|
Pages: 1 [2]
|
 |
|
Author
|
Topic: Military Tribute Book - Two Brothers (Read 2444 times)
|
miskimmin
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 13
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
|
Hi All,
My grandfather served under Lt. Thomson in france and was captured after the battalion's last stand on the Ypres-Comines canal.
I am currently investigating the action and have come into the possession of many documents written by the owner of the farmstead afterwards that mention him.
In the book are there any photo's on the battalion? or references to which company was which? The records were destroyed in the 80's and I'm trying to gather as much inormation from as many sources.
Thanks in advance
Iain
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
miskimmin
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 13
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
|
Just an aside... How do you PM in here? I'm not sure the two main poeple in this thread are still about! 
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Dean1
RootsChat Senior
Posts: 290
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
|
Hi,
I am still about and I had the book, retrieved it from whence it went, and gave it back to the relative. I saw your original E-mail and have PM's the family person I sent it to just in case they are not still subscribed to the subject. I do hope you will shortly hear because the info will be mutually beneficial I am sure.
There were pictures in the book and lots of details BUT as I read it a long time ago I can't remember exactly what.
To PM you need to put your cursor on the little symbols on a message and it comes up with the prompt PM (I think - I am sure someone cleverer than I am will put you right on this).
I hope this all works out for you. I shall be watching the replies.
Sue
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
BREWER, BALDWIN, CRONSHAW, DEAN, FOSTER, BRIGHT, ROWLAND, SEWARD, CADMAN
AREAS: Lancashire, Chingford, Epping, Gt Baddow,Essex, Alverstoke, Petersfield, Hampshire, Timberscombe, Somerset, Catfield, Kings Lynn, Swaffham, Norfolk, Hampshire, London, Brighton, Sussex, Cheshire (Wybunbury, Audlem)
|
|
|
miskimmin
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 13
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
|
Ah yes! got it thanks!
I do hope they get in contact soon, I've only brushed the tip of the iceburg on this data.
Not being able to speak french, i'm struggling a bit!
thanks and fingers crossed 
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
IanandArthur
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 7
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
|
Dear All
Re Lt Ian Scott Thomson.
2nd batallion
Royal Scots Fusiliers
I am the relative with The Military Tribute books (thanks again Sue!).
The bulk of the book is made up of personal letters of condolence to my great grandparents(his parents).
I have found one reference to a withdrawl to the Comines-Ypres canal and to a farm nearby.It is contained in a letter explaining how thay think he died along with many others. What is the surname of your Grandfather? Some other names are mentioned in the letter.
Regards,
IanandArthur
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
miskimmin
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 13
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
|
Good Morning,
My grandfather's name was Miskimmin. He was only a Fusilier, so was probably not mentioned in the letter, but I'd love to read that part of the it.
I've tried to type up some of the document, so if you speak french, here's a little extract...
Vers une heure du matin, un bruit effroyable; dans la nuit crachant des flames des montres ont surgi. Les Allemands se rapetissent, s’aplatissent, se confondent avec le sol, ne bougent plus, reardent passer cette vision de l’enfer. Ils devalent sur la pelouse, reviennent, remontent en direction de la grande avenue. Aucune lueur de balles ou de grenades ne salue leur passage. Le Palingbeek, comme frappe de stupeur et d’impuissance, s’est petrifie. A l’entree de la grande avenue, les monsters se sont arêtes. Thomson, le lieutenant en premier la pipe a la bouche leur expose flegmatique ce qu’ils n’ont pas vu, puis il leur demande d’aller porter des munitions dans le bois de l’ossuaire ou la section pourrait en manqué. Pour l’instant, il n’a rien d’autre a leur demander, mais demain on ne sera jamais trop forts. Les chars (des chenillettes) reviendront; ils le promettent et a travers le parc, s’en retournent caracolant, crachant au hazard leurs balles de mitrailleuses.
Anybody able to translate for me?
My father and I go back to the farmstead (now a golf course) every year and visit the 2 RSF's graves Hill 60 and the canal location.
The regiment's records were destroyed in a fire and the diaries were captured and never recovered. So any information is so valuable in recording this action.
all the best
Iain
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
miskimmin
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 13
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
|
I have more references to Lt. Thomson if you want to get back to me....
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
IanandArthur
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 7
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
|
Hi again
Sorry not to get back to you sooner. Children and Summer holidays make it hectic. I will try and delve into the book again this evening.
Clare
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
miskimmin
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 13
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
|
Thanks Clare,
I've discovered a good many details, I'll let you share them with the forum if you want, but they describe his last moments and that also that of his friend Lt. Knight.
all the best
Iain
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Dean1
RootsChat Senior
Posts: 290
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
|
Hi all,
Have asked for a translation from a Swiss/French Friend. Hope to have it soon.
Sue
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
BREWER, BALDWIN, CRONSHAW, DEAN, FOSTER, BRIGHT, ROWLAND, SEWARD, CADMAN
AREAS: Lancashire, Chingford, Epping, Gt Baddow,Essex, Alverstoke, Petersfield, Hampshire, Timberscombe, Somerset, Catfield, Kings Lynn, Swaffham, Norfolk, Hampshire, London, Brighton, Sussex, Cheshire (Wybunbury, Audlem)
|
|
|
lydiaann
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 64
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
|
I have read this series of posts from beginning to end. What a fascinating story - and so good that the family has the documentation back in their care. Also, through the magic of the computer and the Internet, other peoples' stories are intertwined and outstanding questions are answered. Thanks for sharing the outcome of this!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
IanandArthur
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 7
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
|
Hi Iain
I copy from the Tribute Book in Memory of my Great Uncles, Ian and Arthur Thomson;
19th June 1940; Brigadier Stopford to Lord Trenchard, Colonel of The Royal Scots Fusiliers;
Heavy fighting followed until on the 27th(May?) the R.S.F. were obliged to withdraw some 1200 yards to the Comines-Ypres canal;a withdrawl 'which was very skillfully carried out.'
''I went up to see them during the afternoon and found them quite cheerful, although they had suffered a certain number of casualties and had lost most of their first line transport owing to the fact that the bridges over the canal had been blown up. During th evening orders were recieved thet the position must be held at all costs for another 24hours in order to enable the rest of the B.E.F. to get away.This message was passed to the Batallion and I recieved the heartening reply from Colonel Tod that the R.S.F. would do all that was required of them.The enemies attacks lessened during the evening and I again went up to see Colonel Tod that night leaving him at about 3am on 28th.''
I will type the rest out another time as it is late and I don't want to rush it.
Hope you understand.
Clare
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
miskimmin
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 13
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
|
I understand Clare,
I'll send gyst of what I have found out to your PM tomorrow. Then if you want you can publish here for those watching
thanks, this confirms bits that I suspected already.
all the best
Iain
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
miskimmin
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 13
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
|
Hi Clare,
I've been gathering some more information and have turned out this photo of Lt Thomson.
I was wondering if you do not have time to type up more of his story, you would allow me to do it for you?
I hope you got my PM all that time ago?
all the best
Iain
PS. I have been to see one of the other officers in the battalion and he has some great recolections of the time they spent together.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pages: 1 [2]
|
|
|
|
|
Lt_Thomson.JPG