Morning, This is obviously a question for Andy. Researching the rolls/memorials in and around Walsall and have men from the 1/6th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment who were killed/died in May 1940 The dates are Monday 20 May 1940 Wednesday 29 May 1940 Friday 31 May 1940 Is it possible, please, to post the WD for this period, or bits of it, to give an idea of what was happening. Cheers and many thanks, Regards, Graeme
Hi Graeme, now that I've reread your post just released this guy isn't in the date range you are researching. Interesting article anyway.
Hi Andy, Once again, cannot thank you enough for posting the War Diary pages. I have a most enjoyable afternoon ahead of me researching the events, Cheers and regards, Graeme
Just received my Grandfathers ( George William Rose 1/6th Staffs )Military record through the post and I feel confident the diarys reveal the engagement when he was captured. His records state he was MIA on May 21 which ties in nicely with the diary so kindly posted. He survived Stalag XXA and was repatriated in April 45 finally leaving the army in 1947. He was not listed as POW until Sept 1940 my grandmother must have had a rough few months wondering what happened to him.
Well hello, I'm a newbie on here and just working out how to post..hence the previous blank post..... Came across this site by googling 1/6th South Staffordshire, and wow wot a great surprise. Firstly the War Diaries for the Dunkirk evacuation. Have read all that is posted. I never imagined I would find such an account. I am interested in War diary entries for 16th July 1944, a relative was killed on that day. As a family we have visited his grave, and were told by an uncle he was killed in an Orchard. Would be grateful of any help given.
Thank you for your interest. As I'm new on here trying to work out how to upload photos I have. Meanwhile here are the basics. From CWGC. JOSEPH WILLIAM WILTSHIRE LANCE CORPORAL SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT 1/6TH BATTALION Age 34 DOD 16/7/1944 SERVICE NO 4916982 SON OF JOSEPH & PHOEBE WILTSHIRE, HUSBAND OF BEATRICE MAY WILTSHIRE.OF BILSTON,STAFFORDSHIRE CEMETERY. FONTENAY-LE-PESNEL WAR CEMETERY. TESSEL. Many of our family have visited his grave over many years, but apart from an uncle who knew he had been shot in an Orchard, and that he was evacuated from Dunkirk we don't have much of history of his War. We have a picture of his grave when it was just a cross, the War Office notification of his death dated 28 th July 1944... We have his medals including the Dunkirk Medal. A field service card dated 30th June. We did not know where he was killed, or in any particular battle, but have been researching the Battalion movements and it appears it was during operation Pomegranate... But we are not experts so looking for any insight or information. We are passing on his Medals and his War Service to our younger generations and we and them have many questions!!!!!! Wonderful to find how interested they are.
Jan The only place to really start from is his service records. You can ONLY obtain these from the MOD and the link to them is Request records of deceased service personnel . Once you have them this site will help you decipher them, and aslo his unit at his time of death will be known and the War Diaries should reveal where he was at that time - service records are essential though to avoid guesswork on all our parts TD
TD.. Thank you so much. That's just what I needed, where to search next. Brilliant thanks. I have heard it can take a long time to get the records..as in months, though no matter it's been a long time since 1944, a few more months ain't gonna make any difference if that's the case. Will be on the case tomorrow, and obviously post up the progress. Thanks again.
I believe that records are coming back in weeks not months - could be between 4 - 8 weeks - but dont hold me to that please. It is the only place to start from, we have had others trying to do it without but it is all guesswork and at that time in the war soldiers where sent to where they were needed not left in regimental order For Information UK, Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945 Name: Joseph Wiltshire Given Initials: J W Rank: Lance Corporal Death Date: 16 Jul 1944 Number: 4916982 Birth Place: Staffordshire Residence: Staffordshire Regiment at Enlistment: South Staffordshire Regiment Branch at Enlistment: Infantry Theatre of War: Western Europe Campaign, 1944/45 Regiment at Death: South Staffordshire Regiment Branch at Death: Infantry TD
Jan Just to add - when you receive the service records can I suggest you start a new thread using his name and service number as a title, perhaps with the Regt as well, that way all details of him will be kept in an individual thread. TD
Hello TD, Thank you for the further information regarding the Form filling details. It is so helpful. Will update as soon as records are received. Jan
