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Pte. Harold "Mex" Seay . US Army 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment from Texas Harold Seay was captured near Solerno, Italy after the completion of Operation Torch in North Africa.
500 Paratroopers jumped from the 509th Parachute Regiment, many were killed before they hit the ground, some escaped back to friendly territory, the remainder were hunted down and captured over a few weeks.
He and others were marched North through Italy to Stalag 2B.
Several soldiers died during the march - Harold said the worst was when they were marching with a German supply column and a British plane straffed them and killed 12 American soldiers, he said it was horrible.
They were forced labor on farms, he was a prisoner for two and a half years.
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John Sebeston . Does anyone know of my father, John Sebeston during his time as a POW in Singapore? He was on the Burma railway and later shipped to Japan for shipbuilding. En route he was shipwrecked off Formosa.
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Pte. Phineas Sebushe . South African Army I Brigade Signals Coy Native Military Corps Phineas Sebushe was captured at the Desert campaign 15/4/41. He was previously in camp 122. He survived the train wreck on the Orvieto North railway bridge at Allerona, Italy with a laceration to his foot arch and was sent to Stalag 344 Lamsdorf.
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CW Secker . British Army CW Secker 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 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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DC Secker . British Army Royal Armoured Corps DC Secker 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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RF Secker . British Army 51st Btn. Royal Tank Regiment RF Secker served with the 51st Btn. Royal Tank Regiment 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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D Seddon . British Army Royal Armoured Corps D Seddon 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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DW Seddon . British Army Kings Dragoon Guards DW Seddon served with the Kings 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 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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F Seddon . British Army F Seddon 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 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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Frank Seddon . Royal Air Force I have a metal identity tag that belonged to my father, Frank Seddon, which is stampted Stal Luft 6 1469. He was shot down over Berlin in February 1944. This is only one camp that he was in and I am trying to trace his movements to other camps.
Update
Try the International Red Cross in Geneva. They hold POW records. It will cost about £18 for a copy.
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F/Lt. Frank Seddon DFC.. Royal Australian Air Force 259 Squadron from Pigick, Victoria, Australia Frank Seddon was a navigator, who enlisted in the RAAF in May 1941, aged 32. He trained in Canada through the Empire Air Training Scheme and was commissioned in March 1942. He was attached to Ferry Command in Montreal for three months before arriving in the UK in June 1942. He completed his training in Blackpool, Invergordon and Stranraer and was posted to 259 Squadron RAF in February 1943. The official histories say that the Squadron was reformed (for the first time in WW2) in February 1943 as a Catalina equipped general reconnaissance unit at Kipevu in Kenya. However, the Squadron flew its Catalinas from the UK, via Gibraltar, to Kenya.
Frank's crew was made up of personnel from throughout the Commonwealth - a South African captain, English second pilot, Scottish engineer and so on. The squadron's main duty was anti-submarine patrols over the Indian Ocean. Detachments also operated from sites in Natal and Cape Province, South Africa, and later moved to Dar-es-Salaam. Operations were also conducted from Madagascar and Mauritius and the crew took a visiting dignitary on a tour of bases in the Indian Ocean, including the Indian mainland. Frank was posted to Australia in July 1944 and expected to go to the Pacific. However, he was diagnosed as medically unfit (he had severe dermatitis) so served in training roles in Australia, including at Rathmines (NSW), until July 1945.
Frank, with his captain Acting Flight Lieutenant Bob Dutton, received the DFC for a mission described in the London Gazette of 14 April 1944:
"These officers were captain and navigator respectively of an aircraft on reconnaissance patrol which sighted an enemy blockade runner or supply ship. In spite of adverse weather the ship was shadowed, until it was known that naval forces were approaching. Afterwards, Flight Lieutenant
Dutton and Flying Officer Seddon made contact with these forces and guided them to the operational zone and the enemy vessel was subsequently attacked and destroyed. On this difficult and arduous sortie these officers displayed a high degree of skill and fortitude and their efforts contributed in a large measure to the success obtained. They have completed very many sorties and have displayed outstanding devotion to duty."
Frank had three close mates from around Rochester, Victoria, with whom he joined up ('The Four Horsemen of the Apocalyse', as they were known, though he said afterwards that they had no real understanding of the implications of that name!). The others also became airmen and served in the same crew in 461 Squadron RAAF, flying out of Milford Haven, Wales. They were all lost together when their aircraft was shot down.
Despite this tragedy, which he felt very strongly, Frank had a fund of funny stories about the war. These included arriving by ship in San Francisco and travelling by train to Canada under a cargo manifest, because the USA was still neutral at that stage and not supposed to be aiding the Allied war effort. Other stories were of one of their instructors in Canada describing the plane they were about to train on as '6500 bolts flying in close formation' and the travails of trying to get his mate Jimmy to pass a bomb aiming course, so he wasn't condemned to being a tail gunner. Frank also recounted - with not-quite mock indignation - the award of a (cardboard) medal from his squadron mates 'for not getting lost more than once' between UK and Gibraltar, when his crew (alone in the Squadron) hadn't got lost at all. While in Gib, one Cat had engine trouble and after waiting weeks for a replacement, they gave up and approached the Americans, who immediately said: 'Of course you can have an engine - how many do you want?' In Africa, there was a disappointment when all the wonderful photos of landscapes and large wild animals taken on the way down (on film he wasn't supposed to have) failed to develop. He'd been given film that was way beyond its use-by date. There were also the usual tales of returned servicemen about weevils in the 'hard tack' biscuits, and their wives' complaints about how long it took them to remember that they no longer had a batman to pick up after them. One much sadder story, which I think came from India, was about an officer who sat all day in the mess 'knitting Spitfires' to replace those lost in the Battle of Britain.
At some point after his return to Australia from Africa, Frank was billeted at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The servicemen slept in the open stands and found it a very uncomfortable place to be in a Melbourne winter. The old stand - complete with scratched initials from hundreds of men billeted there throughout the war - was demolished a decade or so ago for the construction of the Great Southern Stand.
About 30 years after the war, Frank and his wife Effie reunited with 'Spider' Davis, the second pilot, who visited Australia on holidays and was visited in turn in England. (Spider told Frank's daughter that he was convinced that her father was the only reason they were all still alive, because of number of times he'd navigated them back to tiny islands after 20 hour patrols over the Indian Ocean. Frank later taught his son-in-law the Francis Chichester technique of making a deliberate error in one direction, so that when you've run down your dead reckoning, you know which way to turn to search for your destination.) Frank and Effie also caught up with the crew's engineer Charlie Hamill and his family in Glasgow and went in search of another crew member in Lewis. They got as far as Stornaway before discovering that his mate had died there only 3 months before.
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L/Cpl. Peter Seddon MM.. British Army 1st Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment from Leigh Peter Seddon served in West Yorkshire Regiment, 48th Indian Infantry, 17th Indian Division.
Recommendation for Military Medal awarded to Lance Corporal Peter Seddon, dated 15th of May 1945.
During the period 15 Feb 45 to 15 May 45 L/Cpl Seddon has been the NCO i/c stretcher bearers attached to a company. In all the battles in which his company has taken part during this period L/Cpl Seddon has distinguished himself as a leader of considerable initiative and daring. He has organized the evacuation of casualties under extremely difficult circumstances in a manner beyond all praise.
During operations near Meiktila on 20 March his Coy was given the task of sweeping the village of Kinlu which had to be approached across about two hundred yards of open ground. The coy succeeded in getting a footing in the village but once inside began to suffer heavy casualties from enemy snipers using a large proportion of LMGs from well concealed positions all around and inside the village.
As is the custom of the Japanese, once they had hit a man they kept his body covered by fire in order to make the job
of recovery a difficult one. In spite of this and acting with remarkable coolness and efficiency L/Cpl Seddon personally extricated four of the wounded men from exposed positions and carrying them back behind flimsy cover from view dressed their wounds and set about the task of evacuating them. This was not an easy one. The R.A.P. was nearly a mile away and the first two hundred yards of open ground was by now covered by fire from an enemy LMG and several riflemen snipers.
L/Cpl Seddon decided that he must go with the stretcher party himself to select the best route and ensure the arrival of the casualties at the R.A.P. Placing two of the casualties on to stretchers he and his three other men set off on their hazardous journey across the open. Although the enemy fire at his small party became intense, L/Cpl Seddon did not allow them to falter for one moment but led them on with their burdens at a steady pace until the safety of cover was reached and the enemys fire had died down.
Having reached the R.A.P. he at once returned to the Coy with more bearers where he was able to continue his heroic work of collecting and dressing the wounds of the casualties under intense and accurate fire for a further five hours of extremely trying battle.
On 25th of March 45 his Coy was in position giving covering fire for another Coy to enter and clear the village of Kyigon near Meiktila. Shortly after getting into position both Coys came under accurate shellfire which continued throughout the day. His own Coy suffered a number of casualties in one of its forward Platoons and, completely disregarding the shelling L/Cpl Seddon took his three stretcher bearers and fetched the casualties back to the Coy HQ area where, still under shellfire he expertly dressed their wounds and sent them back to the R.A.P.
He then learned that the other attacking Coy was suffering severe casualties from the shelling and that amongst these were three of that Coys stretcher bearers. Without hesitation he took his own men into the village and brought some of the wounded out where again he dressed their wounds in the open and under fire before they were evacuated. L/Cpl Seddon continued in this valiant manner through the entire battle which lasted for over six hours in the most stifling heat.
In all he tended to twenty-eight casualties and at the end of the day,
although almost dropping from exhaustion he refused to be carried back to the Lines in a jeep but insisted on marching with the Coy in case more casualties were inflicted by shellfire.
The N.C.O.s outstanding bravery and loyalty in spite of all obstacles earned for him the highest respect of the Coy who would go into action in the knowledge that should they become wounded they would be in the best possible hands.
Recommendation signed by: Comd. 1st Bn. W.York.R. (P.W.O) H.H.Crofton Brigadier Comd 48 Ind Inf Bde.
R.C.O. Hedley Maj-Gen. Comd. 17 Ind Div
D.Tennant Cowan Lt. Gen Comd. 4th Corps Co
F.W. Messervy
and Gen. C-in-C Allied Land Forces, SEAC W.F.Silm.
From the National Archives: WO 373/42
W.F.Silm was better known as Sir General Bill Slim, the Head of the Burma Campaign!
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Pte. Peter Seddon MM.. British Army 2nd Battalion Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding) Regiment from Leigh Initially, my dad, Peter Seddon, was in the 6th Manchester Regimen in England before being sent to India and being transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Wellingtons Regiment in late 1942.
While in India, he was put in the 23rd Chindit (Reserve) Brigade and received intense training to prepare for the Second Chindit Expedition. However, when the Japs invaded Kohima and Imphal, the 33rd & 76th Columns of the 23rd Brigade were sent to Kohima in April 1944.
Based in the Naga Hills, they operated behind enemy lines in order to stop food, communication and medication reaching the Japs. They contributed to the starvation of the enemy which was the decisive factor in that battle. Although not engaged in major battles they accounted for large numbers of Japenese stragglers and foragers and suffered 158 battle casualties themselves.
The defeat of the Japanese at Kohima and Imphal was a turning point. Previously the Japs had won the Battles of Rangoon and Arakan. They had seemed unbeatable as they were harded soldiers who had been fighting the Chinese since 1931. They had suicide squads and were brainwashed to die for their Emperor. They were also very vicious and inhumane towards their enemies. In addition, the British Army's job was made harder as it suffered from lack of resources. The majority of money went to the fight in Europe.
In January 1945, my Dad was then transferred to 1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Reg, 17th Indian Division, where he was involved in Operation Extended Capital. The Burma Campaign intended to take back Rangoon from the Japs.
My Dad was temporary made Lance Corporal in 1945. While taking part in the fierce Battle in Meiktila, he earned the Military Medal for rescuing his fellow soldiers wounded in battle.
In 1945, the Japs were defeated again.
My Dad had Malaria 12 times while in India and Burma.
It wasn't until late 1945 that my Dad returned to England. He was nearly 26 years by then.
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AC. Stanley Seddon . Royal Air Force from Maghull, Merseyside (d.5th July 1941) Stanley Seddon was the son of Harold Sydney and Anne (nee Dempsey) Seddon of Maghull, Merseyside. He was one of those lost in the sinking of the troopship SS Anselm. He is commemorated on The Runnymede Memorial and on the grave of his parents in St Andrew's Churchyard, Maghull.
His brother, 3394129 Private Henry Seddon of The Parachute Regiment, was also a casualty of war, killed in Normandy in 1944. Henry is buried in The Ranville War Cemetery, and is also commemorated on his parent's grave.
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Sapper Sedgwick . British Army Royal Engineers from Doncaster, Yorkshire I am trying to trace the movements of my late father. He was a sapper in the Royal Engineers and was captured at Tobruk in 1943. He was transported to a camp at Emilia in Italy, escaped and spent time in Costa de Aviano. He was recaptured in the summer of 1944 and sent to Stalag 8B. He returned home to Haxey, near Doncaster, Yorkshire in the winter of 1944/45. I am looking for information on the period he was in Stalag 8B and how he managed to get home.
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AT Sedgwick . British Army AT Sedgwick 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 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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Pte. Charles George Sedgwick . British Army 2nd Btn. Buffs (East Kent) Regiment (d.4th September 1942)
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Kenneth Sedgwick . British Army Seaforth Highlanders My father, Kenneth Sedgwick, was with the Seaforth Highlanders from 1938
through the war. He saw duty in Tobruk, Cyprus, and northern Europe. I know
he was captured at one point and escaped when they were not looking. He made
his way back to the coast and got a ride on a boat to get back to England.
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SJ Sedgwick . British Army SJ Sedgwick 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 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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C Seed . British Army Royal Armoured Corps C Seed 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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Sgt. John Wilfred Seed . Royal Army Medical Corps from Rotherham Wilf Seed served with the Royal Army Medical Corps.
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Cpl Vincet P Seeger . US Army from Kenosha, Wisconsin
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Yeo. Sig. Albert Edmund Seekins . Royal Navy HMS Fidelity
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WH Seeley . British Army 12th Lancers WH Seeley served with the 12th Lancers 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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Capt. Robert G. Seever DFC, Air Medal. US Army Air Force 68th Sqdn. 44th Bomb Group from Foreacre, OK
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Helen "Nellie" Segrott . Women's Land Army from Bermondsey
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Louisa Jessie Segrott . Women's Land Army from Bermondsey I am trying to find out some information of my great nan, Jessie Segrott's time during her Land Army years of 1943-45 as I never got the chance to speak to her about it. I'm hoping to find anyone who might have known her or her sister Helen "Nelly" Segrott. We think they may have been in the Salcombe, Devon area and they originally come from Bermondsey in London. If anyone remembers them any information would be much appreciated, thanks.
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E Seifas . British Army E Seifas 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 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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Flying Officer Robert Seigler . RCAF 59 Squadron
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