8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry Officers 1941

Tatler 5th March 1941

 

Casualties:

Back Row:
Major Jimmy Kailofer 153376 Died of Wounds 9 August 1944
Lieut. RHR Robinson 130757 Killed in Action 8 June 1942
Lieut. JF Gedge 88714 Killed in Action 22 March 1943
Centre Row:
Capt. IS Turnbull 72976 Killed in Action 2 November 1942
Capt. John N Wheatley 130394 Killed in Action 11 June 1944
Capt. DH Claye 117991 Died as POW (Germany) 29 November 1942
Capt. PH Bower 76949 Killed in Action 15 June 1942

Jimmy Kailofer and John Wheatley were 2 of the 14 counsel, defending the 50 Div Durhams (6th, 8th & 9th Bns Durham Light Infantry) during the Salerno Mutiny trials. Jimmy was originally from Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland and schooled at King Edward VI School, Morpeth, Northumberland (1928-33). John was from near Reading.

 

Awards for those in photograph at post no. 1:

BEF:
Major RS McLaren - DSO
Capt. TF Duggan - MC
Lt-Col CW Beart MC - MiD
2/Lieut DH Claye - MiD
Major RS McLaren - MiD

Middle East:
Lt-Col CW Beart MC - MiD
Lieut. DA Neal - MiD

Sicily:
Capt. DA Neal - MC

For escaping when a POW:
Major RS McLaren - MBE

Half-Yearly Honours:
Capt. WG Stray - MBE

 

Excellent photo and additional information , thanks for posting .

 

At the finalisation of hostilities in Sicily, it was John Wheatley (with the help of 11 men and some Sappers) that erected the cairn/memorial near Primosole Bridge to the DLI soldiers killed in action there.

He was killed in action at St Pierre, Normandy. He was the OC 'C' Company. In '8th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry 1939-1945 (Maj PJ Lewis MC and Maj I R English MC +2 Bars):

 

John Wheatley was a close freind of Ian English , i visted his grave in Jerusalem Cemetery with Ian many years ago , the death of John and how Ian walked away was a great example of the Soldiers luck that was required to survive .

 

The death of Major Jimmy Kailofer:

The Brigade Commander’s (151st Infantry Brigade) plan was for an attack southwards using Le Plessis Grimault, a village at the foot of Mont Picon, as the firm base for this purpose. The objective was the La Riviere feature, an advance of 4.5 miles. The attack would involve the 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry on the right and 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry on the left, moving astride the road to Conde. The 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry were in reserve and would hold Le Plessis Grimault. Each battalion was to be supported by a squadron of tanks from the 13/18 Hussars and a barrage by 5 Field Regiments, RA. For the 8th Bn, ‘C’ and ‘D’ Coys were to lead the advance. Major Jimmy Kailofer was now the OC ‘C’ Company.

From: '8th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry 1939-1945 (Maj PJ Lewis MC and Maj I R English MC +2 Bars):

 

As mentioned at message no. 2, Jimmy Kailofer and John Wheatley were defending Counsel for the 151st Infantry Brigade personnel during the Salerno Mutiny trials. Here is a copy of a photograph from Saul David’s excellent book: ‘Mutiny at Salerno 1943 An Injustice Exposed’. Jimmy is 3rd from the right and John is 5th from the right.

 

Hi Steve - I've just come across this great photo of the 8th Battalion D.L.I. and wondered if you have any further information regarding Major RS McLaren, other than his awards? I've obtained WO 208/3320/70 in which a Major McLaren of the D.L.I. joined forces with Lieut. Keith Joseph Briggs together with a Capt. Preacher and Lieut. Graham-Campbell prior to reaching Allied Lines in Italy. I'm wondering if there is any chance that he is the same man? Many thanks, Chris

 

I haven`t seen Steve around on the forum so until he reappears this may help ? I know you ask for information `other` than his awards but this award recommendation may help answer your question ?


Ross Scott McLaren
Ross Scott McLaren was born in Lartington. Yorkshire on 3 March 1906. He was educated at Rossall School and Armstrong College, Durham University and served his apprenticeship with the Lambton, Hetton and Joicey Collieries Ltd. He gained his Manager’s Certificate in 1930 and in 1933 was appointed manager of Eppleton Colliery, later transferring to Silksworth Colliery, the largest in the company at the time.
In 1939. as a Territorial Officer, he served with the Durham Light Infantry in France where he was awarded the D.S.O then the Middle East and in 1941 was taken prisoner and sent to Italy. On the capitulation of Italy McLaren escaped .
Apart from his mining and Military activities he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for Durham in 1948 and a Justice of the Peace for South Shields in 1950 and then in 1953 for Durham County.
He was awarded the MBE in 1940 for war activities and the OBE in 1964 for his work with the NCB. In 1965 Ross McLaren suffered a severe stroke and was forced to retire. He died on 6 June 1975. (DLI 1920-46)


The other DLI officer ?

Full Name PREACHER, THOMAS
Rank : Temporary Major
Service Number :88762
Award Details MiD Distinguished Service
Gazette Info : Page 3606 | Supplement 36637, 1 August 1944 | Londo...
Gazette Date :3 Aug 1944
Gazette Page :3606
Regiment/battalion 8th Durham Light Infantry


Kyle

 

Mr. Jinks (Kyle) thank you so much. It's so great when you get handed that little piece of the jigsaw to make everything fit. I'm most grateful. A little brick wall put to bed.

Cheers, Chris.