West Yorkshire Regiment War Diary querry

Discussion in '1940' started by 78SqnHistory, Jun 13, 2016.

  1. 78SqnHistory

    78SqnHistory Junior Member

    I am trying to find out what the following soldier, 4533672 Cpl R Wright was awarded an MID for and wondered if anybody has access to the Bn War Diaries for the 2/5th and 9th Bns during 1940 and could check to see if he gets mentioned. His awarded is gazetted in the London Gazette of 20 December 1940.

    I've download the 5 recommendations that seem to have survived at the National Archives, for others in the same regiment that appear in the same gazette. Two Battalions are mentioned the 2/5th and the 9th.

    2Lt Duncan McLean (2/5th Bn) was recommended for an MC downgraded to MID:

    "This officer set an example of the highest devotion to duty during the whole action, especially at ST VANANT on 23 May 1940. In especial he led a patrol across LA BASSEE Canal over a demolished bridge which established the fact that the enemy were there in some force and which was I understand of the greatest value to Higher Command. I especially recommend him for consideration."

    Lt WH Goodwright was 9th Bn The West Yorkshire Regt:

    "Lieutenant W. H. Goodwright, in addition to his own duties increased by the addition of some 200 stragglers, took command of a post in the defence of ARRAS, and by his determination, energy and unflagging zeal organised the retirement of HQ Company to Calais, where he took over the duties of Adjutant and Quartermaster of the Rest Camp, until the evacuation was complete."

    Also 9th Bn - WO2 (PSM) B P Narey

    "PSM Narey was left behind in command of a platoon at LILLE on 18th May. From that day, cut off from his Battalion, operating entirely on his own, until evacuating his platoon intact from Dunkirk on 31st May, he showed great determination in face of great difficulties. I would recommend that this PSM be promoted to Commissioned rank."

    Pte Lamond 2/5th Bn was originally recommended for an OBE for Meritorious service downgraded to MID:

    "This man drove a 15-cwt truck. He displayed very great personal courage and a high degree of efficiency on many occasions and his devotion to duty, backed by his stamina, was the means of many communications reaching their destinations which they otherwise would not have done especially at CALONNE and ST FLORIS on 24th and 26th May 40. He was also responsible for the delivering of rations almost every day and he showed his courage on these occasions very greatly."


    Pte Ellis 2/5th Bn was recommended for an MM:

    "Operations in Flanders 21 - 30 May 40. During these operations a 15-cwt truck was driven by Pte Ellis. In addition to normal supply work he was frequently used as a recce unit and occasionally as a DR. During these operations Pte Ellis displayed exceptional coolness and efficiency under fire both from the ground and the air and on these occasions got through with information when other means had failed. His pluck and indifference to enemy action were of the highest order."

    Sadly Cpl Wright's recommendation isn't there.

    Thanks in advance

    Daz
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Out of all them you have listed only McLean gets a mention in the regimental history From Pyramid to Pagoda by Sandes. There's very little general info in the 2/5th Bn diary and nothing in the 9th Bn diary.
     
  3. 78SqnHistory

    78SqnHistory Junior Member

    Drew

    Thank you for your reply, I thought it a bit of a long shot but worth a try. I keep hitting dead ends with my research on Cpl Wright, guess I'll have to try looking elsewhere. I wonder if the museum at York might be able to help?

    Thanks again

    Daz
     
  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Daz

    Possibly worth a shout, I'm sure I've heard good things about them in the past but have never been myself. MiDs are notoriously hard to research which is a shame as it was the only award that could be given in action apart from a VC to a dead soldier so some of the awards were actually downgraded VC's. If you could get a date I could probably add some meat to it by telling you what the unit was doing on that day.

    Cheers
    Andy
     
  5. 78SqnHistory

    78SqnHistory Junior Member

    Andy

    thanks, I have no idea of the date of the activity but I'm assuming that it will be in line with he others in May 1940. I don't know which Bn he was in; he is shown on the medal roll for the 2nd Bn in Sudan in January 1940 so he must have returned to the UK at some stage and joined either the 2/5th or the 9th before going to France. If I could find out his Date of Birth and Date of Death I could ask the MoD for a copy of his service record but its hard to do when all I have is a surname, initial and Army number. I'll give the museum at York a try.

    thanks again

    Daz
     
  6. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    If you have his service number you don't need a date of birth. All you'll need is proof of death. If he's been dead over 25 years you don't need NoK approval either.

    Hope that helps a bit.
     
  7. 78SqnHistory

    78SqnHistory Junior Member

    Thanks, the difficult point is proving that the gentleman in question is in fact dead.

    My guess/estimation is that if he was a Cpl in 1940 he was most likely in his mid twenties by then, so born sometime before 1920.

    I know that he wasn't born prior to 1901 as his service record is not on the database held by the MoD of soldiers born prior to 1901.

    So my guess is Date of Birth somewhere between 1901 and 1916, 1920 at the very latest.

    I've tried to work out a rough year of enlistment based on his Army number but have drawn a blank.

    The 2nd Bn went to Palestine in 1938 and Wright is shown on the Medal Roll in January 1940, but he may well have already returned to the UK by the time the Roll was compiled.

    regards

    Daz
     

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