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A life lived by our Uncle Len
A life lived by our Uncle Len
4th October 1924 - 6th September 2020
Len was born 1924, and was the oldest of four children,
Len was born 1924, and was the oldest of four children,
Leonard, Kathleen, Eric and Joyce
Leonard, Kathleen, Eric and Joyce
At the age of 14 he joined the Fire Brigade in 1938
At the age of 14 he joined the Fire Brigade in 1938
before the outbreak of WW2
before the outbreak of WW2
Enlisted at 18 years old
Enlisted at 18 years old
Training received
Training received
Either he volunteered or was seconded to the Commando's
Either he volunteered or was seconded to the Commando's
Possibly attended the course No. 1 S.S. Brigade Signals 28/2/1944 to 8/4/44
Possibly attended the course No. 1 S.S. Brigade Signals 28/2/1944 to 8/4/44
His association membership book gives an indication as to when he attended the Commando Basic Training Centre (CBTC) at Achnacarry in Scotland for his Commando course. It is signed by Capt R.L. Sharples (the Admin. Officer at the CBTC) and dated 24th April 1944. Commandos passing out from their training were encouraged there and then to join the then named Old Comrades Association of the Special Service Brigade (eventually shortened to Commando Association) which had been set up the previous year by Lt. Col Charles Vaughan, the Commandant of the CBTC.
His association membership book gives an indication as to when he attended the Commando Basic Training Centre (CBTC) at Achnacarry in Scotland for his Commando course. It is signed by Capt R.L. Sharples (the Admin. Officer at the CBTC) and dated 24th April 1944. Commandos passing out from their training were encouraged there and then to join the then named Old Comrades Association of the Special Service Brigade (eventually shortened to Commando Association) which had been set up the previous year by Lt. Col Charles Vaughan, the Commandant of the CBTC.
Full details about Achnacarry can be found here
Full details about Achnacarry can be found here
D-day 6th June he landed on Sword Beach, under the command of Lord Lovat, as one of his two signalers.
D-day 6th June he landed on Sword Beach, under the command of Lord Lovat, as one of his two signalers.
Their mission was to reinforce the Airborne troops at Pegasus Bridge
Their mission was to reinforce the Airborne troops at Pegasus Bridge
Along with other commando's he was recalled after 90 days.
Along with other commando's he was recalled after 90 days.
(still researching)
More on war record here
Released from the Army in 1947
Released from the Army in 1947
He had a great interest in cycling, just like Uncle Ernie
He had a great interest in cycling, just like Uncle Ernie
Len is 3rd from right
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more text here
Married Ivy and they moved in with his Uncle Ernie and Aunt May,
Married Ivy and they moved in with his Uncle Ernie and Aunt May,
so they could save up for a house.
so they could save up for a house.
They managed a deposit on a new house being built in Gravesend.
They managed a deposit on a new house being built in Gravesend.
Len lived there until he died in 2020
Len lived there until he died in 2020
In the small box room Len created a little getaway for himself with his fire fighting and military career memories.
In the small box room Len created a little getaway for himself with his fire fighting and military career memories.
His medals had been put in display frames.
His medals had been put in display frames.
Never having children it gave Len and Ivy time to go all around the world on holidays.
Never having children it gave Len and Ivy time to go all around the world on holidays.
They had a huge collection of photo albums from their trips.
They had a huge collection of photo albums from their trips.
On one sad occasion in 1966 when they were abroad,
On one sad occasion in 1966 when they were abroad,
his mother and father (nan and grandad) were house sitting,
his mother and father (nan and grandad) were house sitting,
so that the tortoises could be fed.
so that the tortoises could be fed.
Grandad had a heart attack and died in the house.
Grandad had a heart attack and died in the house.
The tortoises are called Fred and Idiot, and have now gone to stay with my sister Jane
The tortoises are called Fred and Idiot, and have now gone to stay with my sister Jane
Len named them 'Fred's Armoured Brigade'
Len named them 'Fred's Armoured Brigade'
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He enjoyed his garden and gardening.
He enjoyed his garden and gardening.
Len was a very good handyman and carpenter
Len was a very good handyman and carpenter
Building the garden pond for his koi carp
Building the garden pond for his koi carp
In 1980 Len received a large framed 30 years service award
In 1980 Len received a large framed 30 years service award
Len retired in 1984 after 34 years working for the C.E.G.B.
Len retired in 1984 after 34 years working for the C.E.G.B.
Here is his last ever work related CEGB badge and yearly British Rail ticket
Here is his last ever work related CEGB badge and yearly British Rail ticket
Len had a large retirement party held for him at their offices in London.
Len had a large retirement party held for him at their offices in London.
One of his retirement presents (there were quite a few) was a new cement mixer, what he really wanted.
One of his retirement presents (there were quite a few) was a new cement mixer, what he really wanted.
Put to good use straight away building the garden wall and the bottom shed he called 'The Dog House'
Put to good use straight away building the garden wall and the bottom shed he called 'The Dog House'
where he would go when he was in trouble with Ivy.
where he would go when he was in trouble with Ivy.
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more text here
Last Picture Of brothers Eric and Len together
Last Picture Of brothers Eric and Len together
Receiving the French Légion d'Honneur medal in 2017
Receiving the French Légion d'Honneur medal in 2017
Len sitting down. Typical of the man, he did not want to wear his Medals as he thought it was a bit Showy
Len sitting down. Typical of the man, he did not want to wear his Medals as he thought it was a bit Showy
Letter from the French Embassy
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Due to the Covid 19 restrictions in place,
Due to the Covid 19 restrictions in place,
the funeral ceromony was relativly small.
the funeral ceromony was relativly small.
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Len had a large collection of Fire Engine models and memorabilia,
Len had a large collection of Fire Engine models and memorabilia,
which was offered to The Kent Firefighting Museum to add to their display.
which was offered to The Kent Firefighting Museum to add to their display.
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