Angela: You can go to the UK National archives site and check the medal index cards for WW1. To order a card is 3 pounds 50 and it is made available to you immediately as a PDF file. A quick look shows 9 entries for Jonathan Watson.When you order the card you will get the names ahead and after the name you want (6 names to a card) Therefore you will probably have to order 2 cards to get all 9 names. The names given are all Jonathan Watson with the following difference for each name. Regimental # 20026, Rank: Private ,Regiment: King's Own Scottish Borderers/ 11134 Pvt. Coldstream Guards/ 96018 Pvt. Durham Light Infantry/ 211031 Pvt. Labour Corps/ 18139 Pvt. Border Regiment/ 6535 Pvt., Border Regiment/ 296997, Cpl. Royal Engineers/ 811, Gunner, Royal Field Artillery and lastly 7805 Pvt. Seaforth Highlanders. Hope this helps: Cris Van Hal Ontario, Canada -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.10.10/419 - Release Date: 15/08/2006

This is a forwarded message From: MBVIMAGES@aol.com <MBVIMAGES@aol.com> To: WORLDWAR2-L@rootsweb.com Date: Tuesday, August 15, 2006, 3:50:48 PM Subject: {not a subscriber} Anzio - Jungletown Cannoneers During the Anzio campaign there was a radio broadcast in the evenings of songs and jokes. The team went by the name the Jungletown Cannoneers. Does anyone recall hearing those programs? Paul Swanto was one of the group. He and the buddies he kept in contact with are gone. The booklet 451 AAA Second Anniversary Overseas talks about these broadcasts to the AAA and neighboring tank destroyer and howitzer units. Mark Van Fleet

Hi All ! I,m new to this site and I would like to ask a question. My grandfather Jonathan Watson born 1884 Ryhope Sunderland served in Salonika Greece during WW1. I do not know which regiment or battalion he was in. Can anyone tell me which Battalions were in Salonika ? This may help me find his army records. Regards Angela

"Everyone" knows that is an offence to keep a diary in areas of action. However, does anyone know what regulation prohibits it. I have checked KR Can and find nothing there. Howard Stutt Ottawa

Greetings, We have been viewing the DVD series "Danger UXB" being the TV series of unexploded bombs and the methods of dealing with these. In the opening of each series there are shots of the bombs being cast etc and of the bombs waiting to be loaded, these are covered by a 'matting' of what seems to be brushwood. My question, What is the significance of this matting and what purpose does it serve? I have not seen such covering on films of British or American loading proceedures. Many thanks, Peter

Here is a Canadian picture of the Defence Medal. The text points out that the qualifying time can range from 3 years down to 3 months. http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=collections/cmdp/mainmenu/ group04/dm Yours, John Wilson (New Zealand) > Prior to 18 May 1940 my brother was in the 15/19th Hussars. He was captured on this date in Belgium and died in a P.O.W. camp on the 12th of January 1941. > > I am in possession of his 1939-45 Star,and the 1939-45 War Medal. > > Is he entitled to the Defence Medal and if so where can I apply for this medal? >

On Mon, 14 Aug 2006 11:11:42 -0400, "Win & John Desmond" <winjohn@sympatico.ca> wrote: >Prior to 18 May 1940 my brother was in the 15/19th Hussars. He was captured on this date in Belgium and died in a P.O.W. camp on the 12th of January 1941. > >I am in possession of his 1939-45 Star,and the 1939-45 War Medal. > >Is he entitled to the Defence Medal... In addition to Peter's reply, the 3-year and other time restrictions were waived in the event of an otherwise-qualified person being killed due to enemy action. In the words of the 1995 edition of the Medal Yearbook, "Any services curtailed by death or injury, or which resulted in an award or commendation, automatically qualified the recipient for the award". Therefore, as far as I understand it, your brother would qualify for the Defence Medal. >...and if so where can I apply for this medal? Check out the new Ministry of Defence pages at http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/Veterans/Medals/ and look at the links to the "Related Documents" at the right hand side of the page. Hopefully these should answer your questions. Forrest -- Forrest Anderson, Edinburgh, Scotland. E-mail: forrest@military-researcher.com Website: www.military-researcher.com Forrestdale Research - Military Genealogical Researcher

Any time now this mailing list will migrate to a new system. Many of you probably have already received notice from Rootsweb telling you that the "RootsWeb Mailing Lists are being Updated." If you are currently subscribed to *both* individual/list and digest/compilation with the same address, you will be subscribed to individual/list mail delivery when the list is migrated. You will need to subscribe to the digest with a different email address. Those who are subscribed to one or the other format will continue in the chosen format. Keep two addresses subscribed if you like (I do), but remember that they must be different addresses if you want to receive both list and digest format when the change in systems occurs. The mailing list update schedule is at http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/migrate_sched.html You can check there to verify when your other lists will migrate to the new system. To subscribe to list mode: listname-request@rootsweb.com To subscribe to digest mode -- no change: listname-D-request@rootsweb.com To subscribe to both list and digest mode: subscribers will need to use 2 separate addresses [admins can use their address and their admin address] To unsubscribe from either mode: listname-request@rootsweb.com To post: listname@rootsweb.com and listname-L@rootsweb.com will still work Those are the major changes you will see. On another note. My uncle passed away this weekend and I am flying to Atlanta tomorrow. I'm sorry to be gone for the first few days after the transfer. A friend and fellow list admin, who has also been Beta testing the new system has agreed to step in and take my place for a couple of days. Her name is Elaine. She has been an admin longer than I and is very nice. You'll be able to reach her after this evening at the admin address if you need any help. WORLDWAR2-admin@rootsweb.com Thanks, Margy List Admin.

Hello Win and John, Comments for the award of the Defence Medal extracted from 'Medal Yearbook' are: ' Awarded to service personnel for three years service at home, one years service in a non-operational area [e.g. India] or six months service overseas in territories subjected to air attack or otherwise closely threatened. Personnel of Anti-Aircraft Command, RAF Ground Crews, Dominion Forces, stationed in the UK, the Home Guard, Civil Defence, National Fire Service and many other civilian units* qualified for the medal.' [* The definitive list of eligible recipients was published by the Ministry of Defence in 1992 - Form DM1/DM2 and Annexe]. The medal was generally issued unnamed in cupro-nickel, but the Canadian version was struck in silver. Hope this may of some help Regards Peter Fellowes ----- Original Message ----- From: "Win & John Desmond" <winjohn@sympatico.ca> To: <WORLDWAR2-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, August 14, 2006 4:11 PM Subject: [WORLD WAR II] 1939-45 Defence Medal > Prior to 18 May 1940 my brother was in the 15/19th Hussars. He was > captured on this date in Belgium and died in a P.O.W. camp on the 12th of > January 1941. > > I am in possession of his 1939-45 Star,and the 1939-45 War Medal. > > Is he entitled to the Defence Medal and if so where can I apply for this > medal? > > J. Desmond > Canada > > > ==== WORLDWAR2 Mailing List ==== > We welcome tributes of your World War II ancestors. We are an > international list. Please remember to tell us what country your ancestor > was from and what country you are in now if different. This helps us help > you. If you give dates please help us understand the date you are > referring to. For example: 4 Nov 1944 or Nov 4, 1944. > > ============================== > Find your ancestors in the Birth, Marriage and Death Records. > New content added every business day. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13964/rd.ashx >

Prior to 18 May 1940 my brother was in the 15/19th Hussars. He was captured on this date in Belgium and died in a P.O.W. camp on the 12th of January 1941. I am in possession of his 1939-45 Star,and the 1939-45 War Medal. Is he entitled to the Defence Medal and if so where can I apply for this medal? J. Desmond Canada

If you go to: www.va.gov they have tons of information and the forms in which to get what you need. There are also phone numbers listed. I couldn't find what I needed at first and dialed 411 and I ended up speaking with the Department of Veterans Affairs in San Diego, California. There are certain types of records you will need in order to request medals, so if you don't have his military records you will need to order those as well. Those forms are also on the website. I used the forms in order to get my Uncles information, but, I simply wrote a letter to the VA when I requested information on my Father. Barbara Ann Phillips bphil1@earthlink.net > [Original Message] > From: Win & John Desmond <winjohn@sympatico.ca> > To: <WORLDWAR2-L@rootsweb.com> > Date: 8/14/2006 8:10:49 AM > Subject: [WORLD WAR II] 1939-45 Defence Medal > > Prior to 18 May 1940 my brother was in the 15/19th Hussars. He was captured on this date in Belgium and died in a P.O.W. camp on the 12th of January 1941. > > I am in possession of his 1939-45 Star,and the 1939-45 War Medal. > > Is he entitled to the Defence Medal and if so where can I apply for this medal? > > J. Desmond > Canada > > > ==== WORLDWAR2 Mailing List ==== > We welcome tributes of your World War II ancestors. We are an international list. Please remember to tell us what country your ancestor was from and what country you are in now if different. This helps us help you. If you give dates please help us understand the date you are referring to. For example: 4 Nov 1944 or Nov 4, 1944. > > ============================== > Find your ancestors in the Birth, Marriage and Death Records. > New content added every business day. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13964/rd.ashx

Remember a long time ago a lady posted to the board asking if anyone knew the soldier in the sketch her father drew in WWII? Well last month the story finally ended Here is the story's ending. http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060724/NEWS10/607240334/1002 Sue

Hello everyone, I've been going through some old photo's of my late father's and have found 2 taken in Iraq. On the back of 2 of them are some details: H Needham Cotsmoor Chesterfield Road Duckmanton nr. Chesterfield 247961 Sgt. E. Brewer 33 Ashwell Road S.H.Q. Heaton RAF Habbaniya Bradford Middle East Forces Yorks If anyone is related to either and would like copies of these photo's I'd be happy to scan and forward them. Unfortunately the quality is not very good but the people are quiet definately identifiable. Regards, Mick

HAROLD CHRIST AGERHOLM Born: January 29, 1925 War: World War II Rank: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Location of Action: Saipan, Marianas Islands Date of Action: July 7, 1944 Official Medal of Honor Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 4th Battalion, 10th Marines, 2d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Marianas Islands, 7 July 1944. When the enemy launched a fierce, determined counterattack against our positions and overran a neighboring artillery battalion, Pfc. Agerholm immediately volunteered to assist in the efforts to check the hostile attack and evacuate our wounded. Locating and appropriating an abandoned ambulance jeep, he repeatedly made extremely perilous trips under heavy rifle and mortar fire and single-handedly loaded and evacuated approximately 45 casualties, working tirelessly and with utter disregard for his own safety during a grueling period of more than 3 hours. Despite intense, persistent enemy fire, he ran out to aid 2 men whom he believed to be wounded marines but was himself mortally wounded by a Japanese sniper while carrying out his hazardous mission. Pfc. Agerholm's brilliant initiative, great personal valor and self-sacrificing efforts in the face of almost certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Hi Peter: I have had a look at Eagles Victorious-The SAAF in Middle East & Italy 1943-45 Pages 9-12. There is little or no reference to RAF Middle East other than in summary the following: ACM Sir Arthur Tedder was appointed Air C-in-C Mediterranean Air Command approx May 1943. (previously C-i-C RAF Middle East) Middle East Air Command was one of 3 commands reporting to ACM Tedder.Commander: ACM Sir William Sholto Douglas Sub Commands included Air Defences Eastern mediterranean AVM R E Saul (19 RAF & Commonwealth squadrons plus 2 detachments.-Includes 210 group on convoy escort & 212 group shipping protection) 201 (Naval Co-op) Group RAF AVM T A Langford-Sainsbury [includes 245 wing & 238 wing] Headquarters RAF Middle East Air Command (13 RAF & Commonwealth squadrons, plus 3 flights, three detachments & one general reconnaissance unit) Airfields (Libya & Egypt) used include: LG91 near Amirya, Misurata west, Berca, Zuara, Derna, Menastir, Bu Amud, Gazala, Bilbeis. There were have been need for your step father at the various airfields which were so placed to offer continuous convoy support throughout Eastern Mediterranean. My father joined 16 Squadron SAAF, part of 201 group, as a pilot on Beaufighters April 1944 at Berca. July 1944 they were moved to Biferno in Italy to form part of Balkan Air Force as activities in Eastern Med had eased off. I can find no reference to the people & the places you have mentioned. Regards, Keith Kendal ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter Monks" <arethusa@shaw.ca> To: <WORLDWAR2-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2006 6:01 PM Subject: [WORLD WAR II] RAF Service in Egypt H.Q. > Greetings, > > I am trying to add any information to my step fathers service in Egypt > from 1942 to 1945. Bernard Horace Russell, #102243, Pilot officer later > Flight Lieutenant, (Squadron Leader at war's end.) Most of his service > was attached to the RAF H.Q. I understand that he did occasional survey > of airfield locations behind enemy lines as he was a surveyor before the > war. I have a photo of E.4.B. (Records) H.Q. RAF M.E. Dec 1944 fifteen > people, with the following signatures: N. Alsfousaf, Geof. W. Elarman, > Bill White, Evelyn M. Bugg, M. Carayanni, R. Sacks, G. Eign, Gilda > Roberts, May Jones, Ben Mart........., V. Shoua.., D.N.B. Mipners, Afra > Moses (Including my step father, these names are my best 'reading'. > Anybody recognise any names, a second photo without any names shows > seven of the same people in a re-arranged setting.) > > I have a Menu for Lunch at the occasion of HRH Duke of Gloucester visit > to #111 M.E. M.E. at Toura-el-Asmant. Sunday 31 May 1942. Cream Tomato > Soup, Cold Buffet: Ham, Turkey, Salad Varies, Fresh Fruit Salad > Cream, Cheese and Biscuits, Coffee. > > It is a glimpse of those war years, can anybody enlighten me further?? > Peter > > > ==== WORLDWAR2 Mailing List ==== > Please do not send virus warnings to the list. If you have concerns about a virus, contact your list admin or join VIRUS-DISCUSSIONS-L@rootsweb.com subscribe in the subject line. We are an international list. Please remember to tell us what country your ancestor was from and what country you are in now if different. This helps us help you. If you give dates please help us understand the date you are referring to. For example: 4 Nov 1944 or Nov 4, 1944. > > ============================== > Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the > areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. > Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx > > >

Hi List, I’ve been helping Adrienne on and off list with her research regarding her late friend Peter Bianchetta as his story is very similar to my late father’s. The question with which we need your help is regarding Pete’s transfer from the 320th Engineer Combat Battalion, 95th Infantry Division to the 17th Armored Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Division. My theory is Peter Bianchetta served in the 320th Engineer Combat Battalion, 95th Infantry Division until VE day and was transferred to the 17th Armored Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Division between May and July, 1945. He was sent to Berlin for occupation duty while his original unit was sent to the U.S. for refitting and retraining for the war with Japan. The war ended in August and his colleagues in the 95th finished their service in the U.S. and poor Pete was stuck on the front-line of the Cold War for several more months. Adrienne has found sources to fill in the gaps of information left by the loss of Pete's records in the ‘73 fire. After Pete was drafted he was selected for the ASTP program. During the post Normandy manpower crisis, he was transferred to combat engineer training, assigned to the 320th Engineer Combat Battalion, 95th Infantry Division, and deployed to Europe. He was discharged from the 17th Armored Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Division in January, 1946. What follows is my preliminary theory based on Adrienne’s research of Pete’s service, my research of my late father's service, and some research on the web. The 320th Engineer Combat Battalion was with the 95th Infantry Division for all its service in the war in Europe. It was never detached. After VE Day, the 95th Infantry Division was one of the divisions chosen for redeployment to the U.S. for the war in the Pacific and the invasion of Japan. Pete’s ASR score was too low for immediate discharge. In September, 1945, Pete had an ASR score of 57, so it would have been a few points lower in May, June and July, 1945 when decisions were being made as to which GIs went where. (We got his ASR score from his DD 214.) Apparently the 2nd Armored Division, including their 17th Armored Engineer Battalion, had been chosen for occupation duty in the American sector of Berlin. The original members of the 17th Armored Engineer Battalion,2nd Armored Division had been in combat since the July, 1943 landings in Sicily and many would have an ASR score high enough for immediate discharge. Other engineers would have to been immediately transferred from other units. Experienced engineers would have been valued because the 2nd Armored would not only be on occupation duty in Berlin but also face the Soviets in the opening days of the Cold War and would need to be able to immediately respond to any confrontation with the Soviets. While transfers did occur during the war, we have seen nothing in Peter’s record to suggest he was transferred before VE Day such as hospitalization for an illness or wound. What do you think? We need the knowledge and skill of the list to review our work. We look forward to hearing from you. Yours, Leonard H. Cizewski Son of the late PFC Felix A. Cizewski, Signal Corps, Europe, WW2 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

Forwarded to the list. ----- Original Message ----- From: "KEITH CHERRINGTON" <keith@brifo.fsnet.co.uk> To: <WORLDWAR2-D-request@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2006 6:01 PM Subject: Military Ribbons. Hello there, Just to let you all know that we have finally obtained the required length of ribbon fitting for the American Medal of Freedom 1946 style. requested in an earlier E mail. May I thank you all for your informative ideas and observations, your help has been very much appreciated. The ribbon has finally been received from the American Society of Military Ribbons. My thanks and regards to you all. Keith Cherrington West Mids UK.

Greetings, I am trying to add any information to my step fathers service in Egypt from 1942 to 1945. Bernard Horace Russell, #102243, Pilot officer later Flight Lieutenant, (Squadron Leader at war's end.) Most of his service was attached to the RAF H.Q. I understand that he did occasional survey of airfield locations behind enemy lines as he was a surveyor before the war. I have a photo of E.4.B. (Records) H.Q. RAF M.E. Dec 1944 fifteen people, with the following signatures: N. Alsfousaf, Geof. W. Elarman, Bill White, Evelyn M. Bugg, M. Carayanni, R. Sacks, G. Eign, Gilda Roberts, May Jones, Ben Mart........., V. Shoua.., D.N.B. Mipners, Afra Moses (Including my step father, these names are my best 'reading'. Anybody recognise any names, a second photo without any names shows seven of the same people in a re-arranged setting.) I have a Menu for Lunch at the occasion of HRH Duke of Gloucester visit to #111 M.E. M.E. at Toura-el-Asmant. Sunday 31 May 1942. Cream Tomato Soup, Cold Buffet: Ham, Turkey, Salad Varies, Fresh Fruit Salad Cream, Cheese and Biscuits, Coffee. It is a glimpse of those war years, can anybody enlighten me further?? Peter

Hi Pamela: As well as this website on POWs: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/pows-introduction the New Zealand Official War Histories online have the volume on POWs by Mason (1954) & also Episodes & Studies Vol I (1948) which has chapters on POWs in Germany, Italy and Japan. While New Zealand had relatively few Japanese POWs (c500, mainly Air Force & Navy, not Army) the NZ Official War Histories had more than other Official Histories on them (see Dawes, Prisoners of the Japanese): http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Pris.html http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2-1Epi.html And there is "Crete" by Dan Davin (1953): http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Cret.html Yours, John Wilson > I would like to find out where the infantry who fought on Crete were > kept as prisoners of war and the conditions of the camp. > Does anyone know where I could find this information on the net. >

Hi All: As well as this website on POWs: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/pows-introduction the New Zealand Official War Histories online have the volume on POWs by Mason (1954) & also Episodes & Studies Vol I (1948) which has chapters on POWs in Germany, Italy and Japan. http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Pris.html http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2-1Epi.html While New Zealand had relatively few Japanese POWs (c500, mainly Air Force & Navy, not Army) the NZ Official War Histories had more than other Official Histories on them (see Dawes, Prisoners of the Japanese, page 25): There is the Official NZ History "Crete" by Dan Davin too: http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Cret.html Yours, John Wilson (New Zealand) > Hello List, > I would like to find out where the infantry who fought on Crete were > kept as prisoners of war and the conditions of the camp. > Does anyone know where I could find this information on the net. > > Regards, Pamela. >