Hi Guys, Looking for info on my Fathers Regt. He was enlisted on 15/10/42 in the 15th 19th Kings Royal Hussars. To the best of my knowledge he served in the Middle East althogh his Service Book has Far East written in it. I know he spent his 21st Birthday in an Attic in Belgium and I have been told he was at the Liberation of Belsen. I have attached a couple of scans. 1/. A group shot marked on the Back " Near Bremen" 2/. A Camp photo marked "PS" IS Camp 3/. An Award 4/. His Record book. The Award mentions Collombelle Island and I can find no reference for this. Thanks Paul.J.
Hi Paul, Thanks for posting The Reconnaissance Regiment for the 3rd Infantry Division from its formation to subsequent disbandment. April 1941: Formed mainly from the 8th Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. 30th April 1941 – Renamed 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion 6th June 1942 - Renamed 3rd Reconnaissance Regiment 1st January 1944 – Renamed 3rdReconnaissance Regiment RAC 10th August 1945: Disbanded Commanding Officers Lt-Col. E. H. D. Grimley Lt-Col. E. L. Bols, Lt-Col. H. H. Merriman, D.S.O., M.C., T.D., [Queen' s Royal Regiment] Lt-Col. J. K. Warner, M.C. LOCATIONS SERVED Fought in the Invasion of Normandy and throughout the campaign in North-West Europe. Cheers Paul
Hi Paul, Welcome to the forum and thanks for posting your photos - great stuff!. "Collombelle" seems to have various spellings on the net: "Colombelle", "Colonbelle", "Colombelles" etc.. but is near Caen and was the scene of fierce fighting at the time of your father's citation. I am sure there will be many on this site (more knowledgeable than me) who will provide some answers for you. Kind regards, Tom.
Hello Paul, Attached map from Normandy to the Baltic by Field Marshal Montgomery shows position of Colombelles. I imagine that the reference to an island means the land between the canal and the River Orne. Caen was captured on 9th July 1944. 3 Recce ended the war between Delmenhorst and Bremen: RHQ & C Sqn in school at Varrel, A Sqn at Hutching, B Sqn at Iprump. Hope this helps. Regards, Richard
Guys, Thanks for the information. Richard, I see where you mean - not really an island but a descriptive word none the less. Any one know if the 3rd Recce was in the Middle East as I am sure my Father was in Palestine at one stage ! Paul.J.
Paul, The 3rd Reconnaissance Regt I believe were formed from the 8th Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. This may be the connection with palestine. Royal Northumberland Fusiliers - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia As Recce they were first used at "D" Day, Sword Beach. Regards Tom
Hello Paul According to Wikepedia 15/19th King's Royal Hussars served in Palestine 1945-48. This backs up your father's story, which is more reliable, no doubt, than Wikepedia! Regards Richard
Paul, I appreciate that Wiki is not always 100% but it is always a good starting place for further info. This book may be of interest to you. History Of The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers In The Second World War - Naval & Military Press Regards Tom
Thanks for a lot of good information. Richard, that makes sense as he was demobbed from the 15/19th Hussars in July 1947. Paul.J.