blackpool remembers

2nd , 3rd July 2005

This was the first weekend  in a 2 week wartime extravaganza in and around Lawson's Road ground, Blackpool.  We were all looking forward to all the  shows and attractions that had been promiced. Very few appeared.  A few stalls and tents, in an open park, where the drunk and stoned public wandered in and out of our camps, some on the look out for anything loose to pinch. The security for the camps that were promised, did not appear. So a long night was had by all. Luckily the rain came, so deterring the drunks...  But it was very hot, and we met loads of interesting vets, with stories to tell in their abundance. Unfortunatly "Ruthie" Willys was not well, she threw a big end shell bearing just as we arrived, so had to limp back.

ITV TV were there when we arrived on Friday to do interviews with us and the vets. Here is a vet being interveved by ITV Weatherman "Fred", in my jeep !!

Getting ready for a little convoy past one of the local schools. Hundreds of young school kids waving flags and cheering as we all drove past...

Left. The Fox Brothers in Dodge.                                                                                       Right.  Paul Waterworth with .50cal. on jeep

Left. It was damn hot that day, especially with all this lot on. I lost count of the number of photo requests from young and old. I have never talked for so long with so many people, without a rest. Met a man similar age to me, who left 505PIR 82AB just after GW1, gave me a great book, still reading it. Did not get his name, but nice guy.

Right  Rupert and Matt Fox enjoy a hot coffee first thing after a rough night under canvas... It always rained at light, very hard as well, but brilliant weather during the day.

I met this gentleman, Frank Lucas, AC2, RAF,stationed at Welford Park near Newbury, this was an American airbase in ww2. His job , was to load men, equipment, jeeps etc, into the gliders, for the 320th Glider Field artillery 82AB, prior to the D-Day landings. We also was responsible for running behind the C47s with the glider tow cable and hooking them on as they rumbled by, dangerous job with 2 huge prop engines. He was a pleasure to talk to, all weekend, and kept comming back with more stories. He liked the American soldiers that much, he came dressed as one !!

Toby Fox with make shift water bowl...

Below.  camp first thing in the morning, nobody about. Jeep and Dodge slept under canvas too, just right of center, next to open GMC truck.

As we appeared in the Blackpool Gazette the week after, a fine body of men?!                                 Right. Local girls learn the strole.

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last updated - 14th August , 2006