British PoW's in the village of Avelgem after fighting on the Escaut

Hi,

I have this picture, taken in the village of Avelgem during the battle of the Escaut. I cannot see insignia, and I'm wondering what unit they belong to. Any idea?

Many thanks

Peter

 

Hi Peter,

I'm not really in a position to check the diaries at this stage but one of my books (Philson Vol.6) has 1/6th Surrey, I assume in reserve behind Avelgem. 2 Beds & Herts on the right and 2 DCLI on the left flank facing the Escaut. Info is dated 19th to 22nd May.

I'll check the Bn and Bde diaries later for a mention of Avelgem.

Cheers
Andy

 

Many thanks Andy,

any idea what the SB means?

Peter

 

A guess - Stretcher Bearer. Will check the diaries now

 

Hi Peter

I've edited the title to make it more searchable on the net and posted the three Bns and Bde HQ's diaries whilst in and around the town-Hope they are of use/interest.

Cheers
Andy

 

The 'SB' armband does indeed indicate 'Stretcher Bearer' and was red on white. According to Brayley & Ingram, King's Regulations para.816a stated that in an infantry battalion, as a minimum, the band sergeant, band corporal and twenty bandsmen with a reserve of four men were to fulfill this role. They were not 'protected' as per RAMC and were often issued with a revolver.

It looks as if the East Surreys were the last out. I wonder if their stretcher bearers stayed behind with their own / the DCLI wounded who could not be evacuated.

If you have the 'Missing Men' file for the Surreys Andy, then it might be worth looking for a Staff Sergeant / CQMS listed as prisoner.

It's interesting that at least one, possibly two in the photo seem to have retained the hessian helmet cover. I had understood that these were discontinued early in 1940 as part of a gas decontamination precaution.

 

WO 361/79 BEF East Surrey Regiment; missing men. I'll add it to next weeks shopping list.

 

It's interesting that at least one, possibly two in the photo seem to have retained the hessian helmet cover. I had understood that these were discontinued early in 1940 as part of a gas decontamination precaution.

They did stand out, but they look more like nets to me which seemed unusual for 1940, even before the anti-gas issues with hessian covers which I'd have thought would also apply to nets/scrim.

Davis saysark green helmet netting and helmet scrim began to be used on all patterns of infantry and airborne steel helmets when the possibility of gas attacks receded.
That would suggest post-1940 to me. However, he mentions that the main problem with the hessian covers was the difficulty of removing them for decontamination as they were stiched in place. Nets may have been more acceptable at this early stage as they were more easily removed (though still absorbent to a degree).

 

I believe that you're right. They are nets. I really hadn't expected to see their use in a 1940 Flanders photo. Your point about the hessian being difficult to remove makes complete sense as there were plenty of fabric items which needed decontamination and which continued in use.

 

Brayley and Ingram p22:Helmet nets were also beginning to be issued and saw limited use in France...
No prizes for us tonight.

 

Hi all,

many thanks for all the information and scans!

In the same village(Avelgem) the BEF lost these two carriers, probably victims of a mine field. Perhaps they are from the same unit as the POW’s? The withdrawal of the East Surreys was protected by carriers.

Peter

 

Is it possible to get a higher res scan of the lefthand/lead carrier? There's something on the nearest corner that could be an arm-of-service plate.

 

here you are

Peter

 

Cheers. Looks more like a bit of metal now...

 

Bloody marvelous ! From the East Surrey's Missing Men File, the only CQMS listed:

3903512 CQMS C P Wells