Hi Does anyone have a brief timeline showing movements for the 1st Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, from 1939-47? Grateful for any help ... Best, Skip
Hi Skip, Had a quick search through the forums threads and this is the only information on here. It covers the years 1944-45. However, it contains some scans from the Regimental history, so other pages may become available. 1st Battalion Yorks and Lancs 1945
Hi - that is really useful. Thanks very much. Look like I need a copy of that Sheffield history ... but then having seen the price of them on eBay ... Any bankruptcy alternatives gratefully received ... Skip
Here is a brief summary: 1st Battalion, The York and Lancaster Regiment 15th Infantry Brigade – 3 September 1939 to 31 August 1945 The battalion was located at York at the start of the war and disembarked for France on October 4th, 1939. It remained in France until April 16th, 1940 when it returned to the United Kingdom. It left Rosyth on April 22nd, 1940 for Norway and landed at Aandelsnes on the night of the 23rd/24th of April 1940. It left Norway on May 1st, 1940 and returned to the United Kingdom on the 2nd. It spent the rest of the summer and autumn in Scotland until it moved into winter headquarters in Lancashire at the end of October 1940. It went to Northern Ireland with the brigade in April 1941 and returned to England in January 1942 to prepare for tropical service. The battalion sailed for India on March 17th, 1942 and arrived at Bombay on May 21st, 1942. It moved to Poona and then to Ranchi for jungle warfare training in June. It left India on September 19th, 1942 and moved first to Iraq and then to Kermanshah, Persia on November 11th, 1942. It remained in Persia until February 26th, 1943 and then moved to the Canal Zone in Egypt where it remained until April 12th, 1943. It moved to Syria until June 3rd, 1943 and then returned to Egypt. It left Egypt for Sicily on July 5th, 1943 where it landed on July 10th, 1943. It remained in Sicily until September 3rd, 1943 and then moved to Italy. It served until the capture of Rome and after staying in the area of Rome and Capua until June 19th, 1944 it left for Egypt. It remained there until July 6th, 1944, in Palestine until August 5th, 1944, in Syria until August 31st, 1944, again in Palestine until December 1st, 1944, and back to Syria until December 8th, 1944. It moved to Palestine and left there on February 24th, 1945. It landed at Marseilles on March 4th, 1945 and moved through France to Belgium and finally reached Germany on April 17th. It remained in Germany for the rest of the war.
Dryan67 - many, many thanks for this. It's exactly what I was after. A colleague has shown me their grandfather's papers and medals wanting help to connect the un-marked photos. This has definitely done that and also explains his medal entitlement. Really appreciate you taking the time to put that together. I'm sure it won't just be me that benefits ... Best, Skip
1st Battalion (Hallamshire) York and Lancaster Regiment movements post 8 May 45 command 15th Infantry Brigade of 5th Infantry Division Regimental Headquarters – south of Lübeck 12 May 45 – Ratzeburg 22 May 45 – Rieps south-west of Schönberg 24 May 45 – Gardelegen north of Magdeburg 9 Jun 45 – north-east Braunschweig 4 Jul 46 – Kreis Dannenburg – Worcester Barracks formally Infanterie Kaserne Lüneburg late 46 – British Troops Berlin 24 Mar 47 returns 6 Nov 47 to Harding Barracks Wuppertal relieving 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards command now 4th Infantry Brigade of 2nd Infantry Division command to Hamburg District 29 Jun 48 Hope this helps
Steve - thanks v much, that also helps as there are definitely photos from Germany. Appreciate the extra info ... Cheers, Skip
Skip. I can give you the story of their action as part of the 15 Inf Bde attack on Minturno/Tufo Ridge on 17-25 Jan 44 if that helps. Regards Frank
Hi Frank, Yes that would really help. The person I'm specifically interested in is Leonard MAWSON (189523) who was an officer in the 1st Battalion. However, I know he was at the Sicily landings and then in Rome so suspect that everything in between will be relevant ... All the best, Skip
I checked the index and honors/awards section of Sheffield's regimental history and there is no mention of Leonard Mawson.
Ditto - that's great Frank. Thanks very much. I can't make out the last part of the relevant line: "Major R Spence (OC 'S' Coy) to OC 'MG' Coy (XXX Capt L Mawson)" - is the XXX '2i/c", i.e. 2i/c of MG Coy? Cheers again, Skip
Skip. It reads: The following transfers took place today:- Major R Spence (OC S Coy) to OC HQ Coy (vice Capt L Mawson) Vice means the person in post. In effect, Spence takes over from Mawson as OC HQ Coy. Regards Frank
After reading your posts i would like to hear any information you can on the above dates as within these dates my great grandad father died, arthur stevens service number 4749724. Thank you in advance
Lee, minden1759 is regularly here, but may not have flagged this post. So I will send him a Private Message (PM) you get access to PM after x5 posts. Go to your avatar and select 'Start a Conversation'. Meantime standby.
Lee. if you get me through my website www.cassinobattlefields.co.uk I will happily send you what I have on 1 Y&L. Regards Frank
