William Connor Birchall - Desert Rat

[Mike Jackson]

The 11th Hussars link.

Please enter it manually with one alteration:

replace the upper case H in Hussars

with a lower case h (as in hussars)!

It worked perfectly form just now.

Mike

[billbir]

Mike

Thanks for that. A it happens, I think that I had already seen this on:-
http://www.btinternet.com/~ian.a.paterson/history.htm which was why my earlier message asked how I could contact Ian A Paterson. The Diaries, unfortunately, make no reference to my Father, although other Troopers are mentioned. So I do not think that I have moved forward too much, or am I being pessimistic?

I have just completed a request for Service Records, Certificate of Kinship, which my Mother will sign, when next I see her. So his records may throw something up.

Thanks for your help.

Bill

[steve england]

hello
I have the original, typed, newsletter for the 11th hussars that would have ben sent to wives etc at home. it covers he period 1st sept 1944 - 28th feb 1945. it is signed b col. wainman and it rather casually tells of their activities during this period. it also has a rollof honour stating deaths, wounded, prisoners of war, missing and madals awarded.also there is a list of approx 180 soldiers from nco's to troopers.
i think that your dad is on the list, i wont put the full address in case you still live there but it is typed as follows
Tpr. Birchall W.      1- -  Nunts Ln. (lane ?) Coventry
my grandad, Ray Dodds-Carr  was in the 11th hussars but i dont know which squadron. he landed on D Day but i have only ever read a few mentions of the advance party of the 11th hussars.any ideas ?
i will try to make some time and scan in the documents and some photos.
interestingly i also have a german naval dress dagger, one of their battles going into germany was against a mixture of troops including kreigsmarines, maybe it came rom there

[billbir]

Hi Steve,

What a great message to receive! That is certainly my Dad and that was the address of my Grandmother, where we lived for a short time during the War. My two uncles were in the Royal
Marines and Fleet Air Arm and my Dad in the Desert Rats. It would be great to see whatever you have got and I will try to dig out some photos. My Mum is still alive 86 and can still re
ember his Army no.
I have sent off for his Army Records. Coincidentally, my Dad also brought home a german dagger, though as I was too young, my uncle finished up with it.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Bill

[billbir]

Steve,

On the 27 Aug you said 'I will try to make some time and scan in the documents and some photos'.
I would love to see them. Any chance soon?

Regards

Bill

[les_looking]

apology Bill hadn't noticed this until now

this link contains many other links

http://en.allexperts.com/e/0/11th_hussars.htm

more contacts here?

http://www.desertrats.memorialassoc.btinternet.co.uk/contactus.htm

you may have seen this via the other links

http://www.desertrats.memorialassoc.btinternet.co.uk/index.htm

there are many posts on here from ex 11th hussars and relatives

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/search/index.shtml?scope=ww2peopleswar&q=11th+hussars+&x=18&y=14

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/69/a4888669.shtml

should keep you going for a while lol
and hopefully you can get your scans

[billbir]

Les

Thanks for your interest and the links, they will certainly keep me occupied for some time.

Bill

[billbir]

Steve,

Sorry to pester you, but I do not recall ever getting anything from you after this reply of the 27 Aug.
Any chance, as the person you mentioned, is definitely, my father.


Bill Birchall

hello
I have the original, typed, newsletter for the 11th hussars that would have ben sent to wives etc at home. it covers he period 1st sept 1944 - 28th feb 1945. it is signed b col. wainman and it rather casually tells of their activities during this period. it also has a roll of honour stating deaths, wounded, prisoners of war, missing and madals awarded.also there is a list of approx 180 soldiers from nco's to troopers.
i think that your dad is on the list, i wont put the full address in case you still live there but it is typed as follows
Tpr. Birchall W.      1- -  Nunts Ln. (lane ?) Coventry
my grandad, Ray Dodds-Carr  was in the 11th hussars but i dont know which squadron. he landed on D Day but i have only ever read a few mentions of the advance party of the 11th hussars.any ideas ?
i will try to make some time and scan in the documents and some photos.
interestingly i also have a german naval dress dagger, one of their battles going into germany was against a mixture of troops including kreigsmarines, maybe it came from there

[billbir]

Steve,

You said 'hello
I have the original, typed, newsletter for the 11th hussars that would have ben sent to wives etc at home. it covers he period 1st sept 1944 - 28th feb 1945. it is signed b col. wainman and it rather casually tells of their activities during this period. it also has a roll of honour stating deaths, wounded, prisoners of war, missing and madals awarded.also there is a list of approx 180 soldiers from nco's to troopers.
i think that your dad is on the list, i wont put the full address in case you still live there but it is typed as follows
Tpr. Birchall W.      1- -  Nunts Ln. (lane ?) Coventry
my grandad, Ray Dodds-Carr  was in the 11th hussars but i dont know which squadron. he landed on D Day but i have only ever read a few mentions of the advance party of the 11th hussars.any ideas ?
i will try to make some time and scan in the documents and some photos.
interestingly i also have a german naval dress dagger, one of their battles going into germany was against a mixture of troops including kreigsmarines, maybe it came from there'

As we are now past the anniversary of you saying that you would send me some scanned documents concerning my father, I thought that I would send you a reminder. I tried to send you a personal reply but without success, so here goes with this method.

Hopefully

Bill