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More than 200 people gather for a 9/11 commemoration at Villa Caldogno Sept. 11.
After remarks from American and Italian authorities, attendees enjoyed a concert performed by the Vicenza High School Chorus directed by Gary Marvel, VHS director of music studies. The chorus was accompanied by the young musicians of Vicenza Orchestra d'Archi.
Photos courtesy of the 9/11 Italian American Cultural Association
Learn more about us on www.usag.vicenza.army.mil and www.facebook.com/VMCItaly.
Lance Sergeant Baskeyfield served as the Gun Commander of 2 Anti-Tank Platoon, Support Company of 2nd (Airborne) Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, and took part in the Battle of Arnhem.
On 20th September, 1944, during the Battle of Arnhem, Lance-Sergeant Baskeyfield was the N.C.O. in charge of a 6-pounder anti-tank gun at Oosterbeek.
During the early stages of a heavy enemy attack, the crew commanded by this N.C.O. were responsible for the destruction of two Tiger tanks and at least one self-propelled gun, thanks to his coolness in allowing each tank to come well within 100 yards of his gun before opening fire.
Lance-Serjeant Baskeyfield was badly wounded and the remainder of his crew were either killed or severely wounded, he refused to be carried away from his post, and when the attack was renewed he manned his gun alone and fired round after round until his gun was put out of action. His activity was the main factor in keeping the German tanks at bay, and his example and his courage were responsible for keeping together and in action the surviving men in his vicinity.
When his gun was knocked out, he crawled to another nearby which was left without a crew, and succeeded in putting out of action another self-propelled gun before being killed.
Lance-Serjeant Baskeyfield's supreme gallantry is beyond praise. During the remaining days at Arnhem stories of his valour were a constant inspiration to all ranks.
Lance Sergeant Baskeyfield died on 20 September 1944, aged 22 years old. He is now commemorated on the Memorial at Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, near Nijmegen.
In a fitting tribute to VC-10 XV105 which has arrived at RAF Bruntingthorpe this week for component recovery and eventual scrapping, here is an internal shot of said aircraft. Note the seats sit back to travel. 6 August 2007
65th Regiment
( York & Lancaster Regiment )
Took this yesterday whilst wandering around work [Auckland War Memorial Museum]
In May 1868 a replacement Victoria Cross was sent to the GOC Melbourne for forwarding to McKenna whose original had been stolen. This VC now resides in the Auckland [War Memorial] Museum. The original VC has never been recovered. ( McKenna's VC action took place in New Zealand, on 7 September 1863 ) [1]
Edward was born in Leeds [England] of Irish parents 15 February 1827 [3]. He joined the 65th Regiment and served in New Zealand as a non-commissioned officer. He was awarded the Cross and his commission as ensign for his conduct at the attack on Alexandra redoubt in 1863. He joined the Railway Department in 1867. [2]
Photo i took of his grave, 2006:
www.flickr.com/photos/porkynz/4458745403/
Hero stories of NZ
How McKenna won his Victoria Cross
[published 1935]
www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-CowHero-t1-body-d12.html
2011:
Due to working in the museum, I took part in organising this visit for descendants of Edward McKenna
www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/north-shore-times/542...
References:
[1]
www.victoriacross.org.uk/aastolen.htm
[2]
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=s...
[3]
Serial Number: 58-6971
Markings: 89th Military Airlift Wing, Andrews AFB, Maryland, 1998
Serial Number 58-6971 is known as 'Freedom One" because it brought back the hostages from Iran.
One of three 707-153s bought "off-the-shelf" and converted to military use, this aircraft was completed as a VC-137A by Boeing Aircraft of Seattle, Washington on April 7, 1959. On May 30, 1959 this aircraft was accepted by the U. S. Air Force, painted in Military Air Transport Service colors (white top with extensive Day-Glo orange) and markings and assigned to the 1298th Air Transport (Special Missions) Squadron at Andrews AFB, MD with a deployment to Washington National Airport in Washington, DC. In June 1961, the aircraft was assigned to the 1254th Air Transport (Special Missions) Wing, Andrews AFB.