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[Marks DTM Calib]

.....and the Allied troops are being beaten back by the Germans.

The following are some pictures taken by my Grandad after he was driven away from Dunkirk back into France.

I have also added the notes from the back of them.



Belgian refugees on the outskirts of Nantes on June 17th 1940




Refugees from Paris heading south




20 km south of France




Arrival for embarkment at La Rochelle - 22nd June 1940




Loading civvies at La Rochelle for the trip home. Trip took 4 1/2 days




Loading civvies and troops at La Rochelle




Troops embarking on the end of the Mole at La Rochelle




One boat sunk by aircraft outside La Rochelle harbour:

Note: This is the photo with the greatest impact for me. Research has shown that this was most likely the Lancastria which sank killing 4 thousand. My Grandad would have been on this boat but, it was full so had to go on the next one.




Captain Wood of 'C' section 12th A.A Brigade with Sgt Bell (Section Sergent) and Sgt Holsman (W/S Sgt) on the boat home




3 R.A.F. men have a well earned clean up on the boat home.




Troops lining quarter on the boat deck. Men eat and sleep here.

[markey mark]

some right history there mark !  

[Martin_1962]

Very interesting

[TheBoy]

Not that many photos from that era it would appear.

Certainly in our family, we know of no photos, so sadly, we are missing lots of family history from that time.

[Marks DTM Calib]

I was amazed......very amazed and the quality is pretty good to.

Not as amazed as the story I have found out about my Grandad.

[MikeDundee]

Great stuff ........always interesting to have the backgorund to the pictures

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Really interesting and historic pictures Mark which any historian, like I try to be, will highly value. 8-) 8-)   A lot can be gleaned from them!

[Marks DTM Calib]

The Lancastria

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/lancastria_02.shtml

[TheBoy]

Great stuff ........always interesting to have the backgorund to the pictures

A bit of known history to photos increases their impact and usefulness

[Andy B]

Fantastic set of photos.

[Marks DTM Calib]

We are requesting his service record as I know he also spent time in Africa.

My Grandpa was caught at Dunkirk trying to defend the lines.....he was than taken (on the walk of death) to Stalag XXA in Poland....he was not treated at all well and it nearly killed him.

He escaped in 1944 and made his way from Poland......to southern Italy! I can think of easier routes home!

He NEVER spoke of the war at all, he had seen some awful sights during captivity and wan-tent murder at Dunkirk.

[razzo]

Fascinating piece of history, that must qualify as the worst maritime disaster of all time

[gwa]

Great stuff - Have you considered contacting the Imperial War Museum  (maybe by Email) and tell them what you've got. They may be of interest and have you ever tried to contact the families of Captain Wood of 'C' section 12th A.A Brigade with Sgt Bell (Section Sergent) and Sgt Holsman (W/S Sgt), you never know someone may be doing family history and would love a copy.
 

[VXL V6]

My X Wifes grandparents both have tatoo'd marks on their arms from Auschwitz, they never speak of those times. I would guess the memories are too painful.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Sorry to do this to you Marks, but the ship in your Grandfathers photograph is not the Lancastria I believe.

In that photograph it shows a ship with a stern funnel, three masts, possibly therefore a tanker. :-/

This does not match the profile of the Lancastria as can be seen in the BBC site photograph, and a picture from a web site about this ship.










Sorry again for that!