1st Bn Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders In France

Discussion in '1940' started by brickmaker, Aug 2, 2010.

  1. rickster1964

    rickster1964 Member

    Thanks 51highland. I'll let my Mum know so she can add that under the photo in the album.
    Actually got a few pics of my grand uncle in various Cameron uniforms.
     
  2. rickster1964

    rickster1964 Member

  3. cameronlad

    cameronlad Member

    As a rooky to the site/forum, I'm still finding my way around, but hope to contribute and share info on the Camerons in France 1939-40, particularly with post members. So here goes.
    Re Brickmaster. James Bowler's Army no. was 2928665. He was listed in the embarkation rolls to France as a lance corporal in 1st btn QOCH Headquarters Company. He would have been at Btn HQ at Violaines during the Battle for La Bassee and was almost certainly pitched into the last defence around the HQ itself.
    Re Rickster. Corp Wilf Walker's Army no was 2928832. I can confirm he was in A company and was one of the lucky few to make it to Dunkirk.
    My father, Leonard, (Army no 3765931) was a regular with 1st Btn 1928-35, then a reservist until re-enlisting July 1939. He was in B Company - and one of the surviving platoon members who escaped from La Bassee, reached De Panne, but was kept behind as part of the last rearguard. He finally got out and arrived "home" on the 21/6/1940. I have a lot of pics, docs, archives and research to share. Also a rare copy of Official Records of the QOCH for the period and Burma (with ops maps).
     
  4. cameronlad

    cameronlad Member

    Further to my earlier (first ever) post, I've read Rickster's posts re Corporal Walker's account of the QOCH at La Bassee etc. As mentioned in my first post, my own father was there and I've been researching and collecting material about the events for quite a while. There are some intriguing twists and turns so I'll reply with more detailed info on this over the next few weeks.

    But meanwhile a question for Andy/Drew5233. You mentioned the Cameron War Diaries in earlier posts on the subject of the QOCH. I've seen the copies you posted of the pages detailing the King's review etc. Great to see them at last. I always wanted to see the full set but gave up hope accessing them personally. It begs the question, how many pages have you managed to copy up for historical research purposes? I'd break a leg to see them, particularly those dealing with events surrounding the suicide defence mission around La Bassee and what happened after.

    Garry.
     
  5. JCB

    JCB Senior Member

    Don't know wether this is a well known pic of QOCH or not but its an interesting picture from a French website of them still looking fairly defiant with the 7th Panzer div. at La Bassee.
     

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  6. cameronlad

    cameronlad Member

    Don't know wether this is a well known pic of QOCH or not but its an interesting picture from a French website of them still looking fairly defiant with the 7th Panzer div. at La Bassee.
    This is a real find. La Bassee was overrun on the night of 27th May, so this photo had to be taken on the morning of 28th May before the serious round-up began. Garry.
     
  7. tommy40

    tommy40 Member

    Others photos taken in this area also exists and show men of the QOCH, closer to a canal. I have seen theses photos in a french magazine, I will try to look for that...
     
  8. tommy40

    tommy40 Member

    Im memory of men of 1st bn The Queen's Own Camerons Highlanders :poppy:
    Button coming from a QOCH soldier and was found by myself on his way back to Dunkirk...and then to England
     

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  9. rickster1964

    rickster1964 Member

    Others photos taken in this area also exists and show men of the QOCH, closer to a canal. I have seen theses photos in a french magazine, I will try to look for that...
    Be interestin to see Tommy40, Nice pic CameronLad
     
  10. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    This is a real find. La Bassee was overrun on the night of 27th May, so this photo had to be taken on the morning of 28th May before the serious round-up began. Garry.

    There's some photographs of the battalion in 'Blitzkreig in the West' of them helping the Germans build a pontoon bridge across (I think) the Bassee Canal and clearing rubble in a nearby town if I remember correctly.
     
  11. cameronlad

    cameronlad Member

    I've amassed a dozen or more photos re the Camerons from various sources including German photos (all in the name of historical and academic research, mind) and hopefully in the next fortnight will get to put them up here as a portfolio for the benefit of all.
    Meanwhile, talking of pictures, here's a page from the script of the film 'Atonement' for film lovers and ww2talk members to cringe over...

    ROBBIE approaches a group of NAVAL OFFICERS, as they stride down the beach (at Dunkirk)...
    ROBBIE
    "Where are the ships?"
    NAVAL OFFICER
    "A few made it in yesterday but the Luftwaffe blew them to buggery. We lost five hundred men when they sank the Endurance. And high command in its infinite wisdom is denying us air cover. It’s a disgrace, it’s a fucking disgrace!"

    Yes it really is, considering the Endurance was crushed by an ice pack twenty five years earlier in 1915!!!
     
  12. tommy40

    tommy40 Member

    Photos of QOCH taken at the canal were published in a book in the 90's from HEIMDAL publications in France and the subject was Dunkirk. I do not remember the name...
    Photos are probably the same as "Blitzkrieg in the west" and some show men of the QOCH in kilt.
     
  13. cameronlad

    cameronlad Member

    As promised, attached with this post are images of the full lists for the 1st Btn Camerons who embarked (two dates given) in 1939 with the BEF. Some private research notes showing a dot and pencilled date denotes a man KIA.

    I hope the lists will answer or help many researchers and families in years to come because history and the right to access it freely in the public domain belongs to the ordinary, unknown and unnamed men and women who made it happen. Garry.
     

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    darren .s and Drew5233 like this.
  14. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Great post Garry - Are the pages from a Regimental History Book?
     
  15. Roxy

    Roxy Senior Member

    Garry,

    Like you, I couldn't find my grandad on the embarcation list, so it doesn't look like he went to France with 1st Bn. You suggested that, after his re-enlistment (in 1st Bn) he may have been sent back to join his old mates in 2 Camerons.

    I'll let you know.

    Roxy
     
  16. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    Thanks for the lists, interesting to see so many familiar names that ended up in other battalions later.
     
  17. tommy40

    tommy40 Member

    Thanks Garry, great find !
     
  18. cameronlad

    cameronlad Member

    Great post Garry - Are the pages from a Regimental History Book?

    They're extracted from the original Historical Records QOCH Vol 1. 1932-1948. Published in 1952 - not many copies kicking around now. It's stuffed with campaign maps, records and accounts re the 1st and 2nd Btns.
    I tracked down my copy (V.good condition) to an old book shop in Rutland. Went to pick it up personally. Next post, some more archive material and a rare old piece of memorabilia to jog 51 Highlanders memory.
     
  19. cameronlad

    cameronlad Member

    Subject of the first picture attached is the Cameron's defence and last stand at the Battle for Violaines and La Bassee 26/27th May 1940. It is the Illustration made from the OB position looking south toward Violaines (peeping out behind the trees) with La Bassee beyond on the horizon line.

    Second and third pictures are of the QOCH Regimental issue Christmas Card (December 1939). This one was from my father in B Company. 1st Btn. Posted this because it shows a personal side of war that's often overlooked in the bigger scheme of things. I doubt if there are many copies surviving.
     

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  20. JCB

    JCB Senior Member

    Meanwhile, talking of pictures, here's a page from the script of the film 'Atonement' for film lovers and ww2talk members to cringe over...

    ROBBIE approaches a group of NAVAL OFFICERS, as they stride down the beach (at Dunkirk)...
    ROBBIE
    "Where are the ships?"
    NAVAL OFFICER
    "A few made it in yesterday but the Luftwaffe blew them to buggery. We lost five hundred men when they sank the Endurance. And high command in its infinite wisdom is denying us air cover. It’s a disgrace, it’s a fucking disgrace!"

    Yes it really is, considering the Endurance was crushed by an ice pack twenty five years earlier in 1915!!!

    Yes but who but a BEF obsessive would know that there wasn't a ship called Endurance among the hundreds taking part.:)
    If its the scene i'm thinking of in the final cut he says Lancastrian which to me is worse as many know it sank a month later.But not many amongst the cinema going public.
    I was an extra in this film it was good fun and great care was taken over getting the right vehicles , weapons and uniforms , down to issuing everyone with pre 1941 snub nose Lee Enfields. Experts will find faults but they got 'the look' right to me.Not saying it was the greatest film though:)
    Heres them setting up the naval officer scene-
     

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