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Family history - starting research
2008-09-01 13:08:00
I thought it was about time I really started a serious effort to research my Mum and Dad's wartime experiences. I had this project in mind for some time, but other things kept getting in the way. So this little post is more of a 'to do' list for me about how to start researching a relatives wartime history. I wanted to list some of the things I needed to know to get the ball rolling, and manage the jobs I have to complete at each stage.1. Service records application - what I need firstTo begin my project it would be ideal if I could get hold of my parents military service records, but in order to do this there are some details I need about them in order to apply for these records.To recieve the service records I must first of all prove who I am, and also provide as much information about my Mum and Dad as I can to successfully retrieve the required information about their military service. I do this by filling out the Certificate of Kinship. ** It is worth knowing that you have t...
More About: Family , History , Research

Mum and Dad remembered at Eden Camp, Yorkshire
2008-08-28 12:09:00
I recently visited a local war museum - see: Eden Camp museum - and was very proud to find my mother and fathers photos being displayed. Eden Camp museum maintains an excellent repository for veteran's photographs, and family members enjoy browsing the many hundreds of pictures looking for their particular loved ones.Above: The display boards with my mum and dad's photos - highlighted in red. Mum is part of the 'Unsung Heroes and Heroines' display, while dad can be found in the 'North Africa' section.It's really nice to see my parent's photos surrounded with other people that either in the same service or maybe they may have even known. It was also very touching that many families brought their children along and would point out to them 'grandad' or 'grandma'.Above: Close-up of mum and dad - surrounded by 'old pals'!While dad passed away a number of years ago, mum was happy to hear that her photo is still displayed at Eden Camp. And while in her 80s mum still shows an ...
More About: Yorkshire

Facebook - military groups
2008-01-03 12:40:00
I'm a bit of a Facebook 'noob' (I rely on my kids to tell me what it's all about)! But I am persavering with this social networking site primarily because of a few really good 'groups' it has.Note: You have to be registered and loged on to Facebook to visit these groups > 'Support the Boys in Afghanistan' - This group is about supporting the Troops in Afghanistan,(both men and women)> 'Support our Injured Soldiers' - Join this petition and support our Armed Forces and there families.  > 'Home coming Parade for the Yorkshire Regiment/ 2Yorks' - ...trying to get the council of Leeds to Honour our local heros with a home coming parade.There are many more military groups, but I'm foremostly interested in those which attempt to give some encouragement and support to our armed forces (when our media has chosen not to).If you know of any other Facebook support groups - or indeed any other related sites of interest - please let me know. 
More About: Military , Groups

A year in pictures from the MoD
2007-12-24 10:59:00
The Ministry of Defence News website has compiled a 'snap shot' of 2007, and likewise the BBC News website has a couple of uplifting festive snippets concerning British Forces at the front. A welcome relief from the normally gloomy defence related items that we have come to expect from the British media.Left: Dannielle Beardshaw,12, greets her father Lance Sgt Chris Beardshaw with her hand made banner. [Large version] © Crown Copyright/MOD 2007> MoD News Defence 2007 article- A year in pictures > MoD News Defence 2007 - Photo gallery (20 pictures)At this time of year it's important to bear in mind that for those who are doing their duty and serving their country, Christmas is just 'another day at the office'. So here's a run down of some links from around the Internet highlighting 'Christmas at the front'...BBC News video item:  Christmas drop in Afghanistan - Britain's Royal Air Force battles against time to get reinforcements, post and supplies into Afghan...
More About: Pictures , Year

Christmas 'at the front' - North Africa, 1943
2007-12-22 09:43:00
It seemed appropriate that I start of this new section of my site, documenting my family's part in World War Two, with a Christmas entry. At this time of year it would be nice to remember all those serving in our Armed Forces in far away and dangerous places, so here's a bit of a festive memory from my Dad's photo album. My father served with the Royal Army Service Corps (what we would now know as logistics) as part of the 8th Army in North Africa . The role of his unit was to keep the units at the front line supplied with food and other supplies by managing the mountains of stores and the trucks that transported them. Right: Dad recorded the menu served to the members of his unit, Christmas 1943. It seems a pretty good one, and certainly not what the troops at the front were probably eating. Click on the picture to see a larger version.  Despite this being a 'second line' roll, military historians will appreciate that it was logistics and the flow of supplies t...
More About: Front , North Africa

You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em ...
2007-12-16 11:39:00
The BBC news story - 'UK troops return Basra to Iraqis' - puts us in the role of spectators to the ignominious retreat of British forces from their last foothold in Iraq (much to the American's chagrin). Retreat is such an emotive word, however, and although the British command preferred the old euphemisms of 'withdrawal' and 'hand over', it would seem that retreat in it's very literal sense is what we are seeing. It's a very sad end to a lot of hard work by the British forces on the ground - but with an end comes a beginning. We now may finally see a flurry of 'soldier's stories' in novel and documentary form which may finally throw a light on this dark passage in British military history. Only when I see the commentary of the troops on the ground will I feel I really understand what has been going on in Iraq. I don't trust the BBC and I don't trust the politicians - so it will be down to the auto-biographical evidence of those who served in Barsra that will u...
More About: Hold , Fold

Afghan Army raises flags - and laughs!
2007-12-13 13:21:00
In a clear attempt to promote the 'fitness for purpose' of the fledgling Afghan Army , UK and US military commands are extolling the recent success in re-taking the town of Musa Qaleh from the Taliban as an indication of Afghan's ability to defend themselves. The Ministry of Defence News paints a rosey picture of the Afghanis fighting ability - noticeably mentored by UK & US forces - and covers an enthusiastic flag raising ceremony led by Afghan National Army (ANA) General in the centre of the embattled town. Left: General Mahayadin, Afghan National Army (ANA) stands proud as the National flag is raised in the center of Musa-Qala. Photo credit: Ministry of Defence - © Crown Copyright/MOD followed by the year (e.g. © Crown Copyright/MOD 2007) Lieutenant Colonel Richard Eaton, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, described the scene: "The current situation in Musa Qaleh is that it is underneath the Afghan flag," he said. "Midmorning today (Wednesd...

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II land mark flight
2007-12-11 14:23:00
The 7th of December marked the 20th test flight for the F35 'Joint Strike Fighter'. This aircraft is a particular favourite of mine, and even though it has it's fair share of detractors I think this plane is a stunning piece of technology and design.Credit: https://www.teamjsf.com/ More importantly, this fighter is a hugely important part of the Royal Navy's future strategy, as the key aircraft that will be deployed on it's 'Future Carrier'. This will be Britain's return to the 'large carrier' format after it's flirtation with the Invincible small carrier class.The UK's F-35s - totaling 150 F-35Bs - are due in-service in 2012, and will replace the aging Sea Harrier and Harrier GR.7s types.“The Lightning II embodies a long list of advancements that will make it better, smarter and more reliable than anything that’s come before it, and those technologies are extraordinarily mature in this first-ever F-35,” Beesley said. “When you project ahead to th...
More About: Land , Lockheed , Mark , Flight

'No body bags' warfare in the 21st century
2007-12-06 20:47:00
We live in the age of the body bag count - it defines modern warfare in the West and has a direct effect on turning popular opinion against interventionist policy. But what if there was a way to stop the body bag count and  intervene in trouble spots like Iraq and Afghanistan - and wherever else USA and Britain wants to get it's troops out of - and still have your finger in the pie? The BBC's Julian Joyce has writen an interesting little piece called 'Boom times ahead for dogs of war' which highlight just some of the issues of the growing use of private security firms in the dirty little conflicts. I have a particular view about mercenaries. For a start I do call them mercenaries - sticking the words 'private' and 'security' in their title in no way diminishes their actual trade. There again, neither do I mind them prettying up their job title - we are in the age, after all, where a binman is now called a 'Waste Removal Engineer'. So much more sanitary, don't you th...
More About: Body , Bags , Warfare , Century

Two different 'deaths' for two classic warbirds
2007-12-04 18:23:00
Today we have news of an RAF aircraft kept in service way beyond it's 'sell by date' in a field of operations it was never intended for...And from yesteryear here is a very sad item about a British airscraft that never made it into service at all, despite being more than fit for purpose. The irony.Military.com has a wonderfully melencholy movie of the fated BAC TSR-2: Military.com 'Shock & Awe videos'The TRS-2 was one of the most advanced aircraft of it's day, but was cancelled for political reasons. The BBC have news of a report that highlights the short-comings of the Nimrod AEW, kept in service for political reason:  'Fuel leak blamed for Nimrod crash'When it comes to equipping our military, our government doesn't so much repeat historical mistakes, as much as trying it's best to out-do a past error by making an even bigger one. Photo credit: Wikipeadia: BAC TSR-2 entry  
More About: Classic , Deaths , Diff

British Army skill & marksmanship beat 'Jehad Jeep'
2007-11-21 20:59:00
In a dramatic close call that sounds like something straight out a Hollywood film script, British soldiers foiled a suicide attack.A Taliban terrorist attempted to drive his explosive laden Toyota into a convoy of British patrol vehicles. Only quick thinking and super marksmanship prevented what could have been a major loss of life. The Ministry of Defence News site reports:"The first Pinzgauer swerved to avoid the car and the top cover sentry, Corporal Lee Wilbor, fired a single shot through its window, causing the driver to collapse at the wheel. But the Toyota carried on, swerving erratically into the path of the rear vehicle, whose soldiers opened fire causing the car to veer out of the way before it dramatically exploded." For more on this story visit this link:  MoD News - British soldiers defeat Taliban suicide attackElsewhere Sky News choses to highlight the following sad statistics "...the number of British military fatalities in Afghanistan and Iraq com...
More About: Jeep , Army , Skill , Beat

12 Mechanized Brigade kick Taliban asses
2007-11-02 11:27:00
"Six months ago the town of Sangin was controlled by the Taliban and the small ISAF unit there was under siege. But as 12 Mechanized Brigade’s six month deployment to Afghanistan came to an end yesterday, the town is thriving once again with a Governor and Chief of Police, and throughout Helmand the Taliban have been put on the back foot."  MoDOne of my pet irks is how the UK news media are determined to define our troops role in Afghanistan as some kind of 'Vietnam scenario', while plainly the truth is the opposite.Whenever the British forces meet the Taliban in battle in Afghanistan - as one officer put it - our troops 'kick ass'. But, of course we don't hear phrases or news like that on the BBC as it doesn't fit in with the UK media's apologist liberal anti-war attitudes!Here's a great news item from the MoD site about one of those 'kick ass' situations where the British Army completely turned around the situation in a particular village:Link to MoD...
More About: Kick

Life mimics art - Army uses 'airsoft' technology on future weapons
2007-10-24 09:43:00
Janes Defence ran a very interesting article today about a study being done into the future direction of NATO rifles and how the various accessories on said rifles will be powered. In a strange irony, NATO scientists are considering using an airsoft idea to power all the accessories that soldiers have mounted on rails these days. Quite simply, they are thinking of mounting batteries in the weapons stocks. However, scientists have come up with one nifty additional idea... Instead of all the common accessories - red dots, lasers, torches, etc - being powered by smaller integral batteries - they are working on an idea to use the rail (RIS/RAS) to act as the 'power socket' itself, using the batteries in the stock to run everything. Great idea! - How long before airsoft manufacturers copy this! Full article: Janes Defence - NATO ponders power rail for infantry weapons
More About: Technology , Life , Future , Army , Weapons

Robot 'friendly fire' incident kills 9
2007-10-21 10:07:00
It seems that not being satisfied with how so-called 'friendly fire' is currently conducted, South African weapons designers have developed a new robot weapon that is far more efficient than anything currently available!The Mail & Guardian reports that 'Robo-cannon' went postal "immediately after technicians had finished repairing the weapon." Jim O'Halloran of Jane's Land-Based Air Defence is telling New Scientist that the incident was probably caused by "simple mechanical failure."Photo: Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon on which the 'kill-bot' is based. Credit: WikipediaFull story: Wired blogs -  'Robot Cannon Kills 9, Wounds 14'
More About: Fire , Friendly , Incident

Soldier sleeps on land mine, and lives!
2007-10-20 09:48:00
The MoD website has the story about a British soldier called Corporal Peter Doherty, who slept - unknowingly - on top of an enemy land mine. His lethal bed-mate was only discovered in the morning when he reversed his Land Rover back over it and it detonated!Luck was with Corporal Doherty again, as he only suffered minor wounds in the blast. But the story nicely emphasises the daily risks that the troops are exposed to on the front lines, even when not directly engaging the enemy."I'm very fortunate, I could have stepped on the mine at any time. If I had I don't think there would be much of me left."  - Corp. Doherty Typical of a British soldier story, the whole 'lucky to be alive' incident eventually turns into a subtle pop at hospital food. We British - even when amazingly lucky - will always find something to moan at! I guess it's a 'stiff upper lip' thing of making light of what could have been a lot more serious.Full story: Ministry of Defence News 
More About: Mine , Lives , Soldier

The 'Vikings' are back! (From Afghanistan)
2007-10-18 10:41:00
In yet another of those worthy news items which didn't reach the mainstream media, troops of the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment (The Vikings ) arrived back in the UK after a gruelling deployment in the notorious Helmand province.Typical of the rather cynical reporting style prevalent in the UK, while the news media were quick to highlight the losses and hard conditions the Vikings endured in Afghanistan (in the context of the media's anti-war stance), there was a absence of reportage of their return. It seems that the British news media do not see fit to honour those who have done their duty honourably.The greatest of respect and appreciation goes out from myself to all those who returned yesterday, and my deepest sympathy goes out to the families of those 9 soldiers lost during the campaign. Additionally, a great vote of thanks and best wishes goes to those 57 soldiers who were wounded in the line of duty.Link to the MoD report of the return of the Vikings: 'The Vikings...
More About: Back

More 'Mastiff' AFVs for British troops in Afghanistan
2007-10-16 16:10:00
Hidden away on the MoD website is the important news that Government has sanctioned the purchase of 140 more 'Mastiff' armoured patrol vehicles for Afghanistan . British soldiers have too long been unnecessarily vulnerable to ambush in their 'soft' patrol vehicles - the so-called 'snatch' Land Rover. While this issue - at one time making headlines in the mainstream media - has vanished from the front pages, it is gratifying to know that the government is living up to promises made to reinforce armoured vehicle capabilities for our troops. This has been a particular concern of mine, which is why I continue to highlight this issue. Full news item on the MoD website: 'More Mastiff vehicles for Iraq and Afghanistan'(Photo credit: Wikipedia)Wikipedia entry for the 'Cougar' (aka 'Mastiff'): FPI Cougar Armoured Fighting VehicleLink to the manufacturer of the 'Cougar' AFV: Force Protection International (USA)
More About: Troops

Canadian 'Red Devils' in action in Afghanistan (videos)
2007-10-15 08:39:00
Videos of Alpha Company, 2nd Platoon 'Red Devils ', Canadian Army in dawn raid on Taliban compound in Afghanistan from Military.com and a YouTube movie of the same unit being ambushed (includes a certain amount of expletives)! These are a very interesting videos, as they show the modern Canadian soldier in action, a reminder that the Afghan camaign is a muli-national commitment. YouTube & Military.com continues to be good sources of media showing what is really going on at the front lines, footage that our news media rarely shows. Link to Military.com movie: Canadian 'Red Devils' in action  Additionally, the same company can be seen in action on YouTube, in a video shot by Scott Kesterson. Those loud 'whoooshes' you hear are incoming RPGs!: Link to Canadian Army website (English version): The Canadian Army
More About: Videos , Action