Is why these Veterans are here today! and taking that "Journey back to the place we remember"
Here is a look back at Normandy 70th Anniversary!!
I hope you like these Pictures?
of our Visit to Normandy June 6th 2014 ...
Friday, 19 September 2014
Is why these Veterans are here today! and taking that "Journey back to the place we remember"
Here is a look back at Normandy 70th Anniversary!!
I hope you like these Pictures?
of our Visit to Normandy June 6th 2014 ...
Monday, 7 April 2014
Richard Looks back on this life on H.M.S AJAX..
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| This Richard Llewellyn |
The Pencillied Writing has faded over 65 years and in Place is not easy to read and coming from an 18 years old, They probably don't do Jastic to such an Historic Occasion! and I have recently discovered that the Midshipman's Journal that I had to keep Contains a more detailed account of this event.
But this is first time I've looked at it for 60 years!!
The British War Museum were instested in my Dairy and My Midshipman's log Book and that is where both now reside.
Saturday June 3rd ..
This Morning at 11:30, We left Greenock in Company with the Cruiser Squadron.This In Belfast (C.S.I.O) ( Cruiser Class)
Diadem,Orion,Emerald,Argonaut and Ourselves.(AJAX).
Last night Greenock & What with all the secret Conferences..etc.
Which have been going on we more or less knew we were going to Take part. In the Second front Whether We were to go direct or stop at South Coast.
We didn't know until the Captain spoke over the S.R.E. after leaving Greenock. He were now on our way to open the second front and our job was to get the army ashore & maintain them there.We were liable to do much bombardment & spend long hours at action stations.He said he had great confidence in us & knew Ajax would maintain her fine tradition.
It is now just 1500 hours and I intend to jot all the happening of the next few days in this dairy.
Naturally,at present we are all wondering what to expect from the enemy & where we shall be required.
I think that we may be going in the Cherbourg direction but that remains to be seen.
At lunch time today the conversation ran on the lines of who'd be coming out OK.
Personally I think that this a bad line of a conversation but it was really only jokingly. Somehow I have a feeling of confidence that we'll all be OK and I hope on leave before long. (Much overdue)!!
At present we are just leaving the Firth of Clyde & entering Irish Channel or North Channel whichever it is.
I have the 'First dog' and unfortunately the Middle watch. - However!!
If you would like to read more about the Richard and his Journey on H.M.S AJAX,?
Just go to my blog and you can read more..
Big Thank you to Richard, For Sharing his Story with me. ( Normandy Veteran Member )
Monday, 31 March 2014
A LADIES TAKE ON BEING A STANDARD BEARER FOR THE R.B.L.& NORMANDY VETERANS..
This Look into life of a Lady Branch Standard Bearer..
I am Now in my 31st Year of Carrying the Little Sutton R.B.L.
Standard, The Women's Section in my own right, and also
Deputy for the Branch Standard Bearer.
I have been a Friend of the N.V.A. for about Ten Years now,
And I was asked to carry the N.V.A. Standard by Mr Albert Dillow,
The N.V.A. Standard Bearer ,when he became ill and sadly passed
Away in 2012. When N.V.A. Members pass away,At the Famicies
Request, I Proudly carry the Standard for them at the Funeral in Remembrance of their Loved ones,
I feel very Privilege to be carrying the Standards, and have Attended and Experienced many Special Events over the last Years, Both in the U.K. and Abroad.
All being well, I an very much looking forward to June of this Year and Carrying , with Pride, The N.V.A Standard When the Wirral and Chester Branch No.11 of the N.V.A. , Are Returning to
Normandy to Remember the 70th Anniversary and Remember their Friends and Comrades' "Who Did Not Return Home,."
If it wasn't for those braves Men and Women, Who made the Ultimate Sacrifices,We would not be having this Conversation Today.
As Will as being very Proud to Carry the Standards,
I also love what I Do.
Susan Wardle.
CHILDREN SAY GOODBYE TO THEIR FAMILIES..
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| Children being Evacuation in 1940 |
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| Young Boys being Evacuation |
Where they lived with new families all the children traveled with a very small suitcase and a post label attached to their coats showing their names and number.
Inside the very small suitcase they had in there: Girls & Boys
One vest or Combinations, One Vest
One pair of Knickers One Shirt with Collar
One Bodice One Pullover or Jersey
One Pettiecoat One pair of Underpants
Handkerchiefts Handkerchiefts
Slip and Blouse Two pairs of socks
Cardigan ( Gas Masks 2 Ration Books)
( Gas Masks 2 Ration Books)
Face-Cloth, Tooth Brush.
If Possible, Boots and Shoes and Pilmsolls.
On their Journey they took also a small packet launch; Sandwiches ( egg or Cheese) Packet of Nuts and Seedles,Raisins, Dry Biscuit
and maybe a very small pace of Chocolate if they're lucky and Apple, Orange.
As the Children Arrived at the Port of Guernsey, they were taken to where the Children registered with their name and number
then sent with other families, Where the Children may have to work to support the family by working on the farm or
they worked in the home.
As the war was coming to the end many Children Returned back home to Guernsey,But saddly many Children had lost their Mothers and Fathers in war or through illness.
Wednesday, 12 March 2014
The true story Richard LLewellyn ..
This is the Story about Richard Llewellyn and Now he Journeyed to Normandy on H.M.S - AJAX..
Relating to the Invasion Of Europe.
My Journey tells me that on the Morning of 9th June we dashed back to Plymouth as had fired all ammunition and needed to load more, and we were back in Normandy the same night!!
It seems as though there air raids most nights though none on a large scale, and by June 11th the coast in area of "GOLD" has be secured by the army and we moved along the coast to "SWORD" Beach opposite Ouistreham. The army were having difficulty in taking the town of Caen and We supported them by shelling all and every target from gun batteries to tanks, or even German infantry.
We watched as our own bombers carried out raid- some being shot down. The German defence of Caen held up the advance inland and the town was eventually completely destroyed before it was captured. When I returned to Normandy with D-DAY Revisited in 2013. I spoke with the locals and said I felt guilty about the damage we had done to their town. They replied that accepted the damage and the casualties they suffered because without the invasion they might still have been under Nazis domination.
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| H.M.S AJAX |
Richard began life as sea man of the young age of Just 17 years old. He entered for Pangbourne National College and he became R.W.R. Cadet there in September 1939.
I left school as soon Certificate Exams were takes in May 1914.
Then he trained Students for a Career at Sea - as one of Exams passes was in Navigation which bore fruit over the next few years.
In December 1943.
Richard transferred from H.M.S. Howe, a Battleship based in Scapa Flow,to the H.M.S.
AJAX light Cruiser Berthed alongside in Portsmouth, As it was normal routione in war
In the Ship!
A Ship with a new crew had to embark on a "Working Up"
Programme - Which involved everybody becoming Familiar with their action station duties, Richard Practicting all the many execise which coverts the Ship into an efficient fighting machine. So it found myself sailing back to Scapa flow, Where I guess we arrived On December 26th , Where Battleship and Cruisers of the fleet returned from Engaging and Sinking the,German Battleship Called "SCHARMHORST" off the Norway. The Scapa flow in Winter is Cold,Wet,Gales and Not the Best Place to do anything!
Richard
Our Working up Programme terminated, and on January 18th We set sail for Plymouth,
We Traveled and arrived on 20th January the contrast between Scapa flow and greenery of Plymouth
Sound was something to Stir the Heart...
In Plymouth, We stored the Ship and then we took on Ammunition all of other provisions need for an extended period away.
Richard Learned some of the Arts of Navigation at School. I came the Navigation Officers "Dog Body"!
Called the Navigation's Tanky , Which I was ok as my Action Station was always on bridge, which meant that I had afront row views of what was happening as well. As Being a privy to where Ship was going to ect.
Richard On January 25th. We Sailed for the Mediterranean In first 24 hours, We met Severe Storms and
Sold green water,coming over the bridge and causing damage.
The Crew were mostly young and their first sea trip and I recall the sailor's mess deck was awash with Vomit. But they recovered in after a couple of days at sea, Our first stop was Gibraltar where we arrived on 31st January to gorgeous warm sunshine! I remember it well, never having been further away from UK than Brittany in 1939! And these were the days when long distance oversea travel was the privilege of the very few- and obvisously not all during the war! After the drabness of wartime Britain in Winter it was bit of Magic! ..
Richard Stayed in the Mediterranean. Until May and in the intervening months traveled extensively In the Central med. Life fairly rountine, and Included a Bombardment of Rhodes harbour time in Malta and Naples.
Where we Supported the allied Landings at Anzio a little furthes North along the Coast. We were lucky enough to be in Naples during the eruption of Vesuvius which was Spectaclar Anchored in the bay of Naples each night and had to hose the ash off the decks each morning.
Visited Pempeii, Climbed to the top of Vesuvius with the help of the Army, and Went to a Performance of La Boheme at the San Carlo Opera House - Looking a little the worse for wear after a year of war, But a Memorable Occasion never the less.
Richard Sailed to the UK and On May 10th, He arrived in Gibraltar in the Middle of the night for oil and left Before it got light Since most of the Cruisers in the Med.
Were he was doing the same thing Serecy was Important Because of the Build - Up to the Invasion of France But we returned to Scapa flow and next couple of Weeks was spent doing a few days in Greenock
Where some early radar set were installed Richard left on June 3rd.
I believe it was just as well it didn't start 24 hours before it was first due as the might have been disastrous!
Owing to heavy seas more men and materials to support the initial landings could not have been put ashore.
I only hope the delay wont have any long term ill effects. I have the First Watch to-night so should get a good night sleep!
Monday June 5th. 1315. After an anxious forenoon during which the sea was really rough we have round
Land's End and are now on our way up the Channel.
The waves have gone down and sun is shining. The Coast of Cornwall is visible and the sea is a Wonderful Blue.One might almost say 'Perfect invasion weather' The Captain has Just broadcast telling us the Second front is liable to start any hour and we must be prepared for attacks from the enemy,particularly from
E-boats, U-boats and the air. E-Boats seem to be the most source of danger at the moment.
22:30 'The Invasion is on! At night Action Stations. The Commander told us what is to happen.
I wont go into details as they will soon be news.After N.A Action Stations I visited the Plot and discovered
The details from Torps ( Torpedo Officer) .
We go to Action Stations at 0400 Which suits me nicely as I was to have had the Morning Watch anyway!
We should arrive at our Bombardment position at 0445 and when it is light 0515 (approx) Commence our Shoot at a 6" shore battery. At 06:45 Heavy Bombers come in and at 0725 our troops Land.
At 20:00 Tonight mine Sweepers started to sweep Channels for us and during tonight paratroopers are to be landed. At moment I am just about to turn in and hope no events take place before 04:00.
Everything is quite normal on the ship,just a slight feeling of execitement and everyone is pleased that we are at last doing what we came back from the Med to do.
Wednesday June 7th 0145 Today has been a very tiring but very interesting day.Since this morning, or
In actual fact yesterday morning as this is being written in the Middle Watch.However, I'll refer to it as today Still. We closed up at Action Stations at 400. We were then passing down the swept Channel made by our Mine Sweepers earlier. The Channel was marked by buoys and was only 4 cable wide. It led due South to the Invasion area - Between Le Havre and Cherbourg. As we Steamed down the channel at 12 knots we passed convoys of LCTs, invasion craft, and transports which were to come in later. Along the French Coast our Bombers were busy, fire raging.
05:00 Reached buoy marking end of swept channel, turned to post opposite Gold Beach.Sighted target which opened fire. Started bombardment - target destroyed. Heavy bombardment all along coast - whole area under heavy shelling. 0705 Anchored.
Rocket ship in position and opened fire 17 minutes before H- Hour. Smoke and Noise.
Assault craft went in at 0725, all ships bombarding.
I left school as soon Certificate Exams were takes in May 1914.
Then he trained Students for a Career at Sea - as one of Exams passes was in Navigation which bore fruit over the next few years.
In December 1943.Richard transferred from H.M.S. Howe, a Battleship based in Scapa Flow,to the H.M.S.
AJAX light Cruiser Berthed alongside in Portsmouth, As it was normal routione in war
In the Ship!
A Ship with a new crew had to embark on a "Working Up"
Programme - Which involved everybody becoming Familiar with their action station duties, Richard Practicting all the many execise which coverts the Ship into an efficient fighting machine. So it found myself sailing back to Scapa flow, Where I guess we arrived On December 26th , Where Battleship and Cruisers of the fleet returned from Engaging and Sinking the,German Battleship Called "SCHARMHORST" off the Norway. The Scapa flow in Winter is Cold,Wet,Gales and Not the Best Place to do anything!
Richard
Our Working up Programme terminated, and on January 18th We set sail for Plymouth,
We Traveled and arrived on 20th January the contrast between Scapa flow and greenery of Plymouth
Sound was something to Stir the Heart...
In Plymouth, We stored the Ship and then we took on Ammunition all of other provisions need for an extended period away.
Richard Learned some of the Arts of Navigation at School. I came the Navigation Officers "Dog Body"!
Called the Navigation's Tanky , Which I was ok as my Action Station was always on bridge, which meant that I had afront row views of what was happening as well. As Being a privy to where Ship was going to ect.
Richard On January 25th. We Sailed for the Mediterranean In first 24 hours, We met Severe Storms and
Sold green water,coming over the bridge and causing damage.
Richard Stayed in the Mediterranean. Until May and in the intervening months traveled extensively In the Central med. Life fairly rountine, and Included a Bombardment of Rhodes harbour time in Malta and Naples.
Where we Supported the allied Landings at Anzio a little furthes North along the Coast. We were lucky enough to be in Naples during the eruption of Vesuvius which was Spectaclar Anchored in the bay of Naples each night and had to hose the ash off the decks each morning.
Visited Pempeii, Climbed to the top of Vesuvius with the help of the Army, and Went to a Performance of La Boheme at the San Carlo Opera House - Looking a little the worse for wear after a year of war, But a Memorable Occasion never the less.
Richard Sailed to the UK and On May 10th, He arrived in Gibraltar in the Middle of the night for oil and left Before it got light Since most of the Cruisers in the Med.
Were he was doing the same thing Serecy was Important Because of the Build - Up to the Invasion of France But we returned to Scapa flow and next couple of Weeks was spent doing a few days in Greenock
Where some early radar set were installed Richard left on June 3rd.
I believe it was just as well it didn't start 24 hours before it was first due as the might have been disastrous!
Owing to heavy seas more men and materials to support the initial landings could not have been put ashore.
I only hope the delay wont have any long term ill effects. I have the First Watch to-night so should get a good night sleep!
Monday June 5th. 1315. After an anxious forenoon during which the sea was really rough we have round
Land's End and are now on our way up the Channel.
The waves have gone down and sun is shining. The Coast of Cornwall is visible and the sea is a Wonderful Blue.One might almost say 'Perfect invasion weather' The Captain has Just broadcast telling us the Second front is liable to start any hour and we must be prepared for attacks from the enemy,particularly from
E-boats, U-boats and the air. E-Boats seem to be the most source of danger at the moment.
22:30 'The Invasion is on! At night Action Stations. The Commander told us what is to happen.
I wont go into details as they will soon be news.After N.A Action Stations I visited the Plot and discovered
The details from Torps ( Torpedo Officer) .
We go to Action Stations at 0400 Which suits me nicely as I was to have had the Morning Watch anyway!
We should arrive at our Bombardment position at 0445 and when it is light 0515 (approx) Commence our Shoot at a 6" shore battery. At 06:45 Heavy Bombers come in and at 0725 our troops Land.
At 20:00 Tonight mine Sweepers started to sweep Channels for us and during tonight paratroopers are to be landed. At moment I am just about to turn in and hope no events take place before 04:00.
Everything is quite normal on the ship,just a slight feeling of execitement and everyone is pleased that we are at last doing what we came back from the Med to do.
Wednesday June 7th 0145 Today has been a very tiring but very interesting day.Since this morning, or
In actual fact yesterday morning as this is being written in the Middle Watch.However, I'll refer to it as today Still. We closed up at Action Stations at 400. We were then passing down the swept Channel made by our Mine Sweepers earlier. The Channel was marked by buoys and was only 4 cable wide. It led due South to the Invasion area - Between Le Havre and Cherbourg. As we Steamed down the channel at 12 knots we passed convoys of LCTs, invasion craft, and transports which were to come in later. Along the French Coast our Bombers were busy, fire raging.
05:00 Reached buoy marking end of swept channel, turned to post opposite Gold Beach.Sighted target which opened fire. Started bombardment - target destroyed. Heavy bombardment all along coast - whole area under heavy shelling. 0705 Anchored.
Rocket ship in position and opened fire 17 minutes before H- Hour. Smoke and Noise.
Assault craft went in at 0725, all ships bombarding.
Wednesday, 19 February 2014
The Journey back to the place we remember..: N.V.AThe BeginningA group of ex-Servicemen t...
The Journey back to the place we remember..: N.V.A
The Beginning
A group of ex-Servicemen t...: N.V.A The Beginning A group of ex-Servicemen talking together in a club in Grimsby, all claiming to have won the war ( as usual)...
The Beginning
A group of ex-Servicemen t...: N.V.A The Beginning A group of ex-Servicemen talking together in a club in Grimsby, all claiming to have won the war ( as usual)...
Friday, 14 February 2014
The Wirral and Chester Branch No: 11 At Our A.G.M ..2014..
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| All Members and Friends enjoying a spot of Lunch .. ltr ( Ellie ,Gordon , John Ron, Les, Ron's Daughter ) |
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| ltr Maurice Carpenter & Graham Smith |
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| ltr Sue Wardle and Brenda Hanigan Les Baynton and Ray Wardle. |
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| ltr John Dennitt and Richard llewellyn |
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| ltr Derek and Yvonne ..have a little chat.. |
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| The Members Enjoying a Chat! |
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| ..The Standard .. .Wirral and Chester Branch. |
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| ...Enjoying a there afternoon.. |
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| ...Members and Friends Enjoy Fish and Chips.. ....yummy!.. |
Meet today and enjoy Fish and Chips as part of the A.G.M..
It was nice so many of the members attending this afternoon despite the very bad weather.
Our Visit to Normandy is coming along nicely..
So I will be doing some fund raising to help make this Visit just that like bit extra!..
Many thanks to Secretary & Friend Yvonne Innes, For her Support and Help on doing this Blog..
As We get closer to our visited, I will be Blogging over the week And Telling to you all what is going on in Normandy..
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