NORMANDY CAMPAIGN SIGNING EVENT - 9th February
We’re delighted to be joined at the Wendover Gallery by veterans who served during the Normandy Campaign in WWII to meet enthusiasts and sign items for collectors.
Our Special Guests include:
Craftsman DOUG AUSTIN Ld’H - serving in the British Army, Doug fought as part of the 3rd Battalion Scots Guards, 6th Tank Brigade, throughout Normandy. He saw action during the fierce battle for Caen, through Villers-Bocage and the Falaise Gap all the way to Germany on VE-Day.
Seaman VICTOR URCH Ld’H - Vic joined the Royal Navy in 1943 and on D-Day served as a Gunner aboard Landing Craft LCI (L)390, part of 253 Flotilla. Whilst he exchanged fire with enemy defences, the crew ferried Canadian Infantry to Juno Beach and they continued to carry troops and supplies across the channel for another two months.
Signalman FRANK BAUGH Ld'H - serving with the Royal Navy, his landing craft LCI(L)380 was part of Flotilla 253 tasked with carrying members of the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, 2nd Battalion to Normandy. Just after 7.20am on D-Day they were the first craft to land on the Queen Red Sector of Sword Beach and took a direct hit by German fire whilst approaching the beach.
Able Seaman DONALD WOODHAMS Ld’H - enlisting in the Royal Navy in December 1942 at the age of 17, Don served as a torpedoman on a number of warships. Most notably under Vice Admiral Sir Philip Vian on the armada command ship, HMS Scylla, in the build up to D-Day and throughout the initial three weeks of the campaign. However during that third week they struck a mine, rendering the ship disabled and she was subsequently towed back to Chatham for repairs.
Leading Seaman ALF LONSDALE Ld'H - joining the Royal Navy in 1943, Alf served as a gunner after being seconded to a tug boat as a RN liaison signaller, in the build-up to D-Day. From D-day onwards he undertook supply barrage routes to Normandy, returning with wounded personnel and or damaged vehicles and landing craft. D-Day plus 3 he was seconded to the Mulberry harbour escort duties, transporting and supporting in the construction of Mulberry No 2 at Arromanches. He served the rest of the war in the Pacific arena, Australia, landing troops at Kure Japan post atomic bomb detonations.
Corporal GEOFFREY PULZER Ld'H - drafted to Brigade HQ 29th Armoured Brigade, 11th Armoured Division at Ovingdean near Brighton. Following a promotion to Corporal in 1943 he was given command of a Sherman tank in preparation for the D-Day Campaign. He landed at Courseulles-sur-Mer near Juno Beach and proceeded west to Arromanches where they were heavily involved in the fighting at Hill 112. Often deployed in an observation role as one of the forward tanks of the Brigade, they fought at the Falaise Gap and en-route to liberate Antwerp where he commanded one of the first tanks to enter the city. The 29th Armoured Brigade went on to support the Americans at the Battle of the Bulge, before re-joining the 11th Armoured Division and proceeding to cross the Rhine, finishing near Flensburg in northern Germany.
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Entry is completely FREE, all we ask is that you RESERVE YOUR TICKET in advance to help us manage numbers and make it relaxed and comfortable for everyone.
Our guests are happy to sign autographs for collectors and items purchased at the event over £60 can be signed free of charge.
Bookings are now being taken so please contact us to secure your place.
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