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Pte. Kenneth William Adcock . British Army
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Wallace Adcock . British Army Royal Norfolk Regiment from Swaffham, Norfolk Wallace Adcock was stationed with the Royal Norfolk Regiment in India prior to the outbreak of WW2. He volunteered for guerilla warfare in Finland and when Russia joined the Allies he became part of the Independent Companies prior to the formation of the Army Commando. He served in number one Commando and I was informed at his funeral that he was highly thought of by Lord Lovat. (They were involved in certain ploys). After jaunts to Norway and North Africa prior to Torch, and beach sampling near Boulogne he went as weapons instructor to Achnacarry. There are photographs of him with Lord Lovat.
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Pte. William Alfred Adcock . British Army 1st Btn. Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment from Croydon My Dad, Bill Adcock told me about his time in the BEF in France when they were over run by the Germans. He recounted that a small group of them were affecting the run trying to evade capture from the Germans after the fall of France. With no map reading skills, they managed to make their way over a number of days on foot to Cherbourg and escape back to England. This apparently was after the evacuation of Dunkirk.
He recounted that on one occasion they were trapped in a barn and surrounded by the enemy. My Dad asked what the date was and told it was the 29th of May to which my Dad said that it was his 21st Birthday
The reply came back from his comrade that he would be lucky to see 22 !!!
My Dad was born in 1919 so it must have been the 29th May 1940!
Their small group escaped in the end through the French countryside to Cherbourg where they were evacuated back to England.
He later survived the fighting during the Normandy landings, Holland and Germany.
He never really spoke about his experiences until well into his 60s but was immensely proud and looked forward to Regimental reunions in Maidstone, when as a teenager I used to accompany him all through the 70s.
He showed us the craters and dishing left to the lower part of his leg caused by machine gun bullets he was hit by.
We found after he passed away in 1994 that he had also served with the 4th Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment in Normandy Holland and France. He was one of a few I guess that survived the fall of France and went back to help liberate France.
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L/Sgt. Thomas William Addinall MM.. British Army 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers from York Thomas Addinall joined the Army at 16, lying about his age. He went in to register and they told him he was too young, and to come back when he was 18.
He went for lunch and came back and registered saying he was 18. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers in WW2.
He received his Military Medal for Bravery for his duties in Coriano, Italy, 15th of September 1944.
Growing up, he rarely talked about the war. It wasn't until he was in his very senior years that he started to share, mainly with his grandchildren.
Thomas passed away at age 93 in February 2018.
One of my favorite pictures is of him with his son in law, grandson and great grandson, 4 generations of Armed Service, the other 3 serving with the Canadian Armed Forces.
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Sgt Geoffrey William Addinsall. . RAF 12Sqd. (d.10th Jul 1943) Geoffrey Addinsall served as a midd upper Gunner with 12 Sqd. He was killed on 10th July 1943 in Lancaster DV164 PH-W.
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Fus. Anthony Addis . British Army 1st Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers (d.26th October 1943) My wife's uncle was wounded at the river Trigno on 21st October 1943 and died on 26th October 1943. He is buried at Bari. He is mentioned in the book `Clear the Way!
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Lt. Richard Graham Addis MID. DSC.. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve HMS Laforey from Frant, Sussex (d.30th March 1944) Richard Addis was the 13th of the 13 children of Sir Charles and Lady Addis, of Woodside, Frant, Sussex. He was born in London on the 1st December 1916. He married Gill, nee Dearmer in London on the 9th December 1941. Their son, David, was born on 10th March 1944 (one son died at birth 17 Oct 1942). Dick was killed in action on 30th March 1944, aged 28, when his son was less than a month old. Gillian later remarried and died in December 2005.
From 20th of October 1939 to 19th of November 1939 Dick Addis was Prob. Temp. S/Lt RNVR at HMS King Alfred for basic training. Peter Scott (the famous ornithologist) was also in training there and singing Dick's songs. Gill had just come back from France and was in all the newspapers, especially the Evening Standard. Gill met Dick via Peter whom Gill knew via Peter's mother.
From 22nd of August 1940 to 9th of April 16941 he was a Lt RNVR on HMS Astral tender to HMS Wildfire (the Captain of Astral was a good cook and there was also signalman Stone, a cockney).
In May 1940 he was at Dunkirk, about which he wrote an eye witness account that was published in Blackwoods Magazine.
He was Mentioned in Dispatches for his work at Dunkirk. Temp. Sub Lt Mobile Balloon Barrage on Astral (this may have been a Belgian ship). The ships went up and down the Channel from Sheerness to Portsmouth
and on the 6th of May 41 as a Temp. Sub Lt. he was awarded the DSC for his work on the Mobile Balloon Barrage.
From the 29th of May 1941 to 6th of January 1942 he was a Sub. Lt & Lt RNVR on HMS Mignonette Flower Class Corvette.
As a Probationary Temporary Sub Lieutenant RNVR, Dick was sent in April 1941 for a fortnight's training at HMS Nimrod, the anti-submarine base in Campbeltown, commanded by his elder brother Charles, who was a Captain RN. The new entries were lined up on joining to be greeted by the commanding officer who, when he came to his brother, asked "What's your name?" "Addis, sir", Dick declared. At which Charles with a straight face replied "Oh yes, I believe I know your parents."
On the 8th of February 1942 be became a Temp Lt at HMS Mercury, RN Signal School.
Then on the 23rd of May 23.05.43 he transferred to HMS Dinosaur training on landing craft.
From the 1st of Decemner to 7th of January 1943 he was at HMS Mercury Qualifying for Lt 'S'
before joining HMS Laforey under Capt "Beaky" Armstrong. The ship was torpedoed by a U-Boat and sank off the coast of Italy on the 30th March 1944.
Dick was a gifted musician and played the piano and oboe and also composed a number of pieces. He also wrote prose and poetry, including a number of books, one of which, a children's book, Barbara, the story of a Black Sheep, was published by Faber in 1944. His account of Dunkirk was published in Blackwoods Magazine.
He was also an excellent cook and was friends with Andre Simon, founder of the Wine and Food Society.
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AB. William Thomas Addis . Royal Navy HMS Exeter from Peterchurch, Herefordshire (d.3rd May 1945) William Addis died of Beri Beri and pellagra whilst a Prisoner of War in Makasura Camp in Java.
He had been born in Bedwellty Wales, but his family then moved to Peterchurch.
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E Addison . British Army Royal Armoured Corps E Addison 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: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project are no longer in 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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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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Tpr. S Addyman . British Army 5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards Tpr.S Addyman served with the 5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards 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 are no longer in 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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Spr. Gordon Charles Adkin . British Army 3rd Field Squadron Royal Engineers from Derby Gordon Adkin joined the Royal Engineers in 1941, sent to the Sowerby Bridge Barracks near Halifax for training. He was posted to Aberdeen in Scotland then on to Gourock, the Unit was the 3rd Field Squadron, Royal Engineers, 180 or so men and officers. We were aboard the Volumdon, a Danish Freighter, first sailed to the Gold Coast of Africa, (Sierra Leone) and the port of Freetown, from there to South Africa stopping at Durban and the Barracks at Pinetown.
This is an excerpt from Gordon’s own handwritten documentary of his WW2 Wartime experiences.
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W/O2. Alfred "Tiny" Adkins . British Army 300 Coy. Corps of Military Police from London Alfred Adkins served with the Military Police. I have received dad's war records which don't tell me much. Any help or advice would be gratefully received.
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Sgt. Eddie Douglas Adkins . United States Army 2nd Batallion 3rd Regiment from Thalia, Texas My father, Doug Adkins of Borger, Texas, served his country in World War II. He served in H Company, 36th Division. While taking part in the invasion of Italy, he was captured by the Germans and was a prisoner of war from September 19, 1943, through April 19, 1945. Daddy kept a diary during this time, hiding it from his captors. “Food was the only item that received protection priority over the diary", he would later write. He also reflected, “Now, it can be seen that life would have been less miserable had we borne our lot with less complaint.”
The following “Stories of War” are taken from my father’s diary, his letters, and a speech he gave in 1967:
Recounting the battle on the day of his capture: “At 1:00 p.m., we knew the battle had started…John Lemke fell dead at my feet. Eddie Walsh laid face down gasping and heaving for breath with a bullet through his helmet and into his head. John Lovell lay face up with a pleading look on his face, unable to talk, his right leg almost severed at the knee. I carried him a few yards, seeking the help of a corpsman. John needed every drop of blood he had left, but I carried some of it away on my arms and chest…I was captured about 6:30 p.m. It was an event that had never entered my mind until 10 minutes before it happened.”
From the days immediately after capture: “Walked all day in a hot sun with no head gear. No food until late that night which then was very little. We rushed like wild animals at anything that resembled water all day…Another day of walking. The animal spirit in us grew worse as our thirst and hunger increased…Walked 34 Ks today…Spent another cold night on the ground. We are very dirty.”
In a Christmas Eve letter home: “Peace and Quiet reigned in our chapel tonight; War and Turmoil reign only a few hundred miles in all directions. God makes many things difficult to understand.”
While being moved to another camp just months before liberation: “Another day of suffering and exhausting travel. Karl Johnson was killed today by one of the guards. He was a good friend and well-liked…These were the most miserable days I have ever lived. The men are almost like animals where food is concerned…We slept in the rain…Our existence in the lowest type of living continues…As I ask God to soon give us better living conditions, I do not forget to give Him thanks for delivering us this far.”
In a letter home to his mother after liberation: “I will be home soon…We are now in the good care of the wonderful Americans. I never knew it meant so much to be an American…”
On a ship reaching America’s shores: “…We can plainly see the bright lights of the city. It is a wonderful sight. It is also a wonderful feeling to know that those lights are coming from the shores of the most wonderful country in the world…It is sad, indeed, to think of those who gave their lives…, that these harbor lights may continue to send out friendly gleams of liberty and freedom. God has been merciful to me.”
From a Veteran’s Day speech, 1967: “A man of value gives more to life than he takes from it…Our flag is synonymous with freedom, but there are responsibilities we must meet to protect this freedom…Young people: be proud of your country, protect your country, and pray for your country.”
Heroic or Meritorious Achievement
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Cpl Fred W Adkins . US Army 13th Infantry Regiment from Salisbury, Maryland, USA looking for information on a pow camp in which my father fred w adkins was held. my understanding is that it he was held in Stalag VI D. I have no idea where it is located. However I do know from his military records that he was held by german government during 1945.
Thank you very much
MELSON W. ADKINS
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L/Sgt, Howard Thomas "Roy" Adkins . British Army 251st Battery, 63rd Anti Tank Regiment Royal Artillery from Banbury Howard Adkins, know as Roy was the son of Harold and Elsie with siblings Lillian, Irene and Harold. He was born in May 1920 in Wardington near Banbury. On the 25th of April 1937 he enlisted at Banbury at the age of 16 years, 11 months, he gave his birth date as 10th of May 1919. On the 1st of September 1939 he was called up for Military Service with 251st Battery, 63rd Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery and served in Northern Ireland, some photos are taken by C.V. Shorthouse of Ravenhill Road, Belfast. On the 11th of July 1940 he completed the Form of Will witnesses J Fletcher & Gary Grant 251st Bty, 63rd A/T RA.
On 22nd of September 1941 251st Battery detached from 63rd Anti-Tank Regiment and merged (along with 45th, 270th & 281st A/T batteries) into the 85th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery
I have a Telegram from Roy to 289 Chevral Ave, Coventry "Best wishes for Xmas and New Year" dated 12th of January 1942, The following day
85th A/T Regiment arrives in Malaya. On the 22nd he sent a letter which included "stink hanging around everywhere you go". On
15th of February 1942 he was captured by the Japanese in Malaya when the Singapore Garrison capitulated.
17th March 1942 a letter was sent from Colonel in RA record office to inform Harold Adkins that Roy was missing or a Prisoner of War
A Coventry Newspaper Article reads "Reported missing in Singapore, following the battle of Malaya, Bombardier Roy Adkins (21), eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Adkins, 289 Chevral Ave., Coventry, was formerly employed by Messrs. Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft Ltd. Coventry. He was an enthusiastic Rugby football player. He came to Coventry from Durham a few years before the war."
It was not until 20th of July 1943 that a letter from the Red Cross confirmed that that Roy is a Prisoner Of War
On the 28th of July 1943 a letter from Army Record Office Foots Cray, Sidcur, Kent confirmed that Roy is a POW, there is also an additional letter regarding a post card from (869104) Sgt. Adkins "Safe and well hoping you are same", A Coventry Newspaper Article stated "Previously reported missing in Singapore, Bombardier Roy Adkins, aged 21, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Adkins, 289 Chevral Avenue, Coventry, is now known to be a prisoner of war in Japanese hands. Bdr. Adkins was formerly employed by Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft, Ltd. Coventry."
In 1943 he sent an Imperial Japanese Army Post Card from No. 2 Camp Thailand "I am interned in Thailand. Please see that Harold is taken care."
and another Imperial Japanese Army Post Card from No. 2 Camp Thailand "I am interned in No 2 Camp Thailand. Please see that All at Home is taken care"
On the 25th of August 1943 he wrote a letter tohis parents that looks as if it's written on toilet paper.
29th of November 1943 they received a Letter from Red Cross "Letters and Post Cards must be limited to 25 words" Communication with Prisoners of War instruction Sheet
17th of January 1944 he sent an Imperial Japanese Army Post Card "My best regards to Dad, Mum, Harold, Lilian, Irene and all"
and on 3rd of June 1944 an Imperial Japanese Army Post Card "My best regards to Father, Lilian, Irene, Harold, Grandmother, Grandfather"
29th of August 1945 in a Letter he wrote "given this piece of paper for the purpose of writing home & asked not to use it for smoking" "thousands of them are lying all along the Thai-Burma railway which we built"
on the 4th of September 1945 he sent a Post Card "Dear, I am now free and in safe hand. I hope to be with you soon. My address is 49 I.G.H.C. c/o South East Asia Command."
and a second Letter from Bangkok Airfield stating he was waiting for Airplane. In September 1945 a Letter arrived "Rangoon from Bangkok."
and on 10th of September 1945 a Telegram from Roy to his parents from Rangoon "Arrived safely at India be home soon writing address letters and telegrams to C/O Recovered PW Mail Centre, Bombay, India Command"
The next day they received Official Confirmation that Roy has been recovered by Allied Forces. On the 23rd Roy sends a Telegram to his Parents that he has arrived in Columbo (Sri Lanka)
on the 26th Roy's parents receive Telegram and letter that Roy has been liberated from the Japanese.
His Soldier's Release Book records that on 30th of November 1945 he was at the Military Dispersal Unit and on 31st of December 1945 it was stamped at the Recruiting centre, Sibbel Hall Coventry.
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Flight Seargent Reginald Albert Adkins . RAF from Keighley, Yorkshire Trying to trace any information of my father, now deceased.
Reginald ADKINS. Flight Seargent 521112 somewhere in yorkshire in 1941
His wife was called Edna and they had a newborn son.In September 1941 they were Living in Keighley.
Anyone remember him ?
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PO Bill Adlam . Royal Navy HMS Vulture Petty Officer Bill Adlam was stationed at HMS Vulture from 1939 to 1941.
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Sgt Leonard F P Adlam . RAFVR 58 Sqd. (d.20th Oct 1940 )
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Sgt Oscar Philip Edwin Ronald J " " Adlam. . Royal Air Force 427 sqd (d.12th Feb 1943 )
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Pte. Harry Adlard . British Army 1st Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment from Lincolnshire (d.15th April 1944) A WWII Memorial commemorating Private Harry Adlard is inside St Peters Church in Barton-Upon-Humber.
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MA Adnitt . British Army MA Adnitt 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 are no longer in 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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S/Sgt. Robert Paul Aegerter . British Army from England POW Camp Fukuoka 17 in Japan
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Sea. Lucien Aendenboom . Royal Navy HMS Buttercup from Ekeren, Belgium Near the end of the war Lucien Aendenboom fled from occupied Belgium and made the Channel crossing. Although very young, he managed to join the Navy
he was trained at Skegness (Royal Arthur) and was later detached to the HMS Buttercup until 1944.
Due to his failing memory now, this is almost all we know about his story
Is there anybody able to give some more details?
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WO George Townson Agg . Royal Australian Air Force 454 Sqdn. from Australia My father, George Townson Agg, was a Warrant Officer in the RAAF, 454 Squadron. His plane was shot down over the Mediterranean Sea, and he swam to safety from a burning, sinking aircraft to be rescued by an Italian float plane. He was taken prisoner of war and ended up in Stalag IVB. I have a number of mementoes of his time in Stalag IVB, including a diary of the days leading up to the end of the war, and return to England. I would love to hear from anyone who knew my father. Dad died on 30th October 2001, age 82.
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Carmela Agnello . Womens Royal Naval Service My mother, Carmela Agnello was sent to England from her home in Malta as a chaperone to her younger sister. Her sister was to marry a British sailor. However, war was declared and my mother could not return to her country. She joined the Wrens and eventually married my father, Thomas Whittle who joined the Fleet Air Arm followed by the Navy, serving twenty five years.
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D Agnew . British Army Royal Scots Fusiliers D Agnew served with the Royal Scots Fusiliers 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 are no longer in 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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Sgt. Harold Agnew . British Army 4th Btn. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders from Oldham, Gtr. Manchester (d.26th January 1942) Serjeant Agnew was the Son of James and Florence Agnew; husband of Mary Agnew, of Oldham, Gtr. Manchester.
He was 32 when he died and is buried in the Oranjestad Protestant Cemetery, Island of Aruba.
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Pvt. Maclovio Aguilar . United States Army from United States Maclovio Aguilar Jr. was a POW in Camp Fukuoka 17 in Japan
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