5 Borders Defending Bergues Furnes Canal, June 1940

Discussion in '1940' started by Drew5233, Dec 29, 2012.

  1. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Deacs asked me yesterday if I could add anything to how a 5 Borders man died on the 1st June 1940-Having visted the area several times I thought I put a few bits together and hopefully this will shed a bit more light on what was happening.

    First a map of the area and the BEF posistions:
    [​IMG]
     
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  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    The Regiments History states they were on the Canal des Chats at Uxem on the 1st June. I believe the book may be using the Battalion HQ as a guide for the battalions location and the battalion was actually defending in depth with at least C Company on the Bergues/Furnes Canal in between the East Lancs where Ervine-Andrews earned his VC and 2 Coldstream Guards. I have a theory as to why this may have been omitted which is to do with 2/Lieut. Langley and the OC/CO of 2 CG shooting at an officer who wanted to withdraw on the CG's right flank. The Borders history by Shears states the following:

    At 8am (30th May) the battalion reached Uxem on the Dunkirk Perimeter and took up a defensive position on the line of the Canal des Chats. This posistion was manned by the 5th Battalion in the centre, with the 1st East Lancs on the right and the 3rd Coldstream Guards of the left. There was odd shelling and much aerial activity all day. At 4am on the 31st the enemy carried out a heavy artillery bombardment, followed by an attack on the canal, on the front of the 1st Division, to which the Brigade had been attached. The attack was repulsed. In this attack all four companies of the battalion were in the front line. C Company suffered severely from heavy shell and mortar fire.

    A detachment of seventy men of the South Lancashire Regiment, which had joined the battalion at Rousbrugge-Harringhe, was given to C Company to make up their strength.

    That evening orders were received to send back to the beaches at Dunkirk all men who were not urgently required.

    On the 1st June the enemy artillery increased, and C Company again suffered heavily, whilst A Company had several casualties.

    Private L Wilson, a stretcher bearer in C Company, with three other stretcher bearers, went out in the face of heavy enemy fire to collect wounded. His three companions were all shot, but he continued alone and suceeded in bringing in a total of eight men, carrying them in his arms unaided. He was awarded the Military Medal.

    That night the battalion withdrew to the beaches, covered by the Carrier Platoon, still commanded by 2/Lieut. Musgrave, who later was awarded the Military Cross for his gallant work throuout the whole period of the Operations.
     
  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    This picture is taken from the 2 Coldstream Guards right flank looking towards the 5 Borders positions. The Borders would have been dug in on the right side of the canal with the Germans advancing from left to right.

    [​IMG]
     
  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

  5. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    [​IMG]

    His service number was one of those allocated to the Lincolnshire Regiment.
     
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  6. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Men of the 5th Borders who are buried at Warhem Communal Cemetery who died on 1-2 June 1940:-

    Name: CRONE, WILLIAM CHALTON
    Rank: Private
    Service No: 3601422
    Date of Death: 01/06/1940
    Age: 21
    Regiment/Service: Border Regiment
    Unit: 5th Bn.
    Grave Reference: Row A. Grave 42.
    Cemetery: WARHEM COMMUNAL CEMETERY

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    Name: DRYNAN, RAYMOND
    Rank: Private
    Service No: 3601252
    Date of Death: 01/06/1940
    Age: 21
    Regiment/Service: Border Regiment
    Unit: 5th Bn.
    Grave Reference: Row B. Grave 10.
    Cemetery: WARHEM COMMUNAL CEMETERY
    Additional Information: Son of Andrew and Elsie Maud Drynan, of South Shields, Co. Durham.

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Name: HARRISON, JOHN FRANCES
    Rank: Private
    Service No: 3600854
    Date of Death: Between 01/06/1940 and 02/06/1940
    Age: 21
    Regiment/Service: Border Regiment
    Unit: 5th Bn.
    Grave Reference: Row A. Grave 10.
    Cemetery: WARHEM COMMUNAL CEMETERY
    Additional Information: Son of John and Beatrice Harrison, of Cheetham Hill. Manchester.

    [​IMG]

    Name: HAY, LAWRENCE
    Rank: Private
    Service No: 3598446
    Date of Death: 01/06/1940
    Age: 21
    Regiment/Service: Border Regiment
    Unit: 5th Bn.
    Grave Reference: Row A. Grave 25.
    Cemetery: WARHEM COMMUNAL CEMETERY

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Name: HORNSBY, THOMAS WILLIAM
    Rank: Private
    Service No: 3601478
    Date of Death: 01/06/1940
    Age: 21
    Regiment/Service: Border RegimenUnit: 5th Bn.
    Grave Reference: Row A. Grave 27.
    Cemetery: WARHEM COMMUNAL CEMETERY
    Additional Information: Son of Robert and Alina Hornsby, of Silloth, Cumberland.

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    Name: LOWE, ALBERT
    Rank: Private
    Service No: 3600358
    Date of Death: 01/06/1940
    Age: 21
    Regiment/Service: Border Regiment
    Unit: 5th Bn.
    Grave Reference: Row B. Grave 9.
    Cemetery: WARHEM COMMUNAL CEMETERY
    Additional Information: Son of Samuel and Mary Lowe, of Whitehaven, Cumberland.

    [​IMG]
     
  9. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Name: MADEN, HARRY
    Rank: Private
    Service No: 3857808
    Date of Death: Between 01/06/1940 and 02/06/1940
    Age: 21
    Regiment/Service: Border Regiment
    Unit: 5th Bn.
    Grave Reference: Row A. Grave 9.
    Cemetery: WARHEM COMMUNAL CEMETERY
    Additional Information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Maden, of Rawtenstall, Lancashire.

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    Name: McKENZIE, FREDERICK
    Rank: Private
    Service No: 3598276
    Date of Death: Between 01/06/1940 and 02/06/1940
    Age: 21
    Regiment/Service: Border Regiment
    Unit: 5th Bn.
    Grave Reference: Row A. Grave 12.
    Cemetery: WARHEM COMMUNAL CEMETERY
    Additional Information: Son of Jonathan and Minnie McKenzie, of Newcastle-on-Tyne.

    [​IMG]
     
  10. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Name: MEREDITH, THOMAS GLYNDWR
    Rank: Corporal
    Service No: 3595124
    Date of Death: 01/06/1940
    Age: 32
    Regiment/Service: Border Regiment
    Unit: 5th Bn.
    Grave Reference: Row A. Grave 31.
    Cemetery: WARHEM COMMUNAL CEMETERY

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    Name: NICHOLSON, JOHN HENRY
    Rank: Lance Corporal
    Service No: 3595237
    Date of Death: 01/06/1940
    Age: 30
    Regiment/Service: Border Regiment
    Unit: 5th Bn.
    Grave Reference: Row A. Grave 23.
    Cemetery: WARHEM COMMUNAL CEMETERY
    Additional Information: Son of James Benn Nicholson and Elizabeth Nicholson, of Whitehaven, Cumberland; husband of Sarah Ann Nicholson, of Whitehaven.

    [​IMG]
     
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  11. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Name: RIDDLE, ALFRED
    Rank: Private
    Service No: 3599606
    Date of Death: 01/06/1940
    Age: 19
    Regiment/Service: Border Regiment
    Unit: 5th Bn.
    Grave Reference: Row A. Grave 11.
    Cemetery: WARHEM COMMUNAL CEMETERY
    Additional Information: Son of Robert and Mary Ann Riddle, of Cockermouth, Cumberland.

    [​IMG]

    Name: SMITH, GEORGE
    Rank: Private
    Service No: 3857762
    Date of Death: Between 01/06/1940 and 02/06/1940
    Age: 21
    Regiment/Service: Border Regiment
    Unit: 5th Bn.
    Grave Reference: Row B. Grave 8.
    Cemetery: WARHEM COMMUNAL CEMETERY

    [​IMG]
     
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  12. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Cheers Rob
     
  13. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    There are other casualties for the Borders for the dates quoted in this thread, on the Dunkirk Memorial (5), one in Dunkirk Town Cemetery and another 4 at Pihen-les-Guines War Cemetery, although that is to the West of Calais. Unfortunately, I don't have these photos.
     
  14. ritsonvaljos

    ritsonvaljos Senior Member

    Thanks very much for an interesting thread. I know relatives of some of the fellows from 5th Border who were involved in the episode of the war. At the time I write this I know there are still some surviving 5th Border veterans who were involved in the withdrawal to, and subsequent evacuation from, Dunkirk. Of course, with the passage of time their numbers are dwindling.

    The former secretary of the West Cumbria Branch of the Dunkirk Veterans (ex-5th Border at Dunkirk), Pte John L.S. Lowrey passed away in March 2012. This is a link to his obituary in the local newspaper:
    News & Star | One of last remaining Dunkirk veterans dies

    I have photographs of a number of ex-5th Border soldiers including L/Cpl John Henry Nicholson and Pte Albert Lowe (attached) two of those interred in Warhem Communal Cemetery. Thanks for posting the photographs of their headstones.

    While the West Cumbria Branch of the Dunkirk Veterans Association was still active there were group visits to the Dunkirk area for some of the key anniversaries (e.g 40th, 50th etc.). The branch standard was laid up in 2000 - 60 years after the evacuation.

    Attachments:
    ( a ) Pte. Albert Lowe

    ( b ) L/Cpl. J.H. Nicholson
     

    Attached Files:

  15. ritsonvaljos

    ritsonvaljos Senior Member

    Please can I ask if anyone happens to have a photograph of the CWGC headstone in Les Moeres Communal Cemetery of the following 5th Border casualty, lost during the withdrawal to Dunkirk?

    Les Moeres Communal Cemetery (Nord, France)
    Special Memorial Row B, Grave 16.
    Pte. Hugh Fleming, 5th Bn The Border Regiment

    This cemetery is about 13 kms to the east of Dunkirk.

    Pte Hugh Fleming was from Cleator Moor, Cumberland and was initially reported missing. His family received word of his death much later, presumably after his body was found and identified (which may partly explain the somewhat unusual assumed date of death by the CWGC). The exact location of his grave seems to have been lost when the cemetery was flooded by the Germans in 1944.

    Pte Hugh Fleming is also commemorated by the Cleator Moor 'Roll of Honour'. This was published as a Book of Remembrance by the Town Council in November 2012.

    None of Pte Fleming's former comrades who served with him in 5th Border that I have talked to about Dunkirk has been able to fill in anything extra about his death. I have also previously tried to see if there was anything in the Regimental Museum Archives. There was nothing definite to be found there either.

    One of Pte Fleming's sisters, Julia, went on to marry another soldier from the 5th Bn The Border Regiment: Pte William Harker Lee MM. This was the previous post on WW2 Talk about Billy Lee MM:
    http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/prisoners-war/37874-pow-escaper-pte-billy-lee-m-m-5th-bn-border.html

    Attachment:

    (c) Pte. Hugh Fleming, 5th Bn The Border Regt.

    Thanks in advance if anyone can assist.
     

    Attached Files:

  16. Deacs

    Deacs Well i am from Cumbria.

    Outstanding Andy and Rob well done.

    Regards Michael.
     
  17. Peccavi

    Peccavi Senior Member

    Forgive me for intruding on your story of the 5th Borders but I have never quite under stood the positions on 30th May to 1st June and I believe that you are about to refer to this Andy.

    Firstly is not the map you show actually about midday 31st May. On 1st June the Borders were back in front of the canal de chats at Uxem having left the 2nd Coldstream at the Furnes et Bergues Canal.

    [​IMG]

    Also the French version of this history says that the British departed form Bergues on night of 31st May leaving a French contingent behind - Bergues surrendered on 3rd June.

    The French map implies that Coudekerque fell on 31st May and the line pushed into just in to finish in front of Tetinghem, held by the French 137th Regiment.

    [​IMG]

    Sorry got the maps transposed but maybe you can understand my questions.
     
  18. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I think its probably more to do with what time of the day it was when the sketch maps above were made. Certainly the distance between the two perimeters is only around 5-8 Kms in most places. So they could have been on one in the morning and the other by lunch. Who knows-I think my original comment of of the main HQ being at Uxem with the battalion defending in depth is quite plausible-Certainly someone was to the right of 2 CG defending the canal.

    I wondered if the Borders History skips the fighting on the Furnes Canal in any detail as Jimmy Langley has said he shot at an officer that wanted to withdraw his men from the canal line which would have exposed the Guards right flank. That would make the officer and his men 5 Borders.

    Some additional Info:

    Reading 2 CG's war diary it says that at 1400hrs on 1st June it appeared the Bn on their right flank had withdrawn. 2 CG withdrew around 2200hrs on the 1st June.
     
  19. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Please can I ask if anyone happens to have a photograph of the CWGC headstone in Les Moeres Communal Cemetery of the following 5th Border casualty, lost during the withdrawal to Dunkirk?

    Les Moeres Communal Cemetery (Nord, France)
    Special Memorial Row B, Grave 16.
    Pte. Hugh Fleming, 5th Bn The Border Regiment

    This cemetery is about 13 kms to the east of Dunkirk.

    Pte Hugh Fleming was from Cleator Moor, Cumberland and was initially reported missing. His family received word of his death much later, presumably after his body was found and identified (which may partly explain the somewhat unusual assumed date of death by the CWGC). The exact location of his grave seems to have been lost when the cemetery was flooded by the Germans in 1944.

    Pte Hugh Fleming is also commemorated by the Cleator Moor 'Roll of Honour'. This was published as a Book of Remembrance by the Town Council in November 2012.

    None of Pte Fleming's former comrades who served with him in 5th Border that I have talked to about Dunkirk has been able to fill in anything extra about his death. I have also previously tried to see if there was anything in the Regimental Museum Archives. There was nothing definite to be found there either.

    One of Pte Fleming's sisters, Julia, went on to marry another soldier from the 5th Bn The Border Regiment: Pte William Harker Lee MM. This was the previous post on WW2 Talk about Billy Lee MM:
    http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/prisoners-war/37874-pow-escaper-pte-billy-lee-m-m-5th-bn-border.html

    Attachment:

    (c) Pte. Hugh Fleming, 5th Bn The Border Regt.

    Thanks in advance if anyone can assist.

    :D

    [​IMG]

    The CWGC plot at Les Moeres Communal cemetery.

    [​IMG]
     
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  20. ritsonvaljos

    ritsonvaljos Senior Member

    Thanks for the photograph of Pte Hugh Fleming's headstone, ramacal. It is much appreciated.

    May he rest in peace.
     

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