Hello all I am looking for information regarding my dad Thomas Overton. He never really spoke about his war exploits except that he was in Burma, and I have photos which confirm that. Incredibly, and I still can't believe it really, I was sorting some photos from his army album and on the back of one was written, Sgt T. Overton (MM). No 4804444. Mortar Pln. E Coy. 6th Batt. Lincs Regt. CMF. Further research confirms that he was awarded the Military Medal for outstanding leadership and bravery in North Africa in 1943. At that time he was a Lance Cpl. I had absolutely no idea he was anymore than a private, let alone a Sgt with MM. So anyway, I would be most grateful if anyone here can offer any information no matter how small. Thank you
Rickenbacker try 138tth Brigade of 46th Infantry Division history - which fought from Algiers to Tunis - then Salerno all through Italy with shocking losses at Gemmano and Croce in the Gothic Line battles…. cheers
The awarding of his Military Medal was gazetted on 15 June 1943: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36053/supplement/2721/data.htm. Image of your father's MM recommendation. Mark
Thank you both for your prompt replies. I had seen the recommendation, will follow your suggestions. Many thanks
I am not sure how he got from North Africa and Italy to Burma - perhaps that came towards the end of the war after 46 Inf Div had left Italy. 6 LINCS had a really tough time at Salerno too. FdeP
Hi and welcome to the forum Rickenbacker, just a thought do you have his army records from the MOD. Are you able to post any photos. Good luck with your research.
Hi Rickenbacker, I'm in the process of copying all of the Lincolns War Diaries and other information, so can give you some things which should make you quite happy. Here is a copy of the Lincolns nominal roll showing your Dad's name. It does not show the date of enlistment, but indicates that he was demobbed on 5 July 1946 (and posted to the Army Reserve), so stayed with them for his entire service in the Armed Forces. If he served time in Burma, he would have been with 1 Lincolns. Do you have his medals, as this might give some pointers?
The appendicies of 6 Lincolns are really excellent prior to arriving in North Africa in January 1943. Here are pages from January 1943, which is a nominal roll of men travelling on trains by Company, from Sunningdale in Surrey to Clydeside in Scotland on 5 January 1943. He is shown as serving in A Company with the Rank of Private. They sailed to Algeria by convoy on the H.M.T. Sobieski and arrived on the 17th January 1943.
These are the pages from the war diary of April 22 1943, on the day your Dad's actions got him a Military Medal. 6 pages cover the day and the casualties sustained and listed on the last page give some idea of the intensity of what happenned all those years ago. Major Bell, of the Battalion signed T Overton's citation, as the Commanding Officer Lt. Colonel Myrtle, was one of those killed that day.
Here is a link to the London Gazette in which Thomas's award appears. Near bottom left of the page. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36053/supplement/2721
I'll have a trawl through the appendicies prior to 1943. T Overton's name does not appear in the nominal roll of 6 Lincolns for August 1939, when the war diaries were first written prior to the outbreak of war. It might show when he first arrived. It's definitely worth applying for the service records to get the full details of his theatre movements. 6 Lincolns served with the BEF in France in 1940 and my feeling he was drafted in following the arrival back in the UK. The service number seems to tally with the information I have. More to follow hopefully.
This is the first page I've found so far dated 28 October 1940, in which Thomas is awarded War time proficiency pay of 6d per diem. He is definitely on the strength of 6 Lincolns at this time.
Minden It's my understanding that when 46th Inf Div left Italy - it was for Austria- mainly in the Graz area SE of Austria….78th Div SW at Spital- and 6th Armoured to the Central area of Knittelfeld / Judendberg Cheers
6 Lincolns moved to Wolfsberg in Austria from Italy on 19 May 1945. HQ 138 Brigade, 46 Div also opened their HQ at Wolfsberg on the same day.
Thank you all so much for your replies. It's incredible the amount of info available.I do have photos, but they are all taken in Burma. To be honest, I'm not 100% convinced Thomas Overton MM is my dad, but then why would he have a photo with that name and number on the back? I think the only way to confirm it is to send for his records.
Hi, I highly recommend you do apply for his records they cost £30. You will need lots of patience because it can take an age to get them, You'll be surprised just how much info you can obtain once you have them. Wish you good luck.
Hi all. The T OVERTON in question is my grandfather. Or at least I think so. What would be the best site to use for the request of records and information? So much interesting info on this thread already. Cheers. Ric
