Those who Served
Abbott . RAF Military Police A flying bomb which dropped out of the sky on June 19th 1944, at approx' 9.30pm. I was 14 at the time and used to sit on our coping with an old pair of opera glasses and a steel helmet, watching all the doodlebugs flying over. I watched this particular one passing right over where I was sitting and suddenly the motor stopped I raced indoors shouting to my Mum and Dad (on leave RAF police) to duck as I slammed the front door. The bomb hit the area behind a row of shops and a surface shelter, I was rather cut up by glass from the front door and smashed my right arm. Unfortunately my friend Roy Reid next door lost his Mum and baby brother, I believe there were 17 or more killed, my parents received some injuries from glass, etc. This all took place between 86 Gaskarth Road sw12 and Hazlebourne Road and the surrounding area of London. The first on the scene were The Salvation Army and the Boy Scouts. |
Chief Engineer Alfred James "Chiefy" Abbott . Royal Navy HMS Penelope from Manchester) My Dad, Alfred Abbott was in the Royal Navy, he was a chief engineer, at some point served on HMS Penelope, but we have no records. He was born in warwickshire lived in the midlands, then manchester and spent time at the and of the war in Pwephelli in North Wales. Anybody knowing of him please contact. |
Sgt. Fred Bosworth Abbott MID. British Army from Shaw, Oldham) My grandad, Fred Abbott, served in the 8th Army during the Second World War. He didn't go into too much detail as I was only young but he would tell us about cooking food on the side of the tank, a small dog he had and having to shoot it when going back after leave. He also told us of the guns jamming in the desert.
One thing he did do was to save a fellow soldier and getting shot in doing so,lost half his finger and having shrapnel in his hand. He was mentioned in Dispatches and the London Gazette.
Grandad gave me his beret, water bottle, webbing, gaiters, German medals, a German bayonet, photos,post cards,personal massage from commander L.O.Lyne's soldiers pay book. I've got grandad's medals handed down to me from my dad. I've made a presentation box/case which both my kids have taken to school for show 'n tell. I remember going to the War Memorial in Shaw with him wearing his pin of miniature medals and feeling very proud of my grandad as I still do even though he is no longer with us
When my dad died we buried the miniatures with dad some thing of his own fathers to be with him. Let us all remember.
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Geoffrey Abbott . Army 6th Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers My Father, Geoffrey Abbott joined the 6th Battalion Lancashrie Fusiliers, the same battalion his father Gilfred Abbott has served with during the Great War.
We would welcome any information on any known activities during the war.Any information on either my grandfather or my father would would be appreciated. Hoping for a response. |
Cpl. Jack Abbott . British Army Royal Corps of Signals from Hull) My father's name was Jack Abbott. He joined up in 1940, training in Ossett, Huddersfield & Edinburgh before going overseas to North Africa & Italy. I remember him speaking about Alfred Elwood ('Ace') and Ozzy Twiss. According to his service records, he spent some time in hospital in Italy. During his lifetime, he rarely mentioned his experiences except his horrific recall about the starving Italian children who came to the camp. I know he returned to Stensall Camp, England in 1946 from Iserlohn, Germany. |
John Kimble H. Abbott . RAF pilot 407 Sqd. My father served with 407 Squadron, his name is John Kimble H. Abbott and he was a bomber pilot. He has also written a book about the "Demon" squadron. The book is A Gathering of Demons.
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Naik. Muhammad Abdullah . British Indian Army My father who was in Iraq during World War II in supply regments, told several interesting stories about Iraq people. Once he told that our soldiers were sleeping in tents, some Iraqi came and stole the tent. The soldiers felt some abnormal temperature when the awoke and saw stars in the sky, they were surprised and asked "where is tent?". It had disappeared
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Sergeant Abell . RAF 59 Squadron |
John Abercrombie . French Army from Le Havre) My father John Abercrombie, matricule 1686, was a prisoner of the war in stalag xx 1d. Unfortunately I do not have much information but would like to know more where is the Stalag xx1d? Please if you have information send an e-mail. |
Allan Wolf Abrahams . Bevin Boy My dad Allan Wolf Abrahams was a Bevin Boy from 1944 to the end. He would have been 18 in October 1944. He stayed in the mines after the war until 1960 as a shot-firer.
I was always told that he volunteered for the pits rather than fight as he was a conscientious objector. I don't know now if that wass true. He was Jewish (from the East End of London)and had some difficulties with anti-Semitic attitudes during his time with the Coal Board.
I don't know where he did his training but he was posted to Wigan. I think he stayed with a Mrs Hamilton. Some time later he moved (or was moved) up to Scotland where he was at Patna Colliery, Ayrshire. He met my Mum in Glasgow in 1956. He finished at Mansfield, Notts.
I haven't seen anything about Bevin Boys at the Wigan coalfield. If anybody remembers anything or knew my Dad please get in touch. He died sadly early in 1979 after a car crash. He was only 52. |
W/O Gerry Abrahams . Royal Air Force 75 Squadron |
Henry Ackland . Auxiliary Fire Service from Bethnal Green, East London ) My Grandfather was Harry Ackland who joined the AFS full time on the 24/08/1939, Class 'B' AFS number 18393. He was stationed at Bethnal Green Fire Station (East London) where he served until the end of the war. He covered most of the East/ West End especially the Docks, after narrowly escaping death on several occasions tackling fires he had to contend with UXB's (Unexploded Bombs). He used to drive the fire engine to the blazes and he was the one fighting the fires whilst up the long ladders. My Grandfather wasn't the one to talk about his experiences apart from the fact that he was buried alive for several hours before being rescued and after losing several of his fellow fireman to falling buildings.
He was one of the first on the scene at the Bethnal Green Tube Disaster. Due to the fact that he was stationed so close to the disaster and living in Mendip Houses on Globe Rd, which are situated at the rear of Bethnal Green Fire Station, his station was virtually the first on the scene of the disaster so he was one of many fireman to help carry out the injured and those who died as they we're being taken to the waiting ambulances. He said it was absolute chaos as so many people were trying to get out of the station at the same time that people were trampelling on one another while he was trying to help the injured and at the same time there were bombs still being dropped. He said he would never forgot that night.
If anyone recognises my Grandfather or those who were stationed at Bethnal Green Fire Station during the war, I would be interested in hearing from you. |
Elizabeth Sadler "Bessie" Adam . Land Army from Dalmarnock, Glasgow) Unfortunately my mother died in 2005 so too early to receive the badge that has been awarded to those who served in the Women's Land Army. I am currently tring to piece together information to include in her family history. I wonder if there are records that I could obtain that tells me of her time in the Land Army just as I was able to access the Naval Records for her brother. All I know is that when she married my father, a German Prisoner of War, they worked together on a farm in Kirkudbright. Their marriage certificate dated 31 Jan 1948 gives my father's address as The Cottage, East Glenarm Farm, Crocketford which I assume is where they worked but of course the war was over by this time so I am not sure and would be delighted if you could advise me of where I might find information. I will be delighted to share any information that I am able to find
Update:
Land Army records for those who served in England, Scotland and Wales are available to view on microfiche at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey. The microfilm you need to ask for is:
Series: MAF 421: Ministry of Food: Women's Land Army: Index to Service Records of the Second World War 1939-1948.
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Capt. John Hughes Adam . British Army 7th Btn. Seaforth Hughlanders My Father joined on the 16th October 1939. rank of Private. By April 1940 he was a Corporal, by June 1940 he was a Serjeant. In Nov. 1942 he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. Promoted to Lieutenant in May 1943. Served in Normandy June 1944 until wounded on the 17th July 1944 (not known where or how). Promoted to Captain Feb 1945. Went to Germany 1946, before he was released June 46.
My late sister was born in Fort George in Feb 1941
Attached is a photo of him and other 7th Seaforth's at the start line of Operation Epsom.
My Father went on to serve with the Parachute Reg (ta)
If anyone has any information relating to my father, please contact me. |
P/O Raymond Francis Adam . Royal Canadian Air Force 419 Sqd. from Windsor, Ontario, Canada.) (d.29th Dec 1944) |
Andrew Alexander Adams . Royal Navy HMS Drake A.A Adams was my grandfather, in the Royal Navy from 1936 to 1947. I am interested in finding information about a ship that he served on quite a number of times in his service, HMS Drake.
On the service record it has in brackets, after the ship name HMS Drake, a few different things for different times of service: for service in May 1941 it has M.L. 1048; for service from April to June 1944 it has LST(2) 425; for April to end of June 1945 it has T.F.36.
If anyone is able to help me with the smallest amount of information about this ship or about A.A. Adams it would be most appreciated, thank-you. |
Cecil Adams . Home Guard Feltwell Btn. |
S/Sgt. Charles Walter Adams . British Army 10 Coy. Royal Army Medical Corps from Tooting. Surrey) I am trying to trace my father's movements during the early part of WW2. He enlisted as a regular soldier in 1926 in the East Surrey Regiment and transferred to the RAMC in April 1929. He was graded as a superintending dispenser in 1939. He served in Gibraltar, India, Palestine and Malaya and as far as I know, he was at Dunkirk. He was hospitalised in December 1940, posted to 12 Company in January 1941, back to 10 Company then posted to the 'Y' List and subsequently discharged in July 1941 as being permanently unfit for any form of military service. (K.R. 1940 Para 390 (XV1)
I have his Certificate of Service Book and have obtained his service records from the Historical Disclosures Section in Glasgow, but there is no mention of Dunkirk. Unfortunately, my father died in 1957 having spent many years in hospital. I would be most appreciative if anyone could give me any further information as I am only a child.
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Cicely Adams . Land Army I am trying to make contact with any other ladies that my mother-in-law served with in the Land Army. Her maiden name was Cicely Adams, married name Cicely Monk. Served around Watton-at-Stone, Hertfordshire.
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Frank George Webster Adams . RCAF 420 Squadron I am trying to learn about the incarceration of RCAF Sergeant Frank George Webster Adams, who was the only survivor of the crash of Hampden P5330 in Denmark on April 25, 1942 after his bomber was attacked by a German night fighter near the Dutch island of Ameland. He flew with RCAF Squadron 420, and it is believed that the POW camps he was interned in were Stalag 9C, Stalag Luft 6 and Stalag 357.
I would be most appreciative to learn of the whereabouts of Sgt Adams today. |
ERA. Frederick George Adams . Royal Navy HMS Pembroke from Ipswich) Frederick Adams enlisted in the Royal Navy March 1943. He entered service as an Engine Room Artificer as he had already served an aprentiship as a boilermaker. He served on Minesweepers out of Chatham and Sheerness and apart from St Tudno I do not know what other minesweepers he served on. In 1946 he joined HMS Rajah a lendlease U.S carrier that went out to the far east to collect released POW's. I know this is a long shot but if anyone knows or remembers him please could you get in touch. |
James Forbes "Pongo" Adams . Army The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders The name James Stobie is so familiar!! My late father was James Forbes Adams of Nairn, was in the Cameron Highlanders (51st Highland Division). He was a drummer with Cameron Highlanders (Territorials) Pipe Band, and as he was 18, he got called up to take place of the 17 year old tip drummer.  James Forbes Adams at breakup of a Territorial camp near Fort George, just prior to hostilities.
 The dreaded telegram his aunty received when he was posted missing.
Dad did attempt escape twice, once in Holland on the long march to Germany, and I believe the other time was when he was at Stalag XXA (Fort 13). He ended up at Stalag XXB. It was hard to get him to talk about his experiences. As a child, I can vividly remember him waking up screaming as a result of the nightmares (right up until the early 60's). He once let his guard down and told me how one night he awoke thinking he was dyingas he was completely soaked in blood. Sadly it was the chap in the bunk above him who had taken his own life.
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James Adams . Royal Navy HMS Manchester Jim Adams joined the Royal Navy aged 16 in 1938, he served on HMS Tetcott and HMS Whitshed, HMS Manchester and HMS Spartan. He survived the sinking of both the Manchester which was torpedoed in 1942 and the Spartan in 1944.
The cruiser HMS Spartan off the coast of Italy providing support for the Anzio landings as part of Operation Shingle. While at anchor on the 29th of January 1944, Spartan was bombed at sunset by 18 enemy aircraft. A bomb blew a large hole in the upper deck, collapsing the mast and flooding the boiler room. The ship was set alight and keeled over to port. The crew abandoned ship and within just 10 minutes, the Spartan was on the seabed.
Five officers and 41 ratings lost their lives.
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Sub Lt. John William Raymond Adams . Royal Navy Reserve HMS Forfar from Southampton) (d.2nd Dec 1940) Adams was the musical director of a revue named "Get Sailing" which was held onboard HMS Forfar on Wednesday 19th of June 1940. The programme stated: "In the event of an air raid the Theatre wil be cleared in 30 seconds - NOT into the dressingroom as the artistes (French) are bashful. - Do not leave the ship unless you can reach your home in a few minutes. (What a hope) |
Section Leader Tom William Adams . Auxiliary Fire Service from Twickenham) My Father, Tom Adams worked at Mortlake power station during the day and then after tea, went off to the fire station to serve as an Auxiliary Fireman. One of the tales he told was about Kingston-on-Thames going up in flames after some bombing. On the side of the river, apart from the smell of the tannery, there was a big timber yard that had a corrugated iron roof. This went up in flames and father was told to get on the roof and put water everywhere. As the flames got bigger and the roof got warmer the soles of his boots started to melt so he and his mates stuck the hose down their wellies in a vain effort to keep cool. Eventually they had to clamber off the roof as their feet were getting burnt. Apparently there was quite a row about him getting another pair of boots.
Another occasion happened on his way home from work on his bike along Chiswick embankment. He heard the sound of the infamous doodlebug. When it stopped he looked up and saw the thing coming down so he took cover behind the low wall of someone's house. The bomb landed in the river with a loud "wooomf" in the mud. The tide was out and it showered everywhere with smelly mud. Apart from the windows shattering in the cottage behind him and large pieces of the odd boat landing on him he was ok. Only when he got home he smelt terrible and was covered in mud, he couldn't have his tea till he had a bath which made him late for his fire duty! |
William Walter Adams . Army Cameronians from Leyton, London ) I was adopted as a young child and did,nt discover the knowledge of my real Father until mature years. I would be really grateful if perhaps there are any survivors of the war who served with my dad. All I know is that he was in Burma , was wounded and sent back to England and died later from complications. He did have a military funeral I think in the late forties or the beginning of 1950. We lived then I think in Ivy Gardens Leyton E10 |
Pte. Joe A Adamsky . US Army Infantry from Whippany, NJ) Joseph Adamsky was my Father-In-Law. He was captured in Salerno in September 1943. POW in Stalag 2-B for 13 months before he escaped. The family is very interested to find out if anyone remembers. |
Sgt. Percy Addison . Royal Air Force 40 Sqn from Newcastle-upon-Tyne) Percy was the only surviving crew member of Wellington bomber R1167 from 40 Sqn RAF that was lost on a raid over Hannover on 15/16 May 1941. He was captured by German officers and spent the rest of the war in POW camps. After his return to the UK, he married his sweetheart, Barbara with whom he lived, in the north east until, his death in 2006. My great uncle Percy left behind an interesting collection of books, photos and correspondence from the war years.
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Sgt. Donald Addy . RAF(VR) flight eng. 101 Sqd. from Hemsworth.) (d.31st Mar 1944) |
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