiancee who was based at HMS Royal Arthur and who then was transferred to HMS Thracian. He is the one in the middle of the picture and I only know his name was Tom. Unfortunately my aunt died in 1945 before he came home from the war. I was only a baby. I have attached a photo in case anyone remembers him.
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L/Cpl. Albert John Unsted . British Army 1st Btn. Grenadier Guards from Berwick Station, E. Sussex L/Cpl Unsted served in Germany in the last moments of WW2 and was at the relief of the concentration camp at Sandbostel.
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Alice Unsworth . Munitions Worker ROF Aycliffe from Wingate My Aunt, Alice Unsworth was an Aycliffe Angel
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Sgt. Frank Unsworth . British Army 2nd Btn., D Coy. Gordon Highlanders from Leigh, Lancs My father, Frank Unsworth, didn't speak much of the war. He was wounded in action on 15th January 1945.
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Isabella Unsworth . Munitions Worker ROF Aycliffe from Wingate My Grandmother Isabella Unsworth was an Aycliffe Angel during the war.
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J Unsworth . British Army J Unsworth 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: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project has lost touch 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. Murray Wilson "Peter" Unsworth . British Army 1st Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment from Littleover, Derby (d.20th April 1944) During my childhood I knew my uncle, Murray Unsworth, by name only as uncle Peter, though I now know this was his nickname, and his real name was Murray. Unfortunately I never met him.
Now, as my mother has told me his real name, I was able to trace his WW2 record, and can now name him on this website, to be remembered by future generations of our family.
I have done this for my father, Gordon Leslie Unsworth (deceased).
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Sgt. Walter Unsworth . British Army 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers (d.17th Jun 1940) Walter Unsworth of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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George Cecil "Grumpy" Unwin . Royal Air Force 19 Squadron
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Pte. Harry John Unwin . British Army 1st Btn. Royal Norfolk Regiment from London (d.9th Aug 1944)
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Cpl. Kenneth Unwin . British Army 2nd Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps from Croydon, Surrey Dad, Kenneth Unwin was captured in October 1944 having crossed the River Po in Northern Italy. It wasn't until the Spring of '45 that a record of him being a POW was mentioned. I can't imagine how his family felt! Only thing he mentioned of his time there was he used to be a "tin tapper". He made a medicine cabinet out of tin cans, my brother still has it.
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Sgt. Peter Henry Unwin . Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 97 Sqdn. (d.30th July 1943) A Lancaster (ED862 OF-P) of 97 Squadron was shot down on 30th July 1943 on a raid to Hamburg. It is thought that an ME110 (IV/NJ61), piloted by Major Lent, was responsible. All the crew were killed in action and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. The full crew were:
F/Sgt D.J. Marks, RAFVR - pilot
F/Sgt D.C. Fentiman, RAF - flight engineer
F/O G.N. Hammond, RAFVR - navigator
F/Sgt J.A. Dunbar, RAFVR - bomb aimer
Sgt D. McDonald, RAFVR - wireless operator
Sgt J. Cumming, RAFVR - mid-upper gunner
Sgt P.H. Unwin, RAFVR - rear gunner
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Sgt. Ronald Unwin . Royal Air Force 97 Sqdn. (d.2nd March 1943) My great uncle Sgt Ronald Unwin, a Flight Engineer, was in 97 squadron, based at Woodhall Spa during WW2. I know he died over Berlin in 1943, but any other information would be much welcomed.
Update:
The following is from the War Graves Commission:
642206 Sgt (Flt Engr.) Ronald Unwin RAF
97 Sqn. Died 02/03/1943 age 21.
He is buried in Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery.
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F Upfield . British Army F Upfield 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: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project has lost touch 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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CPO. George Frederick James Upfield . Royal Navy HMS Ark Royal from Portsmouth, Hants. CPO George Upfield served in HMS Ark Royal.
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Cpt Charles Hazlitt Upham VC MID. New Zealand Military Forces 20th battalion from New Zealand
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G Upham . British Army G Upham 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: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project has lost touch 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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Harry Albert John Uphill . British Army Corps of Military Police
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