2nd Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (2KRRC) War Diaries. May 1940

Discussion in '1940' started by RiverdaleDIY, May 4, 2022.

  1. RiverdaleDIY

    RiverdaleDIY Member

    Hello:

    TLDR: I am wondering why I can’t find online copies of the 2nd Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corp.(2KRRC) War Diaries. Specifically May 1940 and the Siege of Calais.

    I understand that they are obtainable from TNA at Kew. However, I also see lots of other War Diaries posted here directly. Totally understandable if they aren’t posted, as I’m aware people do offer copying service etc. as a business. I’m just surprised, given that the Siege of Calais was such a significant event, that I can’t find them here. Or did I just miss it?

    Thank you, and please forgive me if I am stepping on toes, or asking for something inappropriately, as I am happy to pay/donate to which ever organisation/group can give me online access to the diaries.

    Reason for asking, my Great Uncle was taken prisoner there, on May 26, 1940. I found this interesting, albeit brief, write up about operations in Calais, but not the War Diaries themselves.
    Calais 1940 by 'Spar' - Royal Green Jackets

    As a POW he was sent to Stalag VIIIB, Lamdsdorf, and was at Arbeitskommando E546 in Ottmachau, Poland. Unfortunately he was shot and killed there (June 8, 1943) and did not see the end of the war. To date I have found very little info. on E546 other than the location, so I’m assuming it was quite small. And I also know nothing about the shooting other than it was mentioned in Parliament (PRISONERS OF WAR (Hansard, 3 August 1943)). So if anyone does know more about E546 I’d love to hear about it. But I will post a separate thread about that location.

    Thank you, and again my apologies for any offence caused.
    Rifleman Brynley Harcombe | War Casualty Details | CWGC

    BASIC INFO.:

    Brynley Harcombe (occasionally mis-spelled as Brinley)
    DOB May 20/1919
    Service #6846379
    2nd Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corp.(KRRC).
    Captured in Calais, on May 26, 1940.
    POW#114186
    Stalag VIIIB, Lamdsdorf, and was at Arbeitskommando E546 in Ottmachau, Poland
    Shot and killed June 8, 1943 at E546.
     
  2. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    I don't recall the aspect of 2 KRR's May 1940 diary arising on the forum. I don't think there is anything sinister about it, but there have been a number of personal accounts published and because the entire battalion went 'into the bag', the diaries would not be contemporaneous but almost certainly compiled secretly in a POW camp without access to any 'Other Ranks'.

    I'm pretty sure that Drew has copied this diary at Kew so it's worth messaging him.

    http://ww2talk.com/index.php?members/drew5233.6786/#profile-post-54118

    One of my uncles was a pre-war regular with the KRRs, and was recalled just as his reserve service was ending. He too was captured at Calais and subsequently at Lamsdorf but his Release Questionnaire shows that he was engaged in industrial work at Heydebreck from 1942 to 1945. There is no record of him completing a 'Form Q' disclosing war crimes.
     
    RiverdaleDIY and BFBSM like this.

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