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Making Spitfire parts and North Africa

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posted on 2024-06-05, 19:46 authored by Their Finest Hour Project Team

Henry James Todd (my Dad)
-DOB 16 July 1917, Swindon, Wiltshire
-Called up March 1943
-The family always said they thought he was in a reserved occupation. He worked for Vickers Armstrong, at South Marston Swindon, as a Jig and Tool maker, (I believe) on Spitfires.
-He was released from service in June 1946 on "compassionate grounds (Class C release) and transferred to Class Z (T) Reserve.
-He attended a number of training days from the Railway Warrants enclosed.
-I am not sure but, I understand this continued until after the Suez Crisis. (The big panic for the family at this time was he had worn his Great Coat during the cold winters since his discharge, it unfortunately had been attacked by the moth. The cost of replacement was a great concern!)
-Dad was one of nature's gentlemen, gentle and kind. He only spoke to my sister once of his experiences, (he had been present at a liberated Concentration Camp) and died October 1995. I found the documents in my mother's boxes after she died.

John Edward Taylor (Uncle John)
-I have very few details about dear Uncle John.
-He was in the RAF and based out in Libya, when he was posted we are unsure. He was ground crew, and the family said, part of his duties included collecting aircraft parts from crashed planes, this unfortunately sometimes meant human remains.
-However, he was confirmed in Benghasi, March 1944, having previously made a Pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre Jerusalem, in November 1942.
-Very sadly, the war was always with him (PTSD?) and he tragically committed suicide in September 1965, a very sad loss to our family and friends..

History

Item list and details

1 - 2. Henry Todd in uniform 3 - 4. John Taylor and one with his friend Jim 5 - 9. forms for Certificate of Transfer to Army Reserve and release from the Army 10 - 14. Henry Todd service book 15 - 16. War Departement Rail Warrant ( 3rd Class) to Salisbury. 17 - 18. Preparation complete for confirmation and some Pilgrimage memorabilia

Person the story/items relate to

Henry James Todd (dad) and my uncle John Edward Taylor

Person who shared the story/items

Kathleen Davidson

Relationship between the subject of the story and its contributor

Dad / uncle

Type of submission

Shared at West Meads Community Hall, West Sussex on 11 November 2023. The event was organised by Bognor Regis u3a.

Record ID

107799 | BOG078