Wartime letter of commendation
 

Gents, I post the attached purely as something of interest and not a little pride on my part.

My Grandfather was a reservist in the Middlesex Regt prior to the war, however was not mobilised as he worked on the railway, a position which precluded him for military service as it was a reserved occupation. He was however a Team Leader on a Civil Defence Rescue Team ( effectively rescuing people from bomb damaged buildings etc). No doubt at times a most harrowing occupation in it's own way.

He died about 5 years before I was born, therefore sadly I never knew him. He was I am assured a lovely man and sorely missed by the wider family when he died.

The attached letter I was given by my Dad recently and post it here for your interest.

I do recall seeing this as a child, when my Grandmother showed it to me. It transpired that my Grandfather had omitted to mention this dangerous action to her, and she only found out about it when the attached letter dropped on the Matt. She was not impressed.

For my late Grandfather, Robert Bessent. Your are still remembered.

Regards all

Bess

A great letter for the family archive.

Chris

A great letter. The full story of the UX mine is told in this excellent booklet. (The Rescue Squad is mentioned, but not Mr Bessent):

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ordeal-in...wAAOSwyKhe5jyM

Many thanks, indeed the mine is mentioned for 24th Sept. Bedford park is still a country park.

Regards all

Bess

Many thanks Cam. It is indeed and probably fairly unique.



QUOTE=CAM;515018]A great letter for the family archive.

Chris[/QUOTE]

Home Front Heroes
 

An interesting letter, at least your Grandfather was acknowledged and rightly so, many I'm sure were never mentioned, but a lovely family item which should be kept.

Rob

Thanks Rob. Indeed a snapshot of a time very hard to imagine now and one of many thousands of incidents that are just lost in time.

All the very best all

Bess

G'day Bess

Thanks for sharing the letter its things like that make up the full tapestry of what went on that is otherwise not recorded.

I also have a letter that was brought to my attention by my friend and Crimean researcher, Phil Boys that was sent by a relative who had survived the Charge of the Light Brigade and was written 3 days after the charge to his brother back in England. This letter and another were published in the Warrington newspaper

In his case the horse was slightly wounded and he snapped his lance just in front of his knee. He lived to fight another day as they say.

Regards

Phil.

Bess
Many thanks for sharing the letter you are rightly proud off - it was 'Total' war in the true sense of the word and the concentration of bombs around your Grand Father's patch would have kept him very busy. Another unsung hero who would simply regard their actions as 'simply doing my bit'. A very understated generation - we must remember the parts they all played.
Mike

Definitely something to be proud of, brave men.
Andy

Many thanks guys.

Best wishes to all

Bess