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12th May 1945On this day:
If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.
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Remembering those who died this day.
- David Howell. Pte. (d.12th May 1945)
- David Howell V.T.. Pte. (d.12th May 1945)
- Mackey John Bernard. Cpl (d.12th May 1945)
The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed,
please
Add a Name to this List
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Want to know more about the 12th of May 1945? There are:6 items tagged 12th of May 1945 available in our Library
These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War. |
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Stories from 12th May 1945
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Pte. Howell David. British Army, 1st Btn. Middlesex Regiment. (d.12th May 1945) I'm looking after 8 War Graves in Hamburg of Middlesex Soldiers, including that of David Howell. Early in 1946 the 1st Battalion Middlesex Regt. came from Lübeck to Rendsburg to stay for one year at Barracks called Albuhera Barracks. I was 11 years old, and after a short time the Regiment adopted me as a mascot. I made many friends, and am still in contact with a number of ex Members. I have opened a museum in our Town, Museum Time of Occupation. To the opening, 7 ex Members came over from England. I have received many photos from the end of the was, from the Barracks, in the Barracks, in front of the famous NAAFI Kiel Club an many more. If any one is looking for someone from that time 1946 1947 perhaps I can help, as I also have all the Diehards Magazines from that Time. Heinz Johannsen
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Cpl John Bernard Mackey. VC Australian Army, 2/3rd Pioneer Battalion. (d.12th May 1945) John Bernard Mackey was born in Leichhardt, New South Wales, Mackey was the only son and the eldest of four children of Stanislaus Mackey, a baker, and his wife Bridget Catherine Smyth Mackey. He enlisted in the Australian Army and served in North Africa in 1940 - 42, including at the climatic Battle of El Alamein at which the Axis armies under the German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel were permanently expelled from Egypt. Mackey was 22 years old and an army corporal in the 2/3rd Pioneer Battalion when the following events took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
"On 12 May 1945 at Tarakan Island, off North Borneo, Corporal Mackey led his men along a very narrow spur trail where it was almost impossible to move to a flank. His section came under fire from three well-sited Japanese Army positions, but Corporal Mackey went ahead, charging his first position, wrestling with and killing one of the enemy, and he then rushed a heavy machine-gun post, killing its crew. He again attacked a third enemy position further along the spur, and he was killed, but not before he had slain two more of the Japanese."
S. Flynn
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Pte. Howell V.T. David. British Army, 1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment. (d.12th May 1945) This young soldier, Howell David, was a "Die Hard" of the 1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment. Died aged 21 years, 4 days after the War was over.
He made it all the way from Normandy to Lübeck North West Germany.
Then went for a swim in Großhansdorf near Lübeck and drowned. What a drama.
His resting place is in the Hamburg Ohlsdorf War Cemetery.
For many years my wife and I have looked after his grave on Remembrance Day. We feel so sorry, its so sad.
I was 11 years of age when it happened.
Rest in peace.
Heinz Johannsen
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