Ian Handley
- Location: Norfolk UK
- Registered: 30 Oct 2013
- Posts: 412
#1
May I use this forum to pay tribute to my Uncle Sandford (Handley) a D-Day veteran who went ashore on Gold Beach on June 6th 1944 along with many thousands of other brave young men.
Their efforts, dedication and sadly in many instances the ultimate sacrifice allow us the privilege in living our peaceful lives today.
Sandford (Sandy) is a member of the Shepway & District NVA, now aged 94 he is a resident of Alexander House, Folkestone Road, Dover. Sadly he is unable to travel to Normandy at this time.
I was however privileged to accompany him to Normandy 5years ago on the occasion of the 65th commemoration - something I shall never, ever forget - I am so very, very proud.
I send greetings from Sandford to other veterans, and know that those that are able to make the return journey today will be greeted as heros, just as he was 5 years ago.
I doubt the likes of their generation will ever be seen again.
Thank you
Ian
Ian Handley
Former Operations Controller DHB Terminal Control (1978-1995)
Dover born (1946) & bred, Moved from area in 1999 - family still living in Dover
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#2
quite rightly so ian,my father went from north Africa up Italy and finaly Germany.
Guest 667- Registered: 6 Apr 2008
- Posts: 919
#3
We owe a debt of gratitude to each and every one of those men and women who served through those dark years and gave us the freedom that we have today. My father was one of those that got back from Dunkirk and ended up serving in Burma but no matter when & where they served they served with honour.
I can not imagine what they all went through on D. Day going ashore not knowing what lay before them, we owe them all so much. May those that gave their lives and those that have passed away since rest in peace and honour, to those that still live be proud today for you all deserve the respect of everyone in Europe and the free World.
Total Respect
Best wishes to your Father Ian.
Ian Handley- Location: Norfolk UK
- Registered: 30 Oct 2013
- Posts: 412
#4
Thank you Brian, Harry.
As I watch the commemorations on Tv I have in front of me a copy of Sandford's memories that I have posted on the 'net' - one paragraph sums up the horror of it all...
"... We stormed up the beach and noticed several dead British soldiers at the water's edge, so still - and I thought someone's sons... we got to the brow of the beach, to our left was higher ground and the biggest Union Jack I had ever seen flying in the gentle breeze... I remember a cornfield on our right - unharvested, a few yards in was the gruesome sight of a dead young German soldier his head facing seaward, his face sunburnt from the Normandy sun he had enjoyed a few days earlier...I thought another young man the same as me doing what he was told to do, it was bloody awful, all I wanted to do was be home in Dover with my mother and father, brother and four sisters in our home in Limekiln Street..."
And Brian, indeed whilst Normandy is at the centre of today's commemorations, we must also remember the suffering, gallantry and professionalism of the hundred's fighting in other campaigns.
Ian Handley
Former Operations Controller DHB Terminal Control (1978-1995)
Dover born (1946) & bred, Moved from area in 1999 - family still living in Dover
Guest 664- Registered: 23 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,039
#5
Massive respect to those involved. Some of the details on the radio this morning were mind blowing...climbing cliffs using ladders and grappling hooks while under fire...incredible.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#6
Absolutely.
Totally agree with all the above.
My Father was part of the British Expeditionary Forces and lost a leg (well, part of it) just before Dunkirk. I took him back there (just outside Louvain (?) in 1980, 40 yeasrs almost exactly to the day he was wounded. We didn't find his knapsack or rifle., but we did find where he was wounded.
My Mum and Dad both stood there crying - very emotional day for all of us.
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#7
The people that were there day would never be able to forget the horrors that they witnessed, the paragraph in post 4 says it all.
Grateful thanks to Sandford and all the others.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#8
Exactly Howard and let us hope there is never ever a need for another experience like D.Day again.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#9
did any one see the spitfires/hurricans in battle of Britain colours flying around at lunch time today.
Karlos- Location: Dover
- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 2,599
#10
Also Folkestone air show tomorrow (Red Arrows & Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight) & Sunday.
Guest 664- Registered: 23 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,039
#11
It has been claimed that if the invasion had failed the consequences would have been terrible - the Soviet Union conquering all Western Europe and the war dragging on into 1946 or 47, by which time Germany would have had the atomic bomb...scary stuff,.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#12
I was delighted to hear on the radio news today of a veteran who went missing from his old folks' home after being told he wasn't strong enough to travel to France for the commemorations. He has turned up in Normandy with his old comrades after making his own way there.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#13
well done that man,nice to see such indiependance from a brave man.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#14
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#15
Lovely story.
Roger
Bob Whysman
- Registered: 23 Aug 2013
- Posts: 1,948
#16
You probably saw Bernard Jordan on the news tonight but here's a link to the Argus site story:
http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/11263579.Great_escape_war_veteran_Bernard_arrives_home/
What a great character!
Do nothing and nothing happens.
Ian Handley- Location: Norfolk UK
- Registered: 30 Oct 2013
- Posts: 412
#17
Bernard Jordan's wonderful and fulfilling escapade proves that the D-Day spirit lives on after 70 years, God bless them all.
I am somewhat amused that some reports stated that he had "escaped" from his nursing home.
I wasn't aware that if and when my time comes to be admitted, that I would be held in custody - are we chained down or maybe held in stocks?
Ian Handley
Former Operations Controller DHB Terminal Control (1978-1995)
Dover born (1946) & bred, Moved from area in 1999 - family still living in Dover
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#18
I liked the way his wife had been sworn to secrecy about his supposed trip to Southampton, so maybe his "escape" was more than even she expected. All being well he is going again next year this time he has asked the nursing home manager to go with him.
Long may this wonderful old gentleman enjoy his jaunts out of the nursing home.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#19
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#20
