I'll Start...

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #1 01-12-06, 01:07

The pic below is, I believe, that of 2nd Lt CLOW, George Robert, of the 9th Bn, The Black Watch. He was KIA 17/03/1916. This pic was taken in 1915... note the pips have already been moved to the sleeves.

The original pic is unmarked, but it was in my mother's effects when she died, and I suspect he's a cousin of hers. The scary thing is, his face is exactly that of SUNRAY MINOR. Take it as you will, but I will know sooner or later. He is blood.

BTW, My mother was Margaret MacKenzie Clow, born at 49 South Street, St. Andrews, Scotland, 22 Jan 1922.

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #2 01-12-06, 01:13

Arthur Widmer Winnington-Ball, this taken shortly before his death. He joined the RCAF in '44 and volunteered for overseas service, but was never sent over as the war was winding down. Demobbed in '46, but flying and service was always in his blood (I still have his logbook and manuals). I do have a pic of him in front of his Tigerschmitt, but my scanner's gone tits-up, so it will be a bit until I post it.

He was the nicest man I've ever known.

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #3 01-12-06, 02:08

...is in response to Norm Cromie's comment on the other thread. I encourage all of you to post accordingly, and thank you for your contributions. As has been said before,

"We shall never see their like again."

I believe this, although the current mess in Afghanistan may prove me wrong.

I salute them all.

#4 01-12-06, 02:16

Then a very special thank you to Norm for nudgiung you to this, as I think it's extremely appropriate and right for MLU. I hope to see a thread by Norm posting those wonderful photos of himself that I've seen

It's awesome to see your Dad in here Geoff. I only wish I could have met him. You look so much like him!!! As Shawn looks so much like your Highlander.

Karmen

Keith Webb · #5 01-12-06, 02:30

This is Keith Cameron Wathen, who was an Australian Pilot Officer who was killed flying with 415 (Swordfish) Squadron RCAF. He was killed making an attack on German shipping off the Dutch coast around the same moment the Dambuster Lancasters were heading off on their famous raid. I was named after him.

http://www.oldcmp.net/Images/KCW/KCW2.jpg

http://www.oldcmp.net/Images/KCW/Grave.jpeg

This pic of his grave was sent to his dad by the Department of Air in 1949. He is buried in the War cemetary at Kiel in Germany.

More on him here.

PS Don't know what's happening with the image linking

It's formated correctly.

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #6 01-12-06, 02:54

Quote:

Originally posted by Keith Webb
PS Don't know what's happening with the image linking It's formated correctly.

Try uploading the pics as opposed to simply linking to them...

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #7 01-12-06, 02:59

Quote:

Originally posted by Vets Dottir
It's awesome to see your Dad in here Geoff. I only wish I could have met him. You look so much like him!!! As Shawn looks so much like your Highlander.

Karmen

I wish you could have too, Karmen. He died in '98, yet has never been more than a day out-of-mind. He would have appreciated what we do here on MLU, I know it, but he never saw any of this. More's the pity.

Keith Webb · #8 01-12-06, 03:39

Quote:

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
Try uploading the pics as opposed to simply linking to them...

Here's the main one.

#9 01-12-06, 04:21

Quote:

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
I wish you could have too, Karmen. He died in '98, yet has never been more than a day out-of-mind. He would have appreciated what we do here on MLU, I know it, but he never saw any of this. More's the pity.

Mom passed away in 1989 and it's still like yesterday sometimes. I still want her back. Same for my Dad, in fact in a way moreso for my dad because I was only 18 when he passed away and we never had a chance to be grown-ups together sitting and talking about everything, including his life experiences and service. I'm thankful for all of the memories of the times I did have with them though. They're my gifts I enjoy.

Your Dad would be proud of your MLU, and you know it

Karmen

#10 01-12-06, 04:22

Keith,

What a wonderful photo of your namesake ... and how YOUNG HE LOOKS

Karmen.

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #11 01-12-06, 07:19

Quote:

Originally posted by Vets Dottir
Keith,

What a wonderful photo of your namesake ... and how YOUNG HE LOOKS

Karmen.

That's the thing, Karmen... they were all just KIDS back then. SUNRAY MINOR would have been "Pop" in the platoon in '44, and he's only 26 now.

All of this just awes me.

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #12 01-12-06, 08:13

Quote:

Originally posted by Vets Dottir
Same for my Dad, in fact in a way moreso for my dad because I was only 18 when he passed away and we never had a chance to be grown-ups together sitting and talking about everything....

Yeah, I miss the old bugger. He was a good man who would have appreciated this; but for him, all of this wouldn't exist - he taught me what history really means in the greater scheme of things. If I can't serve in uniform anymore, at least I can represent he and his ilk online for future generations... and I know it hits home because of the volume of email I get (and you'd be amazed at the number of British and Dutch children of Canucks looking for their Canadian fathers!

).

BTW, I also have my grandfather's attestation papers from WW1 (Frederick Widmer Ball); he was a Sapper after COTC but never got overseas because the war ended before shipping out (he was demobbed 1919). That makes four generations of us in a row who have served but never in action; one wonders what might have happened had any of us 'gone over'.

Anyway, I'll post what pics I have of my grandfather in due course. BTW, I have his MINT 1913 Ross rifle Mk.III handbook, complete with handwritten notes, from his time in COTC. Priceless.

#13 01-12-06, 08:38

Quote:

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
That's the thing, Karmen... they were all just KIDS back then. SUNRAY MINOR would have been "Pop" in the platoon in '44, and he's only 26 now.

All of this just awes me.

It, THEY, awe me too.

I watched some documentaries tonight about Auschwitz and when I think about my Uncle's sacrificed lives in Normandy, I only wish they could have fully known what their efforts and sacrifices really accomplished in the combined service and efforts that stopped the horrors.

Geoff, :dh: splurge and buy yourself a digital camera for Christmas for crying out loud ..... and get that scanner happening again too. There is so much that you have that would be perfect in posts in MLU. Who knows, perhaps one day soon you'll even get to sport a slouch hat, take a picture of you sporting it, and post it for us all to see

K.

#14 04-12-06, 08:25

Geoff,

I really like THIS photograph. Now who is that handsome devil? Eh?

Karmen

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #15 04-12-06, 12:25

His hair is too damned long, that's for sure.

Photo courtesy of Skagfeld. He was there at the time.

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #16 05-12-06, 11:21

1956. BTW, I still have the hat...

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #17 05-12-06, 11:23

Slightly more warlike....

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #18 05-12-06, 11:26

We cleaned the Airborne clock that day, after running all night. Some days, this was fun....

DwightPruitt · #19 25-12-06, 10:51

Quote:

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
Slightly more warlike....

Manson-like you mean. Maybe that's why you have the hat pulled down so low....to cover the carving between your eyes.

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #20 28-12-06, 04:19

Quote:

Originally posted by DwightPruitt
Manson-like you mean. Maybe that's why you have the hat pulled down so low....to cover the carving between your eyes.

Dwight, I'm a nasty bastard at-heart, so get over it...

Ya should see me with my Digger hat pulled down over my eyes... most people run away screaming in terror...

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #21 28-12-06, 04:32

This Christmas, I have passed the family torch to Rfn Winnington-Ball, with my daugther's prior secret blessing. I had a cavalry sabre which has been in the family since 1786... it came to me following the death of my dad... now it is my son's.

He was awestruck. Bloody well should have been of course, but that's just me.

I am so goddam proud.

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #22 28-12-06, 04:40

Don't be getting ideas... I still have the sword I carried on-parade, plus a 1944 Kbar and two F/S knives. If I lose those I have two elderly female cats with their claws and nasty tempers. I've always found chucking cats at people tends to disuade them...

Jon Skagfeld · #23 29-12-06, 05:23

Quote:

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
His hair is too damned long, that's for sure.

Photo courtesy of Skagfeld. He was there at the time.

"...courtesy of..."

I took this picture of Geoff in the back of an M152 at a drop zone near Toronto c1984 ish, during a para drop exercise.

He is being interviewed by Peter Feniak, co host with Ann Rohmer (the Major General's daughter) of a weekly TV show called "That's Life".

Often wonder if the original tape is available?