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Post by alberthaines on Feb 21, 2010 8:58:23 GMT -5
Hi, My Name is nick Haines and I am on here searching on behalf of my Grandfather Albert Haines, who served with the RASC from 1955 until 1957.
The information I am searching for is in regards to two former members of the RASC of the same time, who were involved in what I think was a forest fire in the Trudus Mountains in Cyprus in 1955.
The first is a one Billy Brain, who, according to my Grandfather was from west Brom or Birmingham, he can't quite remeber, though he is searching through his old papers and records to try and find out. He was injured signifigantly in the fire though he survived and was sent home. I am told he was injured attempting to rescue the second member.
The next man is a David Kennedy, who sadly died in the same fire. I believe he was from Sterling.
If it is of any use, they both served in 40 Company alongside my Grandfather and the ensignia is a Black Swan in a White Circle.
My Grandfather is from Port Talbot in Wales and is looking for any and all information available with this and indeed anyone at all from this time that may have known him and can help with the search.
Thank you very much for your time.
Yours sincerely, Nick Haines
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Post by Kevin Perry on Mar 7, 2010 12:37:05 GMT -5
Dear Nick,
My father Derek (Brummie) Perry was in Cyprus at this time, he was in 65 Coy RASC and based at Golden Sands camp Famagusta. He's done a far bit of research from his time in Cyprus and meet up with old buddies.
I'll mention the incident to him and if he has any memory of significance I'll get back to you.
I doubt he'll know the people you mention but i guess anything could help. I do know he mentioned a fire in which RAF personnel died, i'm sure this was in the Trudos.
Regards
Kevin
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Post by Dennis Cane on Mar 16, 2013 13:02:12 GMT -5
Dear Nick,
Have only just spotted this, sorry its two years on. I was in Cyprus at the same time as Brummy Brain and Lance Corporal Kennedy. Brummy Brain was in A platoon 40 Company RASC based at Dhekelia. Your grandad was right that he was badly burned in a forest fire, the same fire that killed Lance Corporal Kennedy. There is controversy about how the fire was started, Eoka had said that it was started by the British firing mortars, the soldiers at the time thought that was Eoka. Several of our convoys were taking some personnel from Scottish regiments in trucks up the Troodos mountains, 40 company lorries were on detachment to 42 company and the Scottish regiments. The convoys were at different stages up the mountains and those from the middle upwards were caught in the forest fire.
Have several photos including of Brummy Brain but have a job to remember names of many now.
Dennis Cane (Driver 40 company intake no 5516 from 55 - 57)
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Post by fxogijilo on May 29, 2019 23:21:00 GMT -5
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Post by Robert Lonsdale on Jun 4, 2022 6:31:57 GMT -5
Dear Nick
My name is Robert and I jhavejust been accepted a Chelsea Pensioner. I have tried rot answer you but am not sure whether I was doing it properly.
I have now registered as a member of the association and hope this gets to you..
If I am right we, that is Jock Kennedy, me and your grandad were in the same intake at Buller barracks in Nov/Dec 1954. they were a national Service. I was a regular. From there we went to 101 Coy RASC Hobbs barracks in Lingfield Surrey.
I was sent on detachment to Epsom and while there I believe the rest of the platoon were sent to Cyprus. I read about Jock being kilkilled in the fire (if it is the same chap he wore a false plate for his front teeth). The unit we joined 101 Coy RASC were on leave having just come back from Egypt and the unit being replaced were 117 Royal Artillery and we were amazed to find that there was only their rear party there and they were all girls!!!
I won"t go on as I may be wrong. If I am right then I remember most that h, your grand dad was always looking on the bright side and loved to sing.
It will be such a coincidence for you to make your inquiries now as I have only just become a ,member!!
Robert Lonsdale retired WOII ex RASC 1954 to 1965. Now a Chelsea Pensioner who will be moving to Chelsea in the next 2/3 months
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Post by James B on Oct 21, 2022 10:32:08 GMT -5
Good afternoon Robert,
I was interested in your post and wondered whether you served with 14 Company RASC? I only ask as I understand 101 Coy RASC disbanded in 1958 and 14 Coy was at Lingfield.
Rregards
James
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jal
New Member
Posts: 13
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Post by jal on Nov 1, 2022 10:02:14 GMT -5
Good afternoon Robert, I was interested in your post and wondered whether you served with 14 Company RASC? I only ask as I understand 101 Coy RASC disbanded in 1958 and 14 Coy was at Lingfield. Rregards James Pretty sure 14 Coy was in Bielefeld late 50s/60s |
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