Trooper Tom Canning (1924 - 2016)

Wartime photograph of Trooper Tom Canning (1924 - 2016)
(Vaprio de Addio, Milan, Italy, 1945) 
[Photograph contributed by Ron Goldstein] 

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Second World War veteran Tom Canning, one of the founding members of 'Second World War Blogspot' has passed away peacefully at a hospital near his home in Canada. Tom was a 'Site Helper' for the BBC "People's War" project and also made several personal contributions about his wartime activities. Tom was also a member and regular contributor to the 'WW2 Talk' website. 

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The Natural History Museum in the World Wars

1. Natural History Museum, London

[Originally a separate site of the British Museum]

[First opened at this site in 1881] 

2. Hintze Hall, Natural History Museum, London

[A replica Diplodocus (‘Dippy’) is displayed]

3. The 1914 – 1918 “Roll of Honour”:

Museum staff who served with the Armed Forces

[British Museum and Natural History Museum]

[Located in the entrance hall, Natural History Museum]

4. 1914 – 1918 and 1939 – 1945 memorials:

Museum staff who died in the World Wars  

[British Museum and Natural History Museum staff]

[Located in Hintze Hall, near the main entrance]

5. ‘Spirit of Resistance’ (S.O.E. WW2 memorial)

S.O.E. Station XVB was located here (1942 – 1945)

[Unveiled by H.R.H. the Princess Royal in 2004]

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Pat O’Leary: “Bravest of the brave”

1. Dr. Albert Guérisse, wife Sylvia and son Patrick

[Albert Guérisse became “Pat O’Leary” in WW2]

(Image from DVD films featuring Dr. Albert Guérisse)

Courtesy of Dr. Patrick Guérisse, Belgium

2. Still from a 1963 BBC “This is Your Life”: 

Albert Guérisse / Patrick O’Leary was the subject

The programme’s presenter was Eamonn Andrews

Courtesy of Dr. Patrick Guérisse, Belgium

3. A man with more than one identity:   

(Left): Lt.-Cmndr. Patrick A. O’Leary, Royal Navy

(Right): Col. Albert-Marie E. Guérisse, Belgian Army 

Courtesy of Dr. Patrick Guérisse, Belgium

4. Traitors of the ‘PAT’ Escape and evasion network:

(Left): Harold (‘Paul’) Cole

(Right): Roger le Neveu (‘Le Legionnaire’)

Courtesy of Dr. Patrick Guérisse, Belgium  

5. Some guests on Pat O'Leary's "This is Your Life”

(Clockwise, from top left):

Fabien de Cortes, M.M., Croix de Guerre

Louis Nouveau, G.M., Legion d’Honneur, Croix de Guerre

Lieutenant Colonel James Maydon Langley, M.B.E., M.C
Lieutenant Colonel Ian Grant Garrow, D.S.O.

Original images courtesy of:

Dr Patrick Guérisse / Cumbria County Archives

6. Thomas (Tom) Groome, wireless operator

[He was imprisoned with Pat O’Leary in Dachau]

Courtesy of Dr. Patrick Guérisse, Belgium

7. An historic and enthusiastic surprise reunion:

Ian Garrow (left) meets Pat O’Leary (right)

It was the first time they had met since the war

Courtesy of Dr. Patrick Guérisse, Belgium
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