As always, Forrest, your replies are tremendously valuable to everyone on this list. I particularly enjoyed reading this one, though I have no known DSMs in my Naval ancestors. My greatuncle, William Henry MAY, served in the RN for about thirty years, including a stint during WW I after he had retired in 1907. I was able to obtain his Navy records from TNA some while ago. Another greatuncle, Arthur Henry SAWDON, had previously owned and captained a merchant ship in Whitby, Yorks, the LIBEA (renamed WYFAX), and served during WW II as a merchant ship Captain on the Atlantic Convoys. He was discharged at Glasgow, presumably returning to Whitby from there. That was about the only item about him I could find on TNA, and I don't know if serving on the convoys would entitle anyone to a medal or only if a ship he was on happened to be engaged in enemy action. Though simply serving, with U-boats decimating the convoys, must have been a hair-raising experience and took great courage. My sister met him once, after the war, and says he died peacefully in his sleep at home. I have a tradition of Navy and MM greatuncles, including William Henry Squire WILLCOCKS who served in both, his later service being promoted to Chief Steward of the Claud Hamilton, G.E.R.'s Harwich-Hook flagship, and William Henry LOVELESS who served on numerous ships (have their RN records too.) Regards Martin Willcocks Taylorsville, UT, USA.

A beautiful tribute to WWII vets. My elderly Uncle who is a vet sent me this link. Has music Barbara Rossow http://www.beforeyougo.us

Sometime ago now someone sent an extract from a book dedicated to the DSM (UK Navy) awards for WW2. Sorry forgot the name and author, BUT if anyone has access to this volume, it has an entry referring to Able Seaman Walter STACY in it. I am attempting to determine where the author referenced his material, or if the book itself mentions where the actual citations may be sourced. I have already Walter's entry in the London Gazette. He died later on with 40 other shipmates on board the Gallant in the Med. in January 1941.(65 years ago now he was only 21) cheers Bob

On 1/2/06 7:25 pm, "MrsTroupe@aol.com" <MrsTroupe@aol.com> wrote: > try researching"Slapton Sands" > > a practice landing of the Normandy invasion took place at Slapton Sands, > England. more than 700 men were killed when several boats were torpedoed by > the Germans. Thanks ... I have checked and Slapton Sands was some 5 months later... However his ship was in for conversion to a landing craft transport .. And as a 10 vet and a very experienced cave and climber he may have volunteered for special duties. Family are convinced there was something he was in to ... But of course he could not tell them. RObin

On Thu, 2 Feb 2006 09:04:41 +1000, "Robert Campbell" <rcampbell3@optusnet.com.au> wrote: > Sometime ago now someone sent an extract from a book dedicated to the DSM >(UK Navy) awards for WW2. Sorry forgot the name and author, BUT if anyone >has access to this volume, it has an entry referring to Able Seaman Walter >STACY in it. Bob The book is probably "The Distinguished Service Medal 1939-1946" by W H Fevyer. > I am attempting to determine where the author referenced his material, or >if the book itself mentions where the actual citations may be sourced. The book is basically an index of WW2 DSM announcements in the London Gazette. The date and page of the London Gazette announcement is given, along with a brief and usually rather vague description of the reason for the award, as published in the LG. In the case of Walter's award, it simply says: ------------ For courage and resource in recent successful actions against Italian submarines. LG 3.12.1940 pp6913/4 Leading Seaman Walter Stacy, C/JX.141536 [plus 6 other names] ----------- The above entry is typical - there is no citation, since it wasn't given in the London Gazette. In his introduction, the author gives some tips on researching further, and I can scan these and send them to you if you wish. One of the tips is to look at nearby pages of the London Gazette to see if any other awards were given at the same time to other members of the crew. Awards to officers tend to be more researchable, and the following awards were announced: ------------- For courage and resource in recent successful actions against Italian Submarines: To be a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order: Lieutenant-Commander Stephen Hugh Norris, D.S.C., Royal Navy. Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross. Lieutenant Leopold John Tillie, D.S.C., Royal Navy. The Distinguished Service Cross. Lieutenant-Commander Cecil Powis Frobisher Brown, Royal Navy. Lieutenant-Commander Edmund Neville Vincent Currey, Royal Navy. Lieutenant Robert Henry Graham, Royal Navy. Temporary Sub-Lieutenant Michael Reynolds Hole, R.N.V.R. ------------- There are no citations for these awards either, nor are the names of the ships given, but if you Google around, you may find articles or obituaries which mention these men. As an example, L J Tillie was killed in 1942, and the following obituary appeared in The Times of 19th Nov 1942: ------------- PERSONAL TRIBUTE LIEUT. L. J. TILLIE, R.N. A former commanding officer writes:— Lieutenant Leo John Tillie, D.S.C., R.N., whose death on active service has just been announced, will be remembered as an outstanding officer. Combined with this, he possessed great charm of manner and made an excellent mess-mate. Be was above average at all games, excelling especially as a golfer. Obtaining first class certificates in all his examinations for lieutenant, he joined a destroyer on the outbreak of war and had the distinction of serving continuously at sea, in many parts of the world, up to the time of his death. During the first Battle of Narvik, his ship; the Hotspur, lay stopped and badly damaged under the close-range fire of five enemy destroyers. The Hardy and the Hunter were already out of action. It was a grim moment for the ship's company, but they were soon cheered and encouraged by Sub-Lieutenant Tillie's magnificent example. Though himself wounded, he rallied the survivors from his two guns' crews and opened a rapid and accurate fire on the enemy, causing them to keep their distance until the Hostile and Havock could return to cover the Hotspur's withdrawal. As soon as the action was over, Tillie collapsed from loss of blood. For his courage and fine example in the action at Narvik he was awarded the D.S.C. During his subsequent service with Force H in the Western Mediterranean his skill and coolness during the tracking down of an Italian sub-marine largely contributed to its ultimate destruction. For this exploit he was awarded a bar to his D.S.C. Tillie later saw much arduous service in the Eastern Mediterranean. He died at sea as a result of enemy action, no doubt as he would have wished. His loss will be felt by the Navy, as young men with his exceptional promise are not easily replaced. ----------------- We don't know for certain that William Stacy was on the same ship at Tillie. However, since Stacy's DSM was announced in the same group of awards as Tillie's Bar to his DSC, there's a good chance that this was the case, or that Stacy was on one of the accompanying ships of Force H. Your best bet may be to get hold of the very expensive "Seedie's Roll of Naval Honours & Awards, 1939-1959", which was compiled from Admiralty sources. See http://www.pitbossannie.com/iss-v-0951338005.html for bibliographic details in case a local library has a copy. See also the leaflets on gallantry medals at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=35 and http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=34 Hope that helps Forrest -- Forrest Anderson, Edinburgh, Scotland. E-mail: forrest@military-researcher.com Website: www.military-researcher.com Forrestdale Research - Military Genealogical Researcher

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) website includes some civilians, WWII only I think, although that and other information has disappeared from the "new and improved" version of the website! So I can't say how many or under what circumstances! Under Force you can select All; or Army, Air Force, Navy, Merchant Marine or Civilian. I see from their Magazine section that the CWGC are scanning their paper archives, a five year project, and hope to eventually make some scans of records avaliable on the website. Yours, John Wilson > Can anyone advise if CWGC records cover civilian dead .. > And under what circumstances? >

SOURCE: THE HOUSTON HOME JOURNAL, PERRY, GA., TUESDAY, JAN 31, 2006 Warner Robins: Wilson A. Gause, 82, died Saturday Jan 28, 2006. Graveside funeral services were held at 11 am Monday at Magnolia Park Mausoleum. The Rev Stephen Grantham will officiate. Mr. Gause, a native of Lumberton, N.C. was the widower of Martha M Gause. He was retired from Robins AFB and a U.S. Army veteran. Heritage Memorial Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

try researching"Slapton Sands" a practice landing of the Normandy invasion took place at Slapton Sands, England. more than 700 men were killed when several boats were torpedoed by the Germans. Sherry

SOURCE: THE HOUSTON HOME JOURNAL, PERRY, GA. JAN 31, 2006 Warber Riobins, Ga. CMSGT. Roy Lee VINCENT (RET) Roy Lee Vincent Sr., 70, passed away on Friday Jan 27, 2006. Services were held at 11 am, Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home with internment following in Andersonville National Cemetery. Mr. Vincent was born on July 18, 1935, in Clarkston, MO. He retired after 30 years of service from the United States Air Force service during the Vietnam era. He then worked 19 years civil serviced at Robins AFB in the personnel field. He was a member of the American Legion Post 172, Middle Georgia Honor Guard, and the 40-8 of the Legion. Go to www.mcculloughfhg.com to sign the Online Registry.

I was going through some of my parents photos and found one of a Tony (possible Anthony?) Graziosetta and his wife Virginia. If anyone knows of this couple please contact me at cb010147@cfl.rr.com Carolyn "Never lose a chance of saying a kind word." -- William Makepeace Thackeray, novelist

http://legacy.com/Macon/Guestbook.asp?Page=GuestBook&PersonID=16495770 with guest book til jan 2007 and the FULL obit http://legacy.com/Macon/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=16495770 On 2/1/06, Delilah <diamond6468@mindspring.com> wrote: > SOURCE: THE HOUSTON HOME JOURNAL, PERRY, GA. JAN 31, 2006 > Warber Riobins, Ga. > > CMSGT. Roy Lee VINCENT (RET) > Roy Lee Vincent Sr., 70, passed away on Friday Jan 27, 2006. Services were held at 11 am, Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home with internment following in Andersonville National Cemetery. > Mr. Vincent was born on July 18, 1935, in Clarkston, MO. He retired after 30 years of service from the United States Air Force service during the Vietnam era. He then worked 19 years civil serviced at Robins AFB in the personnel field. He was a member of the American Legion Post 172, Middle Georgia Honor Guard, and the 40-8 of the Legion. > Go to www.mcculloughfhg.com to sign the Online Registry. > > > ==== WORLDWAR2 Mailing List ==== > To post queries/answers to the list, send an email to: WORLDWAR2-L@rootsweb.com 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 the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > >

Hunter George I have a book entitled "Dictionary of Weapons and Military Terms" which covers World War II. it contains lots of photos, if you would send the photo to me I should be able to match it to a description or hopefully a photo from the book also would LOVE to hear the story!! sherry

On 26/1/06 3:14 pm, "Mal Parr" <parrsbay@iinet.net.au> wrote: > I am researching a WWII civilian death who may be an Aunt of mine. > I have found a relevant name listed in the CWGC site and so far the > details seem to tally. >She died in Dartford Hospital on 6th September 1940, and her home > address was in Abbey Wood. Can you give the full name and age of your aunt??? ... I could check if her death was registered by using the Civil BMD indexes which are online at http://www.1837online.com/ This is a pay per view site. (the UK FreeBMD coverage is good up to around 1910 but very few as late as 1940) Can anyone advise if CWGC records cover civilian dead .. And under what circumstances? Robin

To celebrate Black History Month, Ancestry's 1870 US Federal Census database will be free to search (with registration) during February 2006. Registration requires your name and email address. To take advantage of this offer go to the webpage below and click on the 1870 Census link near the top... Free Genealogy Stuff Online - Charts, Forms, Software & Online Records http://www.researchguides.net/free.htm Feel free to share this post with other genealogy mailing lists you are subscribed to.

To celebrate Black History Month, Ancestry's U.S. World War One Draft Cards database will be free to search (with registration) during February 2006. Registration requires your name and email address. To take advantage of this offer go to the webpage below and click on the WWI Draft Cards link near the top... Free Genealogy Stuff Online - Charts, Forms, Software & Online Records http://www.researchguides.net/free.htm Feel free to share this post with other genealogy mailing lists you are subscribed to.

Hello List, A colleague has sent me the following e-mail. I would be grateful if anyone can help him please ? As this may help others, responses via the List please. Kind Regards Geoff ------------------------------------------------------ Geoffrey Lewin BLAXALL Hextable, Kent, S.E.England. PostCode BR8 7RJ N.W.Kent Family History Society #3593 http://GeoffBlaxall.tripod.com All e-mails protected by Mailwasher + Norton AV2005. ============================================ Dear Geoff, Can you please advise me on a problem I have with my late Father, As you are a "british legion man" I thought you may be able to help, My father died last Thursday 26th Jan and in accordance with his wishes I took command of the "tin" containing his war medals and Soldiers Service book On the first page it says he was Sgt. S.J.Woodbridge R.A.S.C. T/14679176 enlisted at Redruth 18th November 1943, on page 4 there is a list of his training and an entry for the 20.12.44 which says awarded MM for field gallantry, I know MM stands for Military Medal, but I cannot find it in the house. Is it possible to get hold of his service record and who from? As I would dearly like to find out more about my father. Robert

I have the book, who was your mother? delilah evans ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sue Trout" <sjtrout1@earthlink.net> To: <WORLDWAR2-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, January 23, 2006 3:06 AM Subject: [WORLD WAR II] pls help find Signal Corps photo of Mom > Please help me find a photo of my mother taken early February 1945, at > Santo Tomas Internment Camp in Manila, by a Signal Corps combat > photographer. The picture is widely recognized -and it is unknown at the > same time. It shows a nurse treating a wounded Japanese soldier, > surrounded by Americans. > > It's the blue photo at Amazon.com - the publisher does not know where the > photo came from, or how I can get a copy. > > http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0813121485/ref=sib_dp_pt/102-2722220-5635319#reader-link > > Early last year I exhausted the still pictures division staff of NARA. A > few staffers donated a month of their personal time to search the Archive. > They gave up and suggested I try "elsewhere" - and now the "elsewhere " > are also exhausted, .. and any help would be greatly appreciated. > > Sue > > > > ==== WORLDWAR2 Mailing List ==== > We are an international list! Please, always tell the list what country > your ancestor is from. This helps all of us, especially 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 > >

Thank you to all who responded with information on searchlights.I will forward the information on to our curator at Fort Scratchley Historical Society at Fort Scratchley Newcastle NSW.History wise it was opened in the 1800 and was in use up till 1960s,It was the only main land fort in Australia to fire upon Japanese submarines in 1942 after the Sydney raid by midget submarines. Thank you again Fred Morley

This may be off list ,but being a WW2 object,our Fort Museum has a WW2 searchlight we are trying to restore,we have the generator working, but are trying to locate a diagram for the searchlight itself.If any one can direct me in the right directiion we would be very thankful. Fred Morley Hot Edgewoth NSW Aust

it should have a serial number somewhere on the generator or a ID number - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Fred Morley" <fredmore@optusnet.com.au> To: <WORLDWAR2-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, January 27, 2006 10:24 PM Subject: [WORLD WAR II] Re WW2 SEARCHLIGHT > This may be off list ,but being a WW2 object,our Fort Museum has a WW2 > searchlight we are trying to restore,we have the generator working, but > are > trying to locate a diagram for the searchlight itself.If any one can > direct > me in the right directiion we would be very thankful. > Fred Morley > Hot Edgewoth NSW Aust > > > > > ==== WORLDWAR2 Mailing List ==== > We are an international list! Please, always tell the list what country > your ancestor is from. This helps all of us, especially you! If you give > dates please help us understand the date you are referring to. For > example: 4 Nov 1944 or Nov 4, 1944. > > ============================== > Census images 1901, 1891, 1881 and 1871, plus so much more. > Ancestry.com's United Kingdom & Ireland Collection. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13968/rd.ashx > >