george sheldrake in WWII

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George signed up on 5th May 1940 as a gunner in the RAF. He was stationed in Scotland.

[top right] RAF badge and troop berthing card.

[centre left] George

[centre right] George shown back row, 3rd from right

[bottom left] Identity card

Air Force Service and Release Book

They did find time to have some fun:

[top left] George shown 2nd from left

[top centre] Playing the banjo

[top right] Palestine (George shown front left)

[centre left] Boxing (George shown on the right)

[centre centre] Written on the front: "No cracks about the nice looking horses - love George xxxxxx"
Written on the reverse: "Mitch and I going to town"

[bottom left] George with his company football team (shown bottom 2nd from right)

[bottom right] Postings:

"Egypt 1942
Palestine (Hadera) 1943
Egypt 1943
Cyrenica via Lybia
Through Suez to Wadi Naturn
Via Cario July 9 - 1942
Wadi Naturn to Daba
Via Armirya. Burg-el-Arab, Alemeim
Daba to Buqbuq
Via Fuka, Mersa, Matrum, Sidi, Barrani
Buqbuq to Tobruk
Via Sollum. Fort Cappudsa Bardia
Tobruk to Maturda
Via Umm Rezm
Maturba to Appollonia
Via Derna, Berta, Savoia, Cirene
Appollonia to Barck
Via LL Raza, D. Ammunzio, Madellena and back to Appollonia
Via Barce Tocra and Bersis.
Appollonia to Abokovie
Abokour to Taranto (Italy)
Taranto to Foggia
Foggia to Campomarinia
Campomarina to Bari
Bari to Zara (Yugoslavia)
Zara to Prkosin Skabrjmr"
Later in life, George refused to leave Wirral, where he lived stating "I did all my travelling during the war"!

[right] Air Force Volunteer Reserve papers
[left] War time newsletter. Oct 4, 1943

[left] Allied Forces Communication:

"Allied Force Headquarters
April, 1945
13 Apr 1945

Special Order of the Day
Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Forces in the Mediterranean Theatre

Final Victory is near. the German Forces are now very groggy and only need one mighty punch to knock them out for good. The moment has now come for us to take the field for the last battle which will end the war in Europe. You know what our comrades in the West and in the East are doing on the battlefields. It is now our turn to play our decisive part. It will not be a walk-over; a mortally wounded beast can still be very dangerous. You must be prepared for a hard and bitter fight; but the end is quite certain - there is not the slightest shadow of doubt about that. You, who have won every battle you have fought, are going to win this last one.

Forward then into battle with confidence, faith and determination to see it through to the end. Godspeed and good luck to you all.

H. R. Alexander
Field-Marshall,
Supreme Allied Commander,
Mediterranean Theatre. "

[right] George's Medals.
From top left to bottom right:
Defence Medal
War Service Medal
The 1939-45 Star
The Italy Star
The Africa Star

[top left] Christmas card from George to Eve - sent Sept 8, 1942

[top right] Photograph of Christmas Dinner menu
"Christmas Fare
Tomato Soup
Lemon Sole
Turkey and Stuffing, Roast Potatoes
Peas, Carrots and Cabbage
Christmas Pudding and Brandy Sauce
Fruit Salad and Cream
Iced Cake
Biscuits, Cheese and Coffee
Nuts and Wine
25th December 1943"

Finally, many Christmases later, the war was at last over and they were on their way home!

[bottom left] Telegram:

"MRS E SHELDRAKE 46 AUGHTON RD EVERTON
LIVERPOOL 5 =
EXPECT TO ARRIVE HOME THURSDAY LOVE = GEORGE

[bottom right] Allied Forces Communication:

"Allied Force Headquarters
2 May, 1945

Special Order of the Day
Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Forces in the Mediterranean Theatre

After nearly two years of hard and continuous fighting which started in Sicily in the summer of 1943, you stand today as the victors of the Italian campaign.

You have won a victory which has ended in the complete and utter rout of the German armed forces in the Mediterranean. By clearing Italy of the last Nazi aggressor, you have liberated a country of over 40,000,000 people.

Today the remnants of a once proud Army have laid down their arms to you - close on a million men with all their arms, equipment and impedimenta.

You may well be proud of this great and victorious campaign which will long live in history as one of the greatest and most successful ever waged.

No praise is high enough for you sailors, soldiers, airmen and workers of the United Forces in Italy for your magnificent triumph.

My gratitude to you and my admiration is unbounded and only equalled by the pride which is mine in being your Commander-in-Chief.

H. R. Alexander
Field-Marshall,
Supreme Allied Commander,
Mediterranean Theatre.

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