I s l E
o f
M a n
P o s T
o f f I C E
C o l l E C Ta B l E s
h ANNIVE t 70
RY SA R
D-DA Y
T H E
Operation Overlord
D-Day a soldier’s story 1944
This unique album includes a pictorial stamp sheet, limited edition signed cover and D-Day Crown, with commentary by Colonel Charles Wilson and Hector Duff MM BEM.
The invasion was a reality. We were somewhere near Port en Bessin and Le Hamel on ‘Gold’ Beach. The Americans were to our right on Omaha and the Canadians were on our left on Juno. My boss, the Brigadier, was after all the intelligence he could gather and we were seeking out the brigade intelligence officers who had gone before us. Eventually we joined up with them and the boss was able to learn something of the enemy positions.
D-Day a soldier’s story 1944 Isle of Man Stamps & Coins is proud to present the story of Manxman Hector Duff, his own journey to D-Day and his memories of Operation Overlord. Hector’s account is chronicled by Colonel Charles Wilson of the IOM Cadet Force… Hector Hugh McDonald Duff MM BEM I suppose I look at D Day as a crossroads between the long war that we had already fought and the final push which was to end World War II. Throughout the war I had fought in the Royal Armoured Corps with The Royal Gloucestershire Hussars (RGH). You may well ask, ‘How did a Manxman end up in a Gloucestershire regiment?’ When war broke out I was working on the Island’s railways as a Station Master’s Assistant and clerk in the north of the Island. Originally, like so many Manxmen I was called up into one of the northern English infantry regiments, whose names are famous in Manx military history; The Loyals, The Lancashire Fusiliers (LFs), The King’s and so on. I was summoned to Carlisle into The LFs. After Carlisle we were sent to the well known Headquarters of the LFs at Wellington Barracks, Bury. There we met the members of the first battalion -1LF who had been at Dunkirk. They gave us a straightforward Lancashire opinion… ‘You don’t want to be in the infantry mate. We’ve just walked over half of ruddy France’.
I suppose I look at D Day as a crossroads between the long war that we had already fought and the final push which was to end World War II.
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for illustration purposes only Order online iomstamps.com orders hotline +44
(0) 1624 698430
It’s quick and easy to order. Money back guarantee if you are not happy
Sample
for illustration purposes only Order online iomstamps.com orders hotline +44
(0) 1624 698430
It’s quick and easy to order. Money back guarantee if you are not happy
Sample
for illustration purposes only Order online iomstamps.com orders hotline +44
(0) 1624 698430
It’s quick and easy to order. Money back guarantee if you are not happy
D-DA Y
RY SA R
h ANNIVE t 70
Operation Overlord
6th June 1944 A D THEOBALD
2014
BDT
A D THEOBALD
2014
BDT
BRIAN SANDERS
2014
BDT
6th June 1944 BRIAN SANDERS
2014
BDT
ISLE OF M AN
50p
6 june
1944 2014
6th June 1944 BRIAN SANDERS
2014
BDT
6th June 1944 BRIAN SANDERS
2014
BDT
Isle of Man
D-Day a Manxman’s Journey EJC Design 2014 BDT
182p
6th June 1944 IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM / THE AGENCY LTD
2014
BDT
ISLE OF M AN
50p
6 june
1944 2014
Isle of Man
D-Day a Manxman’s Journey EJC Design 2014 BDT
144p
6th June 1944 BRIAN SANDERS
2014
BDT
6th June 1944
6th June 1944 IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM / THE AGENCY LTD
2014
BDT
BRIAN SANDERS
2014
BDT
2014
BDT
6th June 1944 BRIAN SANDERS
2014
BDT
2014
BDT
6th June 1944 BRIAN SANDERS
2014
BDT
A D THEOBALD
A D THEOBALD
“They fought together as brothers-in-arms, they died together and now they sleep side by side. To them we have a solemn obligation.” admiral Chester W. nimitz
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(0) 1624 698430
It’s quick and easy to order. Money back guarantee if you are not happy
Sample
for illustration purposes only Order online iomstamps.com orders hotline +44
(0) 1624 698430
It’s quick and easy to order. Money back guarantee if you are not happy
The Normandy Veterans, under The Spirit of Normandy Trust, is setting up a new memorial to those who fought on the beaches of Northern France in 1944. I was there and saw the sacrifices made by so many Allied troops. The memorial will be placed in the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in Staffordshire. The Trust has a wide range of activities, undertaking fundraising to promote both education for youth concerning World War II and welfare for families.
Maquette of the memorial
Hector Duff MM BEM
Education is encouraged through visits by schools to Normandy and through a series of essay competitions. On the welfare front the Trust works in conjunction with SSAFA the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen’s Families Association and The Royal British Legion. The Trust is now working to raise the funds needed to build this new memorial. Hector Duff MM BEM At the request of Hector and local military historian Colonel Charles Wilson a donation has been made to the Spirit of Normandy Trust who are raising funds for a memorial to be placed at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire in memory of all those who fought in the Normandy Campaign. Personal donations may be made via the website www.spiritofnormandy.co.uk
Isle of Man Stamps & Coins, PO Box 10M, IOM Post Office, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM99 1PB Telephone: (01624) 698430 Fax: (01624) 698434 Email: stamps@iompost.com
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TECHNICAL DETAILS Text: Hector Hugh McDonald Duff MM BEM, Norman Moss, Colonel Charles Wilson • Stamp Designs: A. D. Theobald, Brian Sanders, The Agency Ltd, EJC Design Photography: Collection of Hector Duff, The Press Association • Format: Pictorial Sheetlet Process: Offset Lithography • Colours: 4 • Paper: 110gms PVA Gummed • Perforations: 14 per 2cms • Stamp Size: 42.58 x 28.45mm