3rd Bn Monmouthshire Regiment

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by Gordon163, May 15, 2017.

  1. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    Hi Germansi.

    From 3 Mons war diary - WO171/1349

    26 June 1944
    The breakout commences 0730 hrs, but we are in rear of assaulting colns of armour and are not called forward until 1400 hrs, on 27 June.

    27 June 1944
    1700
    Arrive at a posn a few miles NORTH of the ODON (river).
    2100 Inf march fwd to reserve posn on NORTH side of ODON.
    2200 CO calls for track and essential wh vehs. The night is extremely bad and it is very soon found to be impossible to move the coln of vehs without a number going astray. In addition the corridor to the R. ODON is so narrow that the risk is found too great and we wait until first light to move tpt. Lt W.J. Williams “A” Coy injured – run over by gun of own A.Tk Pl Regt.

    28 June 1944
    0600
    Bn arrives in allotted area after difficult night march. “C” Coy were dropped outside COLLEVILLE during the night for protection. “C” Coy run into trouble and suffer badly. Three subalterns, Lt. C.E. Spooner, SWB, and Lts. J.E. Davis, C.C. Cassady of Cdn Inf Corps, and 61 ORs missing.
    0700 Tpt arrives. Bn has already started digging in.
    2100 and onwards Enemy prepares to counter-attack the two fwd bns. Terrific arty barrage disperses them and the inf holds off all local attacks.

    I would say that it is almost certain that your grandfather was in 'C' Coy. I think they were counter-attacked by a battalion of infantry from 1 SS Pz Div, supported by some Pz IVs from 21 Pz Div and some Tigers for good measure. Unsurprisingly they were swiftly overrun.

    Regards

    Tom
     
  2. Timothy Evans

    Timothy Evans New Member

    Have you got the entry for 30th November 1944. Or any mention of Captain GE Gibbs who died on that day, he was intelligence officer. Would he be the one recording the diary?
     
  3. SiggyScott

    SiggyScott Battlefield Historian and Guide

    No mention of Gibbs in the diary or wireless log for Nov 30th. Here is an account of that period by unit historian Hedley J Bunce.
     

    Attached Files:

  4. SiggyScott

    SiggyScott Battlefield Historian and Guide

    Are you still stuck on this mate?
     
  5. Michael_B

    Michael_B New Member

    Hello all! I am looking for any information regarding a Cpl S. Kettle 3rd Monmouths. According to the CWGC website he died 22 September '44 aged 21. He is buried in Mierlo War cemetary near Eindhoven. A previous post here states that the 3rd battalion were involved in a canal crossing on that day but no mention of casualties. Might the description 'Died' suggest he wasn't KIA on the date in question but maybe died of wounds/illness? Any help appreciated. Thanks. Mike
     
  6. JonDodson

    JonDodson Member

    Hi folks,

    one small issue.
    ... it was found that the battalion’s losses were the heaviest it had ever suffered in the campaign and included a Victoria Cross won by Corporal E.T. Bates.
    Corporal Edward Thomas Chapman. Not Bates.
     
    stolpi likes this.
  7. jon tipton

    jon tipton Member

    Hi all. I’m new to this forum. I hope someone can help. My uncle private Jospeh Wassell 5725871 died on the 24th September 1944. I after as much information about him and his service etc. I read an earlier post from dryan67 on the first page and stated ‘At Deurne on the 24th, in a brisk action, the 3rd Monmouths killed twenty Germans and took forty prisoners for the loss of one man killed.’ I was wondering if the one man killed was my uncle? Any help would be much and what other websites to go to to find more info about my uncle. My mum is in her 90s who is sister to Jospeh but doesn’t know much about his service history and how he died. Be great for me to inform her. Thanks for all you anticipated help
     

    Attached Files:

  8. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    He's listed in the roll of honour in Taurus Pursuant, the divisional history of 11th Armd Div.
    Name
    Pte J Wassell
    Date
    24 Sep 44
    Place
    Helmond
     
  9. jon tipton

    jon tipton Member

    Can you tell me a little more about the roll of honour etc, why is he on it, what is Tarua pursuant, armoured division what is this. Really sorry about basic questions.
     
  10. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    The 11th Armoured Division is the larger unit that 3rd Monmouths formed part of.
    The Roll of Honour is a list of men who died whilst serving in that Division.
    Taurus Pursuant is the name of their history book , it refers to the heraldic description of the divisional insignia.
     

    Attached Files:

  11. jon tipton

    jon tipton Member

    Thank you for the insight, I wil look further into this, is there anywhere else I could find out any further information and him?
     
  12. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Yes , apply to the MoD for his service records.
    I've edited the page in my post above.
     
    Tony56 likes this.
  13. jon tipton

    jon tipton Member

    Thank you, will the book tell me any more about him?
     
  14. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    No.
     
  15. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Service records, as suggested by Owen, are really to only way to go and they are only available from one place:
    Requests for personal data and service records: a detailed guide
    Although your uncle was serving with the Monmouthshire Regiment when he was killed, his service number indicates that he enlisted with the Dorsetshire Regiment, to follow his service you will need to establish what units he served with and when.
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2022
  16. jon tipton

    jon tipton Member

    Thank you for updating me in this, not sure what the Dorsershire regiment is but hopefully the MOD record will shed some light on this
     
  17. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    The Dorsetshire Regiment was another infantry regiment.
    Men didn't always stay in the regiment they enlisted into.
    The army would move men to where they were needed.
     
    Tony56 likes this.
  18. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

  19. jon tipton

    jon tipton Member

  20. Harrie Raaijmakers

    Harrie Raaijmakers New Member

    In de ochtend van 22 sept 1944 is 't Hout bevrijd van de Duitse agressor.
    Hierbij zijn twee soldaten om het leven gekomen van de 3e Monmouthshire Regiment.
    Die ochtend is er 'n Nederlandse verkenner in het dorp geweest. Was van de Irene Brigade.
    Hij heeft nog gesproken met een inwoonster van ons dorp.
    Waar zou ik zijn naam kunnen vinden?
     

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