hello to one and all. Came accross this site on the beginnings of a family tree search, iam an internet/computer user but by no means competent. My grandfather (as above) never made it home like so many others nod with the recent loss of my own dad has sparked me to trace more information in the parts they played. It would be fantastic if anyone has anything relating to my grandfather or his units actions and can either guide me or share the information. I have just sent off the paperwork for his army records and await their return. ME - Retired, ex army, aged 55, lives in West Yorkshire and is a member of ex military vehicles group. Spend too much time in garden and shed and looking forward to tracing the family tree and military records. Regards Steve
Welcome to the forum, Steve. Is this him? Corporal BROWN, CHRISTOPHER Service Number: 4346313 Died: 29/05/1942 Aged: 34 5th Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment Son of John and Mary Brown; husband of Ethel Brown, of Dudley Hill, Bradford, Yorkshire.
Yes Steve it is. I just found it and some other items that have come in useful from Geoff search engine. Thank you for your welcome and effort in the above, it is much appreciated. I also found a ww11 re-enactors group which I am hoping may find some extra info...
UK, Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945 Name: Christopher Brown Given Initials: C Rank: Corporal Death Date: 29 May 1942 Number: 4346313 Birth Place: Bradford Residence: Bradford Branch at Enlistment: Infantry Theatre of War: Middle East Regiment at Death: East Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of York's Own) Branch at Death: Infantry Global, Find A Grave Index for Burials at Sea and other Select Burial Locations, 1300s-Current Name: Corporal Christopher C Brown Death Date: 29 May 1942 Cemetery: Alamein Memorial Burial or Cremation Place: El Alamein, Matruh, Egypt Has Bio?: N URL: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-... I guess the next step is War Diaries once his details are received TD
Hello Steve, Your grandfather died during the Gazala battles, which commenced on 26 May 1942 when Rommel's DAK + Italians attacked the British defences there. The 5th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment was brigaded with the 6th & 7th Bns Green Howards, 69th Infantry Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. It's sister battalion, the 4th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment, which was brigaded with the 4th & 5th Bns Green Howards, 150th Infantry Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division, was overrun (along with the rest of the Brigade) during this battle; on 1 June 1942. No consolation to your grandfather or yourself, but the 5th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment achieved a great deal thereafter, at the 2nd Battle of El Alamein, Sicily (Operation Husky), D-Day assault battalion on Gold Beach, fighting in Normandy, Operation Market Garden, etc. Advise that you read-up on the Gazala battles, sometimes known as the Gazala Gallop. I have the battalion history and another regarding the East Yorkshire Regiment in WWII. He is mentioned only in the Roll of Honour in the latter book as 'killed in action'. The action in which he was killed is not mentioned, but if you require the book names, authors, etc. I am happy to provide. If Andy (Drew5233) does not get back to you first, I will see if I have the War Diary. Also, I will look at my other sources for the action the 5th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment were engaged in the day your grandfather was killed and revert. Best, Steve.