Grand Union Canal – Tuesday 28 October 2013
Today I spent the day doing research at The National Archives in
Kew. I have a friend coming over from
Spain for Remembrance Weekend and have been asked to find a Military Cross
Citation for an officer killed at Arnhem.
I managed, but it was for bravery in Italy. The officer concerned had been captured at
Taranto in September 1943 and assisted an escape from the train but he was
unable to get out himself. There was a
second journey and he managed to escape with two others under fire at Vincenza. They were unable to escape by sea and made several
unsuccessful attempts to cross the lines.
During the early part of 1944 he tried to organise other escapees to
assist local patriots but was turned down by the locals. In June 1944 he reported to British troops at
Ascoli Pinceno and rejoined his unit in time for Operation MARKET GARDEN (A
Bridge Too Far). At the time of his
death he was only 23 years old.
The journey over was relatively uneventful but there was evidence of
yesterday’s stormy weather – a couple of times the train slowed right down and
you could feel and hear the tree branches going down the side of the
carriages. Obviously the bigger ones are
top priority and the smaller ones will be cleared in the next few weeks.
I also managed some family history going through the 1841 to 1911 Census records.
Wednesday 29 October 2013
A quiet day in the Marina catching up on mail and sorting Tuesday’s information.
The sun has been out all day
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