2717422 Guardsman George HOWE, 2 Irish Guards: POW

I am Looking for any information regarding George Howe, Guardsman 2717422, Irish Guards. Joined 1931, re-enlisted at outbreak of war and was, possibly, held prisoner of war at Stalag 111 at some stage. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Hi and welcome to the forum

Regards
Peter

 

Hiya and welcome to the forum....I think you may have come to the best place for IG and PoW info.

I'm sure the experts will be along shortly.

Cheers
Andy

 

Hello and welcome,
Have to ask first - have you applied to Wellington Barracks for his records yet?

The Regtl no. certainly tallies with 1931 enlistment.

There must be 2 of that name, for the first who sprung to mind was George Howe, who was later RSM. My father knew him and he had a brother called Ben also CSM in the Micks during the war ...

I have a note that a Guardsman G. Howe was mentioned twice on the official Army list printed in The Times. Once as Missing (date of publication 17/7/1940) and then again as Previously reported Missing, now reported Prisoner of War (date of publication 16/10/1940). From these dates it is impossible to tell for certain which Battalion he may have served in, as both the 1st and 2nd Battalions were involved previous to those dates in Norway and Hook of Holland/Boulogne respectively. If I had to guess, I'd say 2nd Bn & Boulogne.

Do you have any further information?

 

Thanks DBF. Regarding the records my mum is still alive and, having served herself, wants nothing to do with any research. I believe that they might not release the records to me. As time is marching on I have decided to try and gather what I can for my own use. According to my father's police record he was posted missing on 23/5/1940, having mobilised on 30/4/1940 from the police. Someone posted a small pow list of 3 men on this site and he was listed in it. I am unable to find it again. Both he and his brother bob 2717062 mobilised from the police back into their old guard regiment on the same date. Thats all I know.

 

Sadly you will need the NoK signature to apply for records unless the person passed away more than 25 years ago.

Regards
Andy

 

Hi wopr,

Thought I would bring this one back to life. Hopefully you see it. I'm putting together a database of Irish Guards service numbers and their enlistment dates. For example:

2715384 Gdsm Jack Gordon enlisted 15th July 1951.

I was wondering if you would allow me to add your father and uncle to the list?

Regards

Conor
(Grandson of a 'Mick')

 

Name: G. Howe
Rank: Guardsman
Army Number: 2717422
Regiment: Irish Guards
POW Number: 5913
Camp Type: Stalag
Camp Number: III-A
Camp Location: Luckenwalde, Brandenburg, Germany
Record Office: Irish Guards Record Office, 71, Ashley Gardens, London, SW1
Record Office Number: 14

 

Name: G. Howe
Rank: Guardsman
Army Number: 2717422
Regiment: Irish Guards
POW Number: 5913
Camp Type: Stalag
Camp Number: III-A
Camp Location: Luckenwalde, Brandenburg, Germany
Record Office: Irish Guards Record Office, 71, Ashley Gardens, London, SW1
Record Office Number: 14

 

Date of Enlistment: 1931
Army Number: 2717422
Rank: Guardsman
Name: George HOWE
Unit: 2 Irish Guards

Date of Birth: 5 December 1912
Place of Birth: Enniskillen, Northern Ireland

Date of Capture: 23 May 1940
Place of Capture: Boulogne, France

POW Number: 5913
POW Camps: Stalag XXA, Stalag IIIA

 

Name: George Howe . Date of Birth: 05/12/1912 . Place of Birth: Enniskillen . ... | The National Archives
Reference: WO 416/185/317
Name: George Howe.
Date of Birth: 05/12/1912.
Place of Birth: Enniskillen.
Service: British Army.
Rank: Guardsman.
Regiment/Unit/Squadron: 2 Battalion, Irish Guards.
Service Number: 2717422.
Date of Capture: 23 May 1940.
Theatre of Capture: Boulogne.
Camp Name/Number: Stalag XXA Thorn.
PoW number: 5913.
Date of Death: [unspecified].
Number of Photographs: 0.
Number of Fingerprints: 0.
Number of X-rays: 0.
Number of Cards: 4.