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If you are able to answer any of the queries listed below, please send a copy of your response to The Wartime Memories Project so that the page can be kept up to date. Your reply may also help others seeking similar information. Our email address is remember@wartimememories.co.uk
I'm researching my father, I was born on the 14th of February, 1946 at Heildelberg and my father was a military American. He was serving with the Seventh Army when they liberated Gablingen Kommando and freed the prisoners and relocated them.(UNRRA United Nations Program). Gablingen is close to Augsburg, which is 50kms from Munich, Germany. During the time the Seventh Army was there, from the 24th April to July 1945, my father met my mother, Gertrude Reichel, a young German woman who was of Polish origin. She was born in Neumarkt, (Sroda Slaska), in Silesie, located in Poland. She had blond hair and was 24 years old. In this camp she was with a Polish friend called Erika Petroschkte, 21 years old. My name is Gerard Reichel, I'm 61 years old and I have lived in France since 1948, coming from Germany. I little knew my mother who died in 1996 at Offenburgbw, (Germany). When she was released on the 24th of April, 1945 by the 7th Army, she was classified as a refugee by the International Red Cross of Geneva and was sent on the 16th of July, 1945 to Offenburg, in the bade Wurtemberg, while I was rapatriated to France, on May 1948.
My mother who is on the right of the photograph I am including, was Gertrude Reichel, 39 years old when it was taken in 1960, in Offenburg Stadt.
I always had contacts with the American soldiers during my youth. For the Christmas parties, the American officers and their families of the base of Déols, close to Chateauroux, in the center of France, brought us cakes and gifts every year, for each one of us in the "Pension." We were sixty children, eleven years old. Another time, I was even invited for Christmas to join the family of an officer to "the martinnery", a Suburban village for officers, close to Déols (Chateauroux). I keep good memories of them. You see thus that I am sincere when I say that I always loved Americans, they gave me so much pleasure during my sad youth. If you can help me in the search for my family, half brothers or cousins or if you can help direct me towards a site or other associations who might be able to help me, I thank you in advance.
Richard
I am tracing the identity of an airman of whom I have several photographs. He is not, I think, from Derbyshire. I believe his first name was Richard and I do know that his interests included horses and fishing. If anyone can identify him for me, I would find it most useful. I attach a photograph of him in uniform. If anyone has any information about him, please do contact me.
I would like some help as I have no idea where to begin. My mother has just discovered that the man whom she grew up with is not her real father, her mother had in fact had a long term affair with an American serviceman, whom she had met in North London around 1941. We believe he must have been based locally and it also seems that he may have had very red hair as my mother has striking red hair that is not carried on the maternal mother's side. As a family we would love to know our true roots as also would my mother. I would like to know where I should start my search. My grandmother's name is Marjorie Michaels sometime known as Goog; she was married to John. Many Thanks,
In my father's papers are a yellowing book, "The 78th Division in the Final Offensive in Italy", with maps in the back. There are two magazines called, "The Link", dated 1943 and 1944, 936th bde signal section, which my father contributed to. There is also a soldier's pay book, army no 14320912, James Manby Collings! It would be nice to return the book to a relative. Can anyone suggest how to do that?
I have just discovered my father's, (Timothy Crawley), old wooden tag with the legend, “JULAG X1B” and the stencilled number, 201048. I believe he was captured at Arhnem but he rarely spoke about his war. He met my mother in an RnR camp in Rhyl, where they married. Due to the lack of work just after the war, he re-enlisted and served in the army until he was demobbed in 1967. He died, tragically young in 1971. I am unable to find any information about a “Julag”. Perhaps you may be able to shed some light on the matter. Regards , John Crawley
My friend who is 60 has just been told that her father was an Italian POW who worked on a farm in Coton, Staffordshire. All she has is his first name - Franco. I know it seems impossible but are there any websites that could list who the prisoners were ? She is obviously devastated by this revelation as any help or advice you could give would be greatly appreciated.
My great grandad was William Johnson. The thing is, I don't know much about him. All I know is that he was declared as 'Missing Presumed Killed in Action' for quite sometime, then my great grandmother Charlot had another message saying he was found and was in Basingstoke Hospital. I know of his injuries but not what regiment he was in or where he was based when it happened. All I know is that my great grandma Charlot had him back and so did his children. My grandad Brian Johnson has now passed away so I cannot ask him what happened, so could any of you help me. I know it's a bit tricky as I've got no dates, only names and a hospital. His injury was to his face and I can always remember when I was very young that he had no teeth and that was why. Well actually my sister built on this and she said he had metal ones, but I don't recall seeing any metal teeth. So if any of you can help me put the pieces together it would be very much appreciated. Please email me.
oth: I have for a long while been trying to trace the descendants of Red Apps who was billeted at a family home in Wix, Essex, UK during part of the war. I was very young at the time but his name rings in my ears all the time. My aunt who was the hostess had several other GI's from time to time and they seemed to become part of our family. I believe that Red (maybe a nickname I don't know), was a bomber pilot and I do know that he came from Wisconsin. Later on my aunt gave me an address to write to his son but this was promptly taken away by my mother whom I now know had lost an aunt to an American earlier. I am pretty sure that Red was killed in action. My memories are so vivid of this wonderful man that I would love to share them with any of his family who may be still alive or perhaps his offspring. Please let me know how I can do this.
I am trying to figure out where my grandfather (British) was a POW in Italy. All I have is a photograph of the dance band of which he was a member. This photo was taken in Adelboden, Switzerland in 1944. The band is called ''The Victory Swingers". My grandfather is the accordion player. I would be very interested to hear from anyone who remembers this band. I would also love to know more about British escapees in Switzerland because I can't find much information.
Canadian POW Camp 1944 by unknown artist
I attach a scan of a photo of my uncle. I know very little about him except that he is a relative. My father put on the back of the photo that this was "Roger Vanstone, Rosemarie's (my mother) brother." He was a Squadron Leader and died in Greece 1941. So far, I haven't been able to find any information about him on the Birth/ Marriage/Death websites. I can't find a birth certificate, probably because many of the records have not yet been transcribed into the database. The gentleman in this photo looks older than 26 to me so he cannot be the one uncle I have a birth certificate for.
I can't search the military databases because I don't have any identifying numbers for him. I'm gradually going through the list of WWII squadrons to narrow down which were posted to Greece and I then hope to be able to find records on the Internet about the crews. Sorry about the paucity of details, but this photo is just one of several puzzles I'm trying to unravel in my search for the Vanstone family.
Thank you so much for putting this on your website. This gentleman may end up being nameless and perhaps I'll never know where he belongs in our family tree but at least he'll never be completely forgotten.
My husband was born in June 1945 and his mother was Mary Doreen Clark who lived near Maidenhead, Berkshire. I am trying to contact his father a US serviceman. If anyone has any information about him it would be appreciated.
I was strolling this afternoon near a little village called "Gavres" which is located in Britanny. I walked near the cemetery and saw a sign on which was written "Commonwealth War Graves". I entered and discovered that all the graves were aviators' graves. As Lorient was a nest for the "Uboat" I supposed that all these brave men (most of them were young only in their twenties) were shot down. I was shocked by the fact that for one of these boys it was written on his tombstone "the 13th of February 1943" and yet you can't find a bunch of fresh flowers on it. I wish you can help me to find more about the history of these flyingmen, so that I will be more close to them when I bring them some flowers, just to remenber the price they have paid to bring us liberty. Maybe you will be able to give me some addresses or some points of contact in order to find some data about these men.
I am looking for Private Harry Green. He was in the Canadian army and was in Scotland in 1945. He visited Brechin in Angus a lot. The number F87420 turns up in some of the info I have on him, as well as N.S. which I think stands for Nova Scotia. I would really appreciate any help I can get on this, as he is my grandfather who I have never seen.
I am trying to track down information regarding my father, David Keyte who was on "Casualty Air Evacuation" / Dakotas. He served in a number of units: 1943-46 11RC, 36MU, 31MU, 5 CAEU 53 MFH, 33 PDC, 54 PDC under F/Lieut Sandy Lang {St.Omer, Eindhoven Antwerp, and Brussels. And to be involved with the first group into Belsen} Then in the Middle East 1946-47 Shaullafa and at Fayid Hospital. I have a few photos, but would love to have more!
Trying to contact any living relations or decendants of Emelia Watson and my uncle William Jolley. William emigrated to Australia on 18th October 1928. He enlisted in the R.A.A.F. in 1941, giving Emelia Watson as his next of kin. William was born in Albert Street, Ince, Wigan, Lancashire, England on 24th May 1911. His service number was 45742.
Where would I find a newspaper photo of children being evacuated from Biggin Hill Air Base between 1940-1941? A dear friend of mine here in the States was in this photo and remembers posing with several children while the photo was taken. She mentioned the Daily Express or The Herald newspapers. Any consideration is appreciated.
I am trying to find out about my husband's father. All we know is that he was killed before the end of WW2. His name was Jack DuPrey but we know that that is not the right spelling, we have spelt it how it is said. He was with the French Air Force and was courting Dorothy Readman from North Ormsby. We don't know who to go to or get in touch with to get any further with our research. Can you help? Barbara Readman
I am trying to do some research for a friend and wonder if you can help. A relative of hers, Janet Walker, Chief Stewardess of an Ellerman City Line ship, was called the modern Grace Darling after the ship on which she served was sunk sometime during the war. Unfortunately, she does not know the name of the ship or the date of the sinking. Thank you
Prior to the German invasion of Poland, two British Officers were kidnapped in Holland. They were only released in May 1945 while being held with other "special prisoners" in the Lago DiPraio hotel, just south of the Brenner Pass. Can anyone supply their names, and the names of the other special prisoners released in May 1945?
Trying to find ex canadian servicemen who were billeted on the green in Edlington, South Yorkshire, England during 1944-1945. Can anyone help please?
I have a friend who lives in Penzburg, Southern Germany. His Grandfathers name was Max Popp. He was captured in Arnheim in 1944 and spent the rest of the war somewhere in Cornwall. England. My friend Alex is desperate to find where his Grandfather was held. Mr Popp remained in Cornwall for 9 years after the war, working on a farm but this also remains a mystery. Unfortunately Mr Popp is now deceased. I thank you in anticipation for any help you can offer.
Hi, I was a war baby in 1944. All I know is that my father was based in St Johns Wood, London in 1943/4. His name was Earl Faulkins or Fallkins, and I think he lived in New Brunswick, Canada. That's all I have. Can you help?
I am trying to find out about a B17 that crashed in Northants. It was in December, I think 1942, you will have to forgive me as I was very young and just started school. I have been told early that morning before daylight the sky was full of planes. One in particular was very low and in trouble, flames coming from the engine as my father watched, it was heading directly to the farm cottages and farm buildings, in the last split seconds it banked just missing the farm buildings and cottages a wing tip clipping a treetop and crashed. Most of its full bomb load exploding destroying it completely none of the crew escaped. My reason for contacting you is that I have never been able to find out the names of any of the crew, one of who'm on that morning saved our and other lives. The crash ocurred at Astwell Castle farm near the villages of Wappenham and Helmdon, Northants. Maybe someone out there has contacts who may be able to help me find out some details?
I am looking for any info on a man called Louis Colucci. He was was from the US. I think he married my aunt in Chelmsford (UK) in September 1943, her name was Rosie Ireton. I don't know if he was in the US Air Force or Army and don't know where he was stationed. I would really appreciate if anyone could help.
I am looking for my grandad. Not much I know about him, only the information my mum gave me. He was a French Canadian soldier in the second world war stationed at Aldershot barracks in England. His name is George Martin. I have no information on what rank or regiment, all I know he went back a war hero. Please could you help me? If not, do you have any information on war-time Canadian fathers? Thankyou.
Can you help identify the american in the RCAF (royal candian air force) he was a leading air craft man, probably ground crew he was based round the yorkshire air fields in uk.
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Enjoying this site?
to help with the costs.
If you prefer to make a donation by cheque:
Please send to:
- The Wartime Memories Project
- PO Box 325
- Stockton on Tees
- TS20 1XL
Website and ALL Material © Copyright MM
- All Rights Reserved