Jack Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 Evening all. Just going through some images for someone and came across these; Just a small group of pictures taken at Aldbourne Wilts. Not sure if everyone is aware of the story of the stables at Aldbourne being used as billets for troopers from the 101st Airborne during WW2. Don Burgett being one of them and for fans of Band of Brother - they too used them for a short while but Able Company were in them for a longer period of time - contrary to believe. The saving of these historic stables is actually down to one of the members of HMVF - Mr Neil Stevens. Their is a lot of controversy within the historical movement about these stables. The bottom line here is that through Neils work - they where saved from being flattened and the end of the story is that these stables were dismantled piece by piece and shipped to the USA to take up residence on the airborne museum in Toccoa. During the dismantling of the stables artefact's were found between the walls.........and here are some. Those of you who watch Band of Brothers will know the character Bull Randleman...well this is a letter from his mother that was sent to him whilst he was at Aldbourne. It is so clear that you can zoom in to it and still read it. Basically his mother is telling him all of the gossip from home. The second image was his reply to his mother - which of cause was never sent as they had to leave for D-Day, the letter was started but never finished. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b107/richmorris/Bullrandelmansletterfromhismother.jpg[/img] . http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b107/richmorris/BR1-1.jpg[/img] . The reason I came across there pictures as I was looking for them as I am in touch with one of the grandson of one of the troopers who was billeted at the stables, he was from Able Company and his name was Robert G. Impink. The reason being that Impink T Shirt was found in the stables and his name is still in his shirt after all these years. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b107/richmorris/Impink.jpg[/img] http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b107/richmorris/Impink1.jpg[/img] http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b107/richmorris/Impink2.jpg[/img] . A trainer http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b107/richmorris/Trainer.jpg[/img] There were shed loads of razors blades, tooth brushes and all sorts of stuff left behind....sweet wrappers and a never opened tin of boot polish. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b107/richmorris/Bootpolishneveropened.jpg[/img] http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b107/richmorris/Wrapper.jpg[/img] . Band of Brothers fans may recognise the significance of this one; http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b107/richmorris/Barnesgrave.jpg[/img] . A one of the famous leather airborne gloves.....resting gently on a very interesting book - anyone know what it is??? http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b107/richmorris/ParaGlove.jpg[/img] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Wow, simply amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Signed copies are still available from either me or Neil - In the words of the QVC shopping channel, they are now becoming limited stock! Anyone who is interested in purchasing a signed copy, we will give them a HMVF members discount! Some great pictures though Jack. Do you know those buggers who retreaved those artifacts bought 2 copies of the book, but we donated a further 20 copies for them to take to the Stables dedication in Toccoa, USA and they never even offered to show either Neil or myself any of the stuff they recovered. In fact, other than a poor quality b&w picture in Windscreen, thats the first good pictures i've seen of any of it :-o I know that both Neil and (I have somewhere) a good photograph of Robert Impink stood outside the stable block. We used the picture of him on furlough in Edinburgh in the book. Will try and find it and post it up here. Cds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted February 12, 2007 Author Share Posted February 12, 2007 Clive, I think all this is now in Toccoa........and I didn't get to keep any souvenirs :whistle: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted February 12, 2007 Author Share Posted February 12, 2007 These were the images I was trying to show you at Christmas but couldn't find them at the time....... :cry: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Didn't keep any Jack??? I thought those trainers you were wearing at Christmas looked a little tatty :-o :-o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted February 12, 2007 Author Share Posted February 12, 2007 Didn't keep any Jack??? I thought those trainers you were wearing at Christmas looked a little tatty :-o :-o Mate - they were your slippers :pfrt: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Found these pics today Jack - They show the first meeting of the Becket's with the man himself - Sgt. Donald Burgett in Aldbourne - Gathering of Eagles 2006 http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w205/suzannewitton/IMG_0602.jpg[/img] http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w205/suzannewitton/IMG_0609.jpg[/img] Don reads our book - Just to make sure the facts are right! http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w205/suzannewitton/IMG_0595.jpg[/img] Arriving back in the village for the first time since September 1944. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted March 20, 2007 Author Share Posted March 20, 2007 Or this one http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b107/richmorris/STA43208.jpg[/img] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M5Clive Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 My eyes look like 'im possessed' in that shot :schocked: - I must have just received the bill for the framed poster that i am holding :-o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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