Photos from a British Tank Commander.

[Private_collector]

After a couple of attempts to get these images here, and with Keiths help in doing some form of computer wizardry (god, I hate computers!), I can finally present a decent quality reproduction of photos belonging to a local WWII hero. He was initially a tank Commander in the desert, under Montgomery, and later was in one of the lucky few DD tanks to come out of the water on D Day. He fought on into Europe, and saw Ve Day from within Germany. If that doesn't make him a hero, I don't know what would! He is now 94 years old, and not in great health, suffering the after effects of a stroke some years ago, but he still smiles and finds something to have a laugh about, every day. His Wife, also a Brit., and just as much fun, has her own military province. One day I will photograph her newspaper clippings showing her within a group of young women in the process of teaching driving and basic mechanics to Their Royal Highnesses, Princess Margaret and Princess (now Queen) Elizabeth. They are remarkable documents to view. For now, I hope you enjoy the following images.


Another 4 coming next...

[Private_collector]

Pity they are so small. I was tempted to try to remove them individually for copying, but thought better of it. They have been sitting peacefully in their little pages for 70 years, and I don't suppose they would take too kindly to being disturbed.


You can catch a glimpse of the owner of the photos, by searching YouTube for Victory Parade London 1946. He can be seen briefly, standing through the turret of a Churchill tank. Unfortunately I can't publish his name.

[Keith Webb]

Great to hear the back story, a hero indeed!

I particularly like the one of the cab 12 portee with what looks like a Ford F15 to the right.

[Mike Cecil]

A couple of famous images in there. The Australians bailing up the German Mk.3(?) for example.

Mike

[lynx42]

Great story and great photos Tony.

I am sure that we have seen some of them published before. The Cruiser tank in the sand, the German tank crew surrendering, Monty's cavalcade and others.

Thanks for tracking them down and sharing them.

Regards Rick.

[Keith Webb]

Seeing well known (and not so well known) images in private albums is not unusual. Given that they were not supposed to carry private cameras a lot of them became opportunistic photo collectors (God bless 'em).

I know from talking to many veterans that some photos in their albums were those they were able to grab, often as they left their units at the end of the war.

Many former servicemen were in serious 'memento' or ''souvenir' mode at that stage and a lot of units had loads of photographs which were going to be destroyed.

Again, great that you can share these with us Tony.

[Private_collector]

Thanks Chaps!

I thought the old soldier said he took the photos, but bearing in mind he had a stroke some time ago, I may have misunderstood.

I will see him again in a couple of weeks. I'm taking my Son to meet him. Will photograph his Wifes newspaper clipping and post those here too.

[Tim Bell]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

Thanks Chaps!

I thought the old soldier said he took the photos, but bearing in mind he had a stroke some time ago, I may have misunderstood.

I will see him again inma couple of weeks. I'm taking my Son to meet him. Will photograph his Wifes newspaper clipping and post those here too.

Perhaps when he said took... he meant "borrowed"?

[Private_collector]

Indeed!

[Mike Cecil]

Whatever the source, always good to see them (there is always something new). As Keith said, often copies of images from other sources mixed in with their own. And this is not restricted to WW2, either: some of the private albums I've looked at covering service in SVN also contain a mix of official and private photography. I suppose it goes to the reason for the album: for their personal recollection/memory.

I know my father didn't carry a camera, but he had a small stack of images of the surrender on Moratai. They were taken by an official photographer, and multiple copies were distributed among the onlookers as momentos.

Mike