Remembering Pte William Harker Lee MM

Photographs (Top to bottom):

1. Bridson's Court / Bardy Lane district, Whitehaven
(Where William H. Lee was born in January 1920)

2. Arc de Triomphe, Paris
(Billy Lee spent 3 days 'sightseeing' in Occupied Paris in 1940)

3. High altar of St Mary's Church, Cleator, Cumbria
(Where William H. Lee MM married Julia Fleming, January 1945)

4. Family Headstone of William Harker Lee MM
(Whitehaven Cemetery, Cumbria)

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THIS WEEK IN WW2

Read about the events of World War Two as they unfolded 70 years ago this week at http://www.douglaswjacobson.com
Douglas W. Jacobson
Author,
THE KATYN ORDER
NIGHT OF FLAMES

The assassination of Heydrich

Just added a link to superb pdf file, really an entire book profusely illustrated. Highly recommended.

Billy Lee's 'European Tour' of 1940

Photographs (Top to bottom):
1. Private William Harker Lee, MM
(5th Battalion The Border Regiment, WW2)
2. The French Pyrenees: Cirque de Gavarnie with Spain beyond
3. The Rock of Gibraltar (late 1930s photograph)
4. Arrowthwaite (Kells) district of Whitehaven, Cumberland
('Home' for William Harker Lee MM)

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A determined woman

Thought you might like to read one of Catherine's superb articles.

ATA Air Crash at St Bees (27 March 1941)

(Top): Photograph from "Tomlin", St Bees (2011)
[View looking south]
(Middle): Photograph of South Head, St Bees (2011)
(Bottom): Photograph of South Head, St Bees (c.1938)
[Looking north towards "Tomlin" & St Bees Head]

On 27 March 1941 there was an air crash at "Tomlin" near St Bees Head, Cumberland (now Cumbria). Unfortunately, the American pilot, First Officer George Washington Holcomb, A.T.A was killed. The photographs above show the crash site area.

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"How sleep the brave"

(Top): Mildred Warner (Washington) Gale Memorial
(Grandmother of George Washington, 1st USA President)
[Located in St Nicholas' Church Gardens, Whitehaven]

(Bottom): Headstone of First Officer George Washington Holcomb, A.T.A. (Died 27 March 1941)
[Whitehaven Cemetery, Cumberland (now Cumbria)]

First Officer George Washington Holcomb, Air Transport Auxiliary, is interred in Whitehaven Cemetery, Cumbria. The headstone is inscribed with a quotation from William Collins' 1746 poem "How Sleep The Brave".

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Europe's "Secret Army" of WW2

Display about the European “Secret Army” of WW2
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre
(RAF East Krkby, Lincolnshire)
[Photograph taken with permission]

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The 'Wooden Horse' escape of WW2

Model of the 'Wooden Horse' used at Stalag Luft III
This is at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre
(RAF East Kirby, Lincolnshire)
[Photograph taken with permission]

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HMS Whitehaven Crew & wartime service

(Top) Model of HMS Whitehaven (J121)
By Mr Ike Curnow of Whitehaven, Cumbria
On display at the 'Whitehaven Expo', Duke Street, Whitehaven

(Bottom) Wartime crew of HMS Whitehaven
[Photograph courtesy of Jeff Wilson, WW2 researcher]

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New Link!

I've added a link recommended by Joseph, the 'United Kingdom National Inventory of War Memorials', a work in progress but already useful.

A reminder, our permanent links are accessible by clicking VIDEO, AUDIO, AND OTHER WW2 LINKS in the right-hand column.

"Our Olympics" by Harold Drake, R.A.

Medals and trophies were different for the 'Wartime Olympics'

At the annual buffet dinner dance of the West Cumbria branch of the Normandy Veterans Association in November 2000 one of the members, Mr Harold Drake, R.A. of Egremont, Cumbria read out a few thoughts he had written down after watching the Sydney Olympics a couple of months earlier.

Although Harold has since passed away, I have a copy given to me by Harold which is transcribed here. It is an insight into a life experienced by someone who served in the Forces during WW2.

To read Harold's story click on 'Comments' below

"In Affectionate Remembrance"

Headstone of Aircraftwoman Gladys E. Hadwin
Whitehaven Cemetery, Cumberland (now Cumbria)

Aircraftwoman Gladys Edith Hadwin (WAAF) died on 5 October 1945 while still on wartime service, aged 26 years. Aircraftwoman Hadwin was originally from Lewsiham (London) although she was laid to rest at Whitehaven - the hometown of her husband Daniel Lennox Hadwin. The following inscription is engraved on her headstone:

"In affectionate remembrance of an unselfish and loving wife".

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