From the desert

[kale010]

I can only say it again.

Great story.

Bob

[colin davie]

Maybe hit by the Australian and South African artillery... From the book "GUNFIRE" a history of the 2/12 Australian Field Regiment, entry for the 17th is extensive, seemed like quite a day, Stuka attacks, shelling, the whole shebang, includes these snippets which might be relative to your guy...

"We jointly directed our guns on to Jerry's advancing armour"

and then further on

" Everyone agreed that July 17th, 1942 was a bitter day for both sides, casualties were very heavy with little ground won or lost. The Regiment fired 9,643 rounds against the enemy.."

My book is signed by L.B. Hall who was present at Al Alamein and has his
hand written amendments and notes.

C

[Jean-Loup]

Thanks for that exerpt from the book.
I asked the opinion of Kevin Fish, who wrote a book about Panzer Regiment 8, but he never replied... I am sure it is easy to find out where the unit was on july 17th 1942.

JL

[Joe B]

ABSOLUTLY great thread , thankyou for posting .

[Marcel Banziger]

What an excellent story. Your research gives a face and a story to an artifact, even as little as such a pin. This pin is best in your own collection because I am pretty sure no one else would've spend so much time and effort in researching the original owner and making this guy "alive" again after so many decades.
Keep up the amazing work!!

[stgeorge64]

Jean-Loup

What an amazing piece of research you have put together for the pin and the former owner. No doubt about it for me, it is always the research against an individual which brings to life the piece, however insignificant it may seem at first.

With regards to the fork, I suggest you might contact the RAF Air Historical Branch: http://www.raf.mod.uk/ahb/

Regards Richard.

[Jean-Loup]

Thanks guys.
In the end they published an article in the local paper, and sent me a copy of it.

Richard, I dont think the RAF Historical Branch would be able to help for the fork:

"We are unable to assist members of the public with tracing former members of the RAF/ WAAF/WRAF or next of kin of former members. In accordance with the Data Protection Act the Ministry of Defence can not provide contact details of former service personnel or their next of kin. "

PS for Tracman: indeed, I have now added the complete article...

[tracman]

That's a very detailed and complimentary article (at least what I can read of it, as a good bit is missing), and it appears there's a good bit of text that goes into what various local inhabitants were able to contribute to round out your story. Félicitations - and thanks for the fascinating thread.

Thanks guys.
In the end they published an article in the local paper, and sent me a copy of it.

Richard, I dont think the RAF Historical Branh ould be able to help for the fork:

"We are unable to assist members of the public with tracing former members of the RAF/ WAAF/WRAF or next of kin of former members. In accordance with the Data Protection Act the Ministry of Defence can not provide contact details of former service personnel or their next of kin. "

[Graham G]

Amazing story, as all of yours, Jean!

[Tora_Tora_Tora!]

I read this story many times and each one is like a tale....Thanks Jl and what I can say about the pin, I really think that Richard would be happy to know that it is in so right hands like yours.

[PAOLORUBENS]

Jl

.... Sir !!! is supposed to be in bed at 00.23 AM in Italy ... ... but how can I sleep when I read your thread ? I agree with your decision to keep the pin but I would like add my personal experience I had in a small tiny village not far from Braunschweig / Wolfenbuettel ( North Germany ) : soccer field was a ricreation place for the whole community and is where my German friend made his wedding party ... well , at the entrance of the hall there was a display with some memorabilia of old soldiers and a large collage of " death cards " in memory of them , if your soccer team had a place like this you should consider let it go . any chance to google some pics of the team and facilities ? just curious ... not judging your decision

[Jean-Loup]

Hi Paolo.
In the end I only ever received one email from the football club, and they did not reply to my answer, and I also never heard from any relatives. Only one of the former team mates wrote me several letters and sent me photos.
So it seems that their interest was limited.
In any case, the badge isnt lost, and I know where it will be going they day I no longer am in condition of keeping it.

My phylosophy over the years has become that collectors are usualy the ones who best preserve and comemorate these relics.

JL