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It’s always a delight to hear from relatives of WW2 veterans, particularly if I can be of help.
Recently I was contacted by the family of Sgt Ernie Goldsmith, MM, of 1SAS, who wondered if I had any information
I sent this photo: Ernie, left & Bert Youngman, MM, Belgium 1944
It’s always a delight to hear from relatives of WW2 veterans, particularly if I can be of help.
Recently I was contacted by the family of Sgt Ernie Goldsmith, MM, of 1SAS, who wondered if I had any information
I sent this photo: Ernie, left & Bert Youngman, MM, Belgium 1944
2/
The veterans I spoke to always referred to Goldsmith by his nickname, ‘Buttercup Joe’, a popular folk song of the era.
Recalled Arthur Thomson (bottom left), L Det & 1SAS: “I was pals with Buttercup Joe, who was always bursting into song. People like him made so much fun.”
The veterans I spoke to always referred to Goldsmith by his nickname, ‘Buttercup Joe’, a popular folk song of the era.
Recalled Arthur Thomson (bottom left), L Det & 1SAS: “I was pals with Buttercup Joe, who was always bursting into song. People like him made so much fun.”
3/
Bert Youngman fought with Ernie with 3 Troop in Italy 1943 & they parachuted into France in 1944 with B Sqn 1SAS on Op Haggard:
‘Joe was a good lad. Always short of money. He would borrow some from the boys, lose it [at cards], then have to repay it when we got paid.'
Bert Youngman fought with Ernie with 3 Troop in Italy 1943 & they parachuted into France in 1944 with B Sqn 1SAS on Op Haggard:
‘Joe was a good lad. Always short of money. He would borrow some from the boys, lose it [at cards], then have to repay it when we got paid.'
4/
The above photo is B Sqn, 1SAS, shortly after their return from Op Haggard in autumn 1944.
Goldsmith, 2nd row, 7 from left.
Youngman, 1st row, far left
The above photo is B Sqn, 1SAS, shortly after their return from Op Haggard in autumn 1944.
Goldsmith, 2nd row, 7 from left.
Youngman, 1st row, far left
5/
Bad at cards, good at soldiering, Goldsmith was awarded his MM at Termoli in October 43.
Last week I did a thread about the Belgian, Bob Melot, who served with distinction in the SAS.
Bob owed his life to Ernest. He was shot in the shoulder on the first morning of the battle.
Bad at cards, good at soldiering, Goldsmith was awarded his MM at Termoli in October 43.
Last week I did a thread about the Belgian, Bob Melot, who served with distinction in the SAS.
Bob owed his life to Ernest. He was shot in the shoulder on the first morning of the battle.
6/
Ernest's MM citation included:
"Goldsmith led his sub section with great daring & initiative. When one of his officers was wounded, he tended him himself & evacuated him under fire."
The citation also praised 'his very high standard of leadership & his courage’ throughout.
Ernest's MM citation included:
"Goldsmith led his sub section with great daring & initiative. When one of his officers was wounded, he tended him himself & evacuated him under fire."
The citation also praised 'his very high standard of leadership & his courage’ throughout.
7/
This courage was described to me by another veteran of Termoli, David Danger, MM, who recalled Goldsmith's sang-froid, even when they were under murderous shellfire. He could be heard singing ‘Buttercup Joe’.
This courage was described to me by another veteran of Termoli, David Danger, MM, who recalled Goldsmith's sang-froid, even when they were under murderous shellfire. He could be heard singing ‘Buttercup Joe’.
8/8
Ernest & Arthur Thomson suffered post-war. Many of their friends were among 34 B Sqn men executed (pic) by the Germans in 1944 on Op Bulbasket
Arthur told me in 2002: ‘At times I sit here & cry into my whisky thinking of Lofty Baker & Dougie Eccles & the rest of my pals'
Ernest & Arthur Thomson suffered post-war. Many of their friends were among 34 B Sqn men executed (pic) by the Germans in 1944 on Op Bulbasket
Arthur told me in 2002: ‘At times I sit here & cry into my whisky thinking of Lofty Baker & Dougie Eccles & the rest of my pals'
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