Germany 1945/46

A selection of photographs from the Guards Armoured Division, Germany  1945-46

Churchill Tanks of the GA.D

The Rheinland was under British Occupation

German Prisoners were interrogated

We threw a Christmas Party for the German kids  who lived near our Barracks in Hamburg

A First World War German tank overlooked the Barrack Square, and, a Fire reservoir, where, after the Irish Guards had departed, a young child was tragically drowned while playing among the deserted buildings.

On Guard Duty at Estorff Barracks

My dad made many friends while serving in Hamburg.
One lady, who was just a child in 1945, used to call at the barracks each day to get a bowl of soup from a field kitchen which we set up outside the Barrack Gates. She carried her young brother in her arms so that they could get TWO bowls. Then they would go home to share the soup with their Mum. This lady saw an article about my website in the Hamburger Abendblatt in 1999 and has been writing to me ever since. Hallo, Liebe Heike, Vergissmeinnicht !

It is said that there are plans to use the site where the Estorff Barracks stand today, to build an International Media Park where they will have Film,Television studios, and Theatre , where students can learn the technology, and hold Festivals etc.,

Gummersbach 1945 - Photos
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A selection of Documents that may be of interest - my dad never threw anything away it would appear

Sicknote

Wooden Carving - not sure who carved it though

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Naafi Concert - Khassa Kapers
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Irish Guards - Certificate of Service
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The German Army in Pictures
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Novice Boxing Competition - Khassa Kamp 5A NAFFI - 1947
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First Armoured Devision Magazine 1947
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HQ Berlin Infantry Brigade - Aide Mamoire
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German Medical Records
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For your Guidance
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Hitler Youth Card
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Victory Celebration - Official Programme
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Training in Wales 1944/5

Caterham Guards Depot 1944
Guardsmen Hanbury, White, Curry

Glenys Davies

August 1947

Haifa Harbour taken from the Mess deck in TRIPOLITANIA bound for Cyprus

Varosha - Cyprus
This is now a ghost town - abandoned in 1974 after the Turkish invasion

The "Med" Famagusta

How's your greek?
This may be a cinema ticket perhaps

I wonder if it's still there?

Hermes Strees is on the edge of the "Green Line" established in 1963 after the devision of Nicosia

Middle East 1947

 

Photos od Palestine 1947
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My dad liked the cinema

My dad was in Palastine during the 1947 UN Partitioning
Here are some photos and momentos collected by him during that time

1947 Battle soldiers meet in far-away places 1948 

(My dad recounts the memories of his time in Palastine)

The war in Europe was over, but many of us younger ones had to soldier on, there was still a dangerous job to do in the Middle East. After acclimatizing in Egypt, we were assigned to keeping the peace in Palestine. As it turned out, I wasn't the only soldier from Battle in the Holy Lands. I was very lucky, and extremely surprised, to meet several lads from my home town. We all shared the same teachers at "The Battle and Langton School" in Marley Lane.
I shall never forget that Michael seriously injured my leg with a spade in 1939 when we were digging Air-Raid shelters for the school in an adjacent field. I still have the scar.

I met Michael Poole (left) at Mount Scopus Camp in Jerusalem. He was just visiting the Holy City with his company of Grenadier Guards. How he knew that I was on Mount Scopus I cannot remember.

I was operating the Irish Guards Military Exchange switchboard in an old Nissen Hut, and suddenly, there he was, in the doorway, and I couldn't believe my eyes. 

I met Godfrey Lade (left) in a British military Leave Camp named "Golden Sands", in Famagusta, Cyprus.
(A tented camp, long before today's Holiday Hotels were built) We had both chosen to take leave from various parts of the Middle-East at the same time. I didn't even know that he was in Palestine. Godfrey was serving with the 4/7th. Dragoon Guards, and, on release found employment with Till's Ironmongers in Battle High Street, where he worked for many years.