Benbow Battalion 1915

James RJ Hart had three sons who all served in the Second World War;
James Francis Hart
James Francis Hart


(My Dad ~ By Raymond James Hart)

Born ~ 10th August 1918
Died ~ 6th June 1999

Served in the TA & REME
1937 to 1945
Enlisted ~21st June 1937 Canvey Island, Essex, for the TA as Driver.
Norway ~ 1940
Iceland ~ 1942 Diesel Vehicle Mechanic
France ~ 1944 Vehicle Mechanic AFV
Belgium ~ 1944
Holland ~ 1944/5
Germany ~ 1945
Normandy Landings
D+12 ~ 18th June 1944
Gold Beach
11th Armoured Division
XXX Corps
He was awarded the following medals.
Territorial Medal
The Defence Medal
1939/45 Star
France & Germany Star
Victory Medal
Army No ~ 871265

Jim was a vehicle mechanic for armoured fighting vehicles. He serviced and repaired Sherman and Churchill tanks; he also worked on the latest Comet tanks being introduced towards the end of the war.
Sydney Ernest Hart
Sydney Ernest Hart

Born ~ 20th June 1921
Died ~ 14th Jan 2000
Served in the Royal Navy as a Telegraphist (Sparks)

HMS Cossack
(Cossack was torpedoed by U513 off Gibraltar 24th Oct1941with a loss of 160 of her crew)

On Feb 14th 1940 in Jossing Fiord Norway, Sid was the radio operator who jammed the German supply ship “Altmark’s radio operator from informing German Naval headquarters, that it had been stopped and boarded by the Royal Navy.
This naval action allowed the Allied Merchant Navy prisoners being held on board to be released.

HMS Zulu
(Zulu was sunk by aircraft of Tobruk 14th Sept 1942)

Prior to Cossack being torpedoed, Sid was transferred to the flotilla half leader Zulu, when Captain Vian left to join HMS Afridi.

HMS Whelp

Sid saw action of Okinawa in the Pacific; also the ship was in Tokyo Bay on the 2nd Sept 1945 for the Japanese Surrender. The 1st Lieut. on board was Phillip Mountbatten. (The Duke of Edinburgh)


 

Sid's grandson Leigh James Anderson served in 40 and 45 Commando Royal Marines.

1991 - Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, Lympstone Devon.
1993 - Operation Banner Northern Ireland, UK.
1994 - Operation Banner Northern Ireland, UK.
2004 - Operation Telic Iraq.
2007 - Operation Herrick Afghanistan.
2008 - Operation Herrick Afghanistan.
2011 - 45 Commando RM (ZULU Company Sergeant Major)
2013 - Retired from RM.

Leigh James Anderson

WO2 Leigh James Anderson RM P047998M
(Company Sergeant Major ZULU COY 45 Commando RM)

 
Norman William Hart
Norman William Hart
Born ~ 18th August 1923
Died ~ 15th July 2010
Served in the Fleet Air Arm

1942 to 1946

Air Frame Fitter
No FX 585629
1843 Squadron
HMS Arbiter
(Woolworth Carrier)

Norman was an air frame fitter who worked on American made Corsairs and Avengers; he saw action in the Pacific, off Iwo Jima.

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