ONE BATTLESHIP, ONE BATTLECRUISER
RSJ CoLel CSU Cel COU CEM OLY aA ULS INTRO LA tC CLCSRSIODEL CU NTE ster
auto Vamp-tastic
| Contention | skystalker
Bienen WAAC Cea CUR
Z OU ieee es CRU ee ey
oe OCT MM eee (ec e lo 2.N | CIC SeLLE Re ou cue be)
a) rae% KING & COUNTRY’S
ON ea
=
Sd
cri)
Cee eet
Cee
completely unaware. Over the next
month one of the fiercest and biggest
eee on as
a oro
Pe eerie tere
oe eee es
Pes eer eee
remo eee
Nazi troops were the spearhead of the
Cone ae eee a ney
Ree ean ny
PoP nets]
Press
Sere
a Sei
PAE Ce Acree oy
feted
are dressed in an assortment of uniforms
Cw es
o
CA
%
See ia
Pecos crete c
renee -
ey
er on
oe)
0 an
eect)
Ce ees
oe
ae ey
Peeper nests
available direct from oa
any of our worldwide dealer network.
ee cee
Sen etre ae)
Tame ee oa ane
a ee
orca Pe
Or re a
aera kad
“The Winter Warriors Value Added Set
BBGII9 plus All these 7 soldiers
KING & COUNTRY SHOP
Shop 245, Pact
Hong Kong
Tel (852) 2525 8603
Website: www
KING & COUNTRY HEADQUARTERS
Suite 2301, 23rd Floor, No.3 Lockhart Road,
Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2861 3450
E-mail: sales@kingandcountry.com
Place, 88 Queensway,
yandcountry.com
[oo
‘military miniatures are sold
KING & COUNTRY TEKAS
5945 Broadway San Antonio, TX 78209
Tel: (210) 226-7000
www.kingandcountrytexas.com
sales@kingandcountrytexas.comFrom the Editor
WELCOME
[AS squtrn Yang 5th ust ssn Wo mak ho
{oe anoeray oh arte out we hte ae
{echo et ht eae KEY COLLECTON|
S ‘omething Ihave in common
with other historians is a certain
desensitsation when reading
about both heroie and tragic events
of the past. That is notto say we
become cold, warmongering haveks
= in fact itis the opposite, We are
numbed by the words we read and
the pictures we see because ofthe
vvolume with which we consume
them, butitis never a case of'a single
death isa tragedy, a million deaths
area statistic
Rather, we find constant reminders of the human stories at
the centre of global events, Within these pages you will read
about great disasters and greater successes, reckless gambits and
selfless heroism, and about the wizards who by the turn ofa
Screw won wars, often at great cos in the air, on land and on sea.
It angers me to be reminded - yet again - that not everyone
sees human sacrifice that way. This distress is shared by Andy
Brockman, who recently got in touch regarding rumours of
renewed plundering of the wreck of HMS Prince of Wales in the
South China Sea. Sadly, as Andy discovered, the battleship that
serves as.a grave to at east 327 men has been badly affected.
We are now able to confirm that the same fate has befallen the
battlecruiser Repulse, on which S08 men lost ther lives. In a
tough feature, Andy updates us on these happenings and asks
‘what - ifanything ~ can be done to prevent it?
If there was ever a reminder needed about the human cost of
warfare, Melody Foreman has it. In her touching article Falling
Star, she examines the loss of Belgian pilot Albert van den Hove
a Extsenrijek, who fll from his Hurricane on September 15,
1940, atthe height ofthe Battle of Britain. If that were not tragic,
enough, his two daughters seemingly received no explanation
asto Albert’ fate and assumed themselves abandoned. Melody
finds out why he will always be remembered ~ including now by
his gies,
would like to welcome retired Royal Navy commodore and.
seasoned mine-warfare specialist Nick Stanley to the pages of
BAW. Nick profiles the Algerine-class minesweeper, probably
the finest vessel ofits type to see action in World War Two.
He pays tribute to the gallant crews by looking through the
Jens ofthe 12th Minesweeping Flotilla. Theirs was a hard,
‘uncompromising and unsung job ~ and too often overlooked.
‘And those are just three features in this rammed issue, which
hope you enjoy. We also mark the birthday of the de Haviland,
‘Vampire and find out about the first Australian squadron to
serve above the Western Front.
‘And while [hesitate to neglect mentioning our stories on the
geniuses of Bletchley Park and the intriguing mystery following
the death of Corporal of Horse John Shaw at Waterloo, [felt
that voicing my outrage a the continued plundering of wartime
wrecks took precedence on this occasion.
John Ash, E
woe arranarwan cu 3SEPTEMBER 2023
FEATURES
20
FALLING STAR
‘The solving of a decades-old mystery
‘means a Battle of Britain pilot will never be
‘forgotten, Melody Foreman finds out why
46
‘THE LOOTING OF FORCE '2’
‘Andy Brockman updates us on the
escalation ofillegal salvaging of two Royal
[avy wrecks, asking what can be done
58
‘THE MILLING LIFE GUARD
Ina tale filed with curiosity and obsession,
Christopher Jll tracks the skll of boxer
‘turmed-cavalryman slain at Waterloo
78
‘THE NUMBERS GAME
Bletchley Park was one ofthe most essential
“Allied organisations in World War Two. Tom
Baker highlights the numbers that tl ts story
BRIEFINGS
6
“LAST WOUNDED” D-DAY
VETERAN DIES
A tebute to the last surviving Normandy
veteran to be wounded on June 6, 1944
11
NUCLEAR TEST MEDAL UNVEILED
The MOD has revealed the design for the
new Nuclear Test Medal, a long-campaigned-
for award tobe issued to test veterans
4./ wna areainarwan.com
CONTENTS
32
2715 NOT OUT
Retired mine-warfare specialist Nick
‘Stanley sheds ight on the Algerine-class and
the 12th Minesweeping Flotilla
54
STOVEPIPE SOLUTION
History’ most famous anti-tank weapon,
the bazooka, is saluted by Michael E Haskew
‘on the 80th anniversary ofits public debut
70
BLETCHLEY’S DIGITAL DAWN
[New information shoves how Bletchley Park
helped to shape the technology we use every
dda, Elle Evans gets the experts view
84
FROM THE BIZARRE
‘TO THE BRILLIANT
“The frst Aussie squadron to reach France
‘met high prise, Andrew Thomas reveals
96
FANGED FIGHTER
‘Chris Gibson profiles the de Havilland
Vampire, a long-serving RAF jet and export
suecess that frst flew 80 years ago this month
8
REMOTE MEMORIAL RESTORED
‘The crew of HMS Tamar have repaiced a
‘monument on an uninhabited island marking
forgotten massacre of British troops
12
NEW, UNIQUE AND INNOVATIVE
‘Alex Bowers finds out how the Juno Beach
Centre in Normandy has used state-of the-art
technology to offer immersive virtual toursHERO of the
MONTH
Lord Asherof profiles Lieutenant-
Colonel Mahmood Khan Durrani,
GC, a British Indian Army officer who
demonstrated incredible courage and
stoicism inthe face of torture meted out
by the Japanese Army and its Indian
National Army allies
20
COVER STOR
Poe ey ene MENT
eect
Semen
pees
REGULARS
16
DESPATCHES
Your auction update on medals, arms,
militaria and historic curios
18
FIELDPOST
Readers’ letters, views and feedback
30
IMAGE OF WAR
HMS Nelson Britain’ big gun,
treaty battleship compromise
42
‘COLLECTIONS
(Our monthly visit toa museum near you
explores Newark Air Maseum
82
MAGE OF WAR
ACold War rendezvous atthe
very top ofthe world
91
AT EASE
“The latest books and products of interest,
including our Book of the Month
105
MILITARIA
Austin Raddy looks at collectables linked
to service welfare organisa
“BRITAIN |
AT WAR |
1S AVAILABLE FOR
;SCRIPTION IN BOTH
"AND DIGITAL FORMATS
Forthe latest offers, see/pege
(68-69 ofthis issue or vist
‘shop keypublishing.com/bawsubs
For further military history reading, vis
shop.keypubishing.com/books
BRITAIN
AT WAR
x ( o
eorinatee FS benmmagBRIEFINGS NEWS * RESTORATION * DISCOVERIES * EVENTS * EXHIBITIONS
D-Day’s last wounded man dies at 98
“Ted Owen was just 19 whenhe “They must have picked me out 2023 - is believed to have been _After the war, he became a
landed with 41Commando on because they sent over mortar the last surviving D-Day veteran firefighter and later made it
Sword Beach. The Pembroke shell. Tried tohide behind a __tohave been wounded on the his aim to ensure people today
Dock-born Royal Marine was blown-up tank but the mortars __ first day ofthe invasion, were aware ofthe sacrifices
part ofthe frst wave on june exploded on my lef side” Owen returned to fight made by his comrades,
6,194, and, identified as a Initially presumed dead in the closing stages of that sharing his experiences with
sniper, was focused by German medics only discovered Ted was campaign, and then fought schoolchildren. “It was a relief
mortars almost from the off. "If alive when they turned him over around Dunkirk and in Belgium and I never stopped talking
anyone wasnt frightened, there to find him struck inthe chest, and the Netherlands. In since” he told the Royal Navy,
vwassomething wrongwith back and lft shoulder, receiving November 194, he was landed which often worked with
them. Teertainly was~andT 14 wounds from shrapnel that on Walcheren and wounded the veteran. Naval Regional
dont mind admittingit” he said, he carried with him forthe rest byaland mine that killed two Commander for Wales and
‘more than 70 years later. of is life. took ten weeks to friends. Amonthlaterhe was Western England, Brigadier
‘The men I could see were 75 recover, and, incredibly, the __backiin hospital aftera rifle __Jock Fraser, RM, simply
yards away fom me’ he told seemingly indestructible green round ricocheted off wall and ‘said: “We have lost one of
the Western Telegraph, adding: beret - who died on July 18, into his trachea. ourfinest”
Wildcat sharpens OT eam Cae eo Cen
claws on new target
‘The Royal Navy's Wildcat the tracked Stormer HVM
HMA.2 helicopters will soon platforms to destroy Russian
acquire anew capability ater drones and helicopters
the first successful air-to-air __Martlet, up to 20 of which
firing ofthe Martlet LMM. can be carried by a Wildcat,
Introduced in 2021, the also has limited anti-tank
British-built Lightweight functionality in addition to
‘Maltirole Missile was its anti-ship and surface-to-
developed to provide air roles thas now been
‘warships and ship’ “pushed to its limits” by the
swith a punchier Royal Navy's Operational
capability todestroy small, Advantage Centre (Maritime
fast-moving watercraft. The Warfare). This latest run of ‘The Type 31 frigate HMS 31 ship and will help bring the
system has already seen trials saw an 815 ‘NAS Wildcat Verturer has welcomed the first 5700-tonne warship to service
ice as one of the weapons engage an aerial target, a members ofits ships company. — and write the operators
provided to Ukraine, where it Banshee drone, with Martlet The Inspiration-class ship is. manual for future crews
has been launched ffom the | —afirstforthe squadron and under construction at Rosyth in Venturer was laid down in
shoulder-fred Starstreak and for the weapon system. Scotland, but nine sailors, led April 2022, should be launched
i Sone ry by Commander Chris Cozens, this year and is planned to
oe quem reo smocenmyuco ne om havealreedyjlned hec They’ comtasson in 2028, She will
are the first to serve ona Type require at least 100 crew.
New home promised
| for King’s ship
J Tiers “Were inerntadtarsps
[Royal Navy Kas announced|| | and with the tantalising
itil welcome HMS Preeectiar eared
Bronington, the minesweeper visitors, there is little better
ee es be a ence ee cage
Charles III, to the Portsmouth — However, there is a catch:
Fistorle Dockyard Beenie
Fethel ereetio Sere eee
eee ee te
Title over a stones throw ‘Hopes reniaia high
ie ear Waris that Bronington, partially
6 / ww nranarvan.conNEWS * RESTORATION » DISCOVERIES « €
S + EXHIBITIONS
BRIEFINGS
RAF lifesavers turn 80
‘The all-volunteer RAF
‘Mountain Rescue Service
(MRS) is celebrating 80
years of life-saving medical
aid, supporting searches for
missing persons and rescuing
downed pilots.
Itwas formed in 1943 by
Flight Lieutenant George
Graham at RAF Llandwrog
in Gwynedd, who realised
existing equipment and
expertise were too limited to
attend the number of reseue
events arising in Snowdonia,
with 571 lives lost in 220
aircraft crashes in that year
alone. What became the
underwater at her mooring
in Birkenhead, can be saved
with the HIMS Bronington
Preservation Trust battling
hard to make her restoration a
reality. The group, which was
granted charitable status last
Year, aims to open the door to
lottery funding. However, to
receive such support, it must
develop a viable plan and
partially raise its own funds.
‘The 70-year-old Ton-class
minesweeper, which apart
from HMS Victory is the last
surviving wooden-hulled
Royal Navy warship - was
relied inthe 1980s and sank
in March 2016. However, last
year surveyors said her raising
and restoration are viable and
shipbuilder Cammell Laird
pledged use of a dry dock to
rebuild the vessel.
A five-stage plan should
see Bronington lifed from the
water, moved to the shipyard,
and positioned within a
bespoke steel cradle to support
her. These three phases are
estimated around to cost £im.
‘The final two steps should
begin the general preservation
effort, including the removal
of toxic materials, before a full
two/three-year restoration and
her move to Portsmouth.
Crowdfunding has raised
‘more than £15,000 but itis
hoped further donations and
the finding of a fundraising
consultant may strengthen
the case and see a National
Heritage Memorial Fund grant
application approved.
“Trustee director Mike
McBride said: “Everything is
in place to rescue Bronington
MRS later expanded, with
teams subsequently deployed
to Cyprus, Hong Kong and
Borneo among many other
locales. Although the MRS
is primarily focused with
rilitary rescues, tao assists
civilian services and today
three MRS teams provide
continuous cover across the
UK, ready for deployment
“whensoever’ as per its motto
The MRS has evolved
{nto an sophisticated and
technically capable service.
Two MRS climbers, Flight
Sergeant Dan Carroll and
Corporal ‘Rusty’ Bale,
summited Everest in 2001
and recently the RAF
Leeming team introduced
a drone capability that
supports MRS teams in
arduous terrain with a
Dire’ eye view, thermal
imaging and 3 mapping.
‘An MRS spokesperson said:
“Time and equipment may
have changed significantly
throughout the last 80 years,
but the MRS people and
‘mindsets havent
The units CO added: “[Our]
role would be impossible
without the deep skillset and
dedication ofall MRS troops.
Itisnotlost on me that our
current and future operational
capability and safe practices
are the result of eight decades
of innovation from all our
predecessors. For this we
should be extremely thankful”
and return her to her final
squadron base port of|
Portsmouth ~ if we can get
funding” McBride, confident
the ambitious proj
meet success, described
hhow he has been “humbled”
by the support the trust
has received, with the King
showing keen interest for the
ship that, in 1976, he led as a
‘young officer.
Find out more:
hmsbronington.org or donate at
gefindmecom/ilp-retr-
ims-broningtonBRIEFINGS
NEWS + RESTORATION + DISCOVERIES + EVENTS + EXHIBITIONS
Royal Navy restores memorial
to forgotten massacre
Sailors from HMS Tamar eame
ashore to refurbish a memorial
dedicated to hundreds of POWs
who died or were murdered in a
forgotten, months-long atrocity
‘wrought on brothers-in-arms
from the British Army.
The memorial, on uninhabited
Ballalae in the Shortland Islands
group (part of the Solomon
Islands) is nota registered
‘Commonwealth War Grave,
0 s not regularly maintained,
Nevertheless, it isa powerful
reminder of what occurred there
80 years ago.
In November 1942, 517 Royal
Arlllerymen ~ captured in
Singapore and ineluding the
first-class England cricketer
Norman Bowell - were
transported to Ballalae island.
Forced to clear trees for a
new airstrip, many POWs
succumbed from exhaustion,
tropical disease and unrelenting
conditions as they were forced
to labour in the brutal climate
More died when Allied
aircraft bombed the island, as,
the Japanese prevented POWs
from building ar raid trenches
to protect themselves. By the
time the airfield was complete,
in 1943, just S7 POWs were stil
B /wnwanmanarwan.cow
alive. However, with the Allies
‘encroaching ever-closer as they
liberated the Solomons, the
Japanese on Ballalae believed
their base would be next
and ordered every surviving
prisoner executed,
‘The island was not liberated
until 1945, when Allied
‘troops found the remains
ofthe 57 murdered men in
shallow trenches. Soon after,
they uncovered a mass grave
containing the bodies of 436
gunners ~ meaning 24 are
Uunaccounted for. Each set of
remains was re-interred in
separate graves at the Bomama
War Cemetery in Papua New
Guinea, their headstones
marked with “Here les a
Soldier, knovin only to God:
The Ballalae memorial was
installed in 2003 when three
relatives made a pilgrimage
todediate with a plaque
donated by the Royal Artillery
Association, Itwas rebuilt five
‘years later aftr the elements
had taken a toll
‘To mark the 80th anniversary
ofthe atrocity, Tamars shore
party removed 16 years of grime
to return the weather-beaten
‘monument to its past glory
51 sew amen stones RNY
Local tars one tars ro and
Bren igh Emo Tom Corn the
‘edalenon arn REAL NA
‘The crew also placed 517 white
stones, one for each deceased,
‘The ship, a Batch 2 River-
class patrol vessel, is on a five
year Asia-Pacific patrol and has
been operating in the Solomon
Islands to support the British
High Commission there and
strengthen civil and military
ties withthe islands, which’
became independent in 1978.
The British High
Commissioner to the Solomon
Islands, Tom Coward, is keen
to ensure the memorial is
‘maintained, and he and Tamar’s
crew were joined by a party of
locals, including island chiefs
who allow the memorial to
stand on their ancestral land,
ina rededication service
honouring the men who died.
‘The ships commanding officer,
Commander Teilo Elliot-
Smith, RN, said: “Ballaae is
simultaneously the site of a
horrific chapter of World War
‘Two in the most inhospitable
ofplaces, and a peaceful and
idyllic island. Our sailors were
eager to pay their respectsCries
Cue
ee isa]
aCe ty
Geet ue
i x Arms,Armour,Edged Weapons
me CSE SCCM ene Acro
_ Wi yeywww.relics, ele As Semone
88MM GERMAN firs
ely sa
tnd tach smnatr
ee
. ee
per se a
Cee
Fullsize 93cm long two-part wooden head and genuine steel,
Be ee ee ee Tae?
eure @ RUS
Ces
MITE BUNDLE,
eee
oe) MILLS
cert
del W
st
Mae die comp dai ver
rape messed ih. 1
gre
been
Peete
en er ay Pete
eres prcpencgerlarpancepetptand
pierre receas
Portions
freer tes
D UNLESS PART OF AN
pocrerietts
Ful size heavy meta replica fhe
STEN MK11 METAL REPLICA a
BMACHINE GUN MK2
Sen
‘etal Sub Machine Gun with working dry fe action and
Pioeenosnberl evn
black chequered gps, omovabie
ee
erred
eer Eee
eee ree)
Barer beaten panne
reer
sta ca (eo NS Email or call us with enquires. Visitors by appointment only.
CALL: eos
REP | aK NS Ca Ne sca
We accept payment via Card, Bank Transfer, Cheque or Cash.London
Guards
get new
Colours
The newest addition to the
British Army's Household
Division, the Ist Battalion
London Guards, has received
its new Colours, cementing the
tunis place within the division
The Ist London Guards
‘ceived the Colours at
Buckingham Palace in July. The
regimental flags were presented
by the battalions Royal Colonel,
HRH Prince Ewa
of Edinburgh, to rep
ofits predecessor unit, The
London Regiment.
As per tradition, 100 soldiers
from the reserve battalion were
blessed from a drum alta
the Colours consecrated by
the Chaplain General of HM
Land Forces, The Reverend
Michael Parker, Following the
consecration, the Colours were
formally handed to the battalion
by the Duke of Edinburgh, who
NEWS
RESTORATION
DISCOVERIES
EVENTS » EXHIBITIONS
‘ost oars ery preset to th st Baton Landen Guts Si DOALD TODD 0d
then took the salute as they
‘were marched past with the
battalion.
Colours originally helped
soldiers identify their reg
in battle but continue to be
important as they represent
the spirit ofthe unit. The new
Produced.
inheavy sik, they are richly
embroidered with gold and
silver thread depicting the
mndon Guards cap badge
ritsh
and company cyphers.
infantry units each have two
Colours: The King’ Colour,
Union flag that symbol
unit loyalty, and a Regimental
Colour which, forthe ist
Battalion London Guards
red silk,
The four companies that
make up the London Guards
are the Army Reserve
‘companies of the four most
sgiments of the Foot
‘The Grenadier
ream, Scots, and Irish
is, Since its formation
in May 2022, the London
Guards have served alongside
the other Guards units at
‘every major ceremonial event
tended exercises, and trained
Ukrainian troops.
Members of the battalion
have also already served in
the Middle East, Africa and
the South Atlantic, and this
year participated in the King’
Birthday Parade (Trooping the
Colour) for the first time.
Nuclear Test Medal design revealed
end
Savon
eect
en
eS vomney
pater
cients
Peet tig
participated in Britain
ieee aes
‘The Nuclear Test Medal was
ot ee
eee eet a
Pere ao}
ee
Sel
Pererett
Montebello Islands, Christm:
: er
eet eet
aver erent
and 1967,
m Kiribati) milita
vilian and o
oa
fr
eee enc
eee
Ci eater]
ee eee ie
perce
Pasoer
ae
chr
Ses
The medallion
bears an atom surround
live bran oo
cto es it
Mead
Sing
ree
lications
eaten
aot
ere
Pere en erent
of kn, The qualif
Free
database
unlocks
MGC
history
Researchers have a new
resource to scour courtesy of
the Vickers MG Collection
and Research Association.
Thanks to Graham Sacker
and his 20 years of work, a
fiee-to-access collection of
130,000 records concerning
the men who served in
the Machine Gun Corps
is now freely accessible. It
also featuresin the National
Archives catalogue, enabling
rapid, concise searches
making iteasy to find MGC
information ina ‘one stop’
location alongside war
dlaries, medal index cards
and other records,
‘The Corps was formed
by Royal Warrant on
October 14, 915, and at
its peak numbered almost
160,000 men. Responsible
for operating the Vickers
‘Machine Gun, seven of the
Corps’ members earned the
VC and more than 12,000
were killed in World War
One. It disbanded in July
1922 butts legacy survives
through the machine
gunners ofthe British Army.
Inaddition to providing
relatives and historians with
anew too, itis hoped that
academics and educational
organisations may work with
the database asa whole to
study the ‘big data
Richard Fishes, VMGCRA
director, sai: “This is a
magnificent piece of work.
that Graham has spent
so long collating, He's
beeen helping people with
enquiries for years but to
allow us to share his entire
archive massively simplifies
hhow people can find out
about their MGC relatives”
Read VMGCRAS database
guide: vckersmblog/about/
researdh/mgedatabase/
mw aannrwnn.com (14Coa Peru me Peau
New, unique
and innovative
state-of-the-art technology, the Juno Beach Centre in Normandy has
started offering immersive virtual tours, writes Alex Bowers.Pee een?
the British-Canadian
Peed ery
Pe eases
Centre (JBC) has, since 2003,
eee ean
Canada’ outstanding
Reece ohare R is
Peet ete
Peon ey
programme of virtual tours,
erences
Peres
visitors to explore
pany
DTS EXHIBITIONS
ee ee
eee eas
eater
eee oogen eee
Visitors to have access to an
Ces pend
virtual. Over the years, we
have also been in contact
with Canadians who, for
aes
go to Normandy to visit the
peat sioner
the grave ofa loved one who
Sera ate
Leet ea eens
1 can make the trip, the tour
Soca
Dor errant
einer ea
Se
eet
"Thus, the frst advantage
of the pro
ide
economic or disability reasons.
The second advantage is that
sarbon footprint, Based
ssments for 2019,
80% of our CO2 emission:
‘were related tothe transport
8 Itis obvious that
tadian visitors come
museuin by aeroplan
most travel in ears. However,
Virtual tour and other initiatives,
such as facilitating
promoting public tr
has a positive mathematical
effect on the calculation of our
snhouse gas balance”
BRIEFINGS
“The first advantage
of the project is the
fact thatit addresses
everyone in respect of
inclusion principles
“These factors, as well a the
COVID-19 pandem
accessibility fr several
hhave prompted the Ju
Centre to partner with
Solutions, a Normandy-ba
company specialising in dial
culture pro ve
Solutions had a solution; the
JBC explained, “They propo:
a live 360° virtual to
‘we che
sided tour ofJuno Park and
the remains of the Atlantic Wall
‘This virtual tour isa must see
atthe museum, Nearly one in
four visitors fllow the visit
ofthe bunkers on Juno Park
in addition tothe vist ofthe
JBC, and 50% of them are
Canadians:
ently launched
able for
de who ace
arning more
ch landing
rman defences on D-Day
ada overall ole in the
fe want visitors to tak
fel ik
‘We want an e
guide and the
the human dime
heart of the vist
The live experience enables
those attending a 45-minute
tour to ask questions in realPO eee
time through a chat window and
eer eens
visitors. Pre-recorded footage is
rece
eee
fortifications. The JBC said
eee ree
eet
Pee tad
eee eee ee Ett
rete
smoothly matched with the live
sections of the visit outside the
bunkers and on the beach:
ee ee ea ty
fase eens .
eee
cee einen 4
mediation via the tool. Guides — ma
rea sareySeet stan | >
visitors who are not physically 7
eee eet’
ee ea ey
eoemrert
See Eee tec mreerierirory
eee ee eee ‘Remung on these sce
cesta er defeated plans, the museum
Se ee tn ae eee ee eee een
eet)
said: “The veterans and French
authorities who created the
‘museum 20 years ago had a
vision. They built a museum
edicated to the memory of
the Canadian soldiers who
contributed to liberating the
beach where we are based,
likewise created a park
around the museum to promote
the preservation ofthe local
een
Meanwhile, for Twelve
Solutions, technological
Perret
surmounted: “It was ike
Seg ey
software flexible enough to
ere!
eo errors
happy with the technology
Peete ene
Perec
Cee eere ir to the JBC and Juno
viewer in Canada and another ;pposite ofthat
in France or Britain ~ seeing the vision” Thankfully, a campaign
Re eee fronted by tens of thousands of
live television
Poona
ido development so
|
the developments cancellation,
octet “Guidesmustlearntoleadatourwith es
Peas Te nae ea EMR ertonin te :
ea (Seger j | stair vi
pe On ee ee ar theraions will
benefit from the online tool:
"Twelve Solutions’ technol
to highlight
igh formidable on D-Day, it
failed to stop the Allies on the
road to liberation” IS
the virtual
Juno Beach
Contre’ webs s,
cast €6000,
send ofthe month af 4pm,
ish and French language
options are availableFerrie kako
Crete ae
LO urd
CC oe
eee
OPE cicg
eee 4
ay
ad
ein)
Riera!
ener)
Rec
ete eg
Ere nT)
Box Office: 0344-338-8000
Special discounts available for groups of 10+
Group bookings: 0800-358-0058 ARENA
BIRMINGHAM
ROYAL MARINES
SPECTACULAR ¢
Pomp, pageantry & festive entertainment from the
world famous Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines
Pavilion Theatre, BOURNEMOUTH
_ Buy online: www.bournemouthpavilion.co.uk
| Box Office 0300-500-0595
Buy online: www.atgtickets.com/torquay
Box Office 0333-009-6690
Town Hall, CHELTENHAM
Ml Buy online: www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.ukDESPATCHES NEWS, HONOURS, AWARDS AND CURIOS.
Aunique Boer War honour fora
Ladysmith nurse,a VG with a difference
anda Royal Marine corporal’ CGC
Despatches
perform well at auction
“BUGSY’ MALONE
CGC BREAKS RECORD
‘The sale of Britain’ second-highest military
decoration proved a highlight ata recent
Noonans sale and will help veterans
‘The CGC awarded to Corporal Bradley ‘Bugsy’
Malone, 45 Commando, Royal Marines,
showcases multiple examples of gallantry and
an amusing case of mistaken ident
‘Sources revel thatthe Northumberland-born
‘marine demonstrated supreme “fighting prowess
and gallantry" on thre occasions, “ach one of
‘which would have merited the sward by isle”
Between October 1, 2008 and Mach 31,2008,
Malone then 24 served with Zulu Company
at Forward Operating Base Gibraltar on the
Helmand River, neat Sang, Afghanistan. This
‘was staging post fr inereepting insurgent
forces thatthe Taliban described asthe “mouth
cof Hell” and the “Devils place Malone ed
bayonet charge to repel an ambush and
‘on another occasion rescued his pnned-
down sergeant, stating after: "I dia hin
fit as dangerous or risking ny if. Lsaw an
‘opportunity, you just ake your ballin your
‘mouth and geton wit it?
‘The third incident came on December 3,
2008 as his troop moved along narrow
waterway: Knowing Taliban were about, the
task was to draw them out, but the patrol was
caught in an explosion tat killed the section
commander and seriously wounded the point
‘man. The third man in line was Malone who,
clutching hs GPMG, was hurled back
Shaken he shouted for two men to come
forward and then grabbed a radio to call for
support, while retsening fre with more than
900 rounds. He then organised an CASEVAC,
called down fre support and implemented 3
‘withdrawal all under heavy fre. The act was
described as “gallantry, leadership and courage
far beyond that reasonably expected ofa junior
rank Malone reflected “Its quite an honour,
although fel wearing i fr al the troops in
my company, forall the lads who fought, were
injured, lost imbs and who died”
[News of the award reached Bugsy in an unas
fashion, ast was 45 Commando comrade
ames Malone who was instead called into the
{CO's office and informed with a champagne
celebration. The mix-up soon became clear
and Bugsy was told by James: “Whilst working
Coma firing range I received a cl from him,
‘we had served together inthe same section in
Aghanistn. He got tothe point, "ve just been
Awarded a medal forthe operation’ I responded
With ‘That amazing mate, well one! He replied,
"Teowt think its fr ne, think it night be for
you I eft the call with Nab, mate, they dont
rake those kind of mistakes, need to get back to
the fring range
“That evening my fstered colour sergeant
burstinta my accommodation, ‘ve bsen tying
togetaholi of you~ you ned to goto the CO’
house NOW! "Wihy?'T spoke. le repled Just
0 Only afer arriving dil Bugsy realise the
Ista, Meanie James acepted the offer of
manttank course as an apology
“The grouping comprised Malone CGC, rag
2003-11 medal, OSM 2000 (with Afghanistan
clasp) and ube 2012 medal Estinated at
£100,000 to £146,000 secured a hammer
price of £16000, the highest sum fetched by a
CGC stasction. Busy aims tous the proceeds
to bulla etreat inthe Scotish Highlands for
like-minded soldiers to experience anew way
ofl He sai: “Tin overwhelmed. The medal
sold for more than the estimate, with the
donations Ihave ben given, itil help give my
Sacred Laoch project the bes of tarts
FORTHCOMING SALES
+ Tennants September 20,2023
+ Wallis & Wallis September 26,2023
+ MeTears October, 2023,
{Noonans October IL and November §, 2023
+ C&T Auctioneers & Valuers
October 11, 2023
+ Warwick & Warwick October 18,2023,
+ Adam Partridge Auctioneers & Valuers
November 22023
+ Duke's November 9, 2023
+ Special Auction Services
November 21-23 2023
+ Olympia Auctions December 6, 2023
NOTE: Listings include medals, mitra,
‘arms and armous ear art another historia:
themed sales.
Dates and eatalogues are sujet o change
16 / wun srnanarwan couNEWS, HONOURS, AWARDS AND CURIOS
DESPATCHES
“BRAVEST LAD” VC
FETCHES £220,000
‘An unusual medal group metits healthy
upper estimate at Noonans
“Throughout World War One, just 32 men
received both the VC and DCM, That alone
‘makes Arnold Loosemore' grouping unasual
but more extraordinarily he was one of only
thee VC recipients to receive his DCM afer
receiving Brite highest award for valour
‘A sergeant in the th Duke of Wellington
(West Riding Regiment), Loosemore was
{involved in fighting near Langemarck that, on
August 1, 1917, saw him thwart a counterattack
before recovering a wounded man
‘Writing to Loosemores parents, Second
Lieutenant Wood described the sergeant asthe
"braves ad Ihave ever seen? The VC citation
published inthe London Gazete on September
14, read “His platoon having been checked by
sachine gun fire he crawled through partially
cut wire, dragging his Lewis gun, and single-
hhandedly dealt with a strong party ofthe enemy,
kiling 20, covering the consolidation ofthe
position taken up by hs platoon,
“Immediately afterwards his Lewis gun was
blown up by a bomb and three enemy rushed
him, but he shot them all with his revolver Later
he sho several snipers, exposing himself ta heavy
fie each time. On returning tothe original post,
he brought back a wounded comrade under
heavy ie at the risk ofhis own life. He displayed
throughout an uter disregard of danger
Born on June 7 1896, Amol was the sixth
of seven brothers al of whom served. He
volunteered, but was refused due to his fragility,
sohe built up his strength before joining the
York and Lancaster Regiment n Janay 1918. In
March, he transferred tothe Dake of Wellingtons
snd served with ts Sth Battalion at Gallipoli He
‘was deployed to France in July 1916.
‘On Jane 1920, 918, Loosemore took part
ina night aid at Zillebeke. By then part ofthe
1st/ath Duke of Wellington, that unit’ history
revels the circumstances of Loosemore's
DCM: “It was a great succes, I prisoners and
alight machine gun captured, and considerable
‘astaltes had been inflicted on the enemy. The
total casualties ofthe batalion [were] extremely
light, consiering 75% ofthe battalion had pent
‘90 minutes in the enemy’ ines”
‘On October i, the bataion advanced on 3
ride ahead of Villet-en-Cauchies. The rash
‘outpaced the supporting barrage and met heavy
machine gun fire. Loosemore was hitin both
legs, one of which needed amputating
Discharged in May 1920, the next month
Loosemore attended a ganden party hosted by
the King for VC recipients. In April 1924, having
‘married and having a son he did, aged just 27
He was bared with fll military honours, as
organised by Sheffield Cty Council, and crowds
lined the procesion route, However, his wife
was denied a Wat Widows pension because
Loosemore was not serving soldier when
they wed, and as his VC annuity ceased on his
death, the family was left penniless, She was
also sent the ill forthe funeral procession.
“The lot comprised Loosemores VC, DCM
(engraved with VC post-nominal) 1914-15 Star
and his War and Victory Medals, and included
‘leather bound memorial volume.
LADYSMITH HONOUR FETCHES 17 TIMES ESTIMATE
A rare presentation belt presented to a Second Boer War nurse smashed its guide price
Described as ‘very fine and extremely rae’ the
belt was presented to Nursing Ster Chrissie
‘Emma Thompson by the men ofthe Natal
CCarbineers in recognition fr her iesaving efforts,
Bath the regiment and Sister Thompson
‘were participants inthe Sieg of Ladysmith,
‘protracted ation that an from,
[November 2, 1899 to February
27,1900. Eaiy inthe siege,
an agreement between the
British garrison commander,
Leute General
Sir Geonge White,
and besieging Boer
(Commandant-General
Piet (Petrus) Joubert led
tothe establishing ofthe
neutral ntombi Miltary
Hospital three ies outside
the town of Ladysmith
Run by Major-General David
Bruce, a British pathologist and microbiologist,
and his microbiologist wife Mary (ae Stee),
‘his was the facility where Thompson a civilian
‘use with the Natal Volunter Medical Comps,
‘worked, The British were permited to send tsins
carrying wounded for treatment at Intombi
‘which expanded from 100 beds to
almost 2.00 to test some 1,000
‘combatants
Thesilver and gold
presentation bel was given
to Chrissie in gratitude for
her services tothe men
ofthe Natal Carbineers
during the siege. It
comprises a slvr waist
clasp with a Birmingham
1901 hallmark and the
maker mask TB, applied
with a ballmarked 9 carat gold
badge of the Natal Carbiners
‘The belt lo has I roundel inked by
chains, also ser. Twa bear the insertion
‘resented by the Natal Carbineers to Nurse CE
“Thompson, in recognition ofher grat services
to the men ofthe Regiment. During the Siege of
Ladysmith Not. 2 1899, to Fe, 28. 1900” The
remaining roundel depict objects, people or
locations of significance tothe siege, including
covered ambulance an army signal with
‘observation blloon, a nurse, the arms ofthe
Colony of Natal, mounted infantryman, two
Indian bearers and ald gun, Each roundel is
‘marked and dated on the reverse.
In addtion to this unique honous, Nursing
Sister Thompson was alo mentioned in