Hello Im new to the list but wondered if anybody can help me - Im not even sure I have posted in right place ... Trying to find information (war diaries possibly ) of where 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards were on 16th April 1941 - my relative is mentioned on Alamein Memorial, Egypt - his name is Thomas A.U Philips he died aged just 20. Basically trying to find out where they were, how he died etc. Many thanks EAC61 https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2123830/thomas-alfred-phillips/ GUARDSMAN THOMAS ALFRED PHILLIPS Service Number: 2658548 Regiment & Unit: 3rd Bn. Coldstream Guards Date of Death: 16 April 1941 Age 20 years old Buried or commemorated at ALAMEIN MEMORIAL Memorial Reference: Column 54. Location: Egypt Additional Info: Son of Lewis and Elizabeth Phillips, of Chelmsford, Essex.
On the 16th they were just outside of Sidi Barrani, holding the Halfaya Pass. But it is likely Thomas was part of the party, which on the 15th, was detailed to attack a german position at the egyptian barracks near Sollum. Unfortunately No.3 Coldstream ran into a large enemy force en route to their objective, No 1 and No 4 companies stumbling practically into the German lines, resulting in a chaotic running battle with large casualties on both sides.
Hello and welcome to the forum, http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/brigade-guards/37127-researching-guardsmen-foot-guards.html From post 8 in the thread linked above, this TNA file below might also be of interest, particularly as your relative is commemorated on a Memorial. These Missing Personnel files are a bit hit and miss to say the least, so unfortunately until checked there is no way of telling if Thomas Philips is mentioned. Sometimes there can be reports or statements by comrades who were witnesses to capture, wounding or death. WO 361/1002 Middle East: North Africa; Coldstream Guards; missing personnel 1942 Jun 07 - 1944 Aug 25
