Allow me to say that I have never served in the armed forces, my interest derives from the fact that I am now the archivist/historian for the LST and Landing Craft Association.
The members of which served with the Royal Navy during WW2 and saw service during the landings in Dieppe, Sicily, Salerno, Anzio, Normandy and Walcheren to name but a few.
I am most willing to assist any who might have queries concerning the D-Day landings in Normandy and would be more than pleased to help any having queries about the whereabouts of specific craft on that epic morning.
With me here is much information ammassed during the course of my now ten years of involvement, including the recollections of some 700 men who took part on the day serving with landing craft. Recollections not drawn from books, but from letters sent to me by the veterans themselves, be assured I count myself privileged indeed to have access to such men.
If there are landing craft veterans reading this, gentlemen, I would be delighted to hear from you.
On a personal note, my late father was a veteran, serving in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Belgium. His younger brother being amongst the paratroopers who jumped off at Arnhem.
The eldest of the three brothers met his death at Havrincourt Wood on September 14th 1918 whilst serving with the 1st/5th Battalion The Devonshire Regiment. Sadly, like many, Uncle Harold has no known grave, save that which is known unto God, his name recorded in perpetuity on the Memorial to the Missing at Vis en Artois on the Pas de Calais.
Tony
Archivist/Historian
LST and Landing Craft Association (Royal Navy)
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