John Brown's Service in North Africa
The contributor's father, John Watson Brown, and uncle, Robert Brown, were conscripted. Father was a fishmonger in Joppa and drove the van before the war. Father was conscripted, after initial training, to North Queensferry with the anti-aircraft unit. Then, father was sent to Scapa Flow and set up on an island in the middle of Scapa Flow. Father thought it would be miserable, but a fishing boat turned up from Peterhead and his cousin was the captain, so supplies were plentiful.
In 1942, father was posted to Tunisia with City of London Yeomanry 'Rough Riders' as anti-aircraft. Father served in Algiers, Tunis, Sicily, Italy then Austria, ending up at Klagenfurt. In Klagenfurt, there was a black market of deserters from the German, Italian, US and British army, so this was the place to go to for anything you needed.
Father did four journeys back and forward across Europe to return troops to the UK.
History
Item list and details
Medals of John Watson Brown Clothing and wool coupons National identity card - Margaret Brown Enlistment notice and pass to get married Driving pass Soldiers service book and photo of John Watson. Guide to Vienna Bible given to soldiers Birthday greeting Medal and ribbon and photo of John Watson Brown receiving 60th Anniversary of Armistice Xmas card send to parents in 1945 Telegram home to his wife and demob issue Tent issue details and photos Rough Riders Badge - 11th City of London Yeomanry Medals from unclePerson the story/items relate to
John Watson BrownPerson who shared the story/items
John Watson BrownRelationship between the subject of the story and its contributor
Father of the contributorType of submission
Shared at University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh on 25 November 2023.Record ID
109218 | EDI025Usage metrics
