8th Bn. Durham Light Infantry at El Alamein - 2/11/42

hi all, new member here. I've started doing research on the men who appear on my hometown's war memorial and one of them fell whilst serving with the 8th Bn.DLI at El Alamein. I did some cursory checking on the internet and saw that they were a remarkable bunch so ended up buying the book on them by (8th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry, 1939-45) Major PJ Lewis which has just this morning arrived.
It has a roll of honour in the back so after a quick check I think I'm right in saying 38 men from the battalion died on the same day (2/11/42) as my man, Private John Green 4467271. There's a good section on the book detailing the fighting that day but I'd love to find out which company Green was part of - A,B or C. Is there any way of finding this out? Does he appear in any documents any of you guys may have?

 

Hello Roytoner,

Going off the date Private Green died in Operation Supercharge, which was the action that finally broke the Axis defences, and started the long push to Tunisia and the ultimate defeat of the Axis forces in N Africa.

If the book you have doesn't mention the Company he was in, your best source of information would probably be our resident DLI exert, Jim (handle ‘Verierres’). This is Jim’s website: http://durhamlightinfantry.webs.com/151dlibrigadenafrica.htm - but as far as I can tell Private Green’s information has not yet been uploaded. If Jim doesn’t find your request send him a PM (personal message)…

Best,

Steve.

 

thanks a lot for the quick reply Steve. This forum is amazing for the amount of stuff you can learn whilst just idly browsing, think it'll be brilliant for finding out about the men on my list. Off to check out Jim's website now, thanks again

 

Hello Roytoner,

The 6th, 8th and 9th Battalion's, Durham Light Infantry, were the 151st Infantry Brigade, in 50th (Northumbrian) Division. The 50 Div was reduced to a Training Cadre on 30 November 1944, with Monty saying it had 'done enough'. It was the most battle hardened British Infantry division in WWII and its attainment of four VC's was unsurpassed by any other British Infantry division.

The 50 Div is my main 'history' interest and that interest arises from familiy connections - a couple of family KIA's, WIA's, etc. My avatar was their arm badge in WWII.

There are also books about both the 6th and 9th Bn's Durham Light Infantry and one about the 50 Div in WWII...really good reads.

If you need any assistance with matters 50 Div just ask and I will help if I can.

Best,

Steve.

 

thanks, will do. I know I have another lad from Royton to look into when I get a chance who died in Germany in '45 with the 9th Bn DLI.

 

thanks, will do. I know I have another lad from Royton to look into when I get a chance who died in Germany in '45 with the 9th Bn DLI.

When the 50 Div returned home as a Training Cadre in December 1944, the 9th Bn DLI didn't. Instead, it was transferred to the 7th Armoured Division - The Desert Rats - as Motorised Infantry. The 9th Bn DLI fought all the way through to the German surrender.

I have the book 'The Gateshead Gurkhas' by Harry Moses (and other sources) on the 9th Bn DLI and happy to help search for any information you require.

Best,

Steve.

 

The man from the 9th Bn DLI was 25 year old Private George Henry Barker, Service No-.4461946. The CWGC website has his death as 29/04/1945 and he is buried at Becklingen War Cemetery. Does the Gateshead Gurkhas book have any mention of a particular action that day? Also is there a roll of honour in it - am wondering if he died in action that day or of wounds (or accident etc etc). Were there any others killed that day? Thanks in advance!
Phil

edit - hello again, I've been in touch with Jim via his website (excellent folks, check it out!) and while he didnt have anything on Private Green he did on Private Barker:
"Pte George Henry Barker however I can help with he was accidentally killed along with 4541317 Cpl L W Jones whilst laying grenades across a road/path for an enemy which would never arrive there was another man wounded a Pte Walton I believe in the same incident near Harmstorf.The battalion were preparing for an all out attack on Hamburg shortly before the City surrendered the war almost over the 9th DLI lost only one more man after this pair were killed(before wars end) 14743452 Pte Onions on the 5th May 1945"

 

The man from the 9th Bn DLI was 25 year old Private George Henry Barker, Service No-.4461946. The CWGC website has his death as 29/04/1945 and he is buried at Becklingen War Cemetery. Does the Gateshead Gurkhas book have any mention of a particular action that day? Also is there a roll of honour in it - am wondering if he died in action that day or of wounds (or accident etc etc). Were there any others killed that day? Thanks in advance!
Phil

edit - hello again, I've been in touch with Jim via his website (excellent folks, check it out!) and while he didnt have anything on Private Green he did on Private Barker:
"Pte George Henry Barker however I can help with he was accidentally killed along with 4541317 Cpl L W Jones whilst laying grenades across a road/path for an enemy which would never arrive there was another man wounded a Pte Walton I believe in the same incident near Harmstorf.The battalion were preparing for an all out attack on Hamburg shortly before the City surrendered the war almost over the 9th DLI lost only one more man after this pair were killed(before wars end) 14743452 Pte Onions on the 5th May 1945"

Hello Roytoner,

I told you that Jim would be your best source of information.

Private George Henry Barker does appear in the Roll of Honour in 'The Gateshead Gurkhas', as does Cpl LW Jones and Private T Onions.

The accident you mention is covered at page 360, with one exception - the wounded man is named as Private W Prince, not Walton.

Best,

Steve.

 

Hi to all. I would like to know, if any of these lads ended up at Schleswig (MOLDENIT) wit the 29th Armoured Brigade ??? Best regards heinz Johannsen

 

*
Hello Heinz,

The 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry did serve in Schleswig Holstein but were in 7th Armoured Division, whereas the 29th Armoured Brigade was in the 11th Armoured Division. I have not read anywhere that the 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry served during this time with 29th Armoured Brigade, even on a temporary attachment...

Best,

Steve.