Queen’s Royal (West Surrey) Regiment - 2nd/5th battalion

Discussion in 'Italy' started by ResearcherAmanda, Jul 20, 2021.

  1. Hello everyone!

    My grandfather served in the Queen’s Royal (West Surrey) Regiment - 2nd/5th battalion and received a mention in dispatches appearing in The London Gazette on 24 August 1944 (pg16/24). The duty location was given as Italy (inc. Monte Cassino, Anzio, Salerno, San Marino).

    I would really like to know where the 2nd/5th was around this time, and what they were doing on 24th August 1944 specifically. Is it also possible to obtain any official record relating to why the award was given? Also, whether the date in The London Gazette relates to the date that the notable activity happened or if it is something else.

    Sorry for so many questions, and thank you for your help,

    Amanda
     
  2. BFBSM

    BFBSM Very Senior Member

    G'day Amanda,

    The 2/5 Queen's as a part of the 169th Brigade were in Northern Italy, in the area of Sassoferato. They were in bivouacs in the woods and vineyards.

    The date of the Gazette publication is not related to the reason for the Mention.

    If you search, using your grandfather's name, on the National Archive website, The National Archives, you may be lucky and find a copy of his recommendation. If you would like to share your grandfather's name, there may be other sources of information which can expand on the story, members here can help with. For example, I have a copy of the Regimental History, and am more than happy to look anything up, should you wish.

    Mark
     
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  3. Hi there Mark - and thank you so much for such a quick reply!

    This information, 'the date of the Gazette publication is not related to the reason for the Mention' - is hugely helpful, thank you - as I was restricting my research to this date!

    My grandfather's name is John Herbert Brown and his service number is 6090267.

    I'll take a look at the National Archives now, but any other help and signposting would be really appreciated.

    Thank you again, Amanda
     
  4. High Wood

    High Wood Well-Known Member

    He had been previously wounded in France in May 1940.

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  5. Hello! And thank you for the casualty report. Yes, I had seen this - but hadn't appreciated the scale of the fighting around Abbeville. My grandfather didn't ever speak about the War, and I have been continually amazed with the activities of the 2nd/5th battalion. Amanda
     
  6. BFBSM

    BFBSM Very Senior Member

    Amanda,
    Unfortunately, the recommendation does not appear to be available.

    My next suggestion is to obtain a copy of the Battalion War Diaries, a member here may have copies and willing to look up John. You can obtain a copy from the National Archives, but it requires a visit and copying the pages. There are members here who can do this for you for a reasonable fee, Drew5233 and PsyWar.Org both offer such services, the former is unable to assist at the moment, but if you are not in a hurry is excellent and may already have images from previous searches.

    The Surrey History Centre in Woking, Surrey, may also be able to help, they hold the Regimental records which were previously held by the Regimental Museum. The Regiment Association (The Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment (queensroyalsurreys.org.uk)) may also be able to help with signposts.

    Mark
     
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  7. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

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  8. Gary Tankard

    Gary Tankard Well-Known Member

    As mentioned the date mentioned in the LG for the MID is not the date of the action. On the 24th August 1944 the battalion was not yet in the line.

    I have all the WDs for the battalion. I can provide single months for free but for anything more there is a small cost as I also copy files from the TNA for a number of people both on and off the forum.
     
  9. BFBSM

    BFBSM Very Senior Member

    Gary Tankard I shall try and remember you in future when suggesting members who copy files.

    Mark
     
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  10. Skoyen89

    Skoyen89 Senior Member

    Amanda, As well as trying the war diaries and the regimental histories for a mention of your grand father in an action earlier in 1944 I suggest you also try a local newspaper search. There may be a mention there. It would be easier if you say where he was from as Brown is a common name .
     
    ResearcherAmanda likes this.
  11. That's an excellent idea! Thank you - I hadn't thought of that. He was from Chiddingfold, in Surrey. Thank you everyone for so much help and tips, Amanda
     
  12. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    I'm away from my books at the moment, but I'm sure this battalion had a history has well has the Regimental history?

    That nice chap Gary Tankard should be able to give a answer before i get back to them.

    I can't remember the full title of the Regimental one off the top of my head.
    Edit: i think only two of the battalions did a history?

    Regards,
    Stu.
     
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2021
  13. BFBSM

    BFBSM Very Senior Member

    Amanda,

    What a small world. My Great-Uncle, George Frank Dyer, No: 6099233, 1/6 Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey), was also from Chiddingfold, and I lived there until 1970.

    The 2/5th Battalion History is: History of 2/5th Bn The Queen’s Royal Regiment - Capt. P N Tregoning 1939-45 (Publ. Gale & Polden 1947). The Regimental Association has an extensive bibliography on their site: Bibliography (queensroyalsurreys.org.uk).
     
  14. Skoyen89

    Skoyen89 Senior Member

    Amanda Tried a look on FindMyPast but can't find anything altho there are some Surrey newspapers for that period.
     
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  16. nickgrace1

    nickgrace1 Active Member

    The Tregoning book is very short and very difficult to find. I've been looking for a copy for a few years now. The Official History by Foster is perhaps more detailed and an interesting read especially if he served as early as 1940. The Foster history has some small errors here and there but it gives a good clear account. The Surrey History centre also might have some documents. I went a while ago and remember a few bits for the 2/5th later in the war.
     
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  17. Hello everyone! thank you everyone for your help so far. I now have the 2/5th regimental diaries from WW2 on my quest to find out the reason why my grandfather was mentioned in despatches. I understand that they are sometime, although rarely, in the war diaries but I am happy to explore all avenues. I also have received some advice that the diaries of the Adjutant of the Division may contain the recommendation. Does anyone know who the Adjutant for 2/5th regiment was in 1943/1944 and whether these diaries are available at the National Archives.
    Thank you everyone for your help, Amanda
     
  18. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Amanda.

    Be careful not to get your terms mixed up. You are looking for the Battalion Adjutant - the Adjutant for 2/5 QUEENS. An Adjutant is never found at Division.

    The Adjutant is the Commanding Officer of 2/5 QUEENS's personal assistant and one of his roles is to write the War Diary each day. You might find that he has signed the War Diary at some point as you trawl through them. Another of the Adjutant's jobs was to complete the Monthly Return of Officers which you will also find in the War Diaries. This lists the Officers in the Battalion by name and, quite often, their role is also shown.

    Regards

    Frank
     
  19. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Amanda.

    Here is the Monthly Return of Officers for Jan 44.

    You will see that the Battalion Adjutant is Capt RC Luxmoore who is not a Queens Officer but atrtached from Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry.

    Regards

    Frank

    upload_2021-8-6_16-21-15.png
     
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  20. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Amanda.

    By Dec 44, the Adjutant has changed to Capt SG Madge of the Devons.

    Regards

    Frank

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