Hi I am interested in what the 3rd Coldstream Guards may have been doing on 6th February 1941. I read elsewhere on the forum they were based in Cairo at this time. I have an interest in 2656706 Gdsmn C J Ward, who appears in casualty reports, along with a colleague, as being wounded on this date. Would welcome any information/thoughts on this. Thanks Steve
Someone might have copy of War Diary which they could share. If not here is the TNA Reference: 3 Coldstream Guards | The National Archives Reference: WO 169/1701 Description: 3 Coldstream Guards Date: 1941 Jan.- Dec. The CG History is online but doesn't give much info for that period https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015048995396&view=1up&seq=10 Page 72
Hi, I haven’t got access to the casualty list. Does it say he was wounded in action (or accidentally wounded)? If he was wounded in action on that date it is likely he was attached to another unit and away from the Battalion. IIRC G Patrol LRDG personnel were shown on Casualty Lists under their parent regiment designation. My father served with 3rd CG from the outbreak of war until his capture in December 1941 but I know that CG Personnel were attached to various other units during that time including Royal Signals & CMP and to higher level units at Brigade & Divisional level. The answer will be in his service record. Steve PS Who was the other man?
Thanks. Both men are pre war regular soldiers. From their army service numbers I’d say Ward enlisted circa late 1935/early 1936 and Talbot circa March/April 1937. If they originally went to Egypt with 3rd CG in Nov 1937 (tight timescale for Talbot as he would’ve had to complete 5 months recruit training at The Guards Depot before reaching his Battalion) and served in Palestine on active service Oct 1938/April 1939 you may find them listed in the Palestine Medal Rolls. The medal roll is often annotated to show if a man transferred out of the Regiment or was attached elsewhere (or was a deserter or discharged sick/injured etc). On the other hand they could’ve been serving in another Battalion in England pre war and had been part of a draft sent out to Egypt after September 1939. Steve
UK, Military Campaign Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1949 Name: C J Ward Service Date: 1936-1939 Service Place: Palestine Campaign or Service: Palestine Regiment or Unit Name: Coldstream Guards Regimental Number: 2656706 TD
Slight problem with spelling his name right UK, Military Campaign Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1949 Name: S W F Tablot Service Date: 1936-1939 Service Place: Palestine Campaign or Service: Palestine Regiment or Unit Name: Coldstream Guards Regimental Number: 2657833 TD
Thanks for that Richard. It doesn’t help the OP but I recognised a few of the names on each sheet. My Dad used to meet Ted Waiting post war. He was in Cumberland Constabulary. He was great friends with Ray Sweeney who was in his Squad at The Guards Depot. He was an Australian merchant seaman who jumped ship in London to join up in January 1937. My father wrote to RHQ CG post war to see what became of him after he deserted but heard nothing back. I’m hoping CG follow the lead of SG and put their service files on FMP so I can research him myself. Steve
Thanks for your replies. There's a record on FMP that shows Gdsmn Ward was discharged in 1942, so presumably his wounds were serious. Steve
Just to update slightly, FMP have added some extra Coldstream Guards records this week. They confirm CJ Ward received a severe GS wound to the right arm on 6.2.1941. His colleague SWF Talbot is on the same report as receiving a slight GS wound to the head on the same day. Presumably then they were both serving with another unit at the time. Steve
Thanks for the update. Hopefully FMP will obtain all pre 1939 CG service files in the not too distant future, to go with their existing portfolio of SG service files, and you will get the answer to your query. Steve
The battalion war diary has them in Cairo as mentioned but nothing on anyone being wouned on the 6th Feb 1941.