My Dad
 

I believe this to be taken in England but I don't know the year. He volunteered and ended up in RCEME but I'm still waiting for the government to cough up his records (I applied back in April).

Going across the channel (I think)
 

on or around D+14. Are those RCAF vehicles in the background?

The letter everyone prayed for
 

He came back a little older and a lot wiser. He passed away in 1969. I was 18, I hardly knew him.

One of his seven brothers
 

My Uncle Lionel, 48th Highlanders

I never knew him at all
 

He was 18. While not mentionning him by name, Mark Zuehlke's excellent 'Liri Valley' describes how many of the Highlanders met their end on that date. He rests at the Cassino Cemetery.

Respectfully, David Block

Awesome to see your photos of your Dad and Uncle. And I can empathize with you when you say "I hardly knew him" as you were only 18. I was also only 18 when my dad passed away at age 52 in 1972. Photos and stories heard are to be really treasured then aren't they?

Patience with the records. They do take a very long time due to the backlog of orders. Have you tried calling to find out the status of your request?

Karmen.

Re: One of his seven brothers
 

Wow. I just noticed that your Uncle Lionel was with the 48th Highlanders. I wonder if Norm Cromie (a member here and a WW2 Vet) knew him??? I'm sure Norm will spot this section as it's him who inspired Geoff to start it :) and maybe he'll see your Uncle and say "I knew him!" One can hope ...

Karmen

The Smiths (mum's side) did their bit
 

Two of my uncles and one of their cousins represent all three services

Back to the Blocks
 

Wallace was in the Merchant Marine which was not without its dangers

A letter home
 

published in the local newspaper. I thought that was pretty neat.

His medals
 

I had the medals and collar dog plated back in the 70's. I know it destroyed their 'collector value' but I don't care. The cloth backing on the cap badge is original and no, the Dutch Nazi Party medal was not awarded to him, he traded some cigarettes for it (no fool, he)

Dave, you honour him well.

:salute:

Re: Going across the channel (I think)
 

Dave,

That truck is an Austin K6 6x4, first thought is part of the RAF 2 TAF ground support, radar and communications on its advance through Europe, but it may have been allocated to RCAF for similar purposes.

Richard

Thanks Richard
 

I remember asking Dad if he took part in the actual D-Day landings (hoping he would have some-hair-raising story) but he said he came in a few weeks later. There are no captions on any of the photos and I can only guess at certain locations. I went with the channel crossing based on the fact that the vehicles are tied down although this may have been taken on a pre-invasion exercise. Based on history, he would have still been in the R.C.O.C. at this point so I'm not sure if he would have actually crossed with a specific unit or where-ever they had the space. I do know he was eventually "adopted" by a Dutch family when he was in Holland but I don't know the family name.

Cheers, Dave

Before the war
 

he was one of the lifeguards in Port Credit. The medal was awarded in 1933.

I guess it came naturally
 

he was following in his father's footsteps. My grandfather, Fred Block was part of the rescue crew for the schooner Augusta which ran aground in 1900. An extract from the book 'At the Mouth of the Credit' by Betty Clarkson.

Grand-dad's obituary
 

The Albert Block mentionned above was one of Fred's brothers. Does anyone have and idea what the "silver medal" awarded by the "Dominion Government" might be?

His Grandfather,
 

my great-great Grandfather got around a bit too. An extract from 'Tales from the Great Lakes' by R.B.Townsend.

The Holland Landing Anchor
 

with yours truly back in 1999. I believe Holland Landing had a commemorative coin struck a few years back which features this anchor. I'd love to get one for my collection if anyone has a lead.

Cheers, Dave