Arras Battlefield Tour

[billywizz]

Arras Battlefield Tour
70th Anniversary of the 4th/7th RTR counter attack at Arras 1940.

As I understand it the above Battlefield tour is scheduled to take place over the period 21st, 22nd, and 23rd of May 2010. It was only when I was browsing through some old Tank magazines that I came across this pictorial account of one such tour which took place some 33 years ago. Though I feel that many of those featured are no longer with us it occurred to me that for those who read the Fearnaught pages it might be of interest to reflect on the happenings of what took place those 33 years ago.

[storeman]

Just heard that Grubby will be joining us in Arras.

[storeman]

Spotted outside Arras, recognise anyone?

[storeman]

Should anyone be interested, here is an interview given by Ron Atkinson, one of the few survivors of the counterattack.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1280701/British-tank-battle-hero-stopped-Rommel-tracks.html

[texas]

I know I wear glasses but Grubby does not look much different from when I first met him Detmold in 1959

[soprano54]

May 30, 2010 9:30:26 GMT storeman said:

img215.imageshack.us/img215/5973/lostinfrance.th.jpg Spotted outside Arras, recognise anyone?

L-R:- 'The Grubster' (Dick Mertens), Des Dieghan, Bob Gamble & Brian Wheatley!

[storeman]

May 31, 2010 12:18:39 GMT soprano54 said:

May 30, 2010 9:30:26 GMT storeman said:

img215.imageshack.us/img215/5973/lostinfrance.th.jpg Spotted outside Arras, recognise anyone?

L-R:- 'The Grubster' (Dick Mertens), Des Dieghan, Bob Gamble & Brian Wheatley!

Forever surprised, were did you meet Des?

[soprano54]

May 31, 2010 17:12:07 GMT storeman said:

May 31, 2010 12:18:39 GMT soprano54 said:

L-R:- 'The Grubster' (Dick Mertens), Des Dieghan, Bob Gamble & Brian Wheatley!

Forever surprised, were did you meet Des?

Alex to be honest I never have, I've just seen lots of pics of him!

[texas]

The last time I Brian Wheatley was at Bovington back in 1964 , though I have seen some recent photos that Brian Perkins A K A Sid (REME) who was with us in Tidworth Wolfenbuttel and Fally , so thats why I did not recognize him.

[storeman]

May 31, 2010 21:41:21 GMT texas said:

The last time I Brian Wheatley was at Bovington back in 1964 , though I have seen some recent photos that Brian Perkins A K A Sid (REME) who was with us in Tidworth Wolfenbuttel and Fally , so thats why I did not recognize him.

Brian finished as Lt Col (QM) of the gunnery school circa 89/90. (around the time Andy was PS at JLR) I believe he spent some time with the third when he first got commissioned (or was it the second?). Any ideas?

[storeman]

May 31, 2010 18:19:48 GMT soprano54 said:

May 31, 2010 17:12:07 GMT storeman said:

Forever surprised, were did you meet Des?

Alex to be honest I never have, I've just seen lots of pics of him!

Yeah, he does love to be photographed

[soprano54]

Jun 1, 2010 9:06:33 GMT storeman said:

May 31, 2010 21:41:21 GMT texas said:

The last time I Brian Wheatley was at Bovington back in 1964 , though I have seen some recent photos that Brian Perkins A K A Sid (REME) who was with us in Tidworth Wolfenbuttel and Fally , so thats why I did not recognize him.

Brian finished as Lt Col (QM) of the gunnery school circa 89/90. (around the time Andy was PS at JLR) I believe he spent some time with the third when he first got commissioned (or was it the second?).
Any ideas?

It was with the 3rd, I can remember him in 'Falling-Bar-Stool' in 74!

[greentanky]

Dick Mertens lives about 3 miles away from me outside Southampton.Lat saw him about 5 years ago when he tried to get me a car parking job at the Rosebowl.Always sends me an Xmas card.

[soprano54]

Jun 1, 2010 13:22:32 GMT greentanky said:

Dick Mertens lives about 3 miles away from me outside Southampton.Lat saw him about 5 years ago when he tried to get me a car parking job at the Rosebowl.Always sends me an Xmas card.

I saw him about a year ago at Sandy Hoddinott's funeral.