22470 Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Irwin Bishell DSO, 94 (The Dorset and Hampshire Yeomanry) Field Regi

This guy would be the great grandfather of someone I work with if he survived the war. From what I've heard so far he seems a very interesting character and suspect some of you may know more about him. If no one has it I'll pull his units war diary this month to check the circumstances of his death.

What Owen and Diane has found out so far is below-Particularly interested how old he was when he joined up during WW1. He was born in 1901 so wouldn't have been old enough? This made me wonder if he was in France during 1940.

Cheers as ever for any help
Andy



http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2644309/BISHELL, THOMAS IRWIN

 

Citation thanks to dbf

 

Thanks to Owen:

WW1 mic.

http://discovery.nat...ls?uri=D1343423
WO 372/2/157288
Medal card of Bishell, Thomas Irwin Royal Field Artillery, Second Lieutenant

London Gazette page for TA efficiency decoration.

http://www.london-ga...upplements/3808

LG page for DSO
http://www.london-ga...upplements/4785

LG from 1924.
http://www.london-ga...2988/pages/7972

LG from 1927
http://www.london-ga...3314/pages/6060

 

He did say he thought he was killed at a meeting of officers-Seems the family pretty spot on with that.

 

Headstone photo from Flikr and entry from the war diary of 94 Field Regiment:-

"1 October 1944: RHQ was hit by enemy shelling this resulted in casualties among the men of the Survey Party. Sgt Whitehouse was killed, Sgt Philpott wounded, as were Gnrs Champkins, and Francis, the latter died of his wounds. The same day, also killed was Gnr Whitfield of 218 Battery. That same day the Regiment lost its well beloved CO, whilst visiting 129 Brigade HQ he was fatally wounded by a shell fragment."

 

Larger Image Aldbourne,St Michael Church,Wiltshire

 

From "The 94th (Dorest & Hants) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, 1939-1945"

On 1st October the regiment suffered its severest loss when the Colonel was hit by a shell fragment at 129th Brigade H.Q. and fatally wounded. Every single man in the regiment had the greatest confidence and admiration for him, and whenever he visited the gun position during lulls in the battle he always had a cheery word and smile for everyone. He was held in the same high regard by many other officers in the division, as the present writer can well testify.

 

Marvellous !