Author Archives: 87thantitank

I successfully bid for this image of an ‘unknown’ member of 87th. There was no provenance unfortunately, apart from it coming from a house clearance in Rhyl (no other 87th linked items). A fellow Twitter User thinks the inscription says “H Baltham”. There is a service number anyway, 4126766 which I can use for theContinue reading “eBay Photo”

A few cards from Christmas 43. My grandad’s to his brother (Paul Turner collection) and two from the Walker brothers to Billy’s wife. (Paul Walker collection).

This post is long overdue as I’ve been sat on a treasure trove of information sent by Paul Walker. His father, Frederick George Walker and Fred’s two brothers, Herbert Walker and John William (Billy) Walker all served with 87th Anti-Tank. All survived the war. This post will be updated but firstly here’s another excellent photoContinue reading “The Walker Brothers”

Lin Sharland kindly sent me these cuttings from her Dad’s collection describing the unit’s time in Chagford. There’s some great little insight, not least the reference to 87th using French 75mm guns in North Africa. I’m not sure this is correct as my understanding is they were using 6-pdr guns only. They trained on 2-pdrsContinue reading “Chagford Memories”

It’s been a bit quiet on the site for a while as I try and work out how to be a father to two children and manage to do anything else. Recently I’ve been contacted by Paul Walker who has kindly sent me a DVD of his research into “The Walker Brothers” which I willContinue reading “Site News Update”

This week I was contacted by Mark Rogers, who is researching men on Worcester’s King’s School war memorial. Lieutenant Thomas Norman Gray is listed on this memorial. Gray was killed with his batman, Gunner Richardson, by enemy shelling at Testour, as they were having breakfast on 4th May 1943. Mark kindly provided the following information:Continue reading ““A Stylish Batsman””

Researching granddad’s regiment had two positive outcomes. One was correcting an error in Harry Marsh’s burial records and the second, via the help of the members of ww2talk.com, was putting Freddie Friend in touch with Harry Marsh’s family. I will cover that story in another blog post. Gunner Henry “Harry” Marsh, 4126455, was killed onContinue reading “Gunner Marsh’s Unit”

Lin Sharland has kindly sent me more photos of Alfred and Les Jones along with post-war news paper cuttings which I will add soon. Hyderabad Barracks, Colchester, Essex, December 1941. Les Jones is second from left. Original caption: “7th Haytor, Devon Regiment, Bianino near Naples, Italy, 1945. Isle of Thorns, Sussex, May 1940. Les JonesContinue reading “More Photos”

My grandfather, Bill Turner, died in 1988. I grew up thinking he was in the Gurkhas. The truth of that little bit of family folklore is that he was more than likely firing guns in support of Gurkhas at some point, likely in Italy. Apparently he had a kukri in the loft, but only myContinue reading “My Grandfather”