大象传媒

My father, Frederick James Lawrence was an army cadet prior to WWll, but saw that war was inevitable and decided to join up into the Royal West Kents.

He broke his leg and as far as he was concerned was fortunate in that he was unable to go with the army to the Far East. It was whilst he was in hospital in Basingstoke that he met my mother who was a nurse, and they married after the war in July 1947.

He was later sent to Scotland to recuperate and during his time there he was asked to become one of the Aides to Montgomery, in which capacity he served throughout the remainder of the war ending up at the Nuremburg trials, by which time he was a Major.

In May 1945 he was involved in escorting the German surrender team which included General Admiral Von Friedeburg and Oberst Poleck. (See also the entry:- Surrender of the German Army to Field Marshall Montgomery submitted by Peter Ricketts).

I have a photograph of my father holding the car door open with Friedeburg having just stepped out, and Oberst Poleck still in the car. This photograph was taken on the 5 May 1945 at Reims.

I also have a photograph (unfortunately undated) of my father with another officer who is wearing the wings insignia. Could this officer possibly be Flt Lt Albert Ricketts?

My father was also an organist and I believe he played at various field services and at a few other locations during the course of the advance through Europe.

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