Glenn R

HMS DASHER......

One that's often overlooked due to the mystery surrounding it is the loss of HMS DASHER in the Firth of Clyde on 27th March 1943. Dasher was an Archer class aircraft carrier converted in America and sent over on lend-lease. At around 4:40pm on the afternoon of Saturday 27th March 1943 she exploded while en route to shore following flight exercises. She sank in 8 minutes. 379 souls lost. The second greatest loss of life in home waters after the Royal Oak. The official cause of the disaster has never been fully revealed and is still cloaked in secrecy. Evidence suggests that one of the drowned crew was used in Operation Mincemeat to divert German attention from the invasion of Sicily. Providing the body which was sent ashore under the guise of a high ranking Royal Marine officer in possession of plans to invade elsewhere. One of my uncles was lost on board Dasher. No one in the family were aware until I researched his loss. They were merely informed that he was missing in action. No other details. Glenn.

Very sweet. Good thing is, a cross is just a cross to most wives!

Those two cyclist photos are superb. Look at the duelling scar on the man on the right.

That looks a really interesting group. Harry Patch was DCLI wasn't he? Do you need any more research doing? Glenn.

What a superb piece of family history. It's great to see the articles which have been passed down and now researched. Thanks for posting it, very interesting. Best, Glenn.

Thanks for that, very interesting. Any ideas where they were deployed after this? All the best, Glenn.

Can anyone tell me the whereabouts of IR 27 on 27th Sept 1916? I have an engraved Iron Cross to Oblt Hans Von Sommerfeld with this date engraved on it. Any help would be very much appreciated. Cheers Glenn.

Superb collection of pillow backs. Really nice to see so many examples and variants. One of my favourites. :jumping:

Naxos, what a fantastic photograph of your Grandmother. Thanks for posting it. Glenn.

Thanks for the comments chaps. I'm very pleased with it myself. God bless Thea whoever she may have been!

It's not obvious from this photo however the engraving is quite tiny. There's a lot of script for the back of a standard sized EK1.

In keeping with my fondness for engravings I recently picked this piece up. Convex 800 marked cross. The inscription translates as "Conceal the longing in your heart with the cross on your breast. Thea" I like the idea of a "sweetheart EK". Perhaps the recipients wife, girlfriend or mistress bought him this private purchase cross and had it engraved for him, presenting it to him prior to his return to the front?

Yeah I saw that one myself Greg. Be interesting to see if anyone bites or if it's just wildly wishful thinking!

Thanks Rick, the plot thickens! I'm told the Joanniterorden was frowned upon by HItler. Being a civilian and religious order. Perhaps an issue?

That's intriguing Rick. Excuse my ignorance on these matters but is it possible to access service records and how would I go about it? Glenn.

Seems from an initial bit of digging that he was a holder of the Johanniterordern too.

Gents, thanks very much for all your replies and research. Much appreciated. I'm delighted with this info. I agree that the pin removal is deliberate, I don't know why either! It will be interesting to be able to post a better picture of the home made suspension loop when it arrives. Regardless of the damage quite an interesting history to it.

Purchased for the engraving of course. I'm intrigued at the prospect of researching Oblt Hans Von Sommerfeld. IR 27! Research is not my strong point though. Anyone got any ideas? Looks like some sort of suspension device has been added to the top arm. Obviously lost it's pin and catch but it's not the condition makes this one a must buy for me. Cheers Gents, Glenn.

Obverse......

Just purchased this interesting cross. Not arrived yet so will post more and better pictures when it does.

God bless him. A truly decent man.

Lovely little cross Tom. HB..could it be Heinz Beans?

In my opinion, certain cross manufacturers become the "must have" cross but when you see one in the flesh you wonder why. Not so with Godet silver crosses. Absolute quality. I love them. That looks like a real keeper Rich, nice purchase.