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L/Sgt. Stanley McDonald . British Army Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders from Greenock My father in law Stanley McDonald was captured in Italy before being sent to Stalag 357. He had previously served in North Africa so I think he was involved in the push in to southern Italy before his capture.
That's all we know and would be interested to know more!
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Cpl. Thomas McDonald . British Army 17 R.S.D. Royal Army Ordnance Corps from Edinburgh, Scotland A couple of years ago, my wife and daughter were told about a son that my Dad, Tom McDonald left in Brussels. My mother supported the woman and child for a number of years after the war, as the people in Brussels were starving. All I know that there was a son born between 1945-1946 and that the woman's name was Yvonne. When the woman's father found that Tom had a wife and child in Scotland he sent Tom away back to his family. What happened to Yvonne in Brussels? I'm not sure where in Brussels my Dad was stationed or if his name on the son's birth certificate? He loved the woman, and wanted to leave the family in Scotland for her. My mom and Dad did get together once he came back to Scotland and they had two more daughters. I have tried to get Dad's military records, but no luck even though I have his pay book. I would like to find my half brother. Can anyone give me any direction?
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William Mcdonald . I am looking for anyone who knew William Mcdonald who served in Burma. Does anyone remember him?
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William George Mcdonald . Royal Navy HMS Anthony My father William Mcdonald was on HMS Anthony on 6th of May 1942 in the raid on Diego Suarez Harbour, Madagascar.
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WJ Mcdonald . British Army Royal Artillery WJ Mcdonald served with the Royal Artillery 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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Sgt Alexander McDonald. . Royal Air Force 78 Sqd.
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Pte. Patrick Francis "McDonald" McDonnell . British Army 5th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (d.4th Jun 1943) Patrick McDonnell died aged 20, he was the son of Thomas and Annie McDonnell (nee Richardson) of Jarrow.
He is buried in Sfax War Cemetery and is commemorated on the WW2 Roll of Honour Plaque in the entrance of Jarrow Town Hall.
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RSM. Reginald Charles "Mac" McDonnell . British Army Rifle Brigade from Deptford, London. My father, Reginald McDonnell, told me of his time with the Desert Rats in North Africa and of his capture at Tobruk. He was in the Rifle Brigade. He said he was promoted in the field to RSM because all those above that rank had been killed.
After his capture he and 4 colleagues were transferred to Northern Italy where it was freezing cold and they were still wearing their desert gear.
He escaped with his colleagues by killing their guard using his thumbs in the side of the temple. They then swam over a mile down a sewage infested canal and walked the length of the border with Greece and back only to get through near where they had started from. The only casualty among them was the only married chap, he was killed.
When my father was repatriated he was full of Beri-beri and dysentry and suffering from what would now be called Post Traumatic Stress. He was hospitalized but discovered that his fiance was marrying another man, a sailor much to his disgust. He dragged himself to the church and confronted them but it was too late. Her excuse was that his mother had recieved "the telegram" 3 times and refused to believe he was dead but on the 4th she thought he must have perished.
He went on to live another 43 years until he died on my birthday in 1988. For years I played with his medals but never fully understood the horrors he went through. This was the only time he opened up about his wartime experiences. I sincerely wish I had been less of a me me person in my youth but its too late now. God bless you Dad, and thanks.
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Harry McDonough . Navy HMS Vulture My wife's grandad Harry Mcdonough served on HMS Vulture. He also served in WWI; we are still tracing his travels.
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Wing Co. John Ignatius "Mac" McDonough . Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 625 Squadron from Liverpool
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Wg.Cdr. John Ignatius "Mac" McDonough . Royal Air Force 625 Squadron from Liverpool John McDonough served as Flight Engineer in 625 Squadron in 1944. His pilot was F/O Minnis DFC. On leaving 625 he was commissioned and posted to Egypt.
Jack or Mac as he was known, had a long and successful career in the RAF as an admin officer, once leaving GD branch. In the mid-60s, he was an exchange officer at USAF Randolph. In 1966 he was created honorary Mayor of San Antonio for his service. Whilst OC PSS at Lyneham he was promoted to Wing Commander. His final posting was as a selection Chair at Biggin Hill. On leaving the Service, he Chaired Selection panels for British Airways at CAT Hamble. When the College was closed he became Membership Officer for the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.
He passed away, aged 79, in 2004.
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C Mcdougal . British Army Kings Own Scottish Borderers C Mcdougal served with the Kings Own Scottish Borderers 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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Driver Charles McDougall . RASC from Aberfeldy, Perthshire My father Charles McDougall of Aberfeldy, Perthshire was taken prisoner at St Valery. His number was T135468. He was a driver in the RASC. He seldom spoke of his experiences in depth, but used to give us snippets of information..
He spoke of being lined up to be shot on two separate occasions, but each time was reprieved...I think that was a form of mental torture. He told us of making soup from nettles and from potato peelings and he worked in a salt mine. He told us that he was in on several escape plans but did nor ever try to escape himself as he reckoned he was too old and might hold the others back. He told us that the Gaelic speakers in the camp were able to pass information to each other without the Guards knowing what they were saying. He told us of the march through Poland when men would be shot if they stopped for a second. He weighed 6 stone when he came home and was of a nervous disposition for the rest of his life.
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E. C. McDougall . Royal Navy HMS Electra
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Sgt. William Armour McDougall . RAFVR 149 Sqn from Auchinlek (d.25th June 1944) Bill McDougall was a close childhood friend of my late father, who was also in the RAFVR. Bill was attached to 149 Squadron, based at RAF Methwold, and was part of the crew of EF140, shot down over the French coast on the night of 24th/25th of June 1944. He is buried at the Etaples Military Cemetery.
I have a letter Bill wrote to my father in April 1944. This is probably one of the last letters he wrote and, quite poignantly, he mentions not telling his mother he was on live operations because he didn't want her worrying. Bill's mother had given each of the boys a gold half-sovereign. My father's coin is now with my daughter.
If anyone who knew Bill reads this I would love to get in touch.
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W Mcdowall . British Army Royal Armoured Corps W Mcdowall 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 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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LH Mcdowell . British Army Royal Artillery LH Mcdowell served with the Royal Artillery 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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Trooper Joseph McEntee . British Army 41st Btn. Royal Tank Regiment from Oldham, Lancashire My dad, Trooper Joseph McEntee, was born in the cotton mill town of Oldham, in December, 1921. He was brought up by his mother, after his father had died when he was just two years old, and he was one of eleven children. He joined up, according to his enlistment papers, on the 6th June, 1939, when he was 17 yrs and 6 months old. His regiment, at the time, was the 41st Royal Regiment. He went on to be a tank driver, with the 41st/47th RTR. He was at Spalding, Lincolnshire for some of his training. In 1940 he was sent to Louth, and posted to the 4th battalion, he was also with the 11th RTR. He was at the battle of El Alamein in 1942, and served for two years in North Africa. I can remember him telling me, as a small child, that it was so hot that you could fry an egg on the tank, also that the flies would accumulate on a cup, making it impossible to drink anything, but he never told me about his experiences there, and, unfortunately, I never asked. He went on to Normandy, and was at the Battle of Epsom, he did tell me that when he was driving the tank, the person who was directing him, must have had his head out of the turret, was shot and killed instantly. Also, of losing his way, when driving an officer in a scout car, and realising they had crossed into enemy lines, and quickly reversed. I also recall him telling me about crossing the Rhine into Germany, and the sights he saw there, of the Russians killing civilians, if only I had the foresight to ask him more questions, I am sure he would have told me lots of stories, but I thought he would live forever. I am now tracing his military history and have his medals, and framed photograph. I love reading the stories of these war heroes, they are truly inspiring.
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Pte. Christopher Charles McEvoy . British Army 7th Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment from Sco Ruston (d.12th Oct 1944) Christopher McEvoy was the son of the playwright Charles Alfred McEvoy, brother of the writer Patrick A. McEvoy, and nephew of the artist Ambrose McEvoy. Married to the former Joan Margaret Snell in 1942. He illustrated the book written by his brother, "The Gorse and the Briar" for publication in 1938. His brother served as an engineering officer in the Merchant Navy, and was lost in 1941 when his ship was torpedoed.
In October 1944, he participated in the Battle of Overloon, Netherlands, during which he was killed. His body now rests in the Mook War Cemetery.
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John McEvoy . British Army 8th Battaltion Durham Light Infantry (d.2nd Nov 1942) Although we don't know much about Jack McEvoy, we do know he was my grandfather.
We don't have any pictures or stories about his life other than he was born in Liverpool in 1911 and at some time, before or during the Second World War, he joined the 8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.
We know for certain that on 2 November, 1942, John was killed and he is buried in El Alamein, Matruh, Egypt.
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Sgt. Ronald James McEvoy . British Army 2nd Btn. Grenadier Guards from 97 Ritherdon Road, Balham, London In 1931 my father Ronald James McEvoy enrolled with the 2nd Battalion of the Grenadier Guards. In March 1936 his battalion was stationed at Mustapha Barracks, Alexandria, Egypt. As war was declared on Germany on the 31st August 1939, Ron had just finished his military service and had joined the Southampton Police Force, he put his uniform back on and headed for Wellington Barracks.
Ron’s battalion then became part of the British Expeditionary Force on the French, Belgium frontier. He was one of the lucky ones and evacuated from Dunkirk. During his time in England he had prisoner escort duties and guard duties at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace; he was also escort for the keys to the Tower of London. On the 9th May 1942 he married Eileen Hendry at St Boniface Catholic Church, Tooting.
Between the 9th and 18th of September 1943 Ron's battalion became part of the 8th Army and landed at Salerno Italy. Ron was captured by the German's in November 1943 and after two weeks in a cattle wagon he became incarcerated at Stalag 357 Thorn, Poland.
On the advance of the Russians the prison population was marched to Stalag XI-B in Fallingbostel, Germany. After liberation from there my father teamed up with a few friends and roamed through the German countryside living off the land. After about a week they met up with some allied troops and were flown back home. I have come across three aces "dated 18th April 1945" from a pack of cards, the ace of clubs is signed by someone called J W T Hurlley? of Green-Royd, Boston Road, Holbeach, Spalding, Lincolnshire. The ace of hearts is signed by a gentleman called Maxwell of 16 Green Walk, Greater, Manchester. The ace of spades belongs to Fred W Bernard, Box 226 Chathery, New Brunswick, Canada.
Ron was offered a commission in another regiment however Ron and Eileen wanted the freedom of life away from the army. On being demobbed Ron was sent on an engineering course based in Cambridge; however on finishing he joined as an Agent of the Prudential Assurance Co Ltd; he was based in Balham, London. One year later he joined the War Office Police Service, later to become the Ministry of Defence Police Service. He was able to retain his military rank of Sergeant and was based at the War Office, Whitehall, London. In 1955 Ron was transferred to The Government Research Establishment in Waltham Abbey, Essex seeing out his working life until retirement in 1976.
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Lt Cmdr. Surg. McEwan . Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve HMS Forfar
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Rflmn. Francis Fowler McEwan . British Army 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade from Denny, Stirlingshire. (d.21st Sep 1944) Frank McEwan was killed and buried on 21st of September 1944 in my town Mol, Belgium. He was a talented footballer, he played for Scottish Division Two side Airdrieonians and played his first game for Tottenham Hotspur in December, 1939.
Does someone remember him? I'm searching his relatives.
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Pte. James McEwan MM.. British Army Home Guard from Newmains, Lanarkshire James McEwan served with distinction in the Great War spending four years in the trenches with 2nd Btn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. He was part of the 33rd Division and won the Military Medal for bravery in the field in the Ypres Salient. He was also presented with a certificate of distinction by the commanding officer of the 33rd Division. James took part in the Battle of Arras, The Battle of the Somme and the Third Battle of Ypres (Easschendaele). He was seriously wounded in 1917 probably during the last named battle.
During the Second World War James served in the Home Guard where his valuable experience was used training is local Home Guard unit in which he served as a Sergeant until he was accidentally wounded while on the rifle range. He died from gas gangrene in a Military Hospital in Edinburgh on 23rd of January 1943 and was buried with military honours at Cambusnethan Cemetery. James was the son of John and Janet McEwan of 89 Meadowbum Road, Wishaw, Husband of Elizabeth Miller McEwan of 15 Crindledyke Crescent, Newmains.
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Peter McEwan . British Army 1st Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) from 7 Ashton Place, Netherton, Wishaw My father Peter McEwan was in Burma with the 1st battalion Cameronians during the Second World War. I would like to hear of anyone who served with him or their families who have any memories of their fathers who may have served with him in Burma.
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Isabel "Scottie" McFadden . Womens Auxiliary Airforce Decoy and Concealment Isabel McFadden served with the Home Defence RAF Decoy & Concealment Group at GPO Shepparton, in Colonel Turners Group.
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Stephen Michael McFadden . from Ireland My father, Stephen Michael McFadden, probably known as Mick, was captured on Crete in 1941 and held in Stalag 8B until his repatriation in 1944. Sadly he died when I was 2 so I never knew him. Has anyone any memories or photos of him please? All I have is a small note book with the names and addresses of several men I assume were in prison with him.
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Chief Petty Officer Frances McFadyen . Royal Navy Supply Depot Tobermory from Barnsley, Yorks I am posting this in memory of a dear Aunt who invited me to visit her when she was serving at Tobermory, Isle of Mull in the early forties, prior to her posting to Trinconmalee in Ceylon. What follows is a my personal experience made possible by Aunty Frances.
In a moment of nostalgia I decided to relive the most memorable event of my life, a day at sea in the final work-up aboard HMS Cowslip out of Tobermory in the summer of 1942. I must thank Dave Cox for the model he built which enabled me to fully visualise my experiences over again.
It may sound odd that an eight year old schoolboy was able to experience such an incredible voyage but it was made possible by my aunt who was a CPO in Supply at Tobermory. During the exercise all the ships weaponry was tested from the 4 inch gun thro' Oerlican cannons, depth charges and the Hedgehog anti-submarine grenades, I was even invited to dine with the Captain but being so young and shy I hardly spoke a word to him and had to leave for fresh air on deck because of sea sickness.
I am now 75 so it is extremely unlikely that any of the crew are still with us, if only I could express my gratitude to them for even at that young age I realised what they would be facing from then on. In studying Dave's model I am unable to recognise the Hedgehog launcher platform which I believe was on the bow deck in front of the 4 inch gun. Was that the case of in my memory playing tricks on me? Thank you once again for recreating that fantastic experience.
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Sgt. James Armour mcfadyen . British Army 6th Battalion Cameronian Scottish Rifles from Edinburgh (d.18th Jan 1945) James Armour McFadyen was a regular Soldier in the Cameronian Scottish Rifles. After landing in Baarland on the Island of Walcheren in the Nederlands on 26th October 1944 with the 6th and 7th Battalions of the Cameronians he was then involved in Operation Blackcock in the Industrial area of Maastricht and Sittard. He lost his life in the heavy fighting in that area and was buried in Sittard War Cemetery. We have visited his grave many times over the years and have met the War Graves Commission from Maastricht who look after the graves in the area. We can only thank them from the bottom of our hearts for the amazing job they do in looking after the graves.
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