WW2
"They Served"
GEORGE SLEAFORD
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My dad George Sleaford in uniform for the "They served" page.
I've added three to show how quickly he matured through the war years, just as all the others had to of course.
The first one shows him as a raw recruit in October 1940, approaching his 17th birthday.
The second is April 1943 on leave in Cairo and the third is March 1946 when he'd be 22 (a few weeks before "demob").
The third photo was taken at Van Ralty studios in Nottingham.
We have the "official" framed copy with a citation at the bottom that reads
"North Africa: El-Alemein - Tunis. France-Belgium-Holland-Germany 1940-1946".
He served with the Sherwood Foresters at first before a transfer to the Notts Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry in 1942.
I've added three to show how quickly he matured through the war years, just as all the others had to of course.
The first one shows him as a raw recruit in October 1940, approaching his 17th birthday.
The second is April 1943 on leave in Cairo and the third is March 1946 when he'd be 22 (a few weeks before "demob").
The third photo was taken at Van Ralty studios in Nottingham.
We have the "official" framed copy with a citation at the bottom that reads
"North Africa: El-Alemein - Tunis. France-Belgium-Holland-Germany 1940-1946".
He served with the Sherwood Foresters at first before a transfer to the Notts Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry in 1942.
Here's another pic of dad (George Sleaford) on leave, sitting on the sea wall in Alexandria 19th Oct 1943.
1st left Lawrence Hill, George Sleaford (dad), Frank ??ittonette, Frank Padgett.
It's a long shot but, being a local regiment, maybe someone will recognise those names?
........Terry Sleaford
1st left Lawrence Hill, George Sleaford (dad), Frank ??ittonette, Frank Padgett.
It's a long shot but, being a local regiment, maybe someone will recognise those names?
........Terry Sleaford
David Edward Smith
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David Edward Smith
of St Anns Hill Nottingham An early casualty of World War 2. Killed aboard HMS Royal Oak 14 October 1939 aged 19 years. He joined the navy in September 1938. He trained on HMS Victory and the Royal Oak was the first ship he was posted to. Before joining the navy he lived with his family on St Ann's Hill Road. RIP Uncle Ted, we will always remember you x .........Robert Smith |
CWG Record here
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 Regimental Sergeant Major Thomas Potter Wells
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Regimental Sergeant Major Thomas Potter Wells
of Reform Terrace, Westminster Street, Nottingham England. b. 1910 - d.1974. British Soldier 1925-1945. Served the Burma Campaign WW II in the defence of India. A man of courage and conviction. My Father. .......Sid Wells |
The Burma Star
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Married Edna Smith 1944 at St Anns Church St Anns Well Rd, Nottingham
Nottingham Evening Post - Monday 04 December 1944
NOTTINGHAM SERGEANT WINS M.M. GALLANTRY BURMA.
Sergt. Frederick Pottinger, Northamptonshire Regiment, of 12, Jackson-street, St. Ann's Well road, Nottingham, has been awarded the M.M. for gallant and distinguished services in the 14th Army area. The citation states: At Wireless Hill, near Kungpi, during the night 17th 18th April. Sergt. Pottinger showed leadership and bravery of exceptional standard. During a night attack which fell in strength on his company position, and which went on throughout the night, this N.C.O. carried out his duties as platoon sergeant in cool, courageous and inspiring manner. Our own casualties were heavy, and in the thick of the action, in which there was lot of hand-to-hand fighting, carried up to his forward sections supplies of ammunition. While doing this he was badly wounded, but refused to receive attention until all the company casualties had been cleared. His disregard for personal danger and his devotion to duty were a great inspiration to his men. His example and bravery undoubtedly did much to enable the company to defeat this attack, which ended with the company collecting the bodies of three Japanese officers and 17 other ranks in the morning.
Name Frederick Pottinger
Publication Date 27 Jul 1944
Rank Corporal
Service Number 2047371
Regiment or Unit 1 Battalion The Northamptonshire Regiment
Theatre of Combat or Operation Burma
Award Military Medal
Date of Action or Award 1944
NOTTINGHAM SERGEANT WINS M.M. GALLANTRY BURMA.
Sergt. Frederick Pottinger, Northamptonshire Regiment, of 12, Jackson-street, St. Ann's Well road, Nottingham, has been awarded the M.M. for gallant and distinguished services in the 14th Army area. The citation states: At Wireless Hill, near Kungpi, during the night 17th 18th April. Sergt. Pottinger showed leadership and bravery of exceptional standard. During a night attack which fell in strength on his company position, and which went on throughout the night, this N.C.O. carried out his duties as platoon sergeant in cool, courageous and inspiring manner. Our own casualties were heavy, and in the thick of the action, in which there was lot of hand-to-hand fighting, carried up to his forward sections supplies of ammunition. While doing this he was badly wounded, but refused to receive attention until all the company casualties had been cleared. His disregard for personal danger and his devotion to duty were a great inspiration to his men. His example and bravery undoubtedly did much to enable the company to defeat this attack, which ended with the company collecting the bodies of three Japanese officers and 17 other ranks in the morning.
Name Frederick Pottinger
Publication Date 27 Jul 1944
Rank Corporal
Service Number 2047371
Regiment or Unit 1 Battalion The Northamptonshire Regiment
Theatre of Combat or Operation Burma
Award Military Medal
Date of Action or Award 1944
SEVEN SONS IN SERVICE
Article from the Nottingham Evening Post 1942-3.
Article from the Nottingham Evening Post 1942-3.
SEVEN SONS IN SERVICE
This is an article from the Nottingham Evening Post 1942-3.
These are my Dad’s Uncles and his father, Arthur. They were all the sons of James and Elizabeth Holt of 122, Sycamore Road, St.Ann’s.
As the article says, they all served in World War 2 and all survived.
Ernest was involved in the invasion of Italy and the Arnhem campaign where he won the Military Medal.
Mike Holt
ARTHUR REGINALD BISH
I will be remembering my Uncle Arthur today who died at the age of 21 shot down in a Lancaster Bomber over Monchengladbach. He was Arthur Bish from Rookwood Road.
...Peter Currie
CWG Record here
| sergeant_arthur_reginald_bish_-_cwgc_certificate.pdf |
Cyril Swanwick
Died 24/04/1943
Aged 25
2nd Bn.Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Son of John and Alice Maud Swanwick, of Nottingham; husband of Mary Swanwick.
Died 24/04/1943
Aged 25
2nd Bn.Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Son of John and Alice Maud Swanwick, of Nottingham; husband of Mary Swanwick.
A Christmas greeting from a St Ann’s boy
This was a Christmas card sent in 1942 from Cyril Swanwick to his parents (my grandparents) living
at Twells Street off St Anns Well Rd.
He was sadly killed April of the following year,
I think these cards were on sale to help the war effort,
as he wasn’t in the RAF but rather the Sherwood Foresters.
I would like to send this card to all of you “with Best wishes for Christmas and the coming year” ...Paul Henson 21 Dec 2012
CWG Record here
This was a Christmas card sent in 1942 from Cyril Swanwick to his parents (my grandparents) living
at Twells Street off St Anns Well Rd.
He was sadly killed April of the following year,
I think these cards were on sale to help the war effort,
as he wasn’t in the RAF but rather the Sherwood Foresters.
I would like to send this card to all of you “with Best wishes for Christmas and the coming year” ...Paul Henson 21 Dec 2012
CWG Record here
| private_cyril_swanwick_-_cwgc_certificate.pdf |
KENNETH WAGSTAFF
KENNETH WAGSTAFF
of Westminster St
killed in action Holland 1944 3 days before his 19th birthday
CWG Record here
Kenneth Wagstaff scribed this on the wall at top of what was westminster st before he went to fight for our freedom it is still on the wall
GEORGE FELSTEAD
George Felstead Royal Army Service Corp June 18, 1942 to Aug. 29, 1946 Regiment Ass.driver….
God bless all who served....
Barry Felstead's father
....Laura Fox
MAURICE BULL
In the back yard 80 Leicester Street c1940...
This young fellow died with 140 of his comrades one month before the birth of his son,
The photograph is Maurice Bull with his mam, my grandma.
....Pops Maurice Hembury
ERNEST MORLEY
My tall dark Handsome skinny dad Ernest Morley
4 Norland Road ,off St Ann’s Well Road xx
.....1946 aged 21
...Jean Taylor
JOHN WOODHOUSE
My brother John, he was 79 when he sadly passed away last October,2018. This photo was when he came home on leave
....Jane Woodhouse
| generations_-_dearest_mother.pdf |
I know it's a long shot, given the era I'm researching, but I'm desperate to find anyone who might have known my Uncle Alf or the publicity surrounding his death in WW2?
Obviously, anyone who did know him would be in their 90s now! My mum (who lives here in Adelaide with me) is now 86. She knew some of my late father's family but, of course, didn't know my Uncle Alf or my grandmother as they had died long before she met my Dad. I have attached a piece I wrote about my Uncle Alf and my Grandmother for a local community group here in Adelaide back in 2011. Some of you may be interested to read it.
..... Margot Albrecht
Obviously, anyone who did know him would be in their 90s now! My mum (who lives here in Adelaide with me) is now 86. She knew some of my late father's family but, of course, didn't know my Uncle Alf or my grandmother as they had died long before she met my Dad. I have attached a piece I wrote about my Uncle Alf and my Grandmother for a local community group here in Adelaide back in 2011. Some of you may be interested to read it.
..... Margot Albrecht
ERIC FURR
"My grandad's paperwork from when he was a prisoner of war- notice that Pym Street has been spelt wrong x"
.....Leanne Dessaur-furr
shared in facebook here
ALBERT CLEMENTS
Albert Clements, who I believe was a milkman, was first husband of Irene (nee Sharp) of 360 St Ann’s Well Road. He died in Rugby Hospital 11.09.44 from war in France injuries. Irene later married Frederick Vernon Radford on 5.9.46 who had been a prisoner of war in the Far East. (Chris Moakes)
In the National Register of 1939 Albert was living (as a milkman) at 6 Cromer Road
(Mavis Baker)
(Mavis Baker)
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JOHN EDWIN BLOOMER
My Uncle John, a simple St Ann's lad but he was smart enough to be one the best of Bomber Command so he joined 635 Pathfinder Sqn. He was shot down over Holland and a Dutch family rescued him from the wreckage and hid him from the Nazis but he died from his wounds. That same family tend to his grave to this day ......Steve Bloomer |
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CWG Record here
In memory of two uncles lost to the folly of man and all those Christmas presents they meant to send.... Steve Bloomer
I've been sorting through some of my late father's papers and thought these might interest the group. He was born at a very early age in 1924, see photo 1. In 1939, aged 14, he joined the Royal Marines as a Band Boy. In photo 2 he is seen in his Royal Marines uniform with his brother John who was shot down and killed over Holland in 1944. He flew in Lancasters of 635 Pathfinder Sqn. He survived the crash and was pulled from the wreckage by a Dutch family who hid him from the Nazis. He died some days later from his wounds. That same family tend to his grave to this day, see photo 3.
In 1946 he married me Mum and moved from the family home at 94 Robin Hood Chase, that's me and Mum at 94 in photo 4. He didn't move far just a few doors up the Chase to 140, my Mum's family home, which is where I am photo 5.
While working at Player's he lost a finger in the machinery and with £100 compensation he was able to furnish their first home together at 47 Peas Hill Road. Apparently, there were blood sucking bugs living behind the wallpaper when they first moved in but I remember it as a lovely home despite the ice on the inside of me bedroom window in the morning. That's me in the back yard, photo 6. In the background the row of lavs, behind those are the Alms Houses and beyond those is the Corona factory, both on Cooper St. Still in 1946 me Dad left Player's and joined Barton's as a bus conductor. He retired 43 years later as Advertising Manager. Photo 7 shows him receiving his gold watch from Murry Barton, note the missing forefinger. Photo 8 just shows that once a Barton man always a Barton man..................Steve Bloomer
William (Bill) and Mary Thomas
My mum and Dad at St Ann's church 1940. Mum was born in Westgate Street
....Gillian Borg...
Danny O'Mara
My father in law Danny O'Mara would have been 99 today. A man who told it like it was - I thought the world of him.
He came to St Ann's Nottingham after war service and worked at Nottingham City Transport till retirement. He was not a royalist, but admitted he would like to be the Duke of Edinburgh! He embarrassed young Stephanie Fox as she became by marching her out of the cinema whilst "the Queen" was playing.
He talked little about his war, but kept a notebook of his travels which turned up after his death.
He was taken aboard a destroyer at Dunkirk which was then struck by bombs. Put on another boat he returned to Blighty only to be sent to the Channel Islands with his unit and pulled off after two days. He later served in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, the South of France and Germany.
He laughingly told me that arriving in Nottingham after demob early one morning in 1946, he sat in Slab Square and was promptly told by a copper to "move on".
He loved Nottingham and especially his allotments on the Hungerhills. He also loved supporting the England football team - visits to Wembley were a great pleasure to him - I went with him on several occasions.
That said he could not hear an old Irish Song without a tear in his eye.
RIP Danny, always remembered.
....Malcolm Fox
Alfred Smedley
My dad, Alfred was in the Royal Navy and served on an aircraft carrier, as his background having worked at Burton's of Smithy Row was made a LCA, sort of Petty Officer, he went on Atlantic and Russian convoys and also went round to Burma.
.....David Smedley
Stan and William Coker
On the left , Stan Coker, my uncle and on the right, my father William Coker both of Campbell Grove , 2nd WW.
Rex Coker
My Father, Glen, (Glendon Richard Cooke) born South Wigston, Leicester 1923. Came to live at 20 Hawkridge Street about 1933, his father, Richard, was a train driver and a story passed down by word of mouth was he drove the train for King George VI .... documenation gone, how do you confirm this □ Glen’s mother, Beatrice, known for playing darts at one of the many PH in St Ann’s I’m told! Glen lived at 20 Hawkridge Street, where I was born, he attended Manvers School for boys until 1937, he then went to Nottingham Evening Institute for drawing, maths, science and English, I’m not sure if he studied one or all these subjects
February 1942 Glen joins the RAF, was sent to Yatesbury, Wiltshire to train as a wireless operator, then Blackpool for gunnery and parachute training. By 1943 he found himself being shipped to the Far East attached to 215 squadron, he began training with the new Liberator a heavy bomber, also known as the B-24, he was wireless operator/air gunner of a crew of 9. A lot of 215 squadron missions were aimed at bombing the Burma-Siam railways which were being built by prisoners of war, then intelligence learnt they were deliberately putting those prisoners on the line so missions then concentrated on bombing fuel and ammunition dumps etc., When Japan capitulated in August 1945 the squadron changed to Dakotas, parachuting supplies to the army and releasing Japanese prisoners of war, who were then flown to safety ready to be sent home. This is now known as the ‘forgotten War’ hence VJ Day ....
And just when He thought war was over he was sent with 31 squadron to Java, Indonesia, the ‘locals’ had turned into rebels fighting for their independence from the Dutch East Indies and although we went out as a peace mission to find and release our guys that had been held by the Japanese we ended up in another ‘local’ war for the next 12 months. Most of my information I found within the National Archives but Glen had also left letters and other documents at Nottingham Archives too.
He returned home to Hawkridge Street September 1946, eventually going to work at Sisson and Parker in their warehouse until he retired. When their home at 20 Hawkridge Str. was demolished he and his father moved to Alison Court.
Apparently like most that came back from Burma, Glen never spoke of or mentioned his time in the RAF - a lot came back with what we now know as PTSD, A lot of crews didn’t make it back on squadron 215, Glen was one of the lucky ones - I’m putting it down to the Aussie pilot M C Mazengarb, they flew all their missions together aboard the Liberator except 3.