1st Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by Cats Eyes Cunningham, Jan 14, 2009.

  1. Cats Eyes Cunningham

    Cats Eyes Cunningham I Like Spitfires.

    Hi all, I recently found some information for Private Fred Latter. My family knew nothing concerning the details of his death and thanks to the internet i have managed to track him down. He was my Grandmothers uncle and I have found out he was in the South Lancashire Regiment, 1st Battalion. I know he was one of the first waves that landed on Sword beach on DDay but not a lot else. He died exactly 3 weeks after D-day but would love to find out more about how he spent those last 3 weeks of his life with the South Lancs. Any further information would be greatly appreciated.

    CWGC :: Certificate
     
  2. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    The South Lancs in company with the East Yorks and the Suffolk regiment were part of the renowned Eight brigade (Eighth always led) that went in first to Sword Beach. The beaches were queen red and Queen white for the red or white rose counties.

    The sappers went in first to prepare the way, and everyone else followed, If he died exactly three weeks later?

    Then that would have put him in the battle for the Chateau de la londe. Known at the times as the Bloodiest square mile in Normandy.
    Great scrappers the Yorks and Lancs, seen action with them many times Bless them!
    That battle lasted from June the 23rd to June the 27th with much skirmishing around the area at Le Mesnil wood. Chateau de la londe was a Blood Bath, with hand to hand fighting.....
    We had men there and never found them again.

    If he died later, then it would have been the battle for Caen, if later still, it would have been operation Goodwood. East of the Orne. Hope this helps I can say GREAT LADS the Lancs and Yorks.
    Cheers sapper
     
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  3. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    I was on the attack in support of the Lancs that took place on the 27th. having seen the CWG It was an Eighth Brigade attack through the captured Chateau de la londe on to Le Mesnil Wood held by the enemy.
    It did not develop into a big operation and later we returned to our harbour area.
    Again hope that it helps. He most definitely would have been on the Chateau and Le Mesnil wood attacks.
    Sapper
     
  4. Cats Eyes Cunningham

    Cats Eyes Cunningham I Like Spitfires.

    Sapper, I cannot thank you enough for the information you have provided. This is simply invaluable and I can now pass this on to my Grandmother who is very eager to learn of Fred;s last few weeks. So you were in support of the Lancs? This is incredible. Which regiment were you in etc? Id be very interested to hear any stories you have or if you can point me towards any threads you have written. I will now conduct further research on Chateau de la londe and Le Mesnil Wood.
    Once again, thankyou so much.
     
  5. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    I think I might have the war diaries for this unit on my other PC. Will have a look tomorrow.
     
  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Suggested reading.

    Assault Division: A History of the 3rd Division from the Invasion of Normandy to the Surrender of Germany by Norman Scarfe

    Monty's Iron Sides : From the Normandy Beaches to Bremen with the 3rd (British) Division
    by Patrick Delaforce.
     
  7. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Good news - I don't have digital copies of the actual diaries, but my father transcribed a huge number of Normandy diaries some years ago and gave me copies. He has done the 1/South Lancs up to the end of June 1944, so will scan this later and put it here or on my Flickr account.
     
  8. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Got them for you.

    [​IMG]
     
  9. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    ...

    [​IMG]
     
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  10. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

  11. Cats Eyes Cunningham

    Cats Eyes Cunningham I Like Spitfires.

    My goodness. I did not expect this. I will definitely make a note of the books cheers Owen.
    And Paul. You have made my day sir :) ill take a read and get back to you shortly. I owe you a beer ;)
     
  12. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

    Hi all, I recently found some information for Private Fred Latter. My family knew nothing concerning the details of his death and thanks to the internet i have managed to track him down. He was my Grandmothers uncle and I have found out he was in the South Lancashire Regiment, 1st Battalion. I know he was one of the first waves that landed on Sword beach on DDay but not a lot else. He died exactly 3 weeks after D-day but would love to find out more about how he spent those last 3 weeks of his life with the South Lancs. Any further information would be greatly appreciated.

    CWGC :: Certificate

    CEC, I have two 1st South Lancs guys killed in June 44 on my list to reaseach, when I have finished them i;ll send you what I have.

    Lance Corporal HAROLD DURBIN
    3656596, 1st Bn., South Lancashire Regiment
    who died age 26
    on 29 June 1944
    Son of James and Sarah Jane Durbin, of Widnes, Lancashire; husband of Anna Durbin, of Widnes.
    Remembered with honour
    LA DELIVRANDE WAR CEMETERY, DOUVRES

    Private MARTIN MULLEN
    3659057, 1st Bn., South Lancashire Regiment
    who died age 28
    on 12 June 1944
    Son of Michael and Mary Mullen, of Widnes, Lancashire; husband of Mary Mullen, of Widnes.
    Remembered with honour
    RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY

    I also have 2 killed at Dunkirk and one in 1945, so if your man was serving early in the war, the 2from 1940 may also be of interest.

    Phil
     
  13. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Phil - there are war diary details for both those dates on the link I posted on the previous page.
     
  14. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

    Phil - there are war diary details for both those dates on the link I posted on the previous page.

    Thanks Paul, just read the whole thread and picked them up, excellent stuff

    Phil
     
  15. dave 1SLANR

    dave 1SLANR Willys Jeep

    I have visited Le Londel on a few occasions with my father Lofty Petfield "A" Company 1st Btn South Lancs who passed away August 2001 .We placed wreaths at the beach head , Hermanville Cemetry and Le Londel for the last 20years and still go every year with my family and do the same , also my 2 lads place cross's on all the South Lancs lads at the cemetry .If your grandmothers uncle died approx 3 weeks after the landings I would say according to what my father told me it would have been at the Chateau . As you go into Hermanville Cemetry on your right are a number of graves that hold a number of South Lancs Lads all dating around the Chateau battle .My father said the lads that are in this area of the Cemetry, can almost definatly be linked to that battle because of the dates, and being buried in there own part of the Cemetry area as the larger part is mostly earlier dates leading upto the Chateau Battle .They were all brought back to the first aid station which was situated between the church and now Cemetry , so he could have died from his wounds or died at the Chateau and brought back to his resting place .
    Do you know what company he was with ? he could have fought alongside my father! I do know "C" Company just about got wiped out , dad's words . There was an incident dad told me where a number of tanks came out of the woods , kept "C" Company pinned down by machine gun fire ,and attacked there position by driving there tanks over the top of the slit trench's and slewing them around , when he told me this he actualy shed tears , as he said you couldn't fight tanks with grenades and rifles .They also suffered heavy casulaties when they were ordered to do a Silent Night Attack across the open corn fields, Dad said they got a good way when all hell broke loose, machine gun heavy motar fire etc , they were pinned down apparently for a good while but obviously managed to get back .Dad said that the Germans had machine guns fastened one below and one above, the top one fired Tracer and the bottom std bullets , so when lads thought they were below the firing line they would think it safe to move but infact it wasn't and obviously paid the price , but lets face it they were only kids , who very quickly grew up !!My father was only 18 like alot of the lads out there at the time , and spent his19th Birthday on the 12th June fighting Germans, he always said the older soldiers like your grandmothers uncle looked after the younger lads, its a shame my father has passed away because you never know they might have known each other . I do know at one point they were also sent down to relieve at Pegasus Bridge around about the 8th June for a couple of day's , then spent time all around the area skirmishing with the Germans before the Chateau Battle .On the intial landings on Sword "A" Company got lost! as Dad said you ran up the beach didn't know where you were running you just kept going , they apparently ended up street fighting with the Germans , and made it back to Hermanville around noon , I always remember Dad telling me it was organised chaos .I am actualy still in touch with a couple of people at RHQ , who could possably have on record information of when and where he actualy died , if you have any questions I could always ask them to see if they can help .
    If your Grandmother would like me to take any thing for her and place it on his grave on the 65th I would be very happy to do so .
    Rgds
    Dave
     
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  16. dave 1SLANR

    dave 1SLANR Willys Jeep

    I know this post is now a little dated , but when over in Normandy for the 65th I took photo's of Fred latters grave, which is situated on the front row on the left handside in Hermanville Cemetry, and the date definatley relates to the Chateau .If you would like a copy of the photo I will gladly send it to you.
    Dave
     
  17. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    If you don't mind; Let me pay a tribute to the South lancs Reg; The cream of the best...... I have been into action with them and the East Yorks Reg.

    So if there is anyone alive related to those men? BE proud of them for they were the very best,
    Sincerely
    Sapper RE
     
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  18. gunnermaniac

    gunnermaniac Junior Member

    Hi guys, sorry to pull this thread back up but I am researching the 1st south lancs and their initial assault on sword beach on D-Day.

    I am searching for facts, figures and stories, I was also wondering if there are any surviving veterans from the battalion as I am hoping I may be able to speak to one.

    By facts and figures I am looking for information on the age of troops in the initial assault wave at sword beach, casualty rates of that initial assault etc.

    I cannot seem to dig up much on the internet, but found the war diaries posted here extremely interesting.

    Any information on the battalions D-Day experience would be greatly appreciated and if any veterans are known of a heads up would be fantastic.

    It would be great if you could contact me directly on my email: shinyzebra at hotmail.co.uk as I don't think I will be able to frequently visit this forum however I shall try.

    With respect and thanks

    Matt.
     
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  19. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

    Hi guys, sorry to pull this thread back up but I am researching the 1st south lancs and their initial assault on sword beach on D-Day.

    I am searching for facts, figures and stories, I was also wondering if there are any surviving veterans from the battalion as I am hoping I may be able to speak to one.

    By facts and figures I am looking for information on the age of troops in the initial assault wave at sword beach, casualty rates of that initial assault etc.

    I cannot seem to dig up much on the internet, but found the war diaries posted here extremely interesting.

    Any information on the battalions D-Day experience would be greatly appreciated and if any veterans are known of a heads up would be fantastic.

    It would be great if you could contact me directly on my email: shinyzebra at hotmail.co.uk as I don't think I will be able to frequently visit this forum however I shall try.

    With respect and thanks

    Matt.

    Matt, I have scanned the Normandy assualt section of the Regimental History, and emailed it over to you.

    P
     
  20. charlcombe37

    charlcombe37 Junior Member

    Hi Phil

    Looking at the dates you have I think Martin Mullen was my great uncle - his sister Annie was my maternal grandmother. I know little about his service life except his death affected my mum greatly as she was quite young (14) and he was her favourite uncle. I would be grateful for any info you have on him.

    Regards
    Jane
     

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