Archived Drive to The Wall - Saturday 8th August 2015

[oldcarman]

Thanks Andy, just re read the thread and had forgotten it was @jue1 who had said she would take care of it and represent me on the day. Would you want to sort that with her? Either works for me as long as Canada is represented in some way as I feel this is very important to me. Thanks both of you for this undertaking. There can never be enough recognition given to those that fell and served during this darkest of times in history. Also those that have and are serving today to keep us free! JIM

 

[TaffZee]

Don't know where I have been only just seen this, Please put me down as possible, Been doing some research on my Uncle Doug who was Killed in Burma and is buried here http://www.ww1cemeteries.com/other_cemeteries_ext/imphal_indian_army_war_cemetery.htm

This is turning into a bit of a mystery as things don't tie up, no personal effects were ever returned, no one can answer how he died, Letters from my Grandfather to the War Department after his death show no further info only that he was killed in Burma, no location of his death on his Grave it says PTE (Private) but he was not a private he was a Lance Corporal shown here https://www.forces-war-records.co.u...RecordsPerPage=0&RecordType=Ww2&Surname=Jones see Service Number 4193275

Just received this photo of him and his grave from a lost family member:

 

[andyglym]

Don't know where I have been only just seen this, Please put me down as possible, Been doing some research on my Uncle Doug who was Killed in Burma and is buried here http://www.ww1cemeteries.com/other_cemeteries_ext/imphal_indian_army_war_cemetery.htm

This is turning into a bit of a mystery as things don't tie up, no personal effects were ever returned, no one can answer how he died, Letters from my Grandfather to the War Department after his death show no further info only that he was killed in Burma, no location of his death on his Grave it says PTE (Private) but he was not a private he was a Lance Corporal shown here https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/namesearch/?SaveThisSearch=False&ViewType=Default&Step=1&CountNoFirstName=0&CountNoNationality=0&CountNoServicePeriod=0&CountNoUnit=0&CountNoBranch=0&CountNoServiceNumber=0&CountNoActiveService=0&CountNoRGA=0&CountNoMID=0&LastFullMatches=0&LastSimMatches=0&LastServiceNumberMatches=0&OriginRef=LandingPage&ParsedAddedFrom=01/01/0001 00:00:00&DiedInActiveService=False&EnableBranch=True&EnableFirstName=True&EnableNationality=True&EnableServiceNumber=True&EnableServicePeriod=True&EnableUnit=True&FilterByInitial=False&FirstName=douglas&FirstNameIncludeSimilar=False&FirstNamePlaceholderText=First name&IncludeRecordsWithoutServiceNumber=True&MentionedInDespatches=False&PeriodByDate=False&ReceivedGallantryAward=False&RecordDateEndYear=1945&RecordDateStartYear=1939&ServiceNumberMatchOnly=False&SurnameIncludeSimilar=False&SurnamePlusSimilar=False&SurvivedActiveService=False&LibraryNameSearch=False&Page=0&RecordsPerPage=0&RecordType=Ww2&Surname=Jones see Service Number 4193275

Just received this photo of him and his grave from a lost family member:

View attachment 17138 View attachment 17139

Done mate. You tried contacting his Regiment for details?

 

[TaffZee]

Done mate. You tried contacting his Regiment for details?

Yes Andy, brick wall so far, his commanding officer was supposed to write directly to my Grandparents as was the done thing at the time, he never wrote, the War office was contacted again but again blank wall, I have all the letters sent from my grandfather to the War office and to his Regiment and the replies, but the replies seemed to be very Evasive with loads of apologies but no information.

 

[TaffZee]

Hello all.

Not sure if you are aware but the UK Bikers community has an annual "Ride to The Wall". The "Wall" is the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire near Tamworth www.thenma.org.uk. I have recently come back from a visit and it has grown massively, the NMA is an area of memorials dedicated to UK and Commonwealth service men and women, civilian emergency services and other organisations of note. The NMA is not publicly funded and costs £4k a day to run, that's nearly £1.5m pa! The entrance charge is at your discretion with a "recommended" £5 per head donation to keep the NMA afloat to commemorate those that paid the ultimate sacrifice that we might live in freedom today. I would like to propose a "Drive to The Wall" by the Zed community to help this cause. It would also be a good gathering of like minded people and is a full day of reflection (9-5). Some poignant memorials are the Burma Railway, the "Shot at Dawn" memorial and the 2535 trees planted in memorial of none military ships lost in WW2 (that's ships, not people!). The centre piece is the "Wall" itself with the thousands of names inscribed on it lost since the first day post WW2, it's not so much the thousands of names on the "Wall" but the vast space of the thousands yet to be placed on it that hits home most, for me.

The date will be Saturday 8th August 2015 arriving at the NMA for a 10:00hrs kick off ( it may even be sunny). I'd be delighted if we had some interest to see if we can make this happen. I will be contacting the NMA again on Tuesday 5th May to see about group parking etc and what the process is.

Best regards

Andy

Going

@Andy McDonnell @Paul Rice
@Grumpy @pgunter
@jue1 @mid life crisis

Maybe

@bertiejaffa @Gail @billz
@Taffzee

Update: the on-site Chapel with Vicker is open during opening hours.
A guided tour is available at £3 pp. I'm happy to pay up front and collect on the day (unless we get a massive uptake). The guided tour needs 6-8 weeks notice to book so I'll close this off mid June to ensure all is squared away. There is no special parking for groups, however, if we get there at 10:00 hrs we should all get together. There is an over spill car park, again, if we get a big take up I'll give the NMA a ring and try and Jack that up. I'll get the wreath £25-£60 and again, collect on the day. The more that come the cheaper it will be. Any observations/requests etc just give me a shout.

I'll check out some nearby pubs for post day eats etc should anybody want to do that (long walk so you'll build up an appetite). For those wishing to stay post the day if you look on the NMA web page and follow the accommodation tab it will take you to a selection of BB's/hotels etc. if you do stay through this medium, the NMA gets 5%. Everyone's a winner.

Andy

Well done for organising Andy

 

[oldcarman]

Hi Jim, I'm sure there are thousands of stories matching your and it's frustrating to keep getting brick walked but keep at it for your family's sake. You deserve to know what happened nno matter how unpleasant! JIM.

 

[Shelly]

The wreath looks great

 

[jue1]

Thanks Andy, just re read the thread and had forgotten it was @jue1 who had said she would take care of it and represent me on the day. Would you want to sort that with her? Either works for me as long as Canada is represented in some way as I feel this is very important to me. Thanks both of you for this undertaking. There can never be enough recognition given to those that fell and served during this darkest of times in history. Also those that have and are serving today to keep us free! JIM

I'm really looking forward to this day. @oldcarman I am more than happy to represent you and your country... @Andy McDonnell shout up if you want me. Not sure where you're at now regarding Jim's flag etc but happy to help! X

 

[Grumps]

Don't know where I have been only just seen this, Please put me down as possible, Been doing some research on my Uncle Doug who was Killed in Burma and is buried here http://www.ww1cemeteries.com/other_cemeteries_ext/imphal_indian_army_war_cemetery.htm

This is turning into a bit of a mystery as things don't tie up, no personal effects were ever returned, no one can answer how he died, Letters from my Grandfather to the War Department after his death show no further info only that he was killed in Burma, no location of his death on his Grave it says PTE (Private) but he was not a private he was a Lance Corporal shown here https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/namesearch/?SaveThisSearch=False&ViewType=Default&Step=1&CountNoFirstName=0&CountNoNationality=0&CountNoServicePeriod=0&CountNoUnit=0&CountNoBranch=0&CountNoServiceNumber=0&CountNoActiveService=0&CountNoRGA=0&CountNoMID=0&LastFullMatches=0&LastSimMatches=0&LastServiceNumberMatches=0&OriginRef=LandingPage&ParsedAddedFrom=01/01/0001 00:00:00&DiedInActiveService=False&EnableBranch=True&EnableFirstName=True&EnableNationality=True&EnableServiceNumber=True&EnableServicePeriod=True&EnableUnit=True&FilterByInitial=False&FirstName=douglas&FirstNameIncludeSimilar=False&FirstNamePlaceholderText=First name&IncludeRecordsWithoutServiceNumber=True&MentionedInDespatches=False&PeriodByDate=False&ReceivedGallantryAward=False&RecordDateEndYear=1945&RecordDateStartYear=1939&ServiceNumberMatchOnly=False&SurnameIncludeSimilar=False&SurnamePlusSimilar=False&SurvivedActiveService=False&LibraryNameSearch=False&Page=0&RecordsPerPage=0&RecordType=Ww2&Surname=Jones see Service Number 4193275

Just received this photo of him and his grave from a lost family member:

View attachment 17138 View attachment 17139

Be nice to see you again Jim.

 

[andyglym]

I'm really looking forward to this day. @oldcarman I am more than happy to represent you and your country... @Andy McDonnell shout up if you want me. Not sure where you're at now regarding Jim's flag etc but happy to help! X

@jue1 ordered a couple of small CDN flags for the wreath. Should be here next week, I'll pop them on the wreath and take a photo and load onto here. Hopefully JIM will be happy

 

[jue1]

@jue1 ordered a couple of small CDN flags for the wreath. Should be here next week, I'll pop them on the wreath and take a photo and load onto here. Hopefully JIM will be happy

If @oldcarman is happy then I will be too. Thank you Andy. I'll still be there in person to represent Jim anyway. You're doing a cracking job thank you. @Grumpy is going to pm you about something x

 

[Bozzy]

Hello all.

Not sure if you are aware but the UK Bikers community has an annual "Ride to The Wall". The "Wall" is the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire near Tamworth www.thenma.org.uk. I have recently come back from a visit and it has grown massively, the NMA is an area of memorials dedicated to UK and Commonwealth service men and women, civilian emergency services and other organisations of note. The NMA is not publicly funded and costs £4k a day to run, that's nearly £1.5m pa! The entrance charge is at your discretion with a "recommended" £5 per head donation to keep the NMA afloat to commemorate those that paid the ultimate sacrifice that we might live in freedom today. I would like to propose a "Drive to The Wall" by the Zed community to help this cause. It would also be a good gathering of like minded people and is a full day of reflection (9-5). Some poignant memorials are the Burma Railway, the "Shot at Dawn" memorial and the 2535 trees planted in memorial of none military ships lost in WW2 (that's ships, not people!). The centre piece is the "Wall" itself with the thousands of names inscribed on it lost since the first day post WW2, it's not so much the thousands of names on the "Wall" but the vast space of the thousands yet to be placed on it that hits home most, for me.

The date will be Saturday 8th August 2015 arriving at the NMA for a 10:00hrs kick off ( it may even be sunny). I'd be delighted if we had some interest to see if we can make this happen. I will be contacting the NMA again on Tuesday 5th May to see about group parking etc and what the process is.

Best regards

Andy

Going

@Andy McDonnell @Paul Rice
@Grumpy @pgunter
@jue1 @mid life crisis

Maybe

@bertiejaffa @Gail @billz
@Taffzee

Update: the on-site Chapel with Vicker is open during opening hours.
A guided tour is available at £3 pp. I'm happy to pay up front and collect on the day (unless we get a massive uptake). The guided tour needs 6-8 weeks notice to book so I'll close this off mid June to ensure all is squared away. There is no special parking for groups, however, if we get there at 10:00 hrs we should all get together. There is an over spill car park, again, if we get a big take up I'll give the NMA a ring and try and Jack that up. I'll get the wreath £25-£60 and again, collect on the day. The more that come the cheaper it will be. Any observations/requests etc just give me a shout.

I'll check out some nearby pubs for post day eats etc should anybody want to do that (long walk so you'll build up an appetite). For those wishing to stay post the day if you look on the NMA web page and follow the accommodation tab it will take you to a selection of BB's/hotels etc. if you do stay through this medium, the NMA gets 5%. Everyone's a winner.

Andy

Hi Andy me and mrs B would realy like to join the possy for this so please could you add us to the list ? And as others have already said,well done for organising this.

 

[oldcarman]

I'm already happy with the organization and cooperation going on. Just wish I could attend and meet everyone in person. My Dad and All my eligible Uncles and an Aunt were in the forces and thankfully they all returned unscathed. I will frame a pic to display at my local Legion once I have some to choose from. JIM

 

[andyglym]

Hi Andy me and mrs B would realy like to join the possy for this so please could you add us to the list ? And as others have already said,well done for organising this.

Job done and a pleasure

 

[Bozzy]

Job done and a pleasure

Top man thank you looking forward to it.

 

[Bozzy]

Would be very interested in this, Looks like another Ollerton start for Z's up North/Midlands

If you could let me know what route you'l all be taking after Ollerton i'd be greatfull as i'm just south of there and would like to tag on to the drive to the NMA.

 

[Bozzy]

Thanks Andy, just re read the thread and had forgotten it was @jue1 who had said she would take care of it and represent me on the day. Would you want to sort that with her? Either works for me as long as Canada is represented in some way as I feel this is very important to me. Thanks both of you for this undertaking. There can never be enough recognition given to those that fell and served during this darkest of times in history. Also those that have and are serving today to keep us free! JIM

Re recognition to those that fell etc,well put Jim and i couldn't agree more .

 

[Grumps]

If you could let me know what route you'l all be taking after Ollerton i'd be greatfull as i'm just south of there and would like to tag on to the drive to the NMA.

Not sure @Paul Rice has set it up yet but he'll be along soon I'm sure mate.

 

[Paul Rice]

Not sure @Paul Rice has set it up yet but he'll be along soon I'm sure mate.

Thanks Dave, forgot i had been volunteered for this one? Give me something to do at Harewood tomorrow looks like being a long day

 

[Grumps]

Thanks Dave, forgot i had been volunteered for this one? Give me something to do at Harewood tomorrow looks like being a long day

No problem mate