The Man Behind the Medals In this blog series, SOFO Museum’s Research volunteers look at the stories behind some of the medal sets in the museum’s collection, from those that can be seen on a visit in our dedicated Medals display to some of those that are still tucked away in the archive. While medals will tell you a little bit about a soldier’s service, it’s only with further research that their…
The Man Behind the Medals In this blog series, SOFO Museum’s Research volunteers look at the stories behind some of the medal sets in the museum’s collection, from those that can be seen on a visit in our dedicated Medals display to some of those that are still tucked away in the archive. While medals will tell you a little bit about a soldier’s service, it’s only with further research that their…
The Man Behind the Medals In this blog series, SOFO Museum’s Research volunteers look at the stories behind some of the medal sets in the museum’s collection, from those that can be seen on a visit in our dedicated Medals display to some of those that are still tucked away in the archive. While medals will tell you a little bit about a soldier’s service, it’s only with further research that their…
OXFORDSHIRE YEOMANRY ‘QUEENS OWN OXFORDSHIRE HUSSARS’ 63RD (OXFORDSHIRE YEOMANRY) ANTI-TANK REGIMENT RA (TA) SECOND WORLD WAR 1939-1945 In 1938 the regiment was converted from its artillery role to that of an anti-tank unit and renamed the 53rd Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery (TA) (Worcestershire and Oxfordshire Yeomanry), the 4.5-inch Howitzer guns were now replaced with two-pound anti-tank guns. The Oxfordshire Yeomanry had two batteries, 211 at Oxford and 212 at Banbury.…
One of our recent acquisitions is Villa Patricia, which was donated by a local couple in Woodstock. The doll’s house was commissioned by Dr Richard Blaiklock who served with the Hampshire Regiment as Regimental Medical Officer. He was sent overseas to Southern Italy in 1944 to assist local hospitals, and from there was sent into several prisoner of war camps to assess the prisoner’s medical needs. One of the camps…
On this day 26th September 1944 1ST AIRBORNE DIVISION – ARNHEM During the night 25th/26th the withdrawal, codenamed “Operation Berlin”, takes place under heavy German fire. Boats of the British and Canadian engineers ferry about 2500 men across the Rhine. ‘Market-Garden’ is over. Brigadier Lathbury (43rd) Commander 1st Parachute Brigade – Wounded & Evader. Major Haig (4th Bn & 52nd) Divisional Provost – Wounded twice & Evacuated. Major Wallis (4th Bn)…
On this day 25th September 1944 1ST AIRBORNE DIVISION – ARNHEM The situation had become hopeless. A mere eleven percent of the supplies dropped by the Royal Air Force had fallen within the perimeter. The troops were exhausted by lack of food, water and sleep. There was very little ammunition. The crossing of the Polish Parachute Brigade which had dropped near Driel had become a failure due to a shortage of…
On this day 24th September 1944 1ST AIRBORNE DIVISION – ARNHEM Since the formation of the Oosterbeek Perimeter, the 1st Airborne had accumulated an enormous quantity of wounded, both British and German, and by the morning of Sunday 24th September, the medical staff had approximately one thousand two hundred men in their care. On Sunday 24th, Colonel Graeme Warrack, the 1st Airborne Division’s senior medical officer, obtained permission to arrange a…
On this day 23rd September 1944 1ST AIRBORNE DIVISION – ARNHEM Everywhere now shows signs of the Germans sustained mortar and artillery bombardment. All the trees have had their branches blown off, and stripped of their foliage, and consequently movement around the area is like trying to move through a jungle. All the buildings are pockmarked, with their tiles and doors blown off. The whole perimeter area has shell craters every…
On this day 22nd September 1944 1ST AIRBORNE DIVISION – ARNHEM The first attempts to get the Polish paratroopers across the Lower Rhine into the Oosterbeek perimeter have not been completely successful, and only a few men are able to move into the northern part and assist in continuing to hold the positions. All troops are now dug-in, or have put buildings into a state of defence, and there is almost…
