General Chat

Still here after seeing your post Mandy.Is there any way you can get in touch with the people selling your Uncle's medals to say you are a close relative,and ask how they have these medals.I'm not surprised you feel a bit upset by seeing this.

They are up for auction in Loughton Essex, i think the upsetting bit was reading about all the camps he was held in.

Here's what there is .

.A scarce well documented WW2 Far East campaign and Efficiency Medal group, with original insignia to Company Quarter Master Sergeant Stanley Terrence Da**on, the Famous 5th Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment Territorial Force. 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal 39-45, and Efficiency Medal, Geo V, bar Territorial with 2 second award bars 5767947 SJT. S.T. DAWSON. 5 - R. NORF. R. Also included his dog tag (church of england), a metal wound stripe, 2 Drummer trade badges, 6 regimental/association badges, a metal japanese (?) symbol with wearing on reverse, a labour party badge, a congress 1964 badge and an East Anglia Brass Band Medal dated 1934 on reverse. Born 21st May 1907 Mitford, Norfolk, enlisted 31st January 1924 into the Norfolk Regiment (his service number is of the early batch of the newly issued 7 digit numbers in the 1920s), living at Arcadia Scarning, Dereham, Norfolk, this is also the address he lived at aged 3 in 1911. He was married to Frida ) in 1936 Mitford, Norfolk. Caught on 15th February 1942, the Fall of Singapore with the 5th Norfolk Regiment part of the 18th Division. Extract of war diary for the day: 15th Feb 1942 Both A Coy and C Coy endeavoured to eliminated MG post, 3" mortars assisted. Battle on A Coy and C Coy fronts continued from dawn to 1600 hours. By order of Command 53 Brigade Battalion ceased fire at 1600 hours. Strength of Battalion 30 Officer and approx 660 other ranks. More on this at http://www.cofepow.org.uk/pages/armedforces_5th_bn_royal_norfolks_war_diary.htm. For many of the POWs, the time was spent in Thailand constructing a railway, which the Japanese hoped to use for their conquest of India. Punishments were brutal. Conditions were extremely harsh, food scarce, malnutrition was widespread and many died of disease. About 2,000 men comprised the three battalions of the Norfolk Regiment, around 600 died whilst in captivity. He was held at 6 differnt locations: Changi 15th Feb to March 1942, Singapore March to 27th December 1942, Takanun April 15th 1943 to 4th March 1944 part of Death Railway Thailand, Kin Wok June 6th to September 1944. Tamakan Sept 1944 to Feb 6th 1945, part of Death Railway Thailand (Hellfire Pass), Petch Buri Feb 11th to 3rd September 1945 Thailand. On his POW questionnaire under 'sabotage' he writes: Singapore docks made petrol drums leak etc, took small parts of machines and disposed of them. Liberated on the 2nd Sept 1945. Died 60 years later Sept 2005 in East Dereham. Mounted as worn, some contact marks and corrosion to one arm of the Pacific Star otherwise in Very fine condition. A scarce group with a TEM and 2 extra bars named to the 5th Norfolks. With copies of the pow cards, pow reports, pow roll, marriage, death and 1911 census print outs. (4) Good very fine.

Selling for £400- £500

Night Night xx

Morning Everyone

That does seem a shame about the Auction of your Uncles Medals Mandy.Did you know about all the places he had been in the war?That is quite a price for the Medals.

Well the fire is really going this morning.Chris has just driven down the A6 and rang to say he can see big flames again.The poor fire brigade have a real job on their hands again.Fire engines still down my road but nearer the bottom.

WE have a beautiful clear blue sky,I just hope the smoke doesn't blow this way.It looks like it is going straight up at the moment.

I have an appointment at 11.30 at the beauty salon .James says my 'tache needs doing :-S :-S :-S

Morning all, from a sunny Northampton.

Mandy, I would be in touch with the Auction house, to get some details of the seller and speak with them before the auction, to see if you can have a "DEAL" with them. It does seem a shame that they could end up in a complete strangers collection. Not so bad if they went to the Regiment collection.

I have decided to have a day off from the computer, my right arm is aching like mad, fiddleing with the mouse all day. and I am nearly out of printer paper.

Ros has one of her sick days today, She tried a bit of breakfast but was sick within half hour. She is in aq lot of pain also, so will look after her, the best I can.

See you later.

Morning and it is dull here again today. Where's our blue sky?? Have you got it Jane??

Mandy I always have a dishy fireman in my house!! Or should I say X fireman......... Still have his uniforms and his first fire helmit, a big thick rubber one in bright yellow. He used to where his leather boots which came up to their knees, but not anymore but they are still in the workshop.

Ann what a day you had yesterday and I bet you are glad that day is now over and hopefully you can get on.

Mandy what a shame about your uncles medals and what a price!!

Frank I did'nt mean to sound as if I was getting at you about your tree.......sorry ;-)

Well it did'nt rain yesterday and was quite warm but I bet if I put the washing machine on it will start so I am not going to do it. I also have a pile of ironing to do already which I don't seem to get round to.

I also have to go to market today sometime. I was going to go early and get it out of the way and woke up while it was still dark and dozed off again then woke at 8.20am and thought I will get up in a minuet and then woke at 10am!!! shock horror!!

Oh Frank love to Ros and hope this passes quickly. <3

Morning all.

I will get to your posts later.

Im on a mission this morning before I head off to work.

I am clearing a lot of drawers out ... anice big pile of stuff for charity shop.

These are just books and X stitch magazines and cottons...I just cant see the holes so much now ...I will sort out my clothes later....I need to change the drawers around in my bedroom... Bought the craft chest of drawers up to the bedroom ,it used to live downstairs lol...I hate having to stop in the middle of things I hope I can get back into it when I come into work..perhaps after I have watched doctors..

I had a letter a week ago saying come in for a flu injection..Rang them yesterday and the only 2 dates they could give me were half term week when we are away on hols..She hadnt got dates any further on incase they dont have any flu jabs left. I said this letter was dated the beg of sept and only just received it...She fitted me in with 45 min notice yesterday afternoon..lol..Now I have 2 sore arms flu and the phewnmonia one sp

Well i must get dressed now and head off to my job takes me 20 mins to walk each way and Im only there an hour and ten mins..I enjoy the walk at the moment in this weather.

Bye Pat

My goodness Jane it looks well away again. I think white smoke means there is a lot of water going on it.

Mel ,I just had a drive down our Rd to see what is happening.The fire engine and Tender(is that right?) are there and the big hose is attached to the hydrant on the verge.The hose goes down the Rd then across the rd and over the pedestrian bridge over the A14 to the fire.
Our blue sky is disappearing now and clouds are taking over :-S but it is really very warm.
I feel a bit peckish now so think it is time for a bite of lunch.

Thank you for the photo Jane...Is this another or the same fire.

Back from market now. Did'nt manage to get my poultry grit as they had run out AGAIN. Last time I wanted it I had the same answer. They are going to put a sack away for me when it comes in next. Bit of a nucience as I shan't be going in for a couple of weeks.

Pat I have pm'd you.

Jane is the fire still going?

Frank I will be in touch with you shortley.

Hi all,
Just in from a day in the garden, cut both lawns, planted up two big pots that sit each side of the front door. Put in a small fir tree to cover a space in the front garden Planted wallflowers, cyclamens, and alpine plants. Didn't get round to putting Tulip and Daff bulbs in, Tomorrow is another day as they say. Have watered both back and front garden. Where we had the little hanging baskets of cherry tomato's. Ros has planted them with Voila's, they are just standing up, and looking nice.

Hope the smoke from the fire dosen't cause you a ploblem Jane.

Mel, The last thing I would think is, that you were getting on to me. I know you are the expert. :-D :-D :-D :-D and even if you were I would not be offended

Nice piece of Roast Pork tonight, Apple sauce from the apples in the garden. Roast parsnips, potato's, swede peas and carrots, with a small cabbage. WON'T go hungry.

Pat ,this is a new fire ,but at the same place :-| :-|.Haven't a clue what on earth is going on there.
Mel I think it is still burning ,but because of all the cloud we have now it's more difficult to see from here.

I have just cooked a huge Topside of Beef and have sliced it all up.I'm just waiting for the juices to cool so I can take the fat off and make the gravy.It will then go in the freezer until Rachel and Darren visit with Ethan on the 21st.
It smells so good,and Chester is in heaven expecting Roast dinner tonight lol.He will be disappointed :-( :-((mind you he has had a few odd bits as I was slicing)

I just had a look out the front Mel and yes it is still going but much less smoke now.The engines are still there at the bottom of the rd.

Frank I meant to ask how Ros is feeling this afternoon? I hope she hasn't kept being sick.

Chris is on the phone to see if he is required at court in the morning.I think he has enjoyed today in the garden(he didn't go in to work :-D)

Haircut for me tomorrow afternoon.I can't wait as it is desperate for a cut and I love a good natter with Nigel lol

Have done loads of washing today, ALL dried outside! SO different from Exmoor, where it never seemed to stop raining! Had a call from ex 'nice neighbour', and sure enough it was raining hard there today! I felt quite smug, but didn't show it (I hope!) More unpacking and sorting out as well, so am feeling reasonable settled and happier everyday! can't believe how lucky we were to 'Escape' even though it cost us, (you could say!) Ian's done a load of hedge cutting and clearing in the garden as it has been neglected for ages and is very overgrown. Nice to hear from you again Sheila, you certainly seem to have plenty of adventures! Jane, your Topside sounds delicious - lucky family! Mark has just turned up, he seems to think we need keeping an eye on!! Don't expect it will last, but it's nice to have his concern. (for a while!!)

Liz ,nothing wrong in feeling 'smug' ;-) ;-).How nice to have Mark popping in .Like you say it may not last ,but the thought is there at the moment :-D

Chris is getting grumpier by the minute with the Jury Service Biz.He does need to go tomorrow,but of course may still end up coming home at lunch time.He is not the kind of person who is good at uncertainty,He needs to know what he is doing.
I have just told him to Bo* off and takes his grumps elsewhere lol.Old Misery guts :-| :-|

Have we heard from Maureen lately? And I wonder how Ann's day has gone??

Evening All
Not been a great day today, I was feeling sick this morning and a lot of heartbun this afternoon, Really fed up with this , while cleaning my teeth this morning they started to to bleed , I think probabley I am slightly anemic(SP)probably due to the lack of vitamins etc being on such a bland diet but I just have to carry on, waiting to the end of this week and if I have not heard from the hospital I am going to give them a call.

Had to order some new brown jeans on line today,I have been everywhere for a size 8 but no Joy, so I finely found some in M&CO so hopefully they should arrive by the weekend.


Time for a cuppa

Evening everyone,

Well its been a nasty old day here , lots of drizzly rain ,the sort that clings to you ,i got soaked walking to the shops this afternoon .

We had no idea where my uncle had been a prisoner of war , he would never talk about it , shame the medals are being sold ,but its no good us buying them they would only lay in a draw , i just hope they go to some one who will look after them .

Oh Mel, yes i forgot you had your own fireman :-D ;-)

Jane, that's a lot of smoke again, i wonder what caused the fire to start up again .

You've had a busy day Frank, hope Ros is feeling a bit better so she can enjoy your Roast Pork dinner.

Poor little Katie has Croup, DIL took her to the doctors today and he gave her tablets to put in her drink and Nurof*n , also told her to try and make sure she doesn't cry to much as that will set her off coughing .

Evening All,

Sorry to hear Ros was poorly today Frank, hope she feels a bit better now. You are putting me to shame again.........my hanging baskets round the back need emptying. I want to try and save the geraniums, but should have taken cuttings in August really. I'll just see if they survive in the greenhouse and if they grow some good shoots in the spring.

Jane, fancy that fire flaring up like that again. The one we had here took ages to go out but it didn't take off again like that!! Mel does have her own rather dishy fireman.......I've seen him!! It doesn't sound like he puts his uniform on for you much these days Mel.........under the rubbish in the shed !! lol ;-) ;-)

Pat I had a mooch around half a dozen charity shops yesterday looking for bead necklaces to rob of the beads! I must say they were very busy and doing brisk trade.......sign of the times I suppose, but good that things are getting recycled instead of being taken to the tip. I found 3 useful necklaces for less than £3.

Things have gone better today! One slab was chipped in the last pack so I emailed a pic of it to the supplier and they are going to deal with it ASAP. The good news is the paver says he will have enough slabs without them anyway now he has sorted the design. He got all the patio slabs down today and part of the path and it is looking better than we expected. Tomorrow we need to pop into the village to look at and ok some grey slate slabs which will make a base for the new arbour seat. :-D :-D