My name is Asher Pirt and I have a keen interest in the men and women who were soldiers during the Second World War. My interest evolved from an early age listening to friends, relatives and veterans who had served in that war. When I was doing A-Levels at Wellington School, I decided to join the Territorial Army following in the footsteps of some of my relatives. I was fortunate to serve in Kenya, Northern Ireland, Kazakhstan, France, Poland, and Germany. It was a great privilege to have learnt something about military service.
Research into Phantom began over twenty five years ago and I continue to research, write and speak about the information and liaison organisation with its own secure communications. Research continues from its origins at the outbreak of the Second World War and into its role in the new Territorial Army following the war. The role of Phantom was adopted by the Kensington Regiment in 1947. I am forever considering its effectiveness for High Command and conceptual relevance in today’s world. It has been a great privilege to speak with Veterans, enthusiasts and those related to those who served in Phantom and its associated organisations.
Interest in researching the Artists Rifles and its reconstitution as a Special Air Service Regiment in 1947 evolved at an early age, listening to my late father John J Pirt FRGS who became a member of the Artists after he returned from active service in South Vietnam with the Australian Army. Keen interest in those who attended the 163 (Artists) Officer Cadet Training Unit and their war service. Writing has commenced on Col Brian Franks DSO MC TD who was the “Man who Saved the SAS” following the Second World War as a result of combined interest in the Yeomanry Division, the Middle East Commandos, Phantom and the Special Air Service. Initial research has been published in a Regimental Journal.
My primary interest is researching the service of British Army soldiers during the Second World War. I have some twenty years of experience researching this subject. With a particular keen interest in the men and women who served or were attached to special forces such as the Long Range Desert Group and the Special Air Service. Ongoing research has been conducted into a special wartime organisation known as GHQ Liaison Regiment or Phantom. However, I have a dedicated interest interest men and women who were awarded the Efficiency Medal (Territorial) as a result of war service.
Finally, I have published a book with biographical information about soldiers who went to my old school in Somerset. They died as a result of service during the Second World War. This is part of a larger project of building a register of the war service of Wellington School Somerset Old Boys between 1939 and 1946. If you are able to assist with this project please do get in touch with me.
Johnny Cash was the first Westerner to learn of Joseph Stalin’s death in 1953. He was a Morse code operator at the time.
The first #Stolpersteine in jersey is for Nathan Davidson, who took his own life after antisemitic persecution.
Paid a visit this morning – this is a facsimile, the original is in safe custody of the local community to prevent it being stolen…