Archive for the ‘2nd World War’ Category

ID Number – 1532

Image No – img006

Subject – The front cover of “SAS with the Maquis”

Date – 1994

Donor – LeventhalMichael

Location – Ouroux en Morvan, France?

Additional Information – This is the front cover of the book written by Ian Wellsted who was Ken Sturmey’s Commanding Officer during “Operation Houndsworth”

We would like to thank Michael Levanthal of Frontline Books for allowing us to copy this photo.

 

ID Number – 1533

Image No – img019

Subject – Sgt Ken Sturmey with the Maquis in Ouroux en Morvan

Date – 1944

Donor – LeventhalMichael

 

Location – Ouroux en Morvan, France?

Additional Information – The estaminet (small bar, cafe or bistro) is still standing but has been converted to a private house. See John Dray’s video for more information. Just click on JOHN DRAY and advance the video to a position 5.30 on the scroll bar.

We would like to thank Michael Leventhal of Frontline Books for allowing us to copy this photo from Ian Wellsted’s book “SAS with the Maquis”. Ian was Ken Sturmey’s Commanding Officer during “Operation Houndsworth” in France.

Group Photo Info – From left: Sergeant Ken Sturmey(SAS), Dr. Georges Brule & Meurice a Maquisard (member of the Maquis)

ID Number – 1532.1

Image No – img017

Subject – Sgt Ken Sturmey with the Maquis Bernard

Date – 1944

Donor – LeventhalMichael

Location – Ouroux en Morvan, France?

Additional Information – The car was a Fiat which was one of many cars that the Maquis used to transport personnel around, Photo might have been taken in Ouroux en Morvan, France. The photo was taken from the book “SAS with the Maquis” by Ian Wellsted who was Ken’s Commanding Officer.

We would like to thank Michael Levanthal of Frontline Books for allowing us to copy this photo.

ID Number – 1468

Image No – img1784

Subject – Sgt Ken Sturmey’s Marriage

Date – 1944

Donor – AllenSandra

Street – Summers Street

Location – St Augustine’s Church

Additional Information – This is the entry of Ken & Doris’s marriage into the St Augustine’s Marriage Register. The Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre has kindly allowed us to copy this document. Their ref. is :- 2408-12 Page 57. For a photo of the wedding please click on ID 1087.

Looking at the date of the marriage this seems to be when Ken had returned to England after taking part in “Operation Houndsworth” in the Morvan district of Central France.

ID Number – 1464

Image No – img1780

Subject – Ken Sturmey’s signed Flysheet

Date – 1945

Donor – AllenSandra

Location – Morvan, France

Additional Information – Fly sheet of the book “SAS with the Maquis” by Ian Wellsted signed by some of Ken Sturmey’s old comrades in the SAS. John (Johnny) Wiseman was a Captain in A Squadron who took part in Operation Houndsworth and Terry Moore was in the original 1^st SAS “L” Detachment which served with the Long Range Desert Group in the desert campaign.

For more information on John (Johnny) Wiseman click on WISEMAN

ID Number – 1463

Image No – img1779

Subject – Ken Sturmey’s inside cover of the book “SAS with the Maquis”

Date – 1995

Donor – AllenSandra

 

Location – Morvan, France

Additional Information – Inside Cover of the book “SAS with the Maquis” by Ian Wellsted signed by the author. ” To:- Ken   With happy memories of those months in the wild wet woods of the Morvan. Get well soon   Best Wishes Ian Wellsted “. 

Ian was Ken Sturmeys’ commanding Officer in A Squadron, 1^st SAS Regiment during “Operation Houndsworth”. Ken took part in raids on railway marshaling yards etc to cause disruption to German transport lines during the Normandy offensive.

For more information regarding “Operation Houndsworth” click on HOUNDSWORTH and on JOHN DRAY to see Ken’s exploits with his mate Arthur Dray

There is a sad note to this item as Ian Wellsted’s signed “Get Well Soon” must refer to Ken being ill and in fact Ken sadly died in the same year.

ID Number – 1461

Image No – img1776

Subject – Sgt Ken Sturmey’s French Airborne Association Badge

Date – ?

Donor – AllenSandra

Street – Outside Rodbourne

Location – Sandra Allen’s Back Garden

Additional Information – We believe this is the badge of the French Airborne Association but if anyone can confirm this we would be grateful.

ID Number – 1459

Image No – img1774

Subject – Ken Sturmey’s Maquis Bernard Commemorative Badge

Date – 1989

Donor – AllenSandra

Street – Outside Rodbourne

Location – Ouroux en Morvan, France

Additional Information – This was a commemorative badge issued at the 45^th Anniversary ceremony of the formation of the Maquis Bernard French Resistance cell in the Morvan area near Dijon in France. The ceremony took place in 1989 where Ken Sturmey might have been present. Sgt Ken Sturmey of A Squadron, 1st SAS Regiment fought with this group during “Operation Houndsworth” in 1944.

For information on the ceremony click on ANNIVERSARY . We apologize for the garbled English but the article was auto translated from the original French article.

John Dray’s brother Arthur was with Ken on this mission and John made a video of a pilgrimage he made with his nephews to the Morvan region to record  his brothers exploits. In this video John outlines the role of the SAS and the Maquis Bernard during “Operation Houndsworth”.  Click on VIDEO to view.

Image No – img1772 & 1773

Subject – Ken Sturmey’s SAS Jubilee Medallion

Date – 1991

Donor – AllenSandra

Street – Outside Rodbourne

Location – Sandra Allen’s Garden

Additional Information – We are unsure what the proper title of this item is but it presumably marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the SAS..

ID Number – 1457

Image No – img1771

Subject – Sgt Ken Sturmey’s SAS Shoulder Flash

Date – 2010

Donor – AllenSandra

Street – Outside Rodbourne

Location – Sandra Allen’s Garden

Additional Information – We are uncertain whether this is a genuine SAS Shoulder Flash or one Ken’s wife made for him. Maybe someone can let us know.