Served at Dunkirk, does anyone have any info on what this unit was doing during that time in 1940? Regards Scott Military Medal 1940 - Sergeant Geoffrey Lindsay Bednall -219 Field Coy RE 'At about 1100 hours on 8 May (sic) 1940 a report reached Brigade HQ at BRACQHETUIT that the main road bridge (at NEUFCHATEL) over the River BETHUNE was not blown. Sgt BEDNALL was ordered to proceed on motorcycles whith No.189164 Sapper J G McDONALD to Davis Rifles Battalion HQ at LES 3 GRIELLES (Map reference M4740) to blow the bridge, having first obtained an infantry covering party if possible. On arrival at Battalion HQ no party could be provided, Sgt BEDNALL therefore decided to proceed without a party by motor cycle with Sapper McDONALD to bridge accross the River BETHUNE (Map reference M465445). This bridge had been blown. Motor cycles were left and the river waded. Sgt BEDNALL and Sapper McDONALD walked to the North East part of NEUFCHATEL but owing to raging fire and falling buildings, were unable to reach the main road bridge. Sgt BEDNALL endeavoured to reach the bridge by two more circular routes, but it was impossible to reach it. Convinced that the bridge must have been blown by the action of the intense heat on the detonators, they withdrew to the motor cycles by once more wading the river. No other troops were seen in NEUFCHATEL. On several other occasions during the operations with BEAUMAN DIVISION (Major General A B Beauman in command) Sgt BEDNALL has set a good example of devotion to duty by the way he has taken lorries of anti tank mines up to augment defences. In spite of enemy bombing he has never failed to deliver the mines with all despatch'
I've added this to my favourites to look at in more detail when I've moved-All my books and hard drives are packed. Andy
Having just read the thread the date is wrong. Hostilities didn't start proper until the 10th May-Could you mean the 8th June? The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details I've just read the citation and it says the 8th May which must be a typo. I see he was recommended for the DCM first. There is only one diary available from the units you mentioned, which I don't have at the moment. 219 Fld Coy didn't go to France in 1940. WO 167/1011 291 Army Troops Company Royal Engineers. 291 AT Coy RE was part of the Beauman Div at the end of May 1940. The disposition of the division at this time was in three brigade sectors. The left sector was held by A Brigade which consisted of 271 Field Company from the coast at Dieppe to St. Vaast. The centre sector was held by B Brigade which consisted of P Anti-Tank Battery and 291 Army Troops Company from St. Vaast and followed the line of the River Bethune to Forges. The right sector was held by C Brigade which consisted of Q Anti-Tank Battery and 212 Army Troops Company following the River Andelle to the point where it meets the River Seine at Pont St Pierre. The line defended by the division was around 58 miles long and as a result AT Mines were used in large numbers between Bethune and Andelle and troops were placed at obvious crossing points like bridges etc. On the 7th June B Brigade was ordered to retreat over the Seine using ferries west of Rouen as their right flank was being exploited by 5 and 7 Panzer Divisions. The brigades route was the same as the panzer divisions route of advance and subsequently B Brigade became dispersed over a wide area resulting in some units being cut off and lost. What was left of B Brigade on the 9th June was sent to Conches to reassemble.
I've just been looking at the units diary and its the 8th June. If you look at the diary pages below you will see he gets a mention by name. Also his unit never made it to Dunkirk, they were evacuated through Cherbourg to Southampton on the evening of the 17th June which would make his unit one of the last to leave France.
Morning Just found this thread. Sergeant Bednall was from Walsall, very poor photo attached of his wedding shortly after returning to England, Regards, Graeme
