Family Chance Meetings whilst at War!
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My Grandfather (on my fathers side) Denis was born in Bromham Nr Devizes Wiltshire but later moved to Farnham Surrey, leaving his younger brother Alan behind at the family farm.
During the Second World War he was a Major in the North African Campaign and was in charge of moving the Italian Prisoners of War to the other Camps, past the British lines when he saw a Tank marked with "Devizes" he asked his driver to stop and speak to the driver of the tank- thinking that they might know of his family, but to his shock and surprise it was actually his brother Alan! He had joined the Wiltshire Yeomanry and had began the War with working Horses and ended up in the Tanks- he hadn't even passed a Driving Test!
My Uncles(on my mothers side) John and Charles were born in Trowbridge Wiltshire, John married and later moved to Salisbury. Both men joined the Royal Navy, John ended up shore based in Capetown doing Administration whilst Charles was posted to India and other places on the M.T.Boats.
Their families did not know of their whereabouts as mail was censored, but my Grandmother did receive a photo in the post of her two sons together! it just said"me & Chas" on it.
When they returned they could then tell their story - Charles(chas) ended up in Capetown waiting for repairs to their boats, they had leave and he was walking down the main street when John his older brother saw his younger brother walking towards him!
Date submitted:Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:17:01 +0000Coincidence ID:5837