Content tagged with 'youcanhelp@' [ Content Tag Results ]
Here is a list of the content we receive photos, personal accounts and other documents from members of the public through out [email protected] email address.
Tag references
Divided into content type :
1. [ pow ]
Corp. Jack Kidd
Jan 1938 - Early 1945
Corporal Jack Kidd's personal accounts of joining the Division in 1938, the surrender at St. Valery 1940, the journey into captivity as a WWII POW and the final forced 'Death March' or 'Thousand mile march' in 1945 as the German Guards retreated.
2. [ pow ]
Road to St. Valéry
Jan 1938 - June 1940
Corp. Jack Kidd's experience from joining the Territorial Army in January 1938 to his capture at St. Valéry-en-caux in June 1940.
3. [ pow ]
Gunner Henry Owens
June 1939 - May 1945
The story of Gunner Henry Owens - from his volunteering in 1939, through the capture at St Valéry, to life as a POW and finally the long march back from East Prussia into Germany, from where he was finally repatriated in 1945. It includes photos and copies of original documents as well as extracts from personal letters of the time.
4. [ pow ]
volunteering - capture
1939 - 1940
From Henry Owens' volunteering in 1939 to his capture at St. Valery in 1940
5. [ public ]
R.A.S.C., Officers' Training Coy
December 1939
Thank you to James Gillies for sending us this photograph. The photograph is framed and retains its original caption along with a note of each Officer in the lineup. The caption reads: 51st Highland Division, R.A.S.C., Officers' Training Company. December 1939.
6. [ pow ]
Johnnie Matheson
5 Escape Attempts
Johnnie Matheson retells the story of his five escape attempts from POW camps between 1940 - 1945.
He walked into wartime captivity with a haversack full of looted French franc notes of doubtful value from a bombed bank in St Valery - and more than five years later drove across a war-torn Europe heading for his Highland home in a brand new BMW car festooned with American stars and stripes, and a legitimate fortune in pounds sterling in his pocket.
7. [ pow ]
March into Captivity
Summer 1940
Personal account of the march into POW captivity by Henry Owens, 1940
8. [ pow ]
to the POW Camp
Summer 1940
Corporal Jack Kidd's personal accounts of the journey into captivity from 12th June 1940 at St. Valéry, through Belgium, Holland and onto Thorne in Poland.
9. [ pow ]
The POW Camps
1940 - 1945
Henry Owens recalls the POW Camps he was held in from 1940 - 1945
10. [ pow ]
POW Processing
1940
Corp. Jack Kidd recalls his POW processing at Thorne, Polland, Summer/Autumn 1940
12. [ pow ]
Stalag XXa Camp 52
1940 - 1942
Henry Owens describes life and forced labour at Stalag XXa Camp 52, Gorsdorf, Poland. 1940 - 1942
13. [ pow ]
Stalag XXb, Marienburg
1942 - 1944
Henry Owens describes Stalag XXb, Marienburg 1942 - 1944
14. [ public ]
152 Brigade in Sicily
August 1943
Two photos (and description) of 152 Light Aid Detachment in Sicily during the stand down in the Catania area prior to embarkation to the UK.
15. [ pow ]
Camp 946 and 210
Elbing 1944-1945
Henry Owens describes Stalag XXb, Camp 946 and Camp 210 at Elbing, East Prussia between 1944 - 1945
16. [ public ]
152 Inf. Brig. HQ at "CASTLE EMBOURG"
December 1944
Scanned document kindly sent to us by Georges Laloux in December 2009 showing Officers from 152nd Infantry Brigade H.Q. [Seaforth Highlanders] who stayed in "Embourg Castle" during December 1944 and the Ardennes Campaign.
17. [ pow ]
Thousand Mile March
Late 1944 - Early 1945
In late 1944, as the Russian advanced, the Germans evacuated the prisoner of war camps to prevent the liberation of the prisoners by the Russians. This resulted in more than 80,000 allied prisoners being marched west from Poland through Germany and Czechoslovakia through the first four months of 1945. Many did not survive...
18. [ pow ]
Long (Baltic) March
Jan-May 1945
Henry Owens describes the 1000 mile forced march that would become known as the 'Death March', January - May 1945.
19. [ public ]
At rest nr Mook
March '45
152 Infantry Brigade at rest near Mook in March 1945 prior to Operation Plunder and the crossing of the Rhine.
20. [ public ]
Palthe's Rhine Crossing
Mar '45
A set of photos taken by B.R. van Wulfften Palthe, interpreter attached to 152 Int. Brig. showing scenes from his crossing of the Rhine during Operation Plunder. Presumed to be with the 5th Seaforth at dawn on the 25 Mar '45.
21. [ memorials ]
La Roche Memorial
Memorial dedicated to the men of the 51st Highland Division who fell in the operation to take La Roche as part of the Ardennes offensive in January 1945.
22. [ memorials ]
Stalag XXb, Marienburg
The Memorial at Stalag XXb, Marienburg (now Malbork) unveiled in September 2009
1. [ account ]
Movements leaving Lille
April 1940
Account of the "Movements of 51 Div. and Attached Tps. since leaving Lille Area" [April 1940].
Provided by Mr Michael Thomson of Perth who provided various artefacts from his Uncle, Major David K Thomson, who was in the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) in the Divisional Supply Regiment.
2. [ account ]
Tom Garside at St. Valery
June 1940
Tom Garside's personal account of his lucky escape along the beach from St. Valery in June 1940.
Kindly sent to us by Tom's Son, Jim Garside.
3. [ general ]
Major Hugh Robertson
Major Hugh Robertson's Daughter, Linda McLean, very kindly sent us a few photographs of her Father after reading about him within Alastair Borthwick's account of the 5th Seaforth's "Attack on Groin" in which Hugh features in his role as O.C. "C" Company.
4. [ account ]
Gunner Trigg
61st Anti-Tank Reg, North Africa, 1943
A set of photos of Gunner "Bob" Trigg, 61st Anti-Tank Regiment, North Africa 1943.
5. [ account ]
Rhine Crossing - Albert Bellamy Account
March 1945
An account of the Rhine Crossing by Albert Bellamy; Published in a local newspaper and kindly provided to us by Trooper Bellamy's Daughter.
6. [ general ]
32nd Reunion Dinner
1949
Program for the 32nd Reunion Dinner of the 51st Highland Division – held on 18th March 1949.
7. [ general ]
Beaumont Hamel Recording
Commemorative Audio Recording
A unique piece of audio history in the form of an audio recording, documenting a commemorative unveiling of the memorial at Beaumont Hamel.
1. [ photo ]
Seaforth Highlanders TA pipes & drums
Inter-war period
Seaforth Highlanders TA pipes & drums (during the inter-war period) - kindly sent to us by Sandy Reid.
2. [ photo ]
Seaforth Highlanders TA pipes & drums
Inter-war period
Seaforth Highlanders TA pipes & drums (during the inter-war period) - kindly sent to us by Sandy Reid.
3. [ photo ]
Seaforth Highlanders TA pipes & drums
Inter-war period
Seaforth Highlanders TA pipes & drums (during the inter-war period) - kindly sent to us by Sandy Reid. This photo show what is likely to be a TA training camp in the background.
4. [ photo ]
Seaforth TA pipes & drums
Inter-war period
Seaforth Highlanders TA pipes & drums (during the inter-war period) - kindly sent to us by Sandy Reid.
5. [ photo ]
Massed Bands of 51HD at Aldershot 1939
Aldershot 1939
The massed Pipes and Drums of the 51st Highland Division in Aldershot in 1939 - from the collection of Pipe Major A Duthie, formerly The Black Watch.
6. [ photo ]
Massed Bands of 51HD at Aldershot 1939
Aldershot 1939
Massed Pipes and Drums of the 51st Highland Division in Aldershot in 1939 - from the collection of Pipe Major A Duthie, formerly The Black Watch.
7. [ photo ]
242 Battery "G" Troop
Before North Africa, 1942
Paul Witty, who's Father (Jim Witty) served in North Africa and Sicily with the 61st Anti-Tank Regiment, very kindly sent us a disc of scanned photographs of his Father's, taken during various periods of his service. Jim Witty is marked as 2nd row, 3rd from left.
8. [ photo ]
51st Reconnaissance Regiment
June 1942
Richard Sands, who's Father (Sgt George Sands MM) served with the 51st, kindly sent us a scan of a photograph his Father had of the Sergeants and Warrant Officers of the 51st (H) Reconnaissance Regiment, taken in June of 1942 before their departure to Egypt where they would join the 8th Army in preparation for the battle of El Alamein.
Sgt George Sands served with both 2nd and 5th battalions. Sailing to North Africa, January 1942, as reinforcements/replacements for 2nd battalion at Tobruk. Before he had finished acclimatisation, Tobruk had fallen and 2nd battalion went into captivity. He fought for a few months with 4th Indian Div. He then joined 5th battalion when they arrived in Egypt some 6months later. He fought with 5th battalion from Alamein to Bremen.
9. [ photo ]
492 Field Battery, Alamein to Messina
Sketch Map, Alamein to Messina
Hand drawn sketch map showing movements of 492 (H) Field Battery (128th Field Regiment) during the North Africa Campaign. Includes annotation detailing firing, not-firing and rest positions.
10. [ photo ]
Hugh Robertson MC Clipping
This newspaper clipping was kept by Hugh Robertson's Mother. Linda McLean (Hugh's Daughter) recalls that she kept it as Hugh had not believed that he had been awarded the M.C. and thought she had become confused whilst he was overseas.
The date of print and original publication are unknown.
11. [ photo ]
61st Anti-Tank Reg, North Africa
North Africa
Group photo of 61st Anti-Tank Regiment, sent to us by Mr. A.Trigg the Son of Gunner "Bob" Trigg who can be found on the back row, second from the left. It is presumed to have been taken in North Africa sometime in May/June/July 1943, prior to embarkation to Sicily in July '43.
12. [ photo ]
Bob Trigg with Crew, North Africa
61st Anti-Tank Reg, North Africa
Bob Trigg (far left) is pictured on his gun with his crew, presumed to be in North Africa sometime in May/June/July 1943, prior to embarkation to Sicily in July '43.
14. [ photo ]
Desert Dugout
61st Anti-Tank Reg, North Africa
Bob Trigg, second from the right, outside a desert dugout.
15. [ photo ]
Gunner Bob Trigg
61 Anti-Tank Reg, North Africa
Photo of Gunner Bob Trigg in North Africa.
16. [ photo ]
242 Battery "G" Troop, Sicily
Sicily, July 1943
Paul Witty, who's Father (Jim Witty) served in North Africa and Sicily with the 61st Anti-Tank Regiment, very kindly sent us a disc of scanned photographs of his Father's, taken during various periods of his service.
17. [ photo ]
242 Battery, Sicily
Sicily, July 1943
Paul Witty, who's Father (Jim Witty) served in North Africa and Sicily with the 61st Anti-Tank Regiment, very kindly sent us a disc of scanned photographs of his Father's, taken during various periods of his service.
18. [ photo ]
Greasing the wheels
61st Anti-Tank Reg, 1943
Greasing the wheels - preparation prior to embarkation for Sicily.
19. [ photo ]
152 Brigade, Sicily, 1943
Sicily, 1943
Presumed to be 152 Brigade in Sicily during the stand down in the Catania area prior to embarkation to the UK. Kindly sent to us by H Jemmeson who's Father, Edward Jemmeson, W.O.1 ASM with REME placed in the 152 Light Aid Detachment attached to 152 Brigade of 51st Highland Division for the Africa, Sicily and D-Day campaigns. E Jemmeson is third from far left bottom row in this photo.
20. [ photo ]
152 Light Aid Det. Sicily 1943
ca. August, 1943, Sicily
Presumed to be 152 Light Aid Detachment in Sicily during the stand down in the Catania area prior to embarkation to the UK. Kindly sent to us by H Jemmeson who's Father, Edward Jemmeson, W.O.1 ASM with REME placed in the 152 Light Aid Detachment attached to 152 Brigade of 51st Highland Division for the Africa, Sicily and D-Day campaigns. E Jemmeson is bottom row far left in this photo.
21. [ photo ]
Castle Embourg Names
December 1944
This scanned image is of a list of Officers and Soldiers who stayed in "Castle Embourg" / Chateau Peidboeuf, the home of Georges Laloux (then thirteen years old), whilst in use as 152 Brig. HQ, Dec '44
22. [ photo ]
51HD Christmas Card 1944
Dec '44
Christmas card produced by 51st (Highland) Division, Christmas 1944.
23. [ photo ]
152 Officers, nr Mook
Mook, March 1945
Photo of Officers from 152nd who stayed at "Castle Embourg" with the Laloux family in Dec '44 whilst their home housed 152 HQ. This photo matches the scene of a larger group photo which was placed at Mook nr Nijmegen during a rest period prior to the Rhine Crossing in March '45. The reverse carries signatures which match the handwritten list of Officers who stayed at Castle Embourg that was sent to us by Georges Laloux in 2009. George was 12 years old in Dec '44. This new photo was subsequently found by Georges' younger sister.
24. [ photo ]
5/7th Gordons Drum Ceremony
Munich, Germany, June 1945
American 10th Armored Division in formation in front of 8 tanks. 5/7th Gordon Highlanders parade in foreground. Part of the ceremony to return the 5th Gordon Highlanders' Drum, lost in 1940.
25. [ photo ]
5/7th Gordons Drum Ceremony (Reverse)
Citation stuck to the reverse of the photograph of 5/7th Gordon Highlanders and 10th Armored Division during the ceremony to return lost 5th Gordon Highlanders' Drum.
26. [ photo ]
Hugh Robertson Caber
Cuxhaven, Germany, 1945
This photo was sent to us by Hugh Robertson's Daughter, Linda McLean, and shows Hugh tossing a caber.
Linda recalls Hugh telling her that this photo was taken due to the fact they were using telegraph poles which are larger than standard length cabers. The location is believed to be Cuxhaven, Germany, during September 1945.
Hugh Robertson features within the account of 5th Seaforth's "Attack on Groin" in his role as O.C. "C" Company. Hugh would become Major Hugh Robertson by the end of the war.
This photo accompanies another of Hugh throwing a shotput at the same location.
27. [ photo ]
Hugh Robertson Shotput
Cuxhaven, Germany, 1945
This photograph of Major Hugh Robertson throwing a shotput was sent to us by his Daughter, Linda Jane McLean. Hugh Robertson is mentioned several times in Alastair Borthwick's account of the 5th Seaforth's 'Attack on Groin' and was interviewed for a number of film documentaries on the Division.
This photo is believed to have been taken post war, in the Autumn of 1945 in Cuxhaven, Germany.
28. [ photo ]
61st Anti-Tank Reg. Christmas Card, 1945
Christmas 1945
The cover of the 61st Anti-Tank Regiment's Christmas card, sent by Bob Trigg to his mother in December 1945.
29. [ photo ]
61st Anti-Tank Reg. Christmas Card Greeting
Christmas 1945
A copy of the greeting and inner illustration inside the Christmas card sent by Bob Trigg to his mother in December 1945
30. [ photo ]
32nd Reunion Dinner
March 1949
Program for the 32nd Reunion Dinner of the 51st Highland Division – held 18th March 1949 at The Mayfair Hotel, London. Shows a splendid cartoon "Up The 51st" on the back.
31. [ photo ]
32nd Reunion Dinner (insert)
March 1949
Program (insert) for the 32nd Reunion Dinner of the 51st Highland Division – held 18th March 1949 at The Mayfair Hotel, London. Attended by Field Marshall Montgomery of Alemain, G.C.B., D.S.O. among others.
32. [ photo ]
St Valéry, Commemorative Window
This window shows the harbour inlet and town of St. Valéry within an aerial landscape incorporating the surrounding countryside which was involved in the action of 1940, together with the abrupt division by the cliffs between it and the sea which were both of extreme significance to the events of the time.
33. [ photo ]
St Valéry Stained Glass window
This memorial window, dedicated in June 1990, is a gift from the highland cities and towns of Scotland and commemorates fifty years of their special association with the people and township of St. Valéry en Caux with Inverness which began in the difficult circumstances of 1940 when the German army converged on the town and the combined allied forces comprising the French 9 St Corps and the 51st Highland Division.
35. [ photo ]
La Roche Memorial
51HD Memorial, La Roche-en-Ardenne, Belgium. Photo taken on 27th February 2009 by Didier Renard
36. [ photo ]
Stalag XXB Memorial
Memorial on the site of Stalag XXB, Marienburg. Kindly sent by Andrzej Gilewski, a resident of Malbork (previously known as Marienburg).
37. [ photo ]
Stalag XXB Memorial Inscription
Memorial on the site of Stalag XXB, Marienburg. Kindly sent by Andrzej Gilewski, a resident of Malbork (previously known as Marienburg).
38. [ photo ]
St. Valéry Memorial Stone
taken 2010
51st Highland Division Memorial at St. Valéry. The inscription reads "In proud and grateful memory of all ranks of the 51st (Highland) Division who gave their lives during the war 1939-45"
39. [ photo ]
Sferro Monument (from P. Hooton)
Sferro Monument, August 2010, Sicily. Taken by P. Hooton