15th / 19th Hussars in Assche / Asse

Check Brian Davis, British Army Uniforms & Insignia p218-250


Well known 15/19 KRH picture in Leuven May 1940



1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry, 19 March 1940.

 

Thanks. On the picture taken in Leuven, one can't see clearly what kind of equipment was worn (cartridge carriers, basic pouches, pistol case, ...)...

If there is a clear image, I am very interested to see it.

 

My understanding is that Universal Pouches were worn by those who were part of an infantry Bren section as they were designed to carry Bren magazines as well as rifle clips. Cartridge carriers were worn by those who were issued a rifle but not part of a Bren section. According to Mike Trux's BEF lists, the "Establishment" of a Divisional Cavalry Regiment encompassed 578 .38 pistols, "one for every officer and man, including the Medical Officer" and each man carried 12 rounds of ammunition.

There were 61 rifles, one allocated to each "soft-skin" vehicle and one for each Scout Carrier, plus the RAOC attachment. Fifty rounds with each weapon. Anyone departing the vehicle with the rifle would probably have taken a 50-round bandolier.

There were Brens and Boys rifles with ammunition carried in the vehicles, but they were not personal issue.

The standard webbing for a member of the Divisional Cavalry unless engaged in a specific task would therefore seem to have been a pistol case with associated ammunition pouch, worn according to personal or unit preference. Tank crews probably used the leg-strapped long pistol case. Those in the carriers who are often seen in greatcoats perhaps not.

 

I see. The "Establishment" of a Divisional Cavalry Regiment gives a good impression of the weaponry. Thank you for pointing that out. Your explanation is substantiated by the above picture of the 1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry and there is the picture of the carrier of 13th/18th Hussars hit by German fire showing a fallen sergeant with a .38 resting on his legs.

Many many thanks!

 

Am I correct to say that the rifle belonged to the vehicle and that it was not part of the equipment of a specific member of its crew? And thus, the one who took the rifle of the vehicle (i.e. a scout carrier) also had a .38 as his personal side arm?

 

More detail on Rich's reply...

 

Thanks Dirk.

It is becoming clear and as a conclusion:
- 2 men in each scout carrier were armed with a rifle as their personal weapon;
- the rest of the crew was armed with pistols.

 

Hi Dirk,

Does the Military Training Pamphlet No 12 say something about standing patrols? What were they supposed to contain?

Regards,
Bram

 

Its is probably not Dirk but Steve. Excuse me for the misunderstanding.

 

If I am correct, this should be the order of battle on 10 May 1940:

15TH/19TH THE KING'S ROYAL HUSSARS
REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTER
HEADQUARTER SQUADRON
SABER SQUADRON A (Major Cokayne-Frith)
- SQUADRON HEADQUARTER
- TROOP 1 LIGHT TANKS - 13 PISTOLS
- TROOP 2 LIGHT TANKS - 13 PISTOLS
- TROOP 3 SCOUT CARRIERS - 5 PISTOLS + 6 RIFLES
- TROOP 4 SCOUT CARRIERS - 5 PISTOLS + 6 RIFLES
- TROOP 5 SCOUT CARRIERS - 5 PISTOLS + 6 RIFLES
- TROOP 6 SCOUT CARRIERS - 5 PISTOLS + 6 RIFLES
SABER SQUADRON B (Captain N.A. Courage)
- SQUADRON HEADQUARTER
- TROOP 1 LIGHT TANKS - 13 PISTOLS
- - TANK 1 TROOP COMMANDER (= subaltern), CORPORAL, TROOPER
- - TANK 2 TANK COMMANDER (= sergeant), CORPORAL, TROOPER, TROOPER, TROOPER
- - TANK 3 TANK COMMANDER (= corporal), TROOPER, TROOPER, TROOPER, TROOPER
- TROOP 2 LIGHT TANKS - 13 PISTOLS
- - TANK 1 TROOP COMMANDER (= warrant officer class 3), CORPORAL, TROOPER
- - TANK 2 TANK COMMANDER (= sergeant), TROOPER, TROOPER, TROOOPER, TROOPER
- - TANK 3 TANK COMMANDER (= corporal), TROOPER, TROOPER, TROOPER, TROOPER
- TROOP 3 SCOUT CARRIERS - 5 PISTOLS + 6 RIFLES
- - CARRIER 1 TROOP COMMANDER (= subaltern), COPORAL, TROOPER
- - CARRIER 2 COMMANDER (= sergeant), COPORAL, TROOPER, TROOPER
- - CARRIER 2 COMMANDER (= corporal), TROOPER, TROOPER, TROOPER
- TROOP 4 SCOUT CARRIERS - 5 PISTOLS + 6 RIFLES
- - CARRIER 1 TROOP COMMANDER (= warrant officer class 3), TROOPER, TROOPER
- - CARRIER 2 CARRIER COMMANDER (= corporal), TROOPER, TROOPER, TROOPER
- - CARRIER 2 CARRIER COMMANDER (= corporal), TROOPER, TROOPER, TROOPER
- TROOP 5 SCOUT CARRIERS - 5 PISTOLS + 6 RIFLES
- - CARRIER 1 TROOP COMMANDER (= warrant officer class 3), CORPORAL, TROOPER
- - CARRIER 2 CARRIER COMMANDER (= sergeant), COPORAL, TROOPER, TROOPER
- - CARRIER 2 CARRIER COMMANDER (= corporal), TROOPER, TROOPER, TROOPER
- TROOP 6 SCOUT CARRIERS - 5 PISTOLS + 6 RIFLES
- - CARRIER 1 TROOP COMMANDER (= warrant officer class 3), TROOPER, TROOPER
- - CARRIER 2 CARRIER COMMANDER (= corporal), TROOPER, TROOPER, TROOPER
- - CARRIER 2 CARRIER COMMANDER (= corporal), TROOPER, TROOPER, TROOPER
SABER SQUADRON C (Major Sir H.R.K. Floyd, Bt.)
- SQUADRON HEADQUARTER
- TROOP 1 LIGHT TANKS - 13 PISTOLS
- TROOP 2 LIGHT TANKS - 13 PISTOLS
- TROOP 3 SCOUT CARRIERS - 5 PISTOLS + 6 RIFLES
- TROOP 4 SCOUT CARRIERS - 5 PISTOLS + 6 RIFLES
- TROOP 5 SCOUT CARRIERS - 5 PISTOLS + 6 RIFLES
- TROOP 6 SCOUT CARRIERS - 5 PISTOLS + 6 RIFLES

Please correct me if I am wrong.

Does one know the names of the troop commanders at that time?

 

Just for interest, a couple of 15/19 medal groups I have.

401694 Trooper Leonard Meakin. b.1910, enlists c.1928 . IGS NWF 1930-31, 39-45 Star, War medal. (From his regimental number, he enlisted with a cavalry regiment, but not originally with the 15/19H). Not known in what capacity he served with the regiment with BEF in France 1940, but medals all verified to issue card. Was later with the 6th Mansfield HG (possibly after discharge post BEF return) but not qualified for Defence medal. No service papers available yet.


545632 Serjeant Joseph Chattell b.1907, enlists with 15/19 H in 1927. IGS NWF 1930-31, 39-45 Star, F+G Star, Defence and War medal. Served continually with the regiment through WW2, transfers to CMP in 1946, discharged in 1949. (Attended AFV school in 1939 and 1940). Abroad in India and Egypt prior to WW2, went to France 2.10.1939, evac'd with BEF 31.5.1940. Not known in what capacity he served with the regiment. Service papers verify service and medal issues.

 

Here is a picture of Chattell in a junior ranks group photo in the early 1930s as a corporal.

 

Wow, that is gold dust!
Thanks so much; always really great to put a face to the medals.
Seems part of a larger group of men and great to (obviously and unusually) have the photo annotated.
All I have to do is try and spot him in other group photos of the period! Might take a while....

Thanks again for posting.