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Working for a Sherman driver fronm WWII

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  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Bournemouth UK
Working for a Sherman driver fronm WWII
Posted by Bodge on Thursday, March 3, 2011 3:38 PM

Well today i started at a new job which is just around the corner from me. It is to take down an old  brick wall and put up a new one . 
It is for an elderly gent and his good lady wife. Now i new he was in his mid eighties so when he brought me out a cup of coffee this morning i asked if he had seen service in the war. Yes he said , i was in the royal tank regiment. My ears perked up and he had my full attention. What was your duty i said . Driver he said.Need i say anymore. You can guess how much work i got done or rather didnt get done today. I once turned up home one evening in a crommwell tank and my mum said what the hell ids that youve got out there? He was taking it to a base the next day.He met his wife in 41 as she used to clean used tanks that came back from the front line and he delivered a tank for them to clean and wash down to repair and they fell for each other there and then.Well that was just the start of the conversation today.All types of tanks he drove but in action he had a Sherman with  a 76mm gun. Cant wait to go back to work in the morning. I said i would take in a couple of models. 

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: Democratic Peoples Republic of Illinois
Posted by Hercmech on Thursday, March 3, 2011 3:45 PM

Great story! It's such a shame that these folks are getting on in years and are disappearing in such a rapid rate. I bet he has some cool pictures laying around that would be great to look at.


13151015

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Thursday, March 3, 2011 4:44 PM

Are you gonna build one for him? Wink Would be cool if you surprised him with a replica of his tank.

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: El Dorado Hills, CA
Posted by IBuild148 on Friday, March 4, 2011 2:40 PM

Ask him if he ever saw or was in any captured German amour? What about battlefield / armour related photo's.

IBuildOne48

Teach modeling to youth!

Scalefinishes.com

http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/ww122/randysmodels/NMF%20Group%20build%20II/Group%20Badge/NMFIIGBbadgesmall.jpg

 

  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: San Antonio
Posted by MAJ Mike on Friday, March 4, 2011 4:28 PM

If it was me, I'd secure a video camera and a bottle of your tank driver's favorite alcohol and do a living history interview.  My father was a WWII vet who died 21 years ago.  I wish I'd have done something similiar with him.

 

 

 "I'd "I'd rather be historically accurate than politically correct."

"Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc!"

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Philippines
Posted by constructor on Friday, March 4, 2011 10:23 PM

Relatives and friends of vets should talk to them and record their exploits during the war. They are a venishing breed. I had an uncle here in the Philippines who guided a japanese tank to be able to cross a river. He guided it to a very deep portion of the river and the tank sunk fast and the crew all drowned. I remember this from my childhood. It would be interesting for you to build his tank and paint a driver just like him.It will bring back a lot of memories.

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