Following my previous posts this week about my great-uncles Jim Wootton and Keith Sillars this last ANZAC commemoration post is regarding my Grandfather Stuart Leslie Sillars. Stuart was born in 1915 to Matthew and Mary Sillars in the small port town of Lyttelton, near Christchurch, … Continue reading ANZAC – Stuart Leslie Sillars
Following on my from post the other day about Jim Wootton, I wanted to share some more photos of Matthew Keith Sillars (known as Keith). Keith was my paternal Grandfather’s brother and unfortunately didn’t survive the war. He was killed … Continue reading ANZAC – Matthew Keith Sillars
Sitting at home with some extra time on my hands, one of the tasks I have been working on is digitising old photos. One of the bundles I worked on this week contains old family photos, including a number of … Continue reading ANZAC – James Henry Wootton
About 45 minutes from Queenstown is the small township of Glenorchy, I’ll have another post coming up in the next few days about the town but in the meantime, I wanted to quickly share a little about the War Memorial … Continue reading Glenorchy War Memorial
I had a day off work in the middle of last week (for my birthday), we decided to take a trip over to the port town of Lyttelton which is less than 30 minutes drive from central Christchurch city. As a … Continue reading Visiting the port town of Lyttelton, New Zealand
Click here for entry for Saturday 13th February (cont.) – Thursday 18th February 1943 … groves and then continued through the village. Pictures at night “Dick Tracy’s G-Men”. Terrible performance. Friday Feb 19 Day 685 Too wet for training in open … Continue reading Grandad’s WWII Diary – Thursday 18th February (cont.) – Monday 22nd February 1943
In my Grandfather’s War Diary entry from Saturday 13 February 1943, he visits Nazareth. He said – Passed on to Synagogue where Christ preached his first sermon which caused the Jews to threaten to throw him over the cliffs of Mt … Continue reading Grandad’s WWII Diary – Photos of Nazareth, Palestine 1943
Click here for entry for Saturday 13th February 1943 … sermon which caused the Jews to threaten to throw him over the cliffs of Mt Tabor sometimes known as the Mt of Precipitation. In afternoon looked through French Convent which since … Continue reading Grandad’s WWII Diary – Saturday 13th February (cont.) – Thursday 18th February 1943
In my Grandfather’s War Diary entry from Saturday 13 February 1943, he visits Nazareth. He said – Saw Franciscan Monastery which was for a while No 2 N.Z.G.H. (New Zealand General Hospital). Visited “Mary’s Well” only good spring left at Nazareth and … Continue reading Grandad’s WWII Diary – Photos of Mary’s Well & Franciscan Monastery – Nazareth, Palestine 1943
In my Grandfather’s War Diary entry from Saturday 13 February 1943, he visits Nazareth. He said – Passed over Plains of Jezreel. Nazareth like all other Arab towns. Visited “Church of Annunciation” built over caves believe to have been part of … Continue reading Grandad’s WWII Diary – Plains of Jezreel, Churches of Annunciation & St Joseph, Nazareth, Palestine 1943
Click here for entry for Wednesday 10th February – Friday 12th February 1943 16803 S Sillars A Company (note he has switched from B Company to A Company) 23 Rifle Btn. 2.N.Z.E.F Saturday 13th February 1943 Day 679 On tour to … Continue reading Grandad’s WWII Diary – Saturday 13th February 1943
Click here for entry for Wednesday 3rd February – Tuesday 9th February 1943 Wednesday Feb 10 Day 676 Paraded before Col. Stout for Medical Boarding – do not know what I got – if anything. At night “A Very Young Lady” – Jane … Continue reading Grandad’s WWII Diary – Wednesday 10th February – Friday 12th February 1943
In my Grandfather’s WW2 diary on the entry for Saturday February 6th 1943, he tells of an excursion to Atlit Castle. Afternoon on tour to Atlit Castle. Travelled nearly to Haifa then turned to west. Looked over Crusader Cemetery. “Atlit … Continue reading Grandad’s WWII Diary – Atlit Castle in Palestine (photos)
Click here for entry for Wednesday 27th January (cont) – Tuesday 2nd February 1943 Wednesday Feb 3 Day 669 Usual morning. Watched Jerusalem police v. Con. Depot at football. Police won 5-3. Night as usual. Thursday Feb 4 Day 670 … Continue reading Grandad’s WWII Diary – Wednesday 3rd February – Tuesday 9th February 1943
Although I am fortunate enough to have my Grandfather’s war diaries and photos, to the best of my knowledge the only surviving letter is this one. The date on the envelope is hard to read, but its 1941. At this stage, … Continue reading Grandad’s WWII Diary – Letter home
