1st Battalion Irish Guards

Discussion in 'The Brigade of Guards' started by dbf, Feb 8, 2009.

  1. ronanmac

    ronanmac Junior Member

    Hi,
    My name is Ronan Mac Con Iomaire and I am currently planning a documentary for the Irish TV station, TG4, on Irishmen who fought for the British Army during WW2.

    I have planned to tell the story using the example of my grand-uncle, Patrick Ridge, who was in the Irish Guards, and who was killed in Tunisia. He is buried in Thibar cemetary.

    Unfortunately, I have very little information on Patrick other than that from the War Graves Commission, which I have included below. I would be extremely grateful if anyone could provide me with information, or steer me in the right direction, or be able to put me in touch with someone who might have fought alongside Patrick.

    Regards,
    Ronan



    Name:RIDGE, PATRICKInitials:PNationality:United KingdomRank:GuardsmanRegiment/Service:Irish GuardsUnit Text:1st Bn.Age:28Date of Death:23/04/1943Service No:2718348Additional information:Son of Michael and Agnes Ridge, of Costelloe, Co. Galway, Irish Republic.Casualty Type:Commonwealth War DeadGrave/Memorial Reference:C. 25.Cemetery:THIBAR SEMINARY WAR CEMETERY
     
  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Hi Ronan and welcome to the forum.

    I have sent you an email.
    As far as I can ascertain by his Regimental No., your uncle enlisted with the Irish Guards in around Feb, 1938.

    Regards,
    D
     
  3. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Diane,

    Incase you wasn't aware there is an entry in my DCM book about this chap which looks like he got an MBE on 11.6.60.

    Andy
     
  5. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Thanks Andy - it's all in post 4.
     
  6. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    DCM Citation dated 6.8.40 in the London Gazette.

    On May 25th a company of Irish Guards were occupying the front line in Pothus Wood. [....] platoon occupied the left front and a section was in the platoon centre. This section post was on the forward slope of the hill and further down than any other section. The duty of the section was to bring heavy fire on the enemy in the early stages of the attack and then to withdraw to an alternative posistion, already prepared, higher up the hill.

    Having fulfilled its first task, and by now being under heavy fire, the Platoon Commander ordered the section to withdraw to the second posistion. When the section had done this, it was discovered that a gun had been left behind. The Platoon Commander then ordered the No.1 to fetch the gun; he went off to do so but returned shortly afterwards saying the machine gun fire was too heavy for him to get through. The Platoon Commander said the gun must be got back and Guardsman J. Wylie proceeded to the vacated posistion, fetched the gun, returned and fetched the tripod, then returned back and fetched the picks and shovels. All this was achieved under heavy fire. The Bravery and coolness this guardsman showed had a great effect on the morale of the section, who had been under consistently severe fire, and shortly resumed their original forward post.


    Wylie also received a MID on 23.9.43
     
  7. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    DCM Citation dated 6.8.40 in the London Gazette.

    During the withdrawal from Vensmoen on the 26th May 1940, a party consisting of Irish Guardsmen and men of an independent company came to a fast flowing river. Guardsman O'Shea assisted the whole party of 25 men to cross through this water by means of a belt of web straps. Many times he was nearly pulled back into the water himself, which would have ment the loss of several lives. On one occasion he ran 25 yards down stream and pulled a man out who had been carried away by the current.

    Further back he carried a man of the independent company who had fainted, for a mile to safety. Owing to these facts of gallantry he missed the ferry and with a few others had to walk 25 miles to rejoin his unit.

    During the whole time his unfailing courage and sound advice were an inspiration to the officers and men of the party and were probably a main cause of its escape.
     
  8. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    DCM Citation dated 7.3.41 in the London Gazette.

    On the 15th May 1940, HMT 'Chorby' was bombed, set on fire and subsequently abandoned. The bomb, or bombs, dropped in the cabins occupied by the senior officers of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards. Guardsman Callaghan saved the lives of a number of men who were trapped below by lowering a rope to a porthole and hauling them up to the top deck.

    Originally awarded a Military Medal LG 27.9.1940 and was amended to a Distinguished Conduct Medal LG 7.3.1941.
     
  9. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Thank you very much for posting those Andy.
     
  10. Maureen Eilish Purcell

    Maureen Eilish Purcell Junior Member

    What a wonderful description of events. I might get my uncle Mick Shields to read it. I am still trying to edit his story but he was in the 3rd Bn. Irish Guards in Normandy. He too has a great sense of humour.

    Maureen Eilish Purcell
     
  11. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Awarded DCM.

    Immediate.

    In the Anzio Beach Head.

    This NCO has commanded a platoon of No.2 Company since the Battalion landed on the beaches, he has been through every action fought by the Battalion and has on all occasions distinguished himself by his skill, fine leadership and personal courage.

    In the night attack, January 29/30 made by this Battalion, in repelling enemy attacks by day and by night, in hand-to-hand fighting with the enemy, under heavy shell and mortar and SAA fire and in eliminating enemy snipers and MG posts, he has set an example of rugged determination and stoical indifference to the worst that the enemy could do that was an example and encouragement which the men under his command were proud to follow.

    On the night of February 21/22 when No.2 Company was taking over positions from Americans, his platoon came under heavy shell-fire and MG fire from nearby enemy positions. Sergeant Gundel kept complete control of the situation, encouraged the covering LMG fire which disposed of the MG's and led his platoon to the forward positions alloted to them. There they found there were no positions prepared so Segeant Gundel with two LMG gunners protected the remainder of the platoon while they dug in, successfully beating back the German patrols which attempted to infiltrate. By dawn the platoon was successfully established and for 4 days until relieved, held their positions against contant enemy efforts to dislodge them both by day and by night. Owing to the original small numbers of the company and the daily casualties there could be little rest for anyone and none for Sergeant Gundel, but his energy and determination were as unfailing as his personal conduct was gallant. On two successive nights he went forward himself to destroy enemy snipers that had been located by day on 200 yrds. from his Company position and by his successful elimination of them discouraged the Germans as much as he encouraged his platoon and company.

    In view of this NCO's long record of devoted and gallant service in Tunisia and Italy and his particulary conspicuous gallantry between 21/25 February, I strongly recommend him for the immediate award of the DCM.

    Gazetted 15.6.44
     
    dbf likes this.
  12. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Awarded DCM

    Immediate.

    This Guardsman was wounded on the afternoon of Tuesday 27th April 1943 in the attack on Pt.212, but continued on with his company, and his self-dressed wound was only discovered on Wednesday morning, when he was sent back to the RAP. He re-appeared on the hill on Thursday night (29th April) having, on his own initiative, made his way back to the Battalions position.

    On the way he had to pass through enemy occupied territory and past their tanks. He came across a company of the 1st Loyals, who had been overrun and seperated from the remainder of their Battalion. He took charge of this Company and gave it instructions not to move until he returned. He then set out alone to find away up to the Battalion-an extremely difficult task in the dark, without a map in the midst of the enemy, but he achieved it. Reporting to an Officer, he asked him if he would [SOME TEXT MISSING] some Loyals, because if, [SOME TEXT MISSING] he could provide some. On learning that they would be acceptable, he went back, found the Company of Loyals, and led it up to the Battalion. The following morning he acquired a Tommy Gun and took an active and leading part in the subsequent fighting, urging on the Loyals, for whom he considered himself in some way responsible.

    The initiative and daring showed by this Guardsman was of the highest order and, in my opinion , quite extraordinary. Officers, with maps, in daylight and with no danger from the enemy, lost their way trying to reach Pt.212, while this Guardsman, with no maps, only a very general idea of the Battalions position, and in the pitch dark succeeded in bringing a Company safely up to the Battalion through enemy lines and within 200 yrds. of their tanks.

    I recommed this Guardsman for gallantry and initiative.

    Gazetted 8.7.43
     
  13. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Guardsman Nicholson's DCM has to be one of the more remarkable DCM's I've typed up. So many questions to this one.

    How many were there in that Loyals Company?

    Were there any NCO's or Officers?

    I suspect they had nothing but admiration for the Irish Guards after their attachment with them !

    Well Done that man !
     
  14. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Thanks again Andy for your help

    More about Nicholson

    From the Report quoted in post 1

    At approximately midnight Gdsm NICHOLSON, who had been sent back on Wednesday morning to have a wound dressed, suddenly reappeared, reporting to Major H.L.S. YOUNG, saying he had found a Coy of the LOYALS and could bring them up if we wanted them. He then went off, collected the LOYALS and brought them up. They were superimposed on the existing sections to thicken them up.

    From IG History, FitzGerald, Pg 182:

    About midnight Guardsman J. Nicholson suddenly walked up to Major Young to say that he had found 'some infantrymen' in the plain and could bring them up if we wanted them. Guardsman Nicholson had been wounded in the attack on 212 and had been sent back to the R.A.P. on the Wednesday morning. On Thursday evening he walked out of the Field Ambulance hospital 'to be with the boys again.' It was a remarkable achievement. Officers with maps in daylight and little danger lost their way trying to reach 212, while Nicholson with only a general idea of the positions, and in the pitch dark, not only found his way through the enemy lines, but went back and brought up a body of troops lying within 200 yards of the enemy tanks. He had come across the survivors of a Loyal company, which had been overrun, imposed his command on them and told them not to move till he came back. They followed him on to the hill and were superimposed on the existing sections to thicken them. We expected more reinforcments from another unit, but these never appeared. Otherwise it was a quiet night. The men 'off duty' sat on the rocks and took their boots off to air their feet. It was an opportunity also to clear some of the corpses from the top of the ridge. The Germans killed there on Wednesday morning had already putrefied in the sun, and the flies were beginning to bother us.

    I think he was also the Guardsman Nicholson mentioned on page 274 who with 2 others Flanagan and Malony, manned Vickers MMGs. They were faced with Germans shouting and gesticulating wildly as if doped ... shouting 'Sieg Heil! Gott mit Uns!' .... As soon as the MMG had fired its last round three Germans jumped into the trench, shouting, "Hands up Englishmen!" The three 'Micks' were not going to stand for any insults; they flattened the Germans with their fists and made off to No. 4 Company.
     
  15. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    More about Sgt. Gundel in post 33. From IG History, FitzGerald, page 331/2:

    Sgt Gundel appears in this group photo along with others from 1bn who received awards for gallantry.

    1BN RECIPIENTS OF HONOURS & AWARDS FOR NORTH AFRICA & ITALY, 1944
     
  16. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Germans shouting and gesticulating wildly as if doped ... shouting 'Sieg Heil! Gott mit Uns!' .... As soon as the MMG had fired its last round three Germans jumped into the trench, shouting, "Hands up Englishmen!" The three 'Micks' were not going to stand for any insults; they flattened the Germans with their fists and made off to No. 4 Company.


    Quality ! :lol:

    He also became even more militantly English than he had been in the Sergeant's Mess. "I may not come for Ireland, but I'm as good a ---- Mick as you" and he was.


    x2
     
  17. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    36921 T/Lieutenant-Colonel (W/Major) Claud Andrew MONTAGU-DOUGLAS-SCOTT, 1st Bn Irish Guards
    24th Guards Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Corps

    In the attacks carried out by this Brigade starting on 23 and 27 Apr 43 and ending in the attack and consolidation of the footing gained on DJ BOU AOUKAZ the performacne put up by the 1st Bn Irish Guards was little short of stupendous.

    It was only by sheer determination and a tremendous spirit within the Battalion that the ground gained was not lost on at least four occasions.

    The personal courage and coolness of the Commanding Officer was undoubtedly the main reason for the magnificent performance put up by the Battalion.

    By sheer personality, by dint of making rapid appreciations and by controlling his Battlion in action for nearly three days without rest, he held the whole Battalion together and confounded the enemy.

    Signed Brigadier Commanding 24 Guards Brigade

    [Addition]
    With indomitable courage and fortitude this officer commanded his battalion, which fought with gallantry which can seldom if ever be equalled. His coolness in action inspired all ranks. He refused to accept defeat and by sheer personality inspired his unit to victory against heavy odds.

    Signed Lieutenant-GeneraL, Commander, 5 Corps

    DSO

    The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details

    WO373/1-ir1053-p750 & 751
     
  18. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Guardsman Nicholson's DCM has to be one of the more remarkable DCM's I've typed up. So many questions to this one.

    How many were there in that Loyals Company?

    Were there any NCO's or Officers?

    I suspect they had nothing but admiration for the Irish Guards after their attachment with them !

    Well Done that man !

    Andy
    Found this recommendation for a Sgt from the Loyals:

    NORTH AFRICA ALGERIA, TUNISIA
    LG 22 JULY 1943
    DCM

    3853118 Sergeant Edward MURPHY, 1 LOYALS
    1 British Division, 5 Corps

    On 29 Apr 43, Sjt MURPHY commanded 18 platoon, D Coy, when the Coy reinforced the IRISH GUARDS on Pt 212 in order to hold the position against tank and infantry attacks.

    During the whole of the day Sjt MURPHY displayed great personal gallantry and magnificent leadership.

    Pt 212 was attacked five times by enemy infantry supported by tanks and heavy mortar fire. Again and again Sjt MURPHY, by his example and leadership, inspired his platoon to beat off the attacks.

    At one stage 18 platoon temporarily ran out of ammunition, but Sjt MURPHY not to be outdone, hurled stones at the enemy, and his men seeing this astonishing sight again beat off the attack, with stones and rifle butts.

    Apart from his personal courage and tenacity, it was Sjt MURPHY's example which enabled his men to hold fast, and at no time did they yield an inch of ground.

    [Added]
    This NCO was also commended by 1 IRISH GUARDS.

    Strongly recommended

    DCM

    WO373/2-ir807-p50
     
  19. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Well Found Diane.

    At one stage 18 platoon temporarily ran out of ammunition, but Sjt MURPHY not to be outdone, hurled stones at the enemy, and his men seeing this astonishing sight again beat off the attack, with stones and rifle butts.

    That citation has shades of Bill Speakman's VC won in Korea.
     
  20. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    IG in WW2, FitzGerald, pg 358:
    Short clip of the 1st bn on St. Patrick's Day 1944.

    General Alexander celebrates St. Patrick's Day with an Irish regiment at Casino front in Italy during World War II.

     

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