So what did you do in the war Grandad?

Robert HM

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Re: So what did you do in the war Grandad?

« Reply #30 on: November 08, 2008, 11:01:09 PM »

Such an interesting thread.


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sofa----king

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Re: So what did you do in the war Grandad?

« Reply #31 on: November 08, 2008, 11:29:31 PM »

just been on this site reading .,.,wow.,.wow.,.,wow.,.,old letters ect .,.,old diaries,.,.,
www.military-genealogy.com dont look if you cant stand a lump in your throat.,.,.


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sofa----king

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Re: So what did you do in the war Grandad?

« Reply #32 on: November 08, 2008, 11:37:12 PM »

www.firstworldwar.com

i cant stop reading about it now.,..,


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wader leg

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Re: So what did you do in the war Grandad?

« Reply #33 on: November 09, 2008, 07:31:43 PM »

Got any photos Sofa, I'd love to see them.

Click to see full-size image.

This is the earliest photo I've got of him in uniform I think, no date on the back though but his face looks freshest in this one.

Click to see full-size image.

These are written in the back of his paybook, there are no records from Babbacombe to AirCrew Receiving Centre London.

Next stop Dumfries for Observer Training so he must have changed his mind about being a wireless operator/gunner and decided to try for the navigators role.


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Geo the Sarge

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Re: So what did you do in the war Grandad?

« Reply #34 on: November 09, 2008, 07:56:28 PM »

Amazing stuff Wader, thanks for sharing.

Geo


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Kev B

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Re: So what did you do in the war Grandad?

« Reply #35 on: November 09, 2008, 08:08:06 PM »

Brilliant brilliant stuff.

I was in our city shopping centre today with my youngest son when the two minute silence was announced. With the exception of a few mindless and thoughtless idiots who carried on shopping, it was observed magnificently by every age group. Looking around people looked like statues standing perfectly still then when the two minutes were up it was as if someone pressed the pause button on the remote as they all moved about there business. Very moving.


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wader leg

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Re: So what did you do in the war Grandad?

« Reply #36 on: November 09, 2008, 08:49:33 PM »

Click to see full-size image.

Can anyone explain whats happening here, am I right in assuming he is trying to guess a planes altitude from the ground?

Click to see full-size image.

The front cover, great motto.


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Colchester Kev

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Re: So what did you do in the war Grandad?

« Reply #37 on: November 10, 2008, 03:52:48 PM »

Wader ... this is really taking a bizarre turn for me ...

After my Parents divorced, my mother met and married a Hargreaves, from Burnley. I got to know most of his family over the years and indeed I lived in Burnley for a good few years and both of my boys were born there.

I will have to get digging and see if there is a family connection here .... probably isnt as Hargreaves is quite a common name in Lancashire.

PS even spookier, I lived just off Brunshaw road, and walked down it every day to get to work.


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turny

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Re: So what did you do in the war Grandad?

« Reply #38 on: November 10, 2008, 04:18:51 PM »

absolutely fantastic thread!

old codgers trip to duxford ftw!


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Re: So what did you do in the war Grandad?

« Reply #39 on: November 10, 2008, 05:35:27 PM »

Just found this thread, fascinating stuff Wader thumbs up


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Div

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Re: So what did you do in the war Grandad?

« Reply #40 on: November 10, 2008, 05:57:09 PM »

Quote from: wader leg on November 09, 2008, 08:49:33 PM

Can anyone explain whats happening here, am I right in assuming he is trying to guess a planes altitude from the ground?

I *think* he is calibrating his sextant, which they used to calculate their position based on alignment to various cosmic bodies.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sextant

Great thread. Fascinating stuff.


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wader leg

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Re: So what did you do in the war Grandad?

« Reply #41 on: November 10, 2008, 09:00:13 PM »

Cheers Div, I'd like to say I understand it after reading that lol.
Well at least we won't be blood relatives if there is a connection Kev (where's the "phew" smiley gone?). His father was called William who worked in the mills, he had a sister Muriel who moved to Wales and a cousin Harold who died in the late 70's. Harold would probably be the link if any but like you say there's loads of Hargreaves' round here.

I'm glad people are enjoying it, thanks.

Here's another photo,

Click to see full-size image.

"C" Flight No3 Course Dumfries Oct 1941-May 1942
He's 2nd on the left, back row


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wader leg

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Re: So what did you do in the war Grandad?

« Reply #42 on: November 10, 2008, 10:02:56 PM »

Click to see full-size image.

Another rugby photo, "Dumfries April '42" He's middle row 1st on left
A lot of them have dates on the back which is helpful

There is nothing on this one though but I'm guessing it's around the same time.

Click to see full-size image.

nothing on the back of this photo either but the inscription is "1652 BCJ RAF Marston Moor Bombing Trophy"


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wader leg

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Re: So what did you do in the war Grandad?

« Reply #43 on: November 11, 2008, 11:37:42 PM »

Click to see full-size image.

he was based at RAF Pocklington when these flights took place

Click to see full-size image.

"Pocklington 6/9/42 5000ft"

This letter had been around the houses before he got it!

Click to see full-size image.


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wader leg

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Re: So what did you do in the war Grandad?

« Reply #44 on: November 11, 2008, 11:56:23 PM »

There's quite a few letters about overpayment of both Civil and RAF pay I didn't realise he was still paid by the Post Office

Click to see full-size image.


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