Comments for Heroes Return Blog - Stories from Second World War veterans’ trips

Comment on El Alamein Cemetery and Museum by frances.steven@talktalk.net

frances.steven@talktalk.net — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:43:23 +0000

I think you may have served with the man that brought me into this world. There were two doctors one carried another. One was De Soldenhof I think the other was Alec Stewart- could be wrong

Comment on WW2 veteran recalls wartime experiences by byFandG

byFandG — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:36:10 +0000

Absolutely brilliant ad to spotlight the exact things we should know about with the Lottery!

http://byfandg.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/national-lottery-heros-return/

Comment on Far East POW inspires UK Lottery campaign by Patricia de Tisi

Patricia de Tisi — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:50:46 +0000

Thank you to the National Lottery for funding the ‘Heroes Return’
programme. A truly worthwhile cause.
I have just returned from a private trip following the route of ‘F’ Force.
My great-uncle Albert Charles Darvell, Royal Army Service Corps was taken prisoner like Jack in Singapore. The journey of ‘F’ Force (about 7000 men) from Singapore to Songkurai camp near the border with Burma is tragic. My uncle was part of that force and sadly died of cholera about 3 weeks after reaching the camp.
I was able to visit the original cemetery area at Songkurai and leave flowers and family photographs.
He died 69 years ago but I feel so proud to have been able to visit the area and pay tribute to him. I fulfilled what my father (who was stationed in Burma 1943-1946) and my grandfather would have wished to do.
We were fortunate to have been escorted on the trip by Rod Beattie the director of the Thai-Burma Railway Research Centre who with Terry Manttan the manager of the centre provided me with so much support and a huge amount of information, not only with regard to Albert but also the wider picture of the war in the Far East.
For me, an unforgettable experience, emotional and poignant. I have been privileged to have ‘walked in the footsteps of heroes’
Patricia de Tisi

Comment on Far East POW inspires UK Lottery campaign by Andrea Clements

Andrea Clements — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 01:44:30 +0000

My brother was born in Changi hospital – the irony that good things eventually happened there. He is a very talented and inyeresting man and is about to vist the far east to propose! I remember visiting it as a hospital with my mother when we statoioned in Singapore (RAF). Your advertisement propelled me to look to see if there was a backgroundg to your time there. Humbling. If younger peope today knew how lucky they were to have any of the things they have. Good luck Sir. X

Comment on WWII fighter pilot returns to Japan in tribute to best friend by Glenise Jones

Glenise Jones — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:13:04 +0000

Good luck Keith, it will be a very emotional trip for you. Mum and me did Murmansk, Russia, a couple of years ago, with the Russian / Arctic Convoys Club, courtesy of Heroes Return 2. Dad was in Royal Navy, on the Russian Convoys, and I just cannot find the words, respect, humility we felt stood at the Kola Inlet, where the convoys came in, and Dad would have sailed in. Later he joined the British Pacific Fleet, and fought against the Japanese.
If it wasnt for heroes like yourself, my late Dad, and all the other lads, and those who never returned from war, we would not be enjoying the freedom that we so take for granted today.
Our best wishes go with you. Glenise and Mum Sue x

Comment on A Desert Rat Returns by Leonard Burritt

Leonard Burritt — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:06:57 +0000

If we are going to be correct; During the battle of Sidi Rezegh. I was in the GOC’s Armoured Car Charger with General Gott and his driver. During the battle i spent four days and nights working continuously without a break. After the fighting finished each day at dusk the wireless link had to operate 24 hrs a day

Also Bob Burgon. BEM(British Empire Medal).

Comment on Accomodation available for Veterans travelling to Thailand by M Penn

M Penn — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:18:20 +0000

Hi John
we, members of COFEPOW, are intending to make a journey to Singapore/Thailand to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the surrender of Singapore next year Feb 2012.
Any information re accommodation & travel would be gratefully received. We have noted that there are tours organised by the Royal British Legion in association with Leger holidays but nothing arranged for next year so far.
Rgds

Comment on Remembering the heroism of WWII Veterans by Frank Ashleigh

Frank Ashleigh — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 12:45:27 +0000

I have just received a copy of the Heroes Return 2 booklet and must confess that it annoyed me to find that in the brief description of Operation Market Garden, it is implied that this was entirely a Parachute Regt. operation, even though at least 50% of the force was landed by glider, flown by more than 1200 members of the Glider Pilot Regt, (of whom I am proud to have been one) This is quite frankly, offensive to those pilots and the members of the other regiments who did not drop. Nobody in a glider had a parachute.

Comment on Memories by Lawrence Emerick by Malinda

Malinda — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 09:23:48 +0000

At last! Someone who undretasnds! Thanks for posting!

Comment on Mrs J M Wainwright visits the Far East by trevor cutler

trevor cutler — Fri, 27 May 2011 21:51:57 +0000

Hello, would your husband of known my grandfather, his name was Sgt William J Maton 786200 of the 125th anti-tank regt? Regards Trev