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Post by prospectroad on Sept 19, 2015 6:21:52 GMT
The following appeal was posted on the Manchesters forum. It contains footage of local men sending back greetings. Type the name of a town into the search engine, e.g. Irlam, and you'll be amazed at the results!! If anyone has information that can help, the contact details are at the end of the below article: North West Film Archive and Channel 4 are working together to track down soldiers who appear in fascinating archive footage shot in India and Burma during WW2. If you are a veteran, a member of their family or a friend – we want to hear from you! Calling Blighty is a series of short films made between 1944 and 1946. Servicemen and women who were battling in horrendous conditions against the Japanese were filmed sending personal messages home to their family and friends. Once finished, the films were shipped to Britain where the soldiers’ friends and relatives were invited to their local cinema to watch them on the big screen. The films were designed to provide a much needed boost to morale for soldiers and their families back home, many of whom hadn’t seen each other for years. Of the nearly 400 reels originally shot, only a small number survive – of these, 25 feature service men and women from the North West – nearly 600 people in total. Now North West Film Archive has launched a project which aims to find the featured veterans, their comrades, families and friends. It will bring them together to share their stories and, 70 years on, watch the films again. We know that the six soldiers below all recorded messages for home and served in 2nd Battalion, The Manchester Regiment, perhaps you may have known them? Frank Dimond 3533865 A (Frank) Flaherty 3535430 Arthur Pyatt 3533086 H Greenhalgh 4130602 C Potter 3535379 J C Spencer 3532264 Please go to www.nwfa.mmu.ac.uk/blighty/index.php and search for any WW2 Burma Campaign veterans you know. If you find someone you recognise, please contact NWFA and help to reconnect the people to the films. Email blighty@mmu.ac.uk or phone Marion Hewitt on 0161 247 3097. A documentary about Calling Blighty and the Burma Campaign is being made for broadcast on Channel 4 early in 2016.
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Post by shred on Sept 19, 2015 9:23:50 GMT
Edit: Please treat film clips with caution and try to make extra checks as to whether the clip relates to the man named. After watching numerous clips a few of the men do not hold the rank given in the description and a few are introduced with different forenames. What a fascinating project. Some local men. Name: A W Cartwright Rank: Cpl Serial Number: 1186047 Regiment: RAF Ceylon District / Area Called: Eccles Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: P J J Mobbs Rank: Sgmn Serial Number: 6097331 Regiment: Royal Sigs District / Area Called: Eccles Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: C H Roberts Rank: Sgt Serial Number: 3637386 Regiment: 7 South Lancs Regt District / Area Called: Monton Green, Eccles Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: C Edwards Rank: L/Bdr Serial Number: 936167 Regiment: 136 Fd Regt RA District / Area Called: Higher Irlam Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: Harold Harding Rank: Cpl Serial Number: 4863132 Regiment: 39 Ind Div Fro Unit District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: Leonard Henn Rank: Naval Airman 2nd Class Serial Number: 108774 Regiment: FAA/FX District / Area Called: Irlams o’th’ Height Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: Unknown Potter Rank: Bdr Serial Number: 14321294 Regiment: 8th Fld Regt RA District / Area Called: Walkden Town Called: Salford linkto film clipName: Unknown Abraham Rank: Dvr Serial Number: 1082442 Regiment: Unknown District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 5 link to film clipName: J Antonovitch Rank: Pte Serial Number: 14791278 Regiment: S Lancs Regt District / Area Called: Town Called: East Salford 5 link to film clipName: J Barlow Rank: Stoker Serial Number: d/xx 118467 Regiment: Royal Navy District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 5 link to film clipName: R Barratt Rank: Bdr Serial Number: 1101270 Regiment: 101/304 A/Tk Regt EAA District / Area Called: Pendleton Town Called: Salford link to film clipMore to follow.
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Post by shred on Sept 19, 2015 9:33:38 GMT
Name: H Belcher Rank: Fus Serial Number: 4195951 Regiment: 2nd Bn The Royal Welsh Fusilers District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 5 link to film clipName: J Benson Rank: Signm Serial Number: 14261136 Regiment: Ceylon Army Signals District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 5 link to film clipName: William Berry Rank: Cpl Serial Number: 1079704 Regiment: No 3 F R RAF District / Area Called: Boothstown Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: G Boland Rank: Pte Serial Number: --60703 Regiment: 1/8 Lancs Fusiliers District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: F Britton Rank: A C I Serial Number: 2207659 Regiment: 7155 Serv Echelon RAF District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: J Brooks Rank: Pte Serial Number: 3391304 Regiment: 2nd Bn E Lancs Regt District / Area Called: Broughton Town Called: Salford 7 link to film clipName: C Butler Rank: Pte Serial Number: 3650522 Regiment: 2nd Border Regt District / Area Called: Pendlebury Town Called: Salford link to film clip
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Post by shred on Sept 19, 2015 9:43:29 GMT
Name: H Chandler Rank: Fus Serial Number: 4195901 Regiment: 2nd Bn The Royal Welsh Fusiliers District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 5 link to film clipName: T Coolican Rank: Pte Serial Number: 3460423 Regiment: 2 Leicesters EHQ District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: V Crocker Rank: Cpl Serial Number: 1497440 Regiment: no2 BPU RAF District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 7 link to film clipName: J Croney Rank: Fusilier Serial Number: 3449037 Regiment: 1/8 Lancs Fusiliers District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 3 link to film clipName: J Cuddy Rank: Pte Serial Number: 14896627 Regiment: King’s Own District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 5 link to film clipName: R Doherty Rank: Gnr Serial Number: 1592160 Regiment: 271/52nd HAA Regt District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 5 link to film clip
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Post by shred on Sept 19, 2015 9:57:27 GMT
Name: G Dyke Rank: Dvr Serial Number: 1893081 Regiment: 208th Field Coy R E District / Area Called: Patricroft Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: N Ellor Rank: Gnr Serial Number: 1133239 Regiment: 1st Medium Regt RA District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 7 link to film clipName: Raymond Fenney Rank: Steward Serial Number: 613518 Regiment: P/LX District / Area Called: Weaste Town Called: Salford 5 link to film clipName: J Gee Rank: Pte Serial Number: 3655515 Regiment: 2nd Bn The South Lancs Regt District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: D H Glennie Rank: Pte Serial Number: 3657249 Regiment: 2nd Bn The South Lancs Regt District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 5 link to film clipName: J Green Rank: L/ Cpl Serial Number: 8657675 Regiment: 7 South Lancs District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: R Hales Rank: Gnr Serial Number: 11417170 Regiment: 136 Fd Regt RA District / Area Called: Seedley Town Called: Salford link to film clip
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Post by shred on Sept 19, 2015 10:13:09 GMT
Name: Harold Harding Rank: Cpl Serial Number: 4863132 Regiment: 39 Ind Div Fro Unit District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: Joseph Herstritt Rank: A C/1 Serial Number: 1520567 Regiment: R AF Base (Unit), Bombay District / Area Called: Higher Broughton Town Called: Salford 7 link to film clipName: K Johnson Rank: Pte Serial Number: 14837192 Regiment: 15th Para Bn District / Area Called: Weaste Town Called: Salford 5 link to film clipName: W R Jones Rank: Sigm Serial Number: 1469662 Regiment: Telecommunication School ISC Agra UpP India Comd District / Area Called: Lr Kersal Town Called: Salford 7 link to film clipName: W Kilgour Rank: Pte Serial Number: 14889050 Regiment: loyal Regt District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 5 link to film clipName: K F Lingard Rank: L A C Serial Number: 1652159 Regiment: 5792 M S U RAF District / Area Called: Worsley Town Called: Salford link to film clip
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Post by shred on Sept 19, 2015 10:24:47 GMT
Name:Richard Lynch Rank: Pte Serial Number: 14847946 Regiment: 1st kings District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 5 link to film clipName: Norman Mather Rank: L A C Serial Number: 2257528 Regiment: 305 M U Bombay District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 6 link to film clipName: F Miller Rank: Pte Serial Number: 4200923 Regiment: 2nd Kings Own Royal Regt District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 5 link to film clipName: Albert Morris Rank: Gnr Serial Number: 3531382 Regiment: 4th ALA Tnk Bty R A District / Area Called: Pendleton Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: Frank Nurtney Rank: Able Seaman Serial Number: 178036 Regiment: P/JX District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 5 link to film clipName: A Owen Rank: Pte Serial Number: 3535063 Regiment: 2nd Bn E Lancs Regt District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 5 link to film clipName: James Partington Rank: Pte Serial Number: 14716631 Regiment: 1st Bn Lincolns District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 5 link to film clip
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Post by shred on Sept 19, 2015 10:37:24 GMT
Name: Unknown Potter Rank: Bdr Serial Number: 14321294 Regiment: 8th Fld Regt RA District / Area Called: Walkden Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: E Robbins Rank: Gnr Serial Number: 14395022 Regiment: 160 Fld Regt RA District / Area Called: Lower Kersal Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: A Roberts Rank: Sgt Serial Number: 10559098 Regiment: Ordnance Branch HQ 15 Ind Corps District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 5 link to film clipName: W Roberts (introduced as Harry) Rank: Fus Serial Number: 4197219 Regiment: 2nd Bn The Royal Welsh Fusilers District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: A Robinson Rank: RA Serial Number: 1082437 Regiment: RA District / Area Called: Lower Kersal Town Called: Salford 7 link to film clipName: J Robinson Rank: Pte Serial Number: 4197287 Regiment: 7th Batt Worcestershire Regt District / Area Called: Seedley Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: George Russell Rank: Air Mechanic (E) Serial Number: 89977 Regiment: FAA/FX District / Area Called: Pendleton Town Called: Salford 6 link to film clip
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Post by shred on Sept 19, 2015 10:48:51 GMT
Name: J H Sackfield Rank: Bdr Serial Number: 11050906 Regiment: 102/304 (EA) A/Tk/Mtr Regt SEAC District / Area Called: Pendlebury Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: J Seddon Rank: Cpl Serial Number: 4195955 Regiment: Fusiliers District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 6 link to film clipName: Samuel Shawcross Rank: Stoker Serial Number: 155192 Regiment: P/KX District / Area Called: Pendleton Town Called: Salford 6 link to film clipName: J E Sheeran Rank: Sgt Serial Number: 968027 Regiment: 304 (EA) A Tk/Mortar Regt EAA District / Area Called: Seedley Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: Stanley Simpkins Rank: Air Mechanic (0) Serial Number: 105913 Regiment: FAA/FX District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: Donald Sinclair Rank: Naval Airman 1st Class Serial Number: 79574 Regiment: FAA/FX District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 3 link to film clipName: J Smallwood (introduced as Fred?) Rank: Pte Serial Number: 3655666 Regiment: 2nd Bn The South Lancs Regt District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 5 link to film clip
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Post by shred on Sept 19, 2015 11:10:47 GMT
Name: C Smith Rank: L A C Serial Number: 1105735 Regiment: 94 A S P RAF District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 6 link to film clipName: J D Staton Rank: Fusilier Serial Number: 14911718 Regiment: 1st bn Lancs Fus District / Area Called: Nr Broughton Town Called: Salford 7 link to film clipName: Leslie Sykes Rank: Air Mechanic (E) Serial Number: 101453 Regiment: FAA/FX District / Area Called: Pendleton Town Called: Salford 6 link to film clipName: A Taylor (introduced as Robert) Rank: Dvr Serial Number: T/189569 Regiment: 1541 Pln RASC District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 5 link to film clipName: C Todd Rank: Sgt Serial Number: 14373227 Regiment: RAOC District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: S Walsh Rank: Dvr Serial Number: 1766981 Regiment: A 157 Medium Bty RA District / Area Called: Swinton Town Called: Manchester link to film clipName: W Wantling Rank: Pte Serial Number: 3781528 Regiment: 13th Kings Regt District / Area Called: Pendlebury Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: E Weldon (introduced as Tommy) Rank: Gnr Serial Number: 14732106 Regiment: 86th Med Regt RA District / Area Called: Town Called: Salford 6 link to film clipName: W Williamson Rank: L/CPL Serial Number: 48787 Regiment: REME District / Area Called: Patricroft Town Called: Salford link to film clipName: Herbert Worsley Rank: Cpl Serial Number: 2374143 Regiment: 14 Ind Div Signals District / Area Called: Pendlebury Town Called: Salford link to film clip
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Post by shred on Sept 19, 2015 11:20:46 GMT
Name: S J Davis Rank: Sigmn Serial Number: 14871964 Regiment: R Signals District / Area Called: Cadishead Town Called: Manchester link to film clipName: F Roberts Rank: Cpl Serial Number: 1491639 Regiment: Base HQ RAF District / Area Called: Cadishead Town Called: Manchester link to film clipName: Leslie Cope Rank: Air Mechanic Serial Number: 86761 Regiment: FAA/FX District / Area Called: Swinton Town Called: Manchester link to film clipName: Leslie Hayes Rank: Dvr Serial Number: 10583418 Regiment: L A D att 18th Field Regt District / Area Called: Swinton Town Called: Manchester link to film clipName: A Lloyd Rank: Gnr Serial Number: 14349452 Regiment: 8th Fld Regt RA District / Area Called: Swinton Town Called: Manchester link to film clipName: R Pincers Rank: Cpl Serial Number: Regiment: KOBR District / Area Called: Peel Green Town Called: Manchester link to film clip
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Post by shred on Sept 26, 2015 9:49:12 GMT
The North West Film Archive and Channel 4 would also like to hear from anyone with information on Sgt. Harry Butterworth on the Lancashire Fusiliers and he died after the end of the war on 1.10.1946. HARRY BUTTERWORTH Rank:Serjeant Service No:3450829 Date of Death:01/10/1946 Age:25Regiment/Service:Lancashire Fusiliers 2nd Bn. Grave Reference: Sec. V. C. of E. Grave 1262. Cemetery:MANCHESTER SOUTHERN CEMETERY Additional Information:Son of James and Louisa Butterworth, of Longsight, Manchester. link to film clip
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Post by shred on Nov 19, 2017 19:02:19 GMT
This programme is being shown on Channel 4 right now (7.00pm on Sunday 19/11/17. I will add a link once the programme is available to watch online.
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Post by shred on Nov 19, 2017 22:34:35 GMT
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