Bill Dawson
@homesickpenguin.bsky.social
Veteran. Beekeeper. Genealogist. CWGC Volunteer. Biker, walker, old Land Rovers. Researching 10th Bn Queen's Own Royal West Surrey Regt 1917-1919 and Bomber Command (83 Sqn) 1943. Amongst other things!
Remembering today P/O Ralph Henderson DFM RAFVR and his crew, lost on this overnight 22/23 November 1943. Always remembered for their ultimate sacrifice whilst doing their duty...
November 23, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Remembering today P/O Ralph Henderson DFM RAFVR and his crew, lost on this overnight 22/23 November 1943. Always remembered for their ultimate sacrifice whilst doing their duty...
Remembrance for me is about storytelling and keeping the memories alive of those who gave their all in the service of our country. Some of my family remembered today...
November 11, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Remembrance for me is about storytelling and keeping the memories alive of those who gave their all in the service of our country. Some of my family remembered today...
Celebrating Falkland Islands Day, remembering our many happy years living and working on the Islands, and of course thinking of our many Falkland friends on-Island and around the world on their adventures!
August 14, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Celebrating Falkland Islands Day, remembering our many happy years living and working on the Islands, and of course thinking of our many Falkland friends on-Island and around the world on their adventures!
By sheer coincidence, today I visited the Plymouth War Memorial to pay respects to Edward’s younger brother, Cdr Henry Thew Rust DSO RN, Commanding Officer of HMS BRAMBLE, lost with all hands on 31 December 1942 defending her Arctic Convoy from the German battleship ADMIRAL HIPPER
April 30, 2025 at 8:55 PM
By sheer coincidence, today I visited the Plymouth War Memorial to pay respects to Edward’s younger brother, Cdr Henry Thew Rust DSO RN, Commanding Officer of HMS BRAMBLE, lost with all hands on 31 December 1942 defending her Arctic Convoy from the German battleship ADMIRAL HIPPER
110 years ago today, 30 April 1915, Private Edward Gregson Rust died of wounds. Lying in the care of the CWGC at Hazebrouck Cemetery, the unique detail of the epitaph on his headstone shows he was highly thought of by his colleagues for his bravery and devotion to duty. Never forgotten…
April 30, 2025 at 8:51 PM
110 years ago today, 30 April 1915, Private Edward Gregson Rust died of wounds. Lying in the care of the CWGC at Hazebrouck Cemetery, the unique detail of the epitaph on his headstone shows he was highly thought of by his colleagues for his bravery and devotion to duty. Never forgotten…
My Great Uncle, Ralph Henderson, met up with Joe Ogilvie & together with the help of the resistance they evaded across France, over the Pyrenees on foot, across Spain and eventually to Gibraltar from where they were repatriated. Ralph returned to flying but was sadly lost over Berlin in Nov 43.
March 11, 2025 at 6:17 PM
My Great Uncle, Ralph Henderson, met up with Joe Ogilvie & together with the help of the resistance they evaded across France, over the Pyrenees on foot, across Spain and eventually to Gibraltar from where they were repatriated. Ralph returned to flying but was sadly lost over Berlin in Nov 43.
Alexander Lynch and Kenneth Chipchase died as a result of the action and are buried at Sogny-en-Angle church in France. Lewis Humber and William Barrett were captured and spent the remainder of the war in Stalag Kopernikus. Norman Mackie was initially captured but later escaped and survived the war.
March 11, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Alexander Lynch and Kenneth Chipchase died as a result of the action and are buried at Sogny-en-Angle church in France. Lewis Humber and William Barrett were captured and spent the remainder of the war in Stalag Kopernikus. Norman Mackie was initially captured but later escaped and survived the war.
Remembering tonight the crew of 83 Sqn Lancaster OL-B / ED313. They were returning from a raid over Stuttgart when intercepted and shot down. The Pilot, Flt Lt Norman Mackie DSO DFC & Bar, put up a determined evasion but the damage to the Lancaster was too great and he ordered the crew to bail out.
March 11, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Remembering tonight the crew of 83 Sqn Lancaster OL-B / ED313. They were returning from a raid over Stuttgart when intercepted and shot down. The Pilot, Flt Lt Norman Mackie DSO DFC & Bar, put up a determined evasion but the damage to the Lancaster was too great and he ordered the crew to bail out.
Hope you have a brilliant tour! If you are in the Berlin 1939-1945 Cemetery please say hello to Great Uncle Ralph (standing 2nd left) and his crew! 83 Sqn Lanc JB424 / OL-B was shot down 22 Nov 43 over the Schiller Park, probably by the Zoo Flak Tower.. Row / Coll 1G 10-15. Thanks!
February 23, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Hope you have a brilliant tour! If you are in the Berlin 1939-1945 Cemetery please say hello to Great Uncle Ralph (standing 2nd left) and his crew! 83 Sqn Lanc JB424 / OL-B was shot down 22 Nov 43 over the Schiller Park, probably by the Zoo Flak Tower.. Row / Coll 1G 10-15. Thanks!
To my chagrin I’m a couple of days late remembering & honouring my cousin Lt Edward Lough Dees, 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry. Wounded and captured in the retreat to Dunkirk, Eddie was a POW at the Laufen camp when he was shot on 25 Jan 41 by a guard for “sketching at a window”. Always remembered..
January 27, 2025 at 8:53 PM
To my chagrin I’m a couple of days late remembering & honouring my cousin Lt Edward Lough Dees, 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry. Wounded and captured in the retreat to Dunkirk, Eddie was a POW at the Laufen camp when he was shot on 25 Jan 41 by a guard for “sketching at a window”. Always remembered..
Notable milestone day today - and first of my 2025 goals achieved too!
January 15, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Notable milestone day today - and first of my 2025 goals achieved too!
... little knowing they had a date with destiny and the German heavy cruiser ADMIRAL HIPPER in the days to come...
December 24, 2024 at 11:38 AM
... little knowing they had a date with destiny and the German heavy cruiser ADMIRAL HIPPER in the days to come...
Christmas Eve 1942. HMS BRAMBLE, commanded by Cdr Henry Thew Rust DSO RN (my 1st Cousin, 2 x removed), were 2 days out of Loch Ewe escorting convoy PQ18 rendezvoused with the main destroyer group off Seidesfjord, Iceland to continue passage to Murmansk....
December 24, 2024 at 11:38 AM
Christmas Eve 1942. HMS BRAMBLE, commanded by Cdr Henry Thew Rust DSO RN (my 1st Cousin, 2 x removed), were 2 days out of Loch Ewe escorting convoy PQ18 rendezvoused with the main destroyer group off Seidesfjord, Iceland to continue passage to Murmansk....
7 December 1941 - the attack on Pearl Harbour. My Great Uncle, Pilot Officer Ralph Henderson DFM RAFVR was at finishing his pilot training at Turner Field, Georgia under the Arnold Scheme. I often wonder how the news broke out there, how he found out, and how it affected his training?
December 7, 2024 at 4:18 PM
7 December 1941 - the attack on Pearl Harbour. My Great Uncle, Pilot Officer Ralph Henderson DFM RAFVR was at finishing his pilot training at Turner Field, Georgia under the Arnold Scheme. I often wonder how the news broke out there, how he found out, and how it affected his training?
It's a quite extraordinary inscription on the headstone too....
November 23, 2024 at 5:34 PM
It's a quite extraordinary inscription on the headstone too....
A year ago tonight I was in Berlin tonight to remember and pay tribute to them; we then visited them at the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery where they lie in the care of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
November 22, 2024 at 5:59 PM
A year ago tonight I was in Berlin tonight to remember and pay tribute to them; we then visited them at the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery where they lie in the care of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
81 years ago, at 2010 on 22 November 1943, my Great Uncle Ralph Henderson and his brave crew of Lancaster JB424 / OL-B from 83 Sqn lost their lives over Berlin (crew names in Alt Text)
November 22, 2024 at 5:59 PM
81 years ago, at 2010 on 22 November 1943, my Great Uncle Ralph Henderson and his brave crew of Lancaster JB424 / OL-B from 83 Sqn lost their lives over Berlin (crew names in Alt Text)
Remembering today Private Edward Rust of the Yorkshire Regiment - died 30 April 1915 and now lying in the care of the CWGC at Hazebrouck Cemetery. He has an extraordinarily unusual inscription on his headstone...
November 10, 2024 at 6:01 PM
Remembering today Private Edward Rust of the Yorkshire Regiment - died 30 April 1915 and now lying in the care of the CWGC at Hazebrouck Cemetery. He has an extraordinarily unusual inscription on his headstone...
Remembering today my Great Uncle, Pilot Officer Ralph Henderson DFM RAFVR, died over Berlin with his crew from 83 Sqn on 22 Nov 43. A legend who had been shot down on his "second dicky" flight, evaded, returned to UK and married his sweetheart Muriel, commissioned, but survived only 3 more months..
November 10, 2024 at 5:59 PM
Remembering today my Great Uncle, Pilot Officer Ralph Henderson DFM RAFVR, died over Berlin with his crew from 83 Sqn on 22 Nov 43. A legend who had been shot down on his "second dicky" flight, evaded, returned to UK and married his sweetheart Muriel, commissioned, but survived only 3 more months..
Would any of you clever people know where this quote is from?
October 18, 2024 at 4:59 PM
Would any of you clever people know where this quote is from?
I wonder in the course of their research has anyone has come across a reference or stories about the Cassel PoW camp? My Grandfather (10th Bn Queen's Own Royal West Surreys) was wounded & captured near Favreuil in Mar 18 as Germany executed Op MICHAEL (Lusendorrf Offensive / Kaiserschlact). Thanks!
September 26, 2024 at 12:28 PM
I wonder in the course of their research has anyone has come across a reference or stories about the Cassel PoW camp? My Grandfather (10th Bn Queen's Own Royal West Surreys) was wounded & captured near Favreuil in Mar 18 as Germany executed Op MICHAEL (Lusendorrf Offensive / Kaiserschlact). Thanks!
Another fascinating story I am researching. My 1st Cousin (Twice Removed) 2nd Lt Edward Lough Dees, 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry. Shot whilst a POW at Laufen - there were artists in the family (we have some of his father's paintings) - Edward was sketching and fell foul of a trigger happy guard...
September 17, 2024 at 4:17 PM
Another fascinating story I am researching. My 1st Cousin (Twice Removed) 2nd Lt Edward Lough Dees, 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry. Shot whilst a POW at Laufen - there were artists in the family (we have some of his father's paintings) - Edward was sketching and fell foul of a trigger happy guard...
Seaman Duncan Bain died when HMS ALACANTRA (Armed Merchant cruiser) was sunk in action with SMS GREIF, north east of Shetlands on 9 Feb 16. Many men died, but he is the sole grave here in North Yell Old Churchyard. I have found no other info so assume his body was probably washed ashore locally?
September 15, 2024 at 8:00 PM
Seaman Duncan Bain died when HMS ALACANTRA (Armed Merchant cruiser) was sunk in action with SMS GREIF, north east of Shetlands on 9 Feb 16. Many men died, but he is the sole grave here in North Yell Old Churchyard. I have found no other info so assume his body was probably washed ashore locally?
Staying in a house on Shetland called "Cheyne House" - a sketch of this soldier on the wall, but no info. Took a guess it was WW1 and sure enough came up with the matching picture! Sadly Harry died in 1917 near Ypres, fighting close to my Grandfather. He now lies in Dickesbusch Cemetery #CWGC
September 15, 2024 at 7:37 PM
Staying in a house on Shetland called "Cheyne House" - a sketch of this soldier on the wall, but no info. Took a guess it was WW1 and sure enough came up with the matching picture! Sadly Harry died in 1917 near Ypres, fighting close to my Grandfather. He now lies in Dickesbusch Cemetery #CWGC
Amazingly, turned up another photograph of Edward this evening....
September 12, 2024 at 8:03 PM
Amazingly, turned up another photograph of Edward this evening....