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Message 2 - trouperstansgirl

Posted on: 14 February 2005 by troopergeoff

Hullo again Dee, Yes, I remember Stan, that picture is exactly as he was, always smiling. He went to Nth Africa in the November, and I went in the next convoy in December. When we arrived at the base camp near Constantine all the previous lot were still there, including Stan. Like a lot more of us, we got separated after arriving in Italy, I and fourteeen others went to Anzio, but got evacuated after 7 days as things were'nt looking so good. We then went to various holding units until joining the 51st. I joined them much earlier than Stan, and he obviously went to a different Sqdn as I don't re-call him in B Sqdn to which I belonged.
I can tell you something of interest however, the picture you have sent was taken probably late 1944, most likely November or early December. The main giveaway is the fact that he is wearing a tie, ties for other ranks were not allowed until late 1944. Also on his left shoulder I can discern what looks like a shoulder flash of the 25th Tank Brigade to which the 51st belonged, if you could see all of it, it would be two black triangles point to point, a black diablo, this was the Brigade insignia. I would take an educated guess and say that this picture was taken in Rome in a studio whilst he was on leave. The Regt had been in the line for a long time with-out a break, and just before Xmas 44 some of us were given leave because the front had gone quiet owing to the coming of winter, and 8th Army had set up a leave centre in Rome to which us lucky ones were sent. I have a picture of myself which could have been taken in the same studio as the poses are so alike. Unfortunately, with Stan gone to the Greenfields we cannot verify this, but I am sure I am right, and as I write this his face is becoming more clearer and I remember him being a nice feller, quiet, unassuming and always had a smile ready......God bless him.
I would be absolutely delighted if I have been of some help to you, and it always gives me pleasure to talk about those days and the wonderfull comrades and friends we made in those dangerous days when young men seemed to be a different breed from to-day, however, that was a long time ago now.

Cheers Troopergeoff