Green Howards WW2 diary

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by paulcheall, Oct 2, 2010.

  1. paulcheall

    paulcheall Son of a Green Howard

    Visitors might like to know that I have just completed the editing of my fathers memoirs. He started World War 2 in the Territorials, followed by action at Dunkirk, D-Day (Normandy), Wadi Akarit (Tunisia), Sicilian campaign (Husky), Queen Mary voyage to Egypt, being wounded in action and witnessing post-war Germany devastation. A Green Howard with the 50th division amongst others.
    If you want to learn more about his memoir, go to http://www.grimdetermination.co.uk/#/the-book/4535338132 where you can read the first chapter of his memoir, located at Dunkirk. The book will be published next year by major publishers Pen and Sword, so, unfortunately, you can't read the whole book but there is plenty of stuff on the site which is still of interest, including lots of photographs and a huge list of names of Dad’s comrades and contacts.

    Kind regards,
    Paul
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Great Stuff - Any chance of a signed copy?
     
  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Paul I have a quick query as I noticed your father was in the 6th Bn at Dunkirk.....In your research have you come across why so many of the 6th Bn Green Howards are buried at Oye-Plage Cemetery. I suspect they were moved there from another cemetery.

    Regards
    Andy
     
  4. paulcheall

    paulcheall Son of a Green Howard

    Dear Andy, I am sure something can be arranged
    to get you a signed copy of the book, although it will be my mum and/or myself if that is any good because my dad died in 1999. However, I suspect I may get involved in some bookshop signings and also hope to be formally presenting the book at one or two locations if I get the invitations!

    I would ask you to register at the website Grim Determination - D-Day to ensure you get notified when the publication is due, maybe also let me know your e-mail address. Many thanks for your interest -- it is a fabulous story and the website is building up into something quite remarkable as a companion to the book -- have a dig around and look for the photos and especially a link to the Google map I have just finished -- jeepers that took a long time!
    Take care, Paul
    Great Stuff - Any chance of a signed copy?
     
  5. paulcheall

    paulcheall Son of a Green Howard

    Andy -- I am not an expert on the cemeteries both have just checked the map and the location you mentioned is very close to Gravelines – take a peek at http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=101499136338701910288.00049110615a35a332f9c, my Google map, which illustrates how close it is. Dad was involved in some heavy fighting around this area and lost some good pals. I suspect the use of this cemetery is simply proximity to Gravelines. What other cemetery would you have expected? I know most of the comrades Dad paid respects to were buried at Bayeux. Thank you so much for your interest, Andy. What is your connection with the war?
    Paul
    Paul I have a quick query as I noticed your father was in the 6th Bn at Dunkirk.....In your research have you come across why so many of the 6th Bn Green Howards are buried at Oye-Plage Cemetery. I suspect they were moved there from another cemetery.

    Regards
    Andy
     
  6. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Cheers Paul,

    I'll grab a copy of the 6th Bn's WD next week if I get time. The query comes from someone enquiring about the 4th Bn Ox Bucks who have a few casualties in there and it appears that they may have been moved there, possibly after the war, from near Cassel which is some distance away. Fighting at Gravelines would fit with the Green Howards being buried there.

    My connection is just a little bit of interest in the 1940 France and Flanders Campaign.

    Ref a signed copy of the book, assuming you are the author, your signature would be great.

    Cheers
    Andy
     
  7. paulcheall

    paulcheall Son of a Green Howard

    Thaks Andy. Dad wrote the memoir but I've been editing it into the finished article which will be published and my name will be on it aswell as Dad's.
    P
    Cheers Paul,

    I'll grab a copy of the 6th Bn's WD next week if I get time. The query comes from someone enquiring about the 4th Bn Ox Bucks who have a few casualties in there and it appears that they may have been moved there, possibly after the war, from near Cassel which is some distance away. Fighting at Gravelines would fit with the Green Howards being buried there.

    My connection is just a little bit of interest in the 1940 France and Flanders Campaign.

    Ref a signed copy of the book, assuming you are the author, your signature would be great.

    Cheers
    Andy
     
  8. Hi Paul,

    I'm not a Green Howards expert but was wondering if any of you chaps know if I might be any way of finding out where grandfather's movements with the regiment. James E. O'Neil (along with most of his battalion) was transferred into the Green Howards on the 26 August 1944 when his original 8th (Irish) Battalion of the Liverpool Kings was disbanded. According to his service records and Army Book 64 he was injured 20 September 1944. His army number was 377337 but I don't know anything about his time in the Green Howards - is this a long shot?

    Michael O'Neil.
     
  9. paulcheall

    paulcheall Son of a Green Howard

    Michael - sorry for the delay in replying. According to an excellent book by W Synge - The Story of the Green Howards, the battalion was fighting in Holland around that time. It's an old book but worth trying to get hold of a copy.

    Paul
    Hi Paul,

    I'm not a Green Howards expert but was wondering if any of you chaps know if I might be any way of finding out where grandfather's movements with the regiment. James E. O'Neil (along with most of his battalion) was transferred into the Green Howards on the 26 August 1944 when his original 8th (Irish) Battalion of the Liverpool Kings was disbanded. According to his service records and Army Book 64 he was injured 20 September 1944. His army number was 377337 but I don't know anything about his time in the Green Howards - is this a long shot?

    Michael O'Neil.
     
  10. paulcheall

    paulcheall Son of a Green Howard

    Andy - re signed copy of the book. If you order it from the publishers and request a signed copy they usually oblige I am told. I will be signing quite a few at some point. If you live near Richmond I'll be doing a presentation of the book at the Green Howards museum on Fri 17 June. If you register at the site you'll be sent a discount leaflet - alternatively let me know your home address and I'll pass it to the publishers. They will be sending out a once only mailshot to interested parties.
    Regards
    Paul
     
  11. paulcheall

    paulcheall Son of a Green Howard

    My book, well Dad's book, is now for sale and is a number one best seller on amazon in it's category. Just had a really good review on it too. Book signing at the book fountain, Wymondham, Norfolk on sat 2 July 5-7pm, when there will no doubt be copious copies for sale! Have a look at chapter one and pics at Fighting Through - From Dunkirk to Hamburg - War Diary and autobiography of Bill Cheall - WW2, Dunkirk, D-Day diary. World War 1939-45

    Also doing a talk at the Green Howards museum in Richmond on 17 June. Click here for more details and a copy of the latest excellent book review:Http://www.greenhowards.org.uk/friendsnewsdetails.php?ID=47

    More venues to be arranged I hope.
    Also doing a talk at the Green Howards museum in Richmond on 17 June. Click here for more details and a copy of the latest excellent book review:Xhttp://www.greenhowards.org.uk/friendsnewsdetails.php?ID=47

    More venues to be arranged I hope.X
     
  12. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Hello Paul,

    Just finished a book called 'Armies of Empire' (Converse), which concentrates on the 9th Australian Division and 50th (Northumbrian) Division, and what made them endure. There are a couple of references to your dad in the book.

    I hope all goes well with your dad's book!

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  13. JulianMHall

    JulianMHall Junior Member

    Hi All,

    I'm way behind with this of course, however I just came across the query regarding Oye-Plage burials. For every person listed on the CWGC website you can scroll down to the bottom of the detailed entry, and under CWGC Archives click on the tabs for Grave Registration and Concentration. Original documents - sometimes a bit small - will list if they were moved and from where.

    Kind regards,

    Julian
     

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