MILITARIA

[SAJ]

During this period of remembrance, I thought Forum members may be interested in the attached publications but may ask, “Why is SAJ, aka “the Craig y Don Kid” posting a piece relating to Irlam and Cadishead?” All will become clear. Pete Thomas, co-author is related to me on my maternal line, roots in Lancashire/Yorkshire, and not via my Llandudno Thomases. Included in the list of those who served and fell is Charles Roberts, the son of my 2xgreat-grandfather, Hamblet Roberts of Cadishead. It was whilst searching the internet for information relating to him that I came across Pete Thomas’s book and was able to contact him and exchange further family history information.

What further interested me was that a number of the men whose details are recorded have roots in North Wales including another Charles Roberts, born Llandudno, 1876, occupation baker. He served with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. I also noted William Roberts, born Beaumaris and Matthew Robinson, born Flint. I haven’t explored all the names yet (it is a mighty tome) but if anyone would like me to look up a name, I’m happy to do so.  Further post to follow with a link to Colwyn Bay.

[SAJ]

As mentioned in my previous post, my great uncle, Charles Roberts served in WWI and was killed in action on 18th May, 1918 during a trench raid by his company on Trench Hilda, near Hulluch, France.

His brothers, Frank, Ernest and Edwin also served and returned home at the cessation of hostilities. I learned that my grandfather, George who served in the Mercantile Marine was in 1916 at Gallipoli where it appears that his ship was involved in refuelling and possibly evacuation of troops.

Charles’ sister, Millicent was a Voluntary Aid Detachment Nurse based at Glan y Don Hall, Colwyn Bay and I have attached copies of postcards sent to her by her brothers, Charles and Frank during her time there. I shall post a further more poignant one separately. Millicent is standing at the left of the group photo.

[SteveH]

Sorry SAJ, cannot open your photos, looking forward to seeing them.

[SAJ]

The attached card postmarked London, 11th July, 1917 and sent by Charles to his sister, Millie mentions that he hadn’t been able to get home to see baby. This refers to his son, also named Charles, born 28 April, 1917 and sadly, it seems that he never did have the opportunity to do so.

[SAJ]

Apologies, I’ll try again with the photos.

[SAJ]

Re previous posts - I’m unsure as to whether this photo is an interior shot of Glan y Don Hall at the time Millicent was working there as a VAD nurse. It is believed that she is in the picture but I’ve not been able to find anything on the internet that would confirm the location.

[SteveH]

Thanks for sorting them out, a good bit of history.

[SteveH]

This weekend will mark Remembrance Sunday in a week when the nation comes together to remember the sacrifices of our servicemen and women.

The day follows Remembrance Day (Armistice Day) on Thursday (November 11) which marks the end World War 1.

Remembrance Sunday falls on the second Sunday of November which this week falls on Sunday, November 14.

Services and parades are held across the country to remember and honour those who lost their lives in World War 1 and following conflicts.

As tradition, a two-minute silence is observed at 11am.

The first 2-minute silence in the UK was observed on November 11, 1919, celebrating the day the war ended one year prior.

[SteveH]

I spotted Billy Baxter, Llandudno's Town Crier at the Cenotaph parade this morning, ready to lay his wreath, an emotional morning, it was good to see Billy made it to London.

Billy is a former Staff Sergeant who served in the Royal Horse Artillery for almost 21 years, before losing his sight whilst serving in Bosnia in 1997.  He moved to Llandudno to work for Blind Veterans UK where he is the Rehabilitation and Training Liaison Officer.

Billy is married to Karen and they have 3 grown up children and 4 grandchildren. He has many interests including horse riding, skiing, rock climbing, and sea fishing.  He is holder of the blind solo motorcycle land speed record and has appeared on Top Gear driving a reasonably priced car.  He also works at Bodelwyddan castle working with the paranormal investigation team, taking visitors around on guided tours.

Billy said of his appointment “I am so proud to serve my country and proud to serve Llandudno which has given me a role I am honoured to perform.  I love people and making them smile”.  He is the only blind Town Crier in Europe and the second in UK history, the last being Joseph Howarth from Oldham, who was blind from birth and was in post between 1820-1860.

If you see Billy on one of his regular walks around the town, please say hello.                 

Ref  https://www.llandudno.gov.uk/en/mayoral/town-crier

[Cambrian]

Also, local air crew veteran, Brian Latham, who is 95, was also invited to the Cenotaph as part of an RAF contingent.

[Ian]

I'm always reminded of Einstein's words: "Old men start wars.  Young men fight them."

[SteveH]

Llandudno's Remembrance Service..

[SteveH]

The last British survivor of the World War Two Dambusters raid is celebrating his 100th birthday.   
 
cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-59413350

Sq Ldr George "Johnny" Johnson, who lives in Bristol, was a bomb-aimer during the daring operation.

Mr Johnson was involved in the raid that targeted dams in the Ruhr Valley in Germany's industrial heartland, releasing huge quantities of water into areas used by Germany for war production.

On 16 and 17 May 1943, a total of 133 Allied aircrew took part in the pivotal attack aboard 19 Lancaster bombers, carrying Barnes Wallis' specially-adapted bombs - that looked like "glorified dustbins", according to Mr Johnson - led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson.

My father was part of this famous squadron, and I have a picture of the Memorial Flight, signed by Johnny.

[SteveH]

Military veterans in the Colwyn Bay region have further opportunity to socialise with like-minded individuals after two Armed Forces charities teamed up to provide an afternoon of activity on the last Wednesday of each month.

The new partnership between Help for Heroes and Woody’s Lodge launches on Wednesday, 23 February, with an hour’s swimming at Colwyn Leisure Centre (13:30-14:30), after an hour’s getting-to-know-you session (12:15-13:15) over a ‘cuppa’ at Woody’s Lodge, in Eirias Park.

Sarah Hattle, Help for Heroes’ Project Case Manager for North and Mid Wales, explained: “This activity is open to both Help for Heroes and Woody’s Lodge veterans and we are hoping it is the first of several joint initiatives the charities will be able to undertake with the support of the local community.

“Many veterans in the region are likely to live in areas where they are far removed from their contemporaries, so we’re looking to introduce further activities at easily accessible venues to enable them to meet up, chat, enjoy each other’s company and use sports activity as a recovery tool.”

To participate either contact Woody’s Lodge Colwyn Bay or, for existing Help for Heroes’ beneficiaries, sign up via the Just Go system.

Woody’s Lodge is a social hub – in Colwyn Bay, Llandysul, and Barry – which guides veterans to the help and support they need to re-engage with their families and communities.

[SteveH]

Royal Navy Hawk jets set for farewell flypast over RAF Valley
The Navy are retiring their small fleet of Hawk jets this year

A farewell flight around Britain by Royal Navy jets will include a flypast over RAF Valley. Four Hawk T.1 training aircraft will take part in the exercise on Friday, March 18.

The Navy are retiring their small fleet of Hawk aircraft this year. A spokesman for Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose said the four jets from 736 Naval Air Squadron will fly from Cornwall to Prestwick, Scotland on Thursday and back again the following day.

The aircraft are due to take off from Prestwick at 11am on Friday and carry out a flypast at RAF Valley at about 11.25am. The formation will continue to the firing range at Pembrey near Llanelli before overflying Newquay and arriving back at Culdrose shortly after midday.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/royal-navy-hawk-jets-set-23386291