Northumberland Hussars

After a lengthy process with the MOD I have gained my grandfathers war records. He was a member of the Northumberland Hussars No 555427 Joseph Mchugh. Is anyone in possession of any war diaries or photographs from this period or further history?

 

Hello stevep360,

I thought you’d previously said he was DLI with service number 4441378?

There were two J McHugh’s that I know of that served with the Northumberland Hussars. One was taken PoW on Crete in 1941 and died as a PoW in 1945. The other was one of only 69 originals that had embarked for the Middle East early in WWII that returned to the UK in November 1943 in preparation for D-Day. He was ranked as a Bdr.

The Northumberland Hussars were actually splitered into two different formations and I will require more information from you to determine which your grandfather served with. Does it state on his service record, either, 102nd (Northumberland Hussars) Anti-Tank Regt or an abbreviated form of any of that, or does it refer to 274 Battery or Bty or ‘A Bty’? Also, what was the duration of his service with them?

Best,

Steve.

 

Hi Steve, yeah his papers show 102nd regiment (Northumberland Hussars)

Says transfererred from Northumberland hussars to royal artillery posted to 102nd northumberland hussars on 28/02/40

 

rank of BDR shows in his records too

 

Have you got any more details - dates etc, was he still with them in NW Europe in 1944-45?

Regards

Tom

 

he was home from 6/11/45 and then went into reserves on 23/2/46

 

Hello stevep360,

The Northumberland Hussars stayed ‘as is’ but were converted to an anti-tank + anti-aircraft role, becoming the 102nd (Northumberland Hussars) Anti-Tank and Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA. Your Grandfather did not really transfer, moreso his Regiment was transferred to the Royal Artillery and he went with it.

It’s role was later changed again and it became 102nd (Northumberland Hussars) Anti-Tank Regiment, RA, with ‘A’ Bty, which was the anti-aircraft Battery, leaving and later becoming 274 Bty, 25th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. Your Grandfather appears to have remained with the 102nd (Northumberland Hussars) Anti-Tank Regiment, RA.

Both units would eventually join the 50th (Northumbrian) Division; the 102nd (NH) AT on 8 October 1942 and the 25th Light AA on 16 December 1942.

The ‘Second World War’ section of this link provides some background, but is not comprehensive: Northumberland Hussars - Wikipedia

I believe your Grandfather, Bdr J McHugh, is mentioned as one of only 69 men of the originals that went to the Middle East returning with the Regiment to the UK in November 1943. This was so that the 50th (Northumbrian) Division could prepare for its D-Day role and the fighting in Normandy thereafter. His mention (one) is in the book ‘History Of The Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry 1924-1949' (Bright). I recommend it to you.

Best,

Steve.

 

Thanks Steve i'll look that book up. yes we know he was stationed out in the middle east and tried to swim home drunk from egypt.

 

We were all young once...

There is quite a lot of information about the 102nd (NH) AT on this forum, including some photographs of soldiers. Here is an example: Northumberland Hussars - Ellis Race 1134883 You may find further information by searching...

 

thanks, cant see anything in that thread but will have a search, would love to get some pics for my mum

 

Two McHughs:

 

To avoid confusion, 102 Light A.A. / Anti Tank Regt became 102 Anti Tank Regiment ONLY during the latter part of 1941.

6 Lincolnshire Regiment were converted from Infantry and became 102 Light A.A. Regiment ONLY on 1st December 1941. (My Dad's Regiments).

The former is the book written by Joan Bright about the Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry. As a result, I bought an expensive book about the wrong unit. Quite rare and expensive to buy.

 

555427 is my grandfather, he was reported missing but then was later accounted for, I believe this to be after circa 200 servicemen surrendered in Crete, he didnt he made the journey over the mountains to the coast to rendezvous for collection. My grandmother received a letter to say he was missing in action, only to later receive a letter to say he was safe.

 

many thanks

 

Hi,

I have abbreviated War Diaries (showing monthly activities but not reports on officers and ORs in the unit) from January 44 until June 45. And one composite photo I found online of 3 images, 2 showing A troop with their Archers, and 1 showing about 10 men apparently from L troop based on a sign at the back. Plus a couple of TINY images apparently of Archers of the NH.

 

D

can you post or email the images chris?

 

Sure! Can't do it now, but I will do so later on. (Probably tomorrow to you, as I'm in Canada)

 

Harkness

In the list of missing that you posted from Crete 1941 is there a Private CN O'Brien RAOC?

Regards

Tom

 

thanks so much

 

I think most, maybe all the photos were posted in this thread:

102 (Northumberland Hussars) Archer TAC sign