841731 Ernest DAY, 1 Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment: POW, Escape in Italy

Where did you get the war diary and official history?

 

War diaries are at the national archives in London. I’ve got on my computer the diaries from 20th November onwards. The diary for 1939, 40 and 41 up til November are somewhere that I can’t find at the mo!
The official history is a huge book that was published but not for general sale. I was lucky enough to have been given it by an ex Beds and Herts Officer.

Alex.

 

Zak,
Ernest originally enlisted in the Royal Artillery in 1934. He served with the 86th Field Regiment (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) and transferred to the Territorial Army reserve on 5th August 1937, prior to enlisting in the Beds and Herts.

 

Where does it give these details? Do you have an original card for this?

 

Thanks for that guy!
Slightly confused though because he was born in 1919, that would make him 15/16 when he joined the Royal Artillery, was that possible in those days?
Cheers,
Zak

 

Hi Alex,
That was what I was able to find out from forces-war-records.com, here is the full document-

First Name: E
Surname: Day
Date of Action: 07/11/1941
Fate: Missing
Incident Details: Reported to War Office Casualty Section for the 24 hours ending at 09.00.
Incident Date: 22/11/1941
Information: Casualty List No. 676.
Rank: Private
Service Number: 841731
Duty Location: Cyrenaica
Service: British Army
Regiment: Bedfordshire And Hertfordshire Regiment
Battalion: 1st Battalion (Why is this important?)
Archive Reference: WO 417/34

First Name: E
Surname: Day
Date of Action: 07/11/1941
Fate: Prisoner of War (Previously reported as Missing)
Incident Details: Reported To War Office Casualty Section for the 24 hours ended at 09.00.
Incident Date: 08/01/1942
Information: Casualty List No. 715. Previously shown on Casualty List No. 676 as Missing.
Rank: Private
Service Number: 841731
Duty Location: Cyrenaica
Service: British Army
Regiment: Bedfordshire And Hertfordshire Regiment
Battalion: 1st Battalion (Why is this important?)
Archive Reference: WO 417/36

 

It wasn’t unusual. He either enlisted as a boy or misstated his age and enlisted on Man’s terms of service.

Steve

 

Zak.
I’ve got someone emailing me with a document which will of use. I’ll send it on to you privately. DM me your email as easier to send anything that way.

Alex

 

Emailed Zak this. This is a copy of the capture report from the Italian unit that caught them. Credit to Andreas, whom is probably reading this! Check his site, Rommelsriposte.com

 

I notice from this document that Ernest gave his date of birth as 9/1/17.

Vitellino

 

I have just remembered another detail which might lead to some more information about my great-grandad. He escaped with his best friend Harry Kirk who was also at PG 5 Forte De Gavi, who I believe was from Rushden, Northamptonshire. Does anyone have any information about him?
Thanks,
Zak