NORMANDY CAMPAIGN SIGNING EVENT - 19th January
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:
Sergeant FRANK ASHLEIGH - on the day of his 18th birthday Frank volunteered to join the Army Air Corps and upon receiving his wings joined the Glider Pilot Regiment. Serving with A Squadron he took part in the second air lift into Arnhem on 18th September 1944 during the Battle of Arnhem but landed off course and hid in a church before being captured and held 9 months as a Prisoner of War.
Able Seaman ARTHUR MOORE Ld’H - as a member of the Royal Navy he served aboard HMS Dacres as they lead a convoy of assault ships into position off Sword beach early on D-Day. As a combined headquarters ship they then patrolled Sword and Juno beaches and Arthur later went on to serve in the Far East aboard HMS Loch Katrine.
Able Seaman GEORGE CHANDLER MiD Ld’H - having joined the Royal Navy in 1943 aged 18, George served as a Gun Layer on MTB 710, 59th flotilla on coastal defence duties, with regular channel night-time enemy engagements. In the run up to D-Day they trained with US Rangers on the south coast, honing troop seaborne manoeuvres and on D-Day itself served as a defence escort to invasion forces in the American sector close to Omaha beach. George later served in the Mediterranean theatre, Adriatic Sea, in close operational support with the LRDG and SBS special duties sections.
Private DON TINDALL - joining the Royal Army Ordinance Corps in April 1944, Don became a driver posted to Donnington 29VRD RAOC, a major invasion vehicle depo. In the build-up to D-Day he was posted to vehicle embarkation duties at the East India docks and served loading vehicles on to supply ships for Normandy. In late June, he served with supply vessels to Mulberry B, unloading and delivering vehicles to vital in-land RASC front line resupply depos. Don finished his service with various home front postings, including POW duties and postings with the RAOC and No 10 AFV (armoured fighting vehicles).
Sapper GEORGE BATTS MBE Ld'H - after joining the Royal Engineers in 1943, George was just 18 when he landed on Gold Beach on the morning of D-Day. He spent most of the following days defusing mines and booby-traps from the beaches and clearing the area where the Mulberry Harbour was due to be constructed at Arromanches. In March 1945 he then went to the Far East where his war ended. George later became National Secretary for the Normandy Veterans Association and Patron of the Normandy Memorial Trust, and was instrumental in securing the backing of the UK Government to build a lasting monument in Normandy to honour all British Armed forces and civilian services who lost their lives during the Campaign.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
