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43 Wessex Association Guestbook Archive Leave a Message Name : Edward Hawkins , UK Found : Just surfing Message : My father died some 25years ago and with his passing there was nothing I could learn about his war years with the 43rd Wessex Anti-Tank Regiment. He spoke very rarely about his experiences and I wondered if there are any of his old colleagues still alive who could recall knowing my father. I believe he was a RSM at the end of the war his name was Edward (Ted) Hawkins and he was rarely seen without a pipe in his mouth. I believe his gun crew named their gun Bow Bells and he told a story about capturing a one man submarine which the Germans were transporting on the back of a lorry. Hence, they painted a small submarine on the gun. 09 September 2005 13:59:20 Name : michael wilson , swindon Message : My father was a signaller attached to the 5th Wiltshire Regiment. I would like to hear from anyone who can help me trace his movements in Normandy. He was Philip (Tug) Wilson. 07 July 2005 13:04:45 Name : WAYNE ROFF , BOURNEMOUTH Found : Just surfing Message : 7TH BTN HAMPSHIRE REGT FROM THE BOURNEMOUTH AREA. LOOKING FOR PICTURES OF THIS UNIT 1940-44. ALSO LOOKING FOR INFO ON L/CPL ALBERT DAVIS FROM POKESDOWN. KILLED IN JULY 1944. 23 June 2005 19:16:11 Name : Philip Mills , Baldock Found : Search engine Message : My father William "Bill" Mills has reecently passed away and I have found a letter from COl DEB Talbot addressed to him dated 21/11/52 In it he is asking if my father would like to purchase a book. This was the THE 43RD WESSEX DIVISION AT WAR 1944-45. by Maj.-Gen. H. Essame, London 1952. Pub William Clowes, Attached to the letter is a typed account of a number of incidents of the battalion in Caen, Noireau, the Seine, Nijmegen, the Geilenkirchen offensive, the Roer triangle, the Rhine crossing. Bill was CSM at the time. Just wondered if anyone knew of Bill and/or knows where I may get a copy of the book? 14 June 2005 11:44:07 Name : Vicky Found : Search engine Message : In addition, if anyone has any records or has come across any records of a Captain Alexander Calvert (A.C) Porteous serving with the 213 Field Ambulance, 43rd WEssex Division, Hill 112 I would be interested to know and he may well be interested in hearing from any one who knows him from this period. 02 May 2005 21:21:50 Name : Vicky , London Found : Search engine Message : Hello - would anyone have any information on 213 Field Ambulance, (43 Wessex Wyverns) on Hill 112 - my father was part of this and although alive, well and very compis mentis, I don't want to ask him too much about this part of his life. I have read Hill 112 and The Fighting Wessex Wyverns, but would like to know more specifics and be able to access lists of those who were along side him in his ordeal. Any assistance much appreciated. 02 May 2005 21:13:05 Name : Kevin Titterton , Sheffield Message : I am researching into a family member killed in action on 15th July 1944, fighting with 172 Battery, 179th Field Regt. Royal Artillery. His name was Captain Charles Titterton and he lost his life along with two comrades; L/Bdr C.W. Addison (possibly from York) and L/Sgt H.A.Gray (possibly from Aberdeen). They are all buried in St. Manvieu War Cemetry near Caen. I would be grateful if anyone can help in anyway with my research. Does anyone remember serving with them? Does anyone have any info about 172 Battery, 179 Regt, Hill 112, etc? Does anyone have any photos relating to any of the above? I am willing to reimburse any postage costs for anyone able to help. Cheers Kev Titterton. 14 April 2005 19:05:01 Name : Wayne Jones , Holyhead, Anglesey. North Wales Found : Just surfing Message : Hi, I'm looking for some info on a Charles/Charlie Fromel who served with the 43rd Royal Anti Tank Regiment during the second world war. He was from Sunderland originally and was part of the British Expeditionary Force. I don't have that much info about him but anything would be good. Thank you very much, Wayne 28 February 2005 20:54:03 Name : tom mcardle , carlisle Found : Search engine Message : h'i, my dad tom (jock) mcardle was in the 43rd div royal artillery, he went over on D3 & was in nijmegan for a while. his tag number was 1798996 any old mates or people who knew him can get in touch by e-mailing me tom mcardle jnr 26 February 2005 16:58:50 Name : George Packer , Bournemouth Dorset Found : Search engine Message : I was a DR with 43rd. Div. Signals 1939 - 1946 My son found this site and we have both enjoyed it. I think I have bored him a bit with my memories but I have re-lived my youth a bit. 03 February 2005 10:00:42 Name : Margaret , Sydney Found : Search engine Message : I am trying to find some info about my father, NCO Kenneth Lewis. He is rather frail now and gets a little confused when telling his stories. He thinks he was with the RAMC (ambulance) attached to the 43rd division. I would appreciate if anyone could confirm that this was the right division. 07 January 2005 02:13:38 Name : Gary Robertson , Bournemouth Found : Search engine Message : Does anyone recall my grandfather Pte. L.D.Robertson 6406855 4th or 5th Wilts he was a driver/mechanic who was wounded 01/08/44 or does any one know where the battalions were at that date.Unfortunately he died 7 years ago but my father and I were lucky enough to take him to the 50th anniversary event at Hill 112 where he recieved a 50 years D Day medal and a Cote 112 medal.It was a very moving moment.My father and I were at the 60th anniversary service at Hill 112 but it was not the same without my Grandad... 14 December 2004 14:33:32 Name : Danny Taylor , Bishop's Stortford, Herts Found : Search engine Message : Our family have today returned from Normandy. We stayed at a Gite belonging to a wonderful lady whose D-Day veteran husband had recently passed away. They moved to Normandy many years ago. While there I had the privilege of reading about "Monty's Ironsides" and the 43rd Wessex Wyverns from her late husband's book collection. We visted the Normandy beaches and the bridges at Benouville and as a result of my reading we also made a special visit to Hill 112. On the hill I explained to my army mad 5 yr old son why there were a number of memorials and a tank on the hill. On a windy October afternoon the silence was broken only by the rattling of the flag poles, we were very moved by the experience. As I drove away I looked in my rear view mirror to see a tear running down my son's cheek. On asking why he was crying, expecting something like his sister had a taken one of his toys, he said he was sad for all of the men that had been killed on the hill. I thought you should know that your deeds are not forgotten. 30 October 2004 22:00:07 Name : Teresa Lay Found : Search engine Message : I am trying to find any information regarding my late grandfather Gilbert "George" Lay. He served in the 7th battalion Somerset Light Infantry in A Company. He joined in 1939 while living in colchester. for 7 years he was based in Gibraltar. i would be grateful for any photos that anyone has with him in them. 19 October 2004 14:02:55 Name : Veronica Pettifer , UK Found : Search engine Message : My father Albert [Mike/Mick] Pettifer served with the 110th LAA and then 179th Field Artillery RA[trying to find out when the move happened] from Normandy +landings [caught in the storm - sea-sick with rations of 'Russian Salad'!] through Hill 112/Vernon to Nijmegen/Elst/Driel and then onto the sad work of running DPP camps. He died in May 1995, having been to Normandy and Nijmegen for the 50th Anniversaries in 1994. My mother and I went to Normandy for the 60th [visiting the graves 'for him' of his fallen comrades at St Manvieu] and I will be going to Nijmegen for the commemorations of Market Garden. Thank you for the continuation of this web-site. It has given me great comfort, reading the stories of the veterans and/or their sons and daughters who, like me, are trying to come to terms with a more recent loss. Please do get in touch if you remember/knew of him. For those lost in the war, and since, we can only say 'We WILL remember them' 14 August 2004 01:57:48 Name : w leurs , elst Found : Search engine Message : I'm looking for soldiers who served in Elst (netherlands) back in 1944. I'm collecting stories and photographs or other material of my hometown Elst during that period. Please contact me if you have any information. w. leurs 27 July 2004 07:40:53 Name : Richard Noyce , Portsmouth Found : Search engine Message : My grandfather was Cpl Alan Noyce of 4th Wilts Carrier Platoon. He was K.I.A on 10th July Hill 112. Interested in contacting anyone that knew him. 03 July 2004 19:03:03 Name : Alan Pealling , Cambridge Found : Search engine Message : My Dad Bomberdier George Pealling 6476451 served in 59 AT Regt with 17pounders - Hill 112 etc. Battery lost to panthers 25th? June 1944. Interested in any info - dad died 1991, but told us many stories (eventually) 22 June 2004 16:01:00 Name : Arthur Dashwood , Newbury Message : Lt. Col. A. L. Dashwood would like to hear from anybody who served in the 112th Field Regiment RA between the year 1936 and the end of World War 11. He himself served in the regiment until he was posted away (somewhat reluctantly) early in the year 1941, to take a gunnery staff course at the School of Artillery, Larkhill, after which he became an IG serving in Egypt, North Africa Schools of Artillery until 1944. When he was posted home to be a Deputy Assistant Director of Artillery at the Ministry of Supply in London. 17 June 2004 17:23:40 Name : adrian mills Message : I am trying to find information regarding my father, Edward Albert Mills (deceased 1987), whom I believe served with the 43rd during WWII. I have very little information except that apparently he drove an ammunition truck. I would be grateful for any information. 07 June 2004 18:22:44 Name : darren bemister , christchurch dorset Found : Just surfing Message : my grandfather fredrick luke bemister was in the 7th hampshires during the war .he would never talk much about the war to me as a child but it always interested me to find out what battles he had taken part in so i would like to hear from any one who new him during this time and to find out more about what his regiment did in the war so please email me 17 March 2004 16:16:10 Name : Jim Drachmann , Denmark/Silkeborg Homepage : Para world Message : Hi I have seen your weebsite. A very nice job. Best regards to webmaster. Here is a link to my website. If you like you can sign my guestbook. http://www.paraworld.dk 16 March 2004 18:49:41 Name : merriel jovetic , Blackwood Found : Search engine Message : I am trying to trace a Ronald Beasley of the 4th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (43rd Wessex Division for a friend William L.G. Harding they served together the last time they saw each other was at embarcation point for 'D' day landings at Chilston Park, Lenham, Kent if anyone can help please contact 24 February 2004 21:23:22 Name : Melanie Pursglove , Wolverhampton Homepage : http://www.vintagepaint.com Found : Search engine Message : Currently assisting someone who is restoring military vehicle in colours of the Wessex for d Day Landings. Would anyone be able to help me in locating the shade of blue and yellow on the badge as we would really like to get colours exactly right thanks Melanie 20 February 2004 21:05:45 Name : Diane O'Malley , Yeovil, Somerset. Found : Search engine Message : My father, Thomas Yearsley was in the the Somerset & Dorset Light Infantry being involved with the 43 Wessex Division and at one time the 7th Battalion (I believe). I understand he sailed from a port on the Thames, with the vessel landing on the evening of DDay, possibly at Courselles? His company was involved in the Battle of Normandy, involving Caen, Hill 112, Maltot, River Noireau crossing, Mont Pinchon etc.He made contact with a Deputy Mayor in Lenault in 95 or 97 & went over to a ceremony to unveil a plaque to commemorate the day the village was liberated by the 43rd Wessex Division. In August 44 (I think) he was moved over to Vernon where during the battle he was captured, I believe in the forest as a French girl brought cider up to the troops, only to give their position away to the Germans. I took him and a friend over to Normandy including Vernon in June 98 and it was a very emotional time for us all. After his capture, I believe he was then taken to Amiens before being taken to a work camp in Munich.He spoke very little about his time in the camp but I can remember him telling me about the very thin liquid which was passed as soup and the bread which was part of their diet. He also spoke about the kindness of the Russian pow's. I would be very interested to talk to anyone who knew my dad. He unfortunately passed away in August 2000 and I miss him dearly. A best friend of his did tell me that dad has passed on to me his wonderful memory for faces and events, even some of his French & German which he acquired as well as his sense of humour! I am currently writing about my dad's life so if anyone can contribute any memories they have of his time during the army or after when he was with the military police, I would love to hear them. Thank you very much and I hope to meet up with you in Bayeux on June 6th next year. Diane O'Malley 28 December 2003 23:29:34 Name : Mike Colton , Hereford UK Homepage : http://www.alliedspecialforces.org Found : Search engine Message : Dear All, Just to let you know about the Manchester Military Tattoo at the Manchester Evening News Arena on July 17th. 2004. The Band of the Parachute Regiment and the Band of the Light Division will accompany others to remember the 60th. Anniversary of D. Day and Arnhem. Further details available from www.fieldgun.co.uk or from Frank Willcock MBE 0161-287-7566. Regards Mike Colton Secretary Allied Special Forces Association Office 11, Cattle Market, Hereford HR4 9HX 01432-357666 postroom@alliedspecialforces.org www.alliedspecialforces.org 22 December 2003 20:40:48 Name : Bart Murphy , Justice, IL., U.S.A. Found : Search engine Message : This past July while visiting Monet's place near Giverney, France, I spent an evening with Bill Edwardes who spoke of his soldier days 60 years before in the 43 Wessex. Since returning to the States I've read up on the 43 Wessex and can now say, "Bill, you served with the best." 12 December 2003 01:50:21 Name : Ed Seymour , Swindon Found : Just surfing Message : My Dad served with 131(Lowland city of Glasgow) regiment Royal Artillery 319 Battery, I belive his c.o. was Major James Oliver M.C. Does anyone rember him or the regiment? 18 November 2003 00:01:39 Name : Joy Chadwick , Liverpool Message : Would love to hear from anyone who remembers my father, Lance Sergeant Sydney Neale Marsden, in 4th Wilts when k.i.a. at Caen, 10/11 July 1944. Previously served with Sherwood Foresters (148 Training Brigade0). 19 October 2003 13:09:36 Name : Trevor Green , Lancaster Found : From ad banner Message : seeking info about my father Sgt. Frank Green 4/5th Batts, Wiltshires. Served India 1933-1943 then Normandy thru to Bergen Belsen. Also any info' about L/Sgt. Arthur Danks, my cousin, also Wiltshires, KIA Jan 1945 at Brigden, Germany. 14 October 2003 19:09:55 Name : chris coyle , peterborough Found : Just surfing Message : My farther John James Edwin Coyle(known as Jack)served with the SLI at CAEN and was wounded at Fellaise Gap I trying to find out about his time there, does anyone remember him 12 August 2003 16:40:04 Name : Alan Reeves , Melbourne Found : Search engine Message : My father Alan reeves was in the 94th Division RA 43rd Wessex division if anyone was with him during WW11 please contact his son on the above email. Alan would be happy to hear from any of his old army comrades 13 July 2003 08:42:36 Name : Susie Cole , Reigate, England Found : Search engine Message : My father was Major Stephen Masefield, the first officer to land with the transport on D'Day + 7, and also he was at Hill 112. 08 June 2003 20:58:56 Name : WAYNE ROFF , BOURNEMOUTH Found : Search engine Message : RE 7TH BTN HAMPSHIRE REGT FROM THE BOURNEMOUTH AREA. LOOKING FOR PICTURES OF THIS UNIT 1940-44. ALSO LOOKING FOR INFO ON L/CPL ALBERT DAVIS FROM POKESDOWN. KILLED IN JULY 1944. 30 May 2003 18:21:02 Name : Norman Thompson , Perth Australia Message : My Father of the same name was with the R/A 112 field, killed 24/2/45 at Nutterden near Reichswald, does anyone have any info about him ? I wasn't born until Sept 45 so I know very little about him. 30 May 2003 11:51:24 Name : Andy Case , Cornwall Message : My grandfather Ken Datson (Tud) served with the 5th Wiltshire regiment during WW2.He's still alive and very well. Does anyone remember him or does anyone have information about the 5th Wiltshire reg. My grandfather was injured after the battle for Hill 112. 25 May 2003 16:43:29 Name : vanessa , germany Found : Just surfing Message : Hello, im vanessa 15years old and iam searching for my dad.All information i have are in my homepage. Maybe you can help finding my dad. Here my homepage: www.hpm.freehomepage.de/members/vanessafreier thank you and god bless you 27 April 2003 18:33:36 Name : Steven Upton MSNU , Worksop Homepage : http://www.s-upton.com Found : Search engine Message : My father served in the 94th Rgt RA with 43rd Div. I am trying to find what markings were on the 25 pdrs for a surprise present. Can anyone help? 19 April 2003 10:13:41

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