Hi all, I would some help regarding my late uncle John Lee 14814808. John Enlisted 2.8.1944 into the 7th Battalion Argyle & Sutherlands. I believe John was killed in action on the 25th February 1945 NWE - (operation veritable?) and was laid to rest in Reinberg war cemetery, his grave reference number is 12.D.15. I have been given a record number WO 171/5154 that I have been told would explain more on the events of that day - I would assume this is referencing the regimental diary? Does anyone have more information that would help? Many thanks, Steve
It refers to this battalion's war diary for 1945: 7 Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) | The National Archives The diaries are divided into monthly sections and typically run to around 150-400 pages per year including appendices. If John Lee was an officer, his death is likely to be cited directly; if he wasn't, it may still be mentioned but the chances are against it. Regardless, it will give you locations and movements, and - with a few weeks of reading either side - a good sketch of what was going on. Some diaries read like cogent narratives, others more like fact sheets. It is not available online, so you'll have to visit the National Archives at Kew and check the file out to view. The alternative is to contact one of the researchers here who can make the trip for you and make photographic copies. The following two users offer this service at excellent rates (compared with the National Archive's own copying service): http://ww2talk.com/index.php?members/drew5233.6786/ http://ww2talk.com/index.php?members/psywar-org.2876/ If you are very lucky, somebody who already has a copy may pop up here - good luck.
Steve If you need details on Operation Veritable then member Stolpi must be your guide, he has a thread on this subject which is extremely detailed and will explain the situation that your uncle found himself in: VERITABLE: 15th Scottish & 43rd Wessex Divisions in the Reichswald battle (Feb 1945) TD
Hi Steve, I'm sure others will be along who have more knowledge in this area than I do, but to kick things off I had a quick look in "None Bolder: The History of 51st HD in WWII". The only reference to Feb 25 is: "On the 25th the Argylls of 154 Brigade crossed the Kendal to the west of 152 Brigade to capture Hulm". On google maps Hulm looks to be a small hamlet just to the south east of Goch. Shaun
John Lee was killed during the final operations of 51st HD in Veritable. After the capture of Goch the division on the 24th and 25th attacked to the SW of the town to cover the right flank of the 53rd Welsh Division's advance to Weeze (Op 'Leek'). On Feb 26th/27th the Highland Division was relieved by the 52nd Lowland and went into reserve to prepare for the next operation the crossing of the Rhine. See: RHINE CROSSING 1945: The Rees bridgehead (51st Highland Div in operation 'Turnscrew')
Need to get my directions right - south west of Goch, not south east! The map confirms the Hulm reference. Which book is the map from Stolpi?
Shaun - I took the map from Salmonds book: The History of the 51st Highland Division. The book has a chapter on Veritable (The Path through the woods), but it only surfaces the operations for the period concerned. The 7th Argylls are not mentioned.
Many thanks for the posts - If I work out how to post his service record, would you be able to give me a little more information on his whereabouts during his time. I have just started the family service history and I am keen to know every detail. Once again - Thank you very much.
