Gary W

sounds fascinating and will be investigating further.

Will certainly give it a look over as it sounds very interesting

And another fine fellow joins the great NAAFI queue in the sky. May he Rest in Peace

And typical of our colonial cousins hijacking the honour of taking it, as portrayed in the Bridge too far film. After all they got the enigma, liberated the whole of Europe single handed and cleared Rommel out of N Africa, TFIC lol.

Just out of interest do gallantry medals to the LRDG have LRDG as the unit, or are they named to the parent unit of the winner?

Hi, got an answer from Brendan O'Carroll. Author of Barce Raid, Kiwi Scorpions, Bearded Brigands and also co-author of the film/book already mentioned in this thread on Jebil Sherif etc also from other similar sources re same.

" As far I understand it, LRDG gallantry awards are usually only named to the winner's parent unit; however, the citation sometimes mentions the LRDG involvement.

For example, in my book Barce Raid, I have listed eight citations for awards earned on the raid, of those, only in two are the letters 'LRDG' used. They describe the action and use the word 'patrol' a lot. "

"Cheers and happy Christmas,

Best regards

Brendan"

Hope this helps

Gary

Hallo Gary,

this might be of interest to you:-

http://www.jebelsherif.org/

http://www.lrdg.org/

Kevin in Deva.

Thanks Kevin

already got the film and also member of LRDG org etc.

Gary

Re Medals, not too sure but I know a man who does. Will get back to you soonest

Gary

Brian

You lucky person, love the 19 set and have been trying to get one myself but not a lot I can find in UK

Gary

Fraternal Greetings Brethren

Past Master St Marks Lodge at Glasgow #102 GL Of Scotland, PZ, Past Preceptor, CC, RAM, Guild of FM, Conlave, O of SM, + other orders.

Hi

Does anyone know of any surviving members of the LRDG in UK? I am looking at running an expedition to the Western Desert to cover some of the routes used by these brave men and making a short film or documetary of same, using period vehicles, WW2 uniforms, rations, methods etc. I would love to have some footage from a set of interviews with one or more of these fellows to help me with the background for the exped and pre op research etc.

Failing this perhaps someone had a relative who was in the LRDG and have some information about them that we can also include. The expedition itself is to raise awareness of the deeds these formations carried out, the hardships and tasks carried out etc with the overall aim to raise money for some of the services charities.

Have a look at www.wdrg.org for more info

Best regards

Gary A Wallace

Major

Hope i am in the right spot for this.My father was in the glider pilot reg.during the 2nd w.w.His name was James Smith and he was a sargeant.On my birth cert. he was classed as aircraft rigger.Would appreciate someone filling me in on what this entailed.My mother and father broke up after the war and i have lost contact.He would be well in to his eighties now if still alive.MAny thanks in anticapation.Mike Smith.

Hi

The two types of rigger I have come across in the military are concerning the fitting out of aircraft for different loads, equipment and personnel. The other, which is more pertinent to Para/Airborne forces was the rigging of specialist equipment and vehicles in preparation for airborne operations/assaults. As you say he was in the Glider Pilot Regt this would be more likely as it involved the fitting out of gliders internally to take jeeps, artilery pieces, pallets of ammo, stores and equipment required for use on the DZ/LZ for immediate ops. Also the securing of all the equipment and vehicles to stop any movement during take off, flight and more importantly landings (Don't want a jeep flying through the front of a glider on impact etc) In modern times -over past 30 years I had been part of Para Regt and did rigging and checkers courses to put similar equipments- land rovers and trailers etc onto Medium Stressed Platforms (MSPs) prior to their loading into Hercules and other suitable aircraft prior to air dropping same. This involved lashing, chaining and securing equipment using air bags, wooden shock struts, padding, taping and tying any loose items etc- a long and tedious job for what amounted to 30 seconds of para descent onto the DZ/LZ etc.

Hope this helps

Gary A Wallace

Major

Mainly TA 15 & 4 Para with a bit in 2 Para mid 70s to present