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RAF WW2 Memories - Africa & Italy
 

Jim Crawford L.A.C.

 

Loading oxygen cylinders onto a lorry in the desert. James Crawford is the one on the right wearing wellies. It is not known who the other two are not the guy at the back on top of the lorry.

Royal Air Force, A.S.P. 40A. (Air Stores Park)

James Crawford L.A.C. photographs and information relating to his service during WW2.

Jim went through the war with Ron 'Smudge' Smith, Albert 'Snip' Haller and Harry Lockwood who were all from Yorkshire. They all shared a tent together.

 

James Crawford on left and Jock (John) Cook. They were brought up together at Primrose Place, Tillicoultry. They went different ways during the war but met up by chance in the dessert.

 

 

 

J Crawford (c. 1944)

These pages are where RAF photographs will be added. These were taken during WW2 and where possible other information will be added. They are all from the collection of James Crawford. There will be other people in the photographs from Clackmannanshire and Stirlingshire as well as further afield. If you find someone you know and would like a copy of any of these pictures, please contact me direct.

The RAF football team. On the back reads, 'D.A.F.Scottish Eleven beat England two goals to one at Termoli on the tenth of Jan. 1944. (James Crawford) Played Centre-Half that day. The lad on my left belongs to Stirling.' Back row 2nd left is the lad from Stirling (Cowie) and 3rd from left is James Crawford of Tillicoultry.

 

From Back Left - Roy Tinsly; Jock Davidson (Cowie, Stirling); James Crawford (Tillicoultry, Clack's); Cliff Kirk (Played for Liverpool); ? Hill; Archie 'Stella' Gooding;

From Front Left - Sammy Irvine (Glasgow); ? ? (Scottish); Titch Ford (Wales); Unknown; Unknown (occupation - Joiner).

 

 

New information about Clifford J Kirk.

 

He was born in Cardiff, Wales and was a goal keeper. He played for Liverpool (prof. reg. 27/11-1933), 2 Lancashire Cup games (1934/35), 1 Liverpool Senior Cup game (1934/35), as well as games for Liverpool Reserves in Central League 1933/34 & 1934/35. He also played for Exeter City (prof reg. 15/5-1935 free transfer), 3 Division Three South games (1935/36), Barnsley (prof. reg. 13/8-1936), 0 games for first team.

Thanks to Stephen Done at Liverpool FC for this information. I hope the photograph reaches some family members.
 

On the back is written, 'Some of the section boys taken by a Spitfire Prop. Angus & Myself (James Crawford) are between the two upper blades. Taken at Sicilly, July 1943.'

Jim is on the right of Angus who was from Campbell town.
 

Although in the Royal Air Force, James Crawford was shipwrecked!

This was the Muncaster Castle. It was torpedoed on 30th March 1942 at 22.43hrs. by a German U-boat, U 68 commanded by Karl Friedrich Merten. (see right) From a complement 353, 24 were lost and 329 survivors.

Although there were life boats, Jim Crawford was one of those on a raft. Water and ships biscuits should have been on the raft but somebody stole these. They were eventually picked up by the Greek vessel Ann Stathatos and landed at Freetown.

Anyone interested in a list of others involved, contact me at the link below.

Front cover of a booklet which includes all names of those deceased and rescued.
 

No1 Section Cross Country Team

Taken Near Termoli,I taly 7th March 1944
 

40 ASP Football Team

Left to Right

Back-Archie Gooding; Martin; Davidson; C.O.; Robinson; Gray; Longstaff

Front- Jim Crawford; Moignard; Hall (Capt); Spalding; Titch Ford
 
Date this page was last updated - 17 August 2008

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