Good afternoon to you all. I’m trying to piece together the life of John ‘Jack’ Gent, Dvr, RASC, a pre war regular, and with still with the Reserves on the outbreak of war. (a previous post by me, some time ago provided some additional info) He was killed in action on 27th May 1940, whilst with HQ 2 Div. Initially reported as Missing, believed Killed (alongside Dvr T. A. Bicknell). Both now lie side by side in a joint grave in ANZAC Cemetery, Sailly-sur-la-Lys – two of only five WW2 casualties buried there. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2278621/john-gent/ https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2278620/thomas-alan-bicknell/ Although I am, of course, not expecting to find specific mention of either man, I would like to try and get a handle on what they were doing (this is assuming both men were killed either together or in the same vicinity), where they were at that period and so am hoping someone just might have a copy of the war diary covering the May 1940 for HQ, 2nd Div – (which might be WO167/210 under "2 Division Commander RASC"). I’m hoping it might just be a fairly well compiled diary, rather than many from the Dunkirk period! Hoping someone just might be able to help!
It's not one that I have a copy of. Member Drew 5233 does so it's worth sending him a pm. It includes a June diary so that's a helpful sign. It may be worth following up the Petrol, Ammunition and Supply diaries too. (WO167 211 - 213 incl.) Sailly is between La Bassée where much of 2 Div took a real hammering and the coast. The diary for Commander, Royal Engineers indicates for 26th May :- "All H.Q. 2 Div with exception of G.O.C., G.S.O.1 and C.R.E moved to SAILLY SUR LA LYS". 27th May - "Rear H.Q. Heavily bombed at Sailly. No R.E. casualties. With luck, WO167/210 will confirm this.
