carrier parade

jeff davis · #1 08-06-04, 00:53

Whos vehicles at the national cerimony on the 6th the carriers looked great
jeff

Stewart Loy · #2 08-06-04, 02:51

Jeff,

The 3 Universal Carriers on parade at the D-Day event on Ottawa last weekend were from:

1) Stewart Loy - Beachville, Ont.

2) Charlie Fitton, Merryhill, Ont.

3) Swords and Ploughshares Museum, Ottawa, Ont.

Stewart

#3 08-06-04, 04:36

Stu they looked great I'm tempteted to pull copies off my tape but I'm sure you have plenty of photos.

jeff davis · #4 08-06-04, 06:06

On the west coast here I ran my carrier in the local parade and had to convice the local constable that i was not going to rip up his pavement with those metal tracks ,
This seems to be the most asked question when the carrier is on parade ,so it was good to see your carriers in the capital braving the ashfalt ,
The other most often comment when driving my jeep is the crate story

jeff
P.s I did not have the heart to tell the mountie that i had driven from my home to the Tim Hortons and then to the parade in the neighboring community

Nigel Watson · #5 09-06-04, 00:10

Jeff well done at driving your carrier to the events. On the subject of metal tracks on roads I feel that if the authorities stop and think a wee bit they would realise that the carriers metal tracks do less harm on the road than any type of track with rubber pads. Metal will slide over the surface whereas rubber will try and grip the surface whilst it twists over it. Sure you may crush any loose bits of tarmac but that can only be a good thing anyway. Over here in Scotland we don't have a problem, mainly because our roads never heat up! and after all we invented Tarmacadam(Asphalt)!! Keep on sliding!

Nigel

Have just watched the Normandy Anniversary on BBC TV from Arromanche(spelling?) and couldn't believe the commentator pointing out what he thought was a Bren Gun Carrier sitting on a modern LCT platform behind the dias when in fact it was a T16!! Wonder who owned that? Hanno you been buying something without telling us?

jeff davis · #6 09-06-04, 07:15

Thanks nigel ,My carrier is done in Seafoth Highlander colours
during the parade I had a Seaforth veteran late of italy and nothwest europe,His claim to fame is that he was just down the ditch as Smoky Smith won his V.C ,Joe Siveki was the shortest guy in his regiment after the episode in the ditch in Italy he was given the job as a driver for the rest of the war .
Cabra feigh gabra
Stags Head Forever
jeff

jeff davis · #7 09-06-04, 07:17

somone post some pictures
jeff

Barry Read · #8 10-06-04, 22:20

Ngel
I have to confess it was my T16 at Arromanche on June the 6th.

So I will appologise on behalf of the BBC commentator, But as I was there I have know idea what was said.

But what became apparent was all veterans call all carriers Bren Gun Carriers, and that they were all drivers. None of them were ever a passenger in the back or a commander in the front.

My carrier was part of the offical army display on the beach at Arromanche. We had travelled from England on the landing craft, with a Churchill, a Sherman and a Dingo.
12 hours of rolling and pitching then landed in front of the VIP's.
What an experance I will never forget, and a real honour.
I will try to attach some photos taken from inside the carrier on the approach to Normandy.

Barry::

Barry Read · #9 10-06-04, 22:25

The Gunners POV, from inside the carrier approaching Normandy 6th June 2004

Nigel Watson · #10 12-06-04, 12:11

You lucky sod Barry. How many of us will have had or will have that chance to sail in a LC across the channel and land in France!! I'd repaint my carrier green for a chance to do that. Well done and I'm fair envious. Look forward to more pictures.

Nigel

Hanno Spoelstra · #11 15-06-04, 22:40

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry Read
My carrier was part of the offical army display on the beach at Arromanche. We had travelled from England on the landing craft, with a Churchill, a Sherman and a Dingo.
12 hours of rolling and pitching then landed in front of the VIP's.
What an experance I will never forget, and a real honour.

Here's a pic of Barry and his son preparing their T16 on a barge, Port-en-Bessin, June 5. Well done, that man!

Barry Read · #12 16-06-04, 22:34

Hanno

thanks for the photo.
Did you enjoy Normandy, I meet so many vets, old carrier drivers.

Ithink I should write a book.

I've attached anyother photo, this one is the Drivers view of Gold Beach, the Normandy coast.

Will you be at Beltring?

Barry

Barry Read · #13 16-06-04, 23:02

The run in on gold beach, Normandy
Carrier drivers view.
6th June 2004