6980554 Fusilier John GREEN, 2 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers: 29/05/1940

Hi,
I am looking for any information on my wifes grandfather. Fusilier John Green 6980554 died 29 May 1940 during the evac of Dunkirk. I understand he was with 2nd batt . Any information or stories would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for any help you can offer.

 

Hello borderclan and welcome to the forum

link to service records

https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records


regards
Clive

 

If he's buried in Northern Ireland he would not have died in France. No one killed overseas was repatriated back to the UK for burial during WW2that I'm aware off. My first thoughts would be he was evacuated wounded and died in the UK of his wounds or died in the UK by some accident or illness and the family requested he be buried in the local cemetery.

 

I can tell you that your man was part of A Company and he last drew pay on the 10th May 1940 issued by his Company Commander Captain R H A Knox and he drew 50 Francs.

 

Thank you all for the info. I have since spoken to his daughter. Apparently John was returned to Folkestone where he passed from his injuries. His wife travelled from Ireland and brought him back home for burial in Derry cemetery. Can anyone furnish me with a copy of the diaries please, so I can pass them to his daughter.

 

Hi Owen Thank you very much for that.

 

Further to this story. John Green had a brother Edward Green also of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers . Sadly Edward was also killed during the Tunisia campaign 30 April 1943. I believe he was with the 6th Batt.

 

Borderclan,

A little context about your wife's great uncle Edward Green's time with 6 Bttn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (6 Innisks) - and a photo of his final resting place at Oued Zarga CWGC cemetery (taken on a very wet day in April 2012).

GREEN, EDWARD
Rank: Fusilier
Service No: 6980546
Date of Death: 30/04/1943
Age: 30
Regiment/Service: Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 6th Bn.
Grave Reference 1. D. 5. Cemetery OUED ZARGA WAR CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of George and Mary Green; husband of Ellen Green, of Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

Also a short excerpt of 6 Innisks' diary for the end of April 1943 in the mountainous area, north of Medjez-el-Bab - nothing about the specifc circumstances that led to his death - injuries could have occurred during an extended period of fighting for the Skins near Djebel Tanngoucha during April 1943.

QUOTE,

26th April – GOULACH GULLY.

Intelligence from the higher command appreciates that the enemy has made a deep withdrawal; consequently the Bttn is ordered to push forward a Coy at first light to gain contact. B Coy is detailed for this role and moves off soon after first light. Later, Brigade Orders are received for the Bttn to advance with 1 RIrF on left along an axis of advance to the Tebourba Gap 15 miles ahead across extremely difficult mountainous country, making good a series of dominating features on route. Owing to a delay in getting forward the necessary mules, which had been sent back to Kelbine to water and feed, departure was delayed until 1400hrs. The Bttn moved into Goulach village and along the Goulach valley to pt 283, where it was subjected to shelling and MG fire from Kel El Senach, which caused 2 casualties. Meanwhile B Coy, having advanced over the Ragbet El Halfa without opposition, began climbing the extremely steep and rocky western slopes of Kef El Senach. Having gained the first slopes without opposition, it reached within 100 yards of the second ridge, where it was met by heavy MG fire and forced to withdraw to the 1st ridge. Since it was without support and the remainder of the Bttn was 2 miles away and under observation of the enemy in a narrow valley, it was ordered to remain there until dark and then rejoin the Bttn. Meanwhile, the Bttn having formed up in the valley behind Goulach village moved last at dusk and met B Coy in the valley.

Casualties suffered by B Coy during the day amounted to 3 ORs. The strength of the Bttn today is as follows:
Btttn HQ – 6 officers, 78 ORs;
A Coy – 3 officers, 33 ORs (one platoon);
B & D Coys – 3 officers, 50 ORs (two platoons);
C Coys – 2 officers, 41 ORs (two platoons);
S Coy – 4 officers, 77 ORs (Mortar and MG platoons);
B Echelon – 7 officers, 180 ORs incl personnel in charge of mule echelons, LOB personnel and prisoners.

27th April – KEF EL SENACH.

0300 A and C Coys organised as one rifle coy of 3 platoons with two 3” mortars and advance Bttn HQ moved down Goulach gully with guides from B Coy to assembly area with object of attacking pt 416, which was yesterday occupied by an estimated strength of one enemy platoon. Remainder of Bttn stayed in its previous location ready to push forward to the succeeding Brigade objective. The attack was delayed owing to the difficulty in establishing communications between the FOO and 138 Field Regiment, which was in support. Start line was the first feature of the hill 300 feet up reached by B Coy yesterday. Enemy was seen on the second feature during the preliminary recce.

1130 Zero for the attack, supported by a lifting barrage of smoke and HE onto the second feature, which necessitated an extremely steep and rocky climb of 600 yards. Their objective was captured without difficulty and 22 prisoners were taken. A further false crest was then assaulted but the forward platoons came under heavy and accurate MG and Mortar fire. The Kef consists of no less than four bumps on false crests, all of which were occupied by the enemy and it became apparent that they had been strongly reinforced during the night. Meanwhile, wireless communication between the advance and rear Bttn HQ broke down for two hours and it became impossible to bring up B Coy, in time to carry all the objectives before a counter attack was made. A further difficulty arose in that the FOO was unable to find an OP from which he could recce further than the second false crest. The left platoon (C Coy) received heavy casualties from mortar fire and the right platoon was also held up by MMG fire. Under these circumstances, a withdrawal was ordered to the second ridge, which was held without difficulty. The remainder of the Bttn moved up and took up positions on the reverse slopes of the feature.

28th April – KEL EL SENACH.
Bttn remained in yesterday’s position, contact being maintained with the enemy. The enemy shelled the gully and a few casualties occurred to the mules. The greater part of the position is however out of shell fire owing to the steepness of the hillside. A muddy and filthy stream flows down the gully and provides useful washing water. The weather was very hot and humid today and no shade could be obtained on the rocks. G Coy 2 LIR came under command in the evening and took over the forward coy locality previously held by B Coy.

29th April – KEF EL SENACH.
Patrols established the fact that the ridge in front of our positions is unoccupied by the enemy but it is untenable by day except on the reverse slopes, the occupation of which there is justification for. The Goulach gully was formerly the main German supply route to the Tanngoucha position and there is ready evidence of occupation. An 81mm mortar and many bombs have been taken into use by the Bttn.

30th April – KEF EL SENACH.
Contact was again made with the Germans by our patrols during the night and G Coy 2 LIR suffered 10 casualties from mortar fire. At 1700hrs, the Bttn was relieved by 1 RIrF and G Coy 2 LIR reverted to their Bttn command. At the same time, the Bttn took over the positions occupied by 1 RIrF on Djebel Boulamourdjeb (pt 484), which had been reconnoitred the previous day. Dispositions were taken up as follows – C Coy forward on pt 484; A Coy in centre on north western slope; B Coy on left in contact with US 1st Armoured Division.

Lieuts Hodgson and McVie rejoined the Bttn today from hospital. A draft of 90 ORs joined the Bttn mostly from 2 and 70 RUR.

END QUOTE,


best

 

Here's his war diaries refs at the National Archives

WO 166/4551 INFANTRY: 6 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.1940 May - 1941 Dec.
WO 166/8872 6 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 1942 Jan.-Oct.
WO 175/505 6 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 1942 Nov.- 1943 June.

If you order these three I'll throw the 2nd Bn's 1939/40 war diary and missing men file in for free (over 250 pages).

Cheers
Andy

 

Once again thank you all for all the fantastic responses and info.

 

Just received a photo of Fusilier John Green's final resting place in Derry, thanks are due to Richard Doherty who took the photograph this afternoon.

Here's a link to the 6 Innisks war diaries to follow his brother's (Edward) short service period in Tunisia:
http://www.irishbrigade.co.uk/pages/original-war-diaries---1942-to-1945/war-diaries-of-6-royal-inniskilling-fusiliers/war-diaries-of-6-royal-inniskilling-fusiliers---194243.php

best