Those who Served
Herbert Annesley Packer . Royal Navy HMS Manchester Herbert Packer was the captain of HMS Manchester from the 13th of April 1940 until the 31st of May 1941. |
Arthur "Baba" Page . R A S C Transport from 32 Russell Road Newbury, Berkshire) My Dad, Athur Page From Newbury Berkshire, was in the RASC during the last parts of the war, he was stationed in western germany in a small town called Ebstorf in 1946. Dad was billited with a german family by the name of Buchiwald Or Budiwald, the daughters names were Gerda and Gisela, Father's name was Paul, Mother's name Lindien, I think Dad was initally stationed at Munster I have some photos of my Dad and some of his mates in unifofm with the german family, Could any body that may have any information,on the RASC during this time please help me? |
Phillip Eric Page . Army Middlesex Regiment I'm trying to gather information about my Grandad and his time in World War II. His name was Phillip Eric Page and served in the Middlesex Regiment, He was captured in June 1940, but am unsure when he arrived at Stalag XXA. We are currently going through old papers and photos that we have, and hopefully in the near future I will be posting what we find.
If anyone has any information on the Middlesex Regiment we would love to hear from you as we are trying to find as much information as possible. Thanks for taking the time to read this
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Flying Officer Alan Cairns Palmer . RAF Lancaster ED 542 106 Squadron (d.3rd April 1943) |
Blimp Palmer . Navy HMS Nigeria I have a photo of H.M.S. Nigeria with lots of signatures on the back. It says Torpedo Division 1945 and is dated 19th September 1945.
The names are:
R G Stocker Geordie BurnsRonald J HarrisG KentP RaymentW WheatleyD ChapmanH J FisherD P Sweeney A ?? WhitheadH LockearBlimp PalmerG. KentJ Arnold ~(Sussex) A ChapmanJames Robertson(Jock)R E FisherD MercerR E RileyW L GilbertF J Fulcher (Wind Bo'sun 1st class)D Hughes TGMG L BowersE TicehurstF C WelchG W Downes |
Staff Sgt. Edward Frank Palmer . British Army Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers from Harpenden) My Father, Frank Palmer, served in REME 1941-46. He was almost sent to far east but remained in UK as he was taking his staff sergeants exams. The unit he would have been with were ultimately wiped out. Instead he was sent to France on D-day + 6. Later sent to Bergen-Belsen where he arrived less than 48 hours after the liberation. I shudder to think what he saw there as he never spoke about it. He later was billeted in Holland and Germany before being demobbed in 1946.
Prior to the war he had qualified as an Optician, a profession he resumed after the war. He married my Mother, Helen Walders, in November 1942. They were married until her death in 1990. Frank passed away in 1992.
I would be gtateful to hear from anyone who has any knowledge of him as I would like to know more of his war experiences. He was a wonderful man and a great father who will never be forgotten by his family. |
Squadron Leader G T Palmer DFC. RAF 59 Squadron |
Iain Palmer . Royal Navy HMS Penelope from Borgue, Kirkcudbrightshire) My uncle, Iain Palmer, was a survivor of the sinking of H M S Penelope off Anzio in 1944. Iain I believe was a signalman. He was born in Borgue, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. |
Pilot Officer K V Palmer . RAF |
Kathleen Parfitt . Land Army My mother was in the land army stationed at Redworth House, Totnes, South Devon till around 1949
Her name was Kathleen Parfitt. She would love to hear from anyone who was billeted their around that time especially Sally Marriot who she lost touch with some years ago all she can remember is Sally moved back to Matlock in Derbyshire were she married and seems to think she ran a post office.
If you can help me find my mothers friend please email me, I would be so grateful to you as my mother is getting on in years and she would dearly like to know what became of Sally
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Pte. R. Park . Home Guard A Coy. Workington Btn. |
Edward George Lancelot Parker . Royal Air Force mid upper gunner 106 Sqd. (d.30th Aug 1944) |
Glyn James Parker . Army Royal Engineers My father, Glyn James Parker, was at Teschen, Stalag 8B, POW No 6811.
He was a driver with the Royal Engineers, captured at Dunkirk, and was held until March 1945. I would be very grateful for any information from anyone, as he did not talk a lot about his imprisonment at Stalag 8B.
Alan Parker |
Driver James Parker . British Army 384/909 Company Royal Army Service Corps from London) My father Jim Parker was RASC. he served in North Africa and did a stint in the LRDG.Palestine 1940/1943 then BNAF Sept/43 to Oct/44. I tried to get him to the Tobruck cementary to no avail. Just before he died in 1994 I promised to visit the cementary at the Sangro River for him.... quote ' I left a lot of my mates there ' at last I am going June 2009, to say thanks to all those men that were my dads mates but didn't come back as he did He wasnt one for reunions but often wondered what happened to certain people, I dont know where he met up with them or what nationality ,as many sons and daughters like myself know Dads didnt talk much about the war. In the desert he drove a large lorry painted yellow known as the Yellow Peril. I was very close to my father and cannot equate war doings with the gentle man that I knew. I doubt there is anyone alive now that knew him but if anyone has mementos that include my father's name please contact me. |
Joan Parker . Land Army Is there any one out there that remembers my Auntie, Joan Parker who served with the WLA? She worked at Williamsons Farm at Keythorpe Lodge in Leicestershire.
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Mjr. Nigel Parker . Army 5th Btn. The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders |
Pte. Randolph Parker . British Army 1st Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment from Leicester) (d.14th June 1944) I am trying to find as much information as I can on my Uncle Randolph Parker.
He was killed in action in Burma on 14th June 1944. My Dad tells me that they were notified he had been injured, however the information I have been given so far is that there was no known body, therefore no grave. However he is remembered at the Rangoon war memorial. Also I only have one photo of my Uncle, is there by chance anyone out there got any photos that they could share with me? |
F/O Richard Parker . RAFVR pilot 100 Sqd. from 8 West Common Gardens, Old Brumby, Scunthorpe Lincolnshire) (d.30th Jan 1944) We are trying to find a book where RAF Officer Richard (Dicky) Parker was named during the Battle of Berlin.. He flew Lancasters from Lincolnshire airfields. In the book at one point a crew were coming back with damage and the "Skipper " was asked if they would make if back to the base as he had a pint waiting for him at the Oswald pub in Scunthorpe.. We live in the house where Dicky lived with his parents and sister Jean. we have his service photo we have seen the book through the library but would love our own copy. Can anyone help with the title, author and publication date? |
Ivy Parkinson . Land Army My aunty, Ivy Parkinson, served in the Land Army in St. David's in Wales. She often talks about her time there with fond memories. She says they had good food and were given fresh eggs to take home when on leave. |
Sgt Ron Parkinson . RAF w/op 44 Sqd. Sgt Ron Parkinson was the Wireless Operator with Merrick Heath's crew, flying R for Robert PB417 with 44 Rhodesia Squadron based at RAF Splisby. |
L. G. Parley . Royal Navy HMS Forfar L.G.Parley is listed as one of the survivors brought ashore after the loss of HMS Forfar |
Joan Parlour . WAAF from Darlington) My wife, Joan Parlour was stationed at Croft from 1942 until demob in 1945 as a MT Driver. Her home was in Darlington and being with the Canadians who were more relaxed, she was fortunate to be able to live out most of that time. I remember her mentioning friends, Jane Storrar, Ann Misset, Jane Corbett, Moira and others. Joan died in 2006 after we had shared 63 years wed. |
Raymond "Tommy" Parr . I am a SSFA caseworker working with Raymond Parr, known as Tommy, who was with Working Party E51 at Stalag 8B from 1940-45. He would like to hear from anyone who remembers him. |
Thomas Raymond Parry . Royal Marines My father served in the Royal Marines during the Second World War. He was Thomas Raymond Parry. He travelled on the SS Anselm and told me the story of the lowering of Padre Pugh into the hold. He was also aboard 'The Hood'.
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Fred Parsons . Royal Air Force air gunner. 9 Sqd. |
Flying Officer J A Parsons . RAF VR 59 Squadron |
Sgt. J. Parsons . RAF 101 Sqd. (d.3rd Nov 1943) Sgt J.Parsons died when Lancaster LM635 SR-H was shot down on the 3rd of Nov 1943, flying from Ludford Magna en-route to Dusseldoft was shot down. He is buried in the Rheinberg War cemetery.
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Sub Lt. William Walter Parsons . Fleet Air Arm Observer 827 Albacore Squadron from Tirphil, Tredegar) Will Parsons was my grandfather, he used to tell me tales of what he did in WWII - It was only when I saw his photo in a book 'From Coastal Command to Captivity' in Oflag XXIB with the author Jim Hunter, that I thought to research a bit more and come across this website. In the book he is in picture 11, 2nd right but he is not in picture 12, even though it has his name listed). So I thought I'd share some of his memories with you;
Will Parsons was shot down in the Kirkenes raid, during torpedo attack on ships anchored in Boksfjord on the 30th July 1941, they got caught up in flak from the ships, flak from the land and shot at by German fighters and eventually hit so badly that they had to ditch in the Fjords. Will told the pilot to make sure he hit the sea tail first, as he knew that if he hit nose first they'd flip over, it worked and they all got out safely.
They were picked up by a Norwegian fishing boat and were nearly shot as spies when the Germans boarded, but the Norwegian captain pointed to their uniforms hanging up to dry and saved their life! My grandfather corresponded with this chap for years after the war.
I'm aware that he ended up in various camps, including Oflag XIB and Stalag Luft III East, he told me that he was one of the PT fellows who got people to jump over the wooden horse, he dug tunnels and also made compasses with the magnet in the base of his razor, which he had won in a swimming competition
One story he told me was how Douglas Bader used to throw snow balls at the German's in the middle of the parade ground, but they couldn't touch him as he was too much of a prized asset, however the German's took reprisals on the other POW's, Bader wasn't a popular figure...
Finally he mentioned about the long forced march from Sagan, through that harsh winter, where he said he'd pushed a wheel barrow for hundreds of miles. He had a ring that he always wore which became bent due to the wheel barrow and kept it ever since, until it was stolen by burglars a few years back.
Will Parsons became a Teacher after the war and died in 2002 aged 83
I would be interested in hearing from anyone who knew Will Parsons from his Squadron or POW camps. I am trying to find out which other camps he was held in. |
Able Sea. Robert "Ginger" Partridge . Royal Navy HMS Penelope from Great Yarmouth) Robert Partridge is my Dad, he is now 85 and alive and kicking. He was part of the crew who nicknamed her "Pepperpot" with Force K. |
Doris Paterson . Land Army When the war broke out I was 18, and a year later I joined the Land Army in 1940. I loved the open air, and so decided to go into the Women's Land Army rather than the forces or factory work.
I was based at Buckhold, which had a huge garden and we supplied St Andrew's School with food. We grew mainly fruit and vegetables, but we were allowed to keep a couple of pigs as well, which were fed the remains of the meals from the school.
I didn't have any particular job, we did everything from sawing down trees, to picking brussel sprouts that had ice on them in the winter! One of the hardest jobs was helping the farmers when they harvested the corn. We would be out 'threshing' the corn, and we get covered in dust and the roughage. We were constantly hungary because we were always on rations, and we couldn't get a decent bath either.
I worked with one other girl, called Kathleen and we became very good friends (I recently tracked her down after 53 years!) I also worked with a gardener called Mr Brooker and a couple of other lads.
Buckhold was surround by American forces in Pangbourne, Caversham, Aldermast and Greenham Common. Whenever I went to a dance there were always lots of American soliders!
The American Red Cross wanted volunteers to help with the breakfasts for the troops in the early morning. Kathleen and I both volunteered as it meant that we got free passes to the dances! We must have been mad, because after being up late the night before, we would have to get up early to help clear tables at the old St. Lawrences Hall in Reading! But we were young and had no ties and we were very lucky really, as all the gentlemen were very nice.
I worked at Buckhold for about three years, and although there were times when I felt that the rationing was harsh, I couldn't even afford a dress for the dances, because I didn't have enough coupons left after buying pyjamas! It was time of great freedom and it was wonderful to be able to walk freely and accept lifts from people because there was a great deal of goodwill and trust as we were all in the same boat.
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