History of the 2nd Btn The Lincolnshire Regt, NW Europe 6/6/44 to 8/5/45

Great photo - Mark I Brens with dovetails! Do you know if he was in the BEF, or if this is a post-Dunkirk photo?

 

I really don't know, was hoping someone might be able to help with approximate date and location. George has been dead for many years now but not the 25 years when his service record will be available as I am not a blood relative.
Not knowing a great deal about Brens can you explain the 'dovetail' to me?
Looks to me like a barracks photo - where were 2 Lincs based say between 1941 and 44?

 

On the right hand Bren you can see a tapered 'feature' below the magazine. This was intended to take a slot-in bracket for a telescopic sight. The sight - the No.32 - was developed for this but was subsequently used on the No.4(T) rifle.

Haven't got the detail of 2 Lincs movements in Home Forces, but I think 3 Div got around a bit. Also, it's possible he was in a different battalion and posted to 2 Lincs later on.

 

Well spotted, Owen - seals the deal on 2nd Bn as well.

 

The only info I have is that George was 2nd Batt at time of D-Day, hence the 3rd Div connection. A bit of research needed I think as to when 2 Lincs joined 3rd Div and where they might have been pre D-Day.

Idler is this the 'Dovetail' in the red oval?

 

2 Lincs were 3 Div all the way through the war, having joined them in Oct 1937.

And, yes, that's the dovetail.

 

Great stuff Idler, thanks. Have a few ideas where to look for further info now.

Some useful info from Paul Reed here:
3rd Division 1939-1945

 

Hi Mike

Some time ago I had created a link to your PhotoBucket images from my website at 9th British Infantry Brigade During World War 2 but note that the images are no longer there.

I can't remeber whether it was the Official History or War Diary scan images but either way are these available elsewhere and/or could I have copies to add to the 9th Brigade website?

Let me know.

Thanks.

Quis Separabit

 

Not good news, I'm afraid, QS - Mike died a few years back.

Maybe someone seeing the thread bumped might have copies they could upload in Resources?

 

Sorry.... I hadn't realised...
I have got a hard copy of the Official History so will look to scan and upload that but if anyone does have a copy of the war diary then I would be happy to add that as well.

Quis Separabit

 

Major Peter Clarke MC was killed in action on 2 March 1945 at Winnekendonk. A Lincolnshire Life article at:

How fate played its hand for two soldiers in WWII - Lincolnshire Life

gives some detail of the action and in its attached Gallery, some related images of Peter, his grave(s) and a one-time Luftwaffe NCO, who later settled in East Yorkshire. It may be of interest to thread readers.

Afternote: Detail on Peter Clarke has also been posted by Buteman at:
The Lincolnshire Regiment
under #1229, including his MC citation. Buteman’s entries at #1222 and #1210 cover Francis Monkman and Frederick Billings, who were buried in the field graves beside Clarke (Lincolnshire Life Article Gallery see photos 14-15).