151 Brigade of 50th Division

Discussion in 'Higher Formations' started by JamesCasey, Dec 11, 2015.

  1. JamesCasey

    JamesCasey Member

    Hello,

    I am searching for information on the 151st brigade of 50th division. I know it was made up of the 6th, 8th and 9th DLI battalions along with others. Does anybody have info on these DLI battalions just before WW2 as I believe my Great-Grandfather served with one of them. I don't know whether it was just the 50th divisional signals or the whole brigade attached to the III Indian Corps of Signals. My Great-Grandfather was with this brigade at the Dunkirk evacuation.
    What happened with this brigade during the Dunkirk evac? Were they evacuated or did they help Evacuate?
    An information on this Brigade during WW2 or these DLI Battalions pre WW2 would help.

    Regards,
    James
     
  2. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    No James as in an earlier posting .50 Div were NOT in the Far East at the time of your G Grandfathers death they were preparing for the invasion of Sicily. In respect of Dunkirk and the BEF campaign they were part of the ARRAS counterattack. I`m not sure what you mean by the phrase `evacuated or did they help Evacuate`,
    Stevie Mac is the one to speak with regarding 151 Brigade :)


    Kyle
     
  3. JamesCasey

    JamesCasey Member

    Kyle,

    I was referring to his earlier time in the 151st brigade, when he got a Dunkirk evac medal.
    And by "did they get evacuated or help evacuate" I meant were they evacuated by others or were they sent to help the evacuation and get people off the beaches.
    I'll be sure to PM Steve.

    Regards,
    James
     
  4. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Ah now that's not what you stated :)

    No they were fighting in France they didn't just help with the Evac :) There was no Dunkirk Evac medal though unless you are referring to this;-

    http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30011354

    but he was dead when this one was issued? Not sure if it was issued to deceased persons ?? Perhaps someone can verify




    Kyle
     
  5. JamesCasey

    JamesCasey Member

    Ahh yes that is the medal, I mustn't of stated what I meant to say. I meant to say that he was at Dunkirk and later in the Malayan Jungle, so I was wondering if the whole brigade or just the signals were attached to the III Indian corps. Get it?

    Regards,
    James
     
  6. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Get it? Yep I get it that's why I said on the other thread that 50 Div weren't in the Far East. I`ve been here when I came on the forum .Loads of information to take in sometimes too much in one go but be careful you don't put out too many questions in too many different posts :wink:
    You may find it hard to assimilate all the little pieces into a comprehensive account.................and we (me!) find it difficult to keep up with what we posted and where :rolleyes:

    Kyle
     
  7. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Hello James,

    As requested...

    The 151st Infantry Brigade was made up of three Battalions of first line soldiers; 6th, 8th and 9th Bns Durham Light Infantry.

    Assisting the Brigade there would normally be allotted Divisional troops, including the 74th Field Regiment Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, Royal Signals Corps, etc. The Divsional Signals troops were the 50th Divisional Signals.

    The 151st Infantry Brigade, as part of 50 Div, were a Territorial Army outfit. Once WWII commenced it was mobilised and after a short while, moved from the North East to the Cotswolds. In January 1940 it moved to France as part of the BEF (British Expeditionary Force).

    When the Germans invaded Belgium and France on 10 May 1940, it soon found itself (again as part of 50 Div) trouble-shooting, moving to wherever there was a need. Starting on the 21 May 1940, the 151st Infantry Brigade undertook the Arras Counter-Attack with the 'support' of the 4 and 7 Royal Tank Brigades, which shook the Germans who were then given a halt order, which in turn gave the BEF more time to evacuate back to the UK.

    It also took part in the fighting withdrawal to Dunkirk and it surrounds, from where it was evacuated at the very end of May/start of June.

    It re-assembled at Knutsford in Cheshire, before going down to Somerset to man the coastal defences there.

    In mid-1941, it sailed for North Africa, but after a short while moved to Cyprus, then Iraq, Palestine and to the Western Desert in January 1942. It saw no fighting in 1941, but had expected to be fighting alongside the Russians in the Caucasus on the event of a German breakthrough there. This didn't happen.

    Hope this helps with some general background up to 1941.

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  8. JamesCasey

    JamesCasey Member

    Steve,

    Yes, this has helped me understand what my Great-Grandfather did. When the 50th went to Iraq etc. He (and others) attatched to the III Indian Corps.

    Thanks for the info,
    James
     
  9. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Hello James,

    The British 50th and the 18th Divisions were sent overseas both destined for the Middle East, but given Pearl Harbour and war between the UK and Japan being commenced, the 18th Division was diverted to the Far East.

    Although I do not know the finer detail about the war in the Far East, I do know that elements of the British 18th Division were attached to the Indian 11th Division in III Indian Corps.

    It may be possible that when it was decided to divert the British 18th Division to the Far East, elements of 50 Div got caught up in the shuffle and this is how your great-grandfather found himself in III Indian Corps. Only when you have his service records, and we can view the date of his transfer and movements, will we be able to work-out how he found himself in the Far East.

    Best,

    Steve.
     
    JamesCasey likes this.
  10. JamesCasey

    JamesCasey Member

    Steve,

    I finally understand what happened to him now, thanks a lot :).
    My Grandad will probably try to get his service records and I'll keep you updated if we do (and of course if you want :D)​

    Regards,
    James
     
  11. Osborne2

    Osborne2 Well-Known Member

    "It re-assembled at Knutsford in Cheshire, before going down to Somerset to man the coastal defences there".

    8th Battalion went from Tatton Park, Knutsford to Dorset to defend the area between Weymouth and Abbotsbury. Reference is Imperial War Museum 10599 on line audio of Ian English who was in charge of a rifle company guarding 2.5 miles behind the Fleet.
     

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