2717550 Guardsman John Joseph O'Sullivan, MID, 2 Irish Guards: POW

Date of Enlistment: 1931
Army Number: 2717550
Rank: Guardsman
Name: John Joseph O'SULLIVAN, MiD
Unit: 2 Irish Guards


Date of Birth: 7 May 1911
Place of Birth: Tipperary, Ireland

Date of Capture: 22 May 1940
Place of Capture: Boulogne, France

POW Number: 6390
POW Camps: Stalag XXA, Stalag IIIA


London Gazette : 20 Februrary 1948
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38212/supplement/1175/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Field (prior to September, 1948): -
Irish Gds.
No. 2717550 Gdsmn. J. J. O'SULLIVAN.

 

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C17472489
Reference: WO 416/278/464
Name: John Josef O'Sullivan.
Date of Birth: 07/05/1911.
Place of Birth: Tipperary, Ireland.
Service: British Army.
Rank: [Guardsman].
Regiment/Unit/Squadron: Irish Guards.
Service Number: 2717550.
Date of Capture: 22/05/1940.
Theatre of Capture: Boulogne.
Camp Name/Number: Stalag XXA Thorn.
PoW number: 6390.
Date of Death: [unspecified].
Number of Photographs: 0.
Number of Fingerprints: 0.
Number of X-rays: 0.
Number of Cards: 3.

 

Hi there, my first post. I am tracing done more information about my grand father. From what I have found out he was captured on 22 or 23 may 1940 maybe near boulogne. He had been shot in the leg and hid in a field with another soldier before being picked up by the germans. I know he spent much of the war as a POW. My dad knows very little as when he returned in 1945 he didnt talk about it. Anyway wondering if I could find out what unit he was in. His army number was 2717550 and his name was John Joseph O'Sullivan and was in the Irish guards. That's as much as we know any info on his unit and perhaps what he was likely doing and where he was leading up to his capture on 22/ 23 May would be very much appreciated. Thanks Paul

 

He was in 2nd battalion Irish Guards. No casulty list mentioning him being wounded. Posted missing 23 May. later confirmed as POW. POW No. 6390, held in camp 20A and then 3A.. 3A was Luckenwalde, Brandenburg, 52 kilometres (32 mi) south of Berlin. 20A was in Torun (Thorn) Poland.

 

Some background on Boulogne

• 2nd Battalion Irish Guards.
• 20 Guards Brigade, Boulogne, 21-23 May, 1940 | WW2Talk
• Boulogne, 1940
• Report on Evacuation of Boulogne: 20 Guards Brigade

 

Recommendation for Award for O'Sullivan, John Joseph Rank: Guardsman Service... | The National Archives
Reference: WO 373/105/479
Name O'Sullivan, John Joseph
Rank: Guardsman
Service No: 2717550
Regiment: Irish Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: The London Omnibus List For gallant and distinguished services in the Field
Award: Campaign Stars
Date of announcement in London Gazette: 10 December 1948