2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards HQ Squadron

The attached is a PDF file of 1 page, HQ Squadron, from National Archives.
I have copies of the vehicles / crews and numbers for the whole regiment as at 6th June 1944.
If anyone is interested in any particular squadron / vehicle or crew man let me know.

Regards

Kevin

 

Hi, Have you any info on J.A.Oliver (2723305) who was in 2 Irish guards guardsman radio gunner? in a tank, landed in France but killed 2-08-1944. thanks in advance

 

Hi,

On the listing I have there is a Guardsman G. Oliver 2723305 Gunner / Operator

No. 3 Squadron. No. 4 Troop
Sherman V T147738
Full crew:-
Lieutenant A.G. Cole - Troop Officer
Guardsman H. Parkinson - Driver / Mechanic
Guardsman G. Oliver - Gunner / Operator
Corporal F. Atkinson - Gunner / Mechanic
Guardsman W. Carson - Gunner / Mechanic

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Kevin

 

Hi Kevin,
sorry for not replying sooner I've only just realised I had a reply! thank you for the info very interesting .
Have you any further info on the crew of that tank or mentions of G.Oliver 2723305. Thanks

 

Hi,

Sorry the National Archives just lists the squadron, vehicle type and number, crew with name rank and serial number. Your best bet is to try and locate the war diary covering this period, where guardsman G. Oliver may be mentioned, unfortunately I do not have that but another member on here may be able to help you out with it.

Cheers

Kevin

 

Morning Kevin - can you access the lists on the internet as I did find it on an internet page but I have lost it again, would you have a link?. The info you gave me has been very helpful as I have managed to find the tank on a video , which is amazing as on most of the footage you can't see the numbers of the tanks, and also as it was hit on the 2-8-1944 it didn't last long in France. thanks again

 

Hi,

The 2nd Bn Irish Guards war diary can be found in the Guards’ section of this site.

Regards

Tom

 

Sorry the lists I have are on A3 printed sheets that were sent to me, and I do not have a printer/scanner so cannot send you a copy.

As Tom suggests the 2nd Battalion War Diary is in the guards section.

Cheers

Kevin

 

Hello Kevin

Do you have any information on L/Sjt John Kelly 2718214 whose tank was hit and the whole crew killed on 1 August 1944 ?

Thanks.

 

Further to my post above, if you have time, I would really appreciate the crew lists of the seven tanks knocked out on 1 August 1944.

According to the War Diary, the seven tanks were commanded by:
Lt. Maconchy
Sjt. Healy
Lt. Carvill
L/Sjt Kelly
Cpt. Tyler
Sjt. Mahoney
Sjt Carbus

I am trying to pin the casualties of that day to particular Tanks.

Thanks.

 

Hi,

I have the following:-

No. 1 Squadron

Sherman T 150234 No.62

2IC Capt. EG Tyler 108251 , D/Op. L.Sjt. L. Middleton 2717687, D/Mech. L.Cpl. G. Stevenson 2718593, G/Mech. Gdsm. J. Moffitt 2720372, D/Op. Gdsm. J. Wood 2718906

Sherman T211845 No.64

G. Mech. L. Sjt. A. Mahony (sp) 2717157, D/Op. L. Sjt. J. Kelly 2718214, D/Op. Gdsm. T. Driscoll 2723156, G/Mech. Gdsm. C. Lally 2722992, D/Mech. Gdsm. J. Hunt 2721844

Sherman T147336 ATHENRY No.65 No. 1 Tp

Tp. Officer Lt. M.K. Maconohy 165062, D/Op. L. Sjt. R. Riches 2719097, G/Op. Gdsm. E. Davidson 2721186, G/Mech. Gdsm. (?) Hughes 27180(?)2, D/Mech. Gdsm. J. Tobin 2716675

Sherman T150215 No.66

Tp. Sjt. Sjt. P. Healy 2717556, G/Op. Gdsm. A. Royan 2721840, G/Mech. Gdsm. H. McClune 2719680, D/Mech. Gdsm. G. Barnett 2722715, D/Mech. Gdsm. P. Saunders 2722773

Sherman T147798 No.71 No. 2 Tp

Sjt. Sjt. J. Cardus (sp) 2720019, D/Op. Gdsm. J. Phillimore 2722010, G/Op. L.Cpl. J. Black 2723094, G/Mech. Gdsm. N. Hayden 2722962, D/Mech. Gdsm. D. Simpson 2722018

A. Mahony and J. Kelly are both listed as crew of T211845. I can find no record of a Lt. Carvill in the whole of the regiment at the time of the listing I have, he must have been a replacement crew member.

Hope this helps.

BTW. Does the WD list any tank names with census numbers or either?

Cheers

Kevin

 

Hello Kevin

That is marvellous and a great help !

Unfortunately, theWar Diary does not include details of either tank names or census numbers and occasionally lapses into simply referring to tk or other tk.

Thanks to the data that you have provided, I have managed to marry up a number of casualties with particular tanks.

I am still at sea with six casualties:

Gdsm L. Baker 2722743
Gdsm T. Colton 6096248
Gdsm B. Whitney 2718695
and
L/Cpl P. Concannon 2719429
Gdsm F. Holley 2723557
Gdsm W. Tierney 2722795 who appear to be part of the same crew.

If you have the time, I would appreciate any information pinning them to a particular tank.

Many thanks.

Mel

 

Hi Mel,

I have found a couple that I will get back to you with later but I have a question. If you can give me just the names of the other crew members that you have already tied up to a specific tank then I will know if the data that I have relates to replacement tanks allowing me to update my data.
Names to follow.

Cheers

Kevin

 

Hello Kevin

This the list that I have compiled so far:

TANK 1
Sherman T147336 ATHENRY No.65 No. 1 Tp

Tp. Officer Lt. M.K. Maconchy 165062, D/Op. L. Sjt. R. Riches 2719097, G/Op. Gdsm. E. Davidson 2721186, G/Mech. Gdsm. (?) Hughes 27180(?)2, D/Mech. Gdsm. J. Tobin 2716675

KIA: Maconchy, Riches & Davidson

TANK 2
Sherman T150215 No.66

Tp. Sjt. Sjt. P. Healy 2717556, G/Op. Gdsm. A. Royan 2721840, G/Mech. Gdsm. H. McClune 2719680, D/Mech. Gdsm. G. Barnett 2722715, D/Mech. Gdsm. P. Saunders 2722773

KIA: Barnett

TANK 5
Sherman T 150234 No.62

2IC Capt. EG Tyler 108251 , D/Op. L.Sjt. L. Middleton 2717687, D/Mech. L.Cpl. G. Stevenson 2718593, G/Mech. Gdsm. J. Moffitt 2720372, D/Op. Gdsm. J. Wood 2718906

No compatible casualties


TANK 6
Sherman T211845 No.64

G. Mech. L. Sjt. A. Mahony (sp) 2717157, D/Op. L. Sjt. J. Kelly 2718214, D/Op. Gdsm. T. Driscoll 2723156, G/Mech. Gdsm. C. Lally 2722992, D/Mech. Gdsm. J. Hunt 2721844

KIA: Kelly & Lally


TANK 7
Sherman T147798 No.71 No. 2 Tp

Sjt. J. Cardus (sp) 2720019, D/Op. Gdsm. J. Phillimore 2722010, G/Op. L.Cpl. J. Black 2723094, G/Mech. Gdsm. N. Hayden 2722962, D/Mech. Gdsm. D. Simpson 2722018

No compatible casualties

The designation of Tank 1, 2 etc is the numbering that I have added to the War Diary in the order that they were knocked out. I will put the WD extract in the next post.

PS I omitted Gdsm T. Philips 2720684 from my previous post. It looks as if the 'missing' casualties are tied up with Tanks 3 & 4.

 

1944 August 1
PT. 192, 671489
The Bn broke harbour and got into position for attack at fist light.
No. 1 Sqn and a Coy of 5 COLDM GDS formed up in an orchard just to the EAST of the main road between it and a sunken lane with their first objective some farm buildings 500 yds to the SOUTH. The only opposition expected was from LMGs and infantry. Two platoons of 5 COLDM GDS advanced supported by No. 1 Tp, No. 1 Sqn. The infantry got up to a hedge half way to the farm but as the tanks moved up to them, two were knocked out from the other side of the sunken lane, Lt. M,K. MACONCHY’s [TANK 1] and Sjt HEALY’s.[TANK2] Of Lt. M.K. MACONCHY’s tank he himself, L/Sjt RICHES and Gdsm DAVIDSON were killed, and the driver and co-driver escaped. Sjt HEALY had managed to reach the far hedge before being hit; only his driver was killed, the rest of the crew got back. The infantry then withdrew to the orchard, as the opposition was much stronger than expected. The next half hour was spent in reconnaissance from hedge to hedge: another Coy of 5 COLDM GDS was ordered up and as second attack prepared.
Lt COLE’s tp from No. 3 Sqn came up on the WEST of the road to protect No. 1 Sqn’s flank. Numerous reports came back now of dug-in “TIGERS”, “swanning” PANTHERS and enemy movement. The Commanding Officer 5 COLDM GDS and Major N.A.R. O’NEILL decided that a second attack would succeed if the far (E) side of the sunken lane was cleared and a tp and Sqn HQ supported the infantry and leading Tks from the orchard.
The far side of the sunken lane was reported clear by a PIAT patrol, the main road mined and covered by SSM PARKE’s FIREFLY; and the attack ordered to start. Just as it went in the Commanding Officer 5 COLDM GDS and the leading Coy Comd were both wounded, which event caused some confusion, though their loss was not really felt till later. Both leading platoons with Lt. CARVILL’s tp in close support reached the far hedge under covering fire from the orchard, without much trouble. At the hedge, however, the enemy reacted. Two tks including Lt. CARVILL’s [TANK 3] & TANK 4]were knocked out, the infantry came under heavy MG fire and were forced to retreat back to the orchard, with considerable loss. Of the supporting tks Capt. E.G. TYLER’s [TANK 5] was hit and Sjt MAHONY’s knocked out [TANK 6]. Sjt CARDUS’s tk [TANK 7] which was knocked out at the hedge did “kill” a Mk IV however, before being destroyed itself - so the battle was not wholly one-sided. Lt J. O’H POLLOCK saw enemy moving about in the farm and gave them ten rounds HE, the effect of which we could see later. No. 2 Sqn, meanwhile had been facing E and moving towards pt 238, but owing to the nature of the country could not see the [or?] help No. 1 Sqn and the infantry. No. 3 stayed back in reserve. One of the main difficulties we had to overcome now and later was the close country, thick hedges and sunken lanes which prevented deployment and limited vision to 100 yds or less, with the result that 2 or 3 well hidden guns or tks could shoot up a whole tp before being spotted.
A badly wounded prisoner was brought in to our RAP from 752 Grenadier Regt who said that most of his comrades were killed or wounded. More interesting was his statement that some 50 Mk Vs and Ivs of 21 Pz Div were in support of the enemy infantry in the area.
The Bde Comd came up to the Command Post and ordered an attack by a Coy with a tp round the left flank to ST DENIS MAISONCELLES. 5 Regts of Artillery would support. There were signs that the enemy was withdrawing and we must take every chance of harassing him. No. 2 Sqn reported 40 - 50 tks moving across their front towards VAUMARTIN 6849, which were probably of 21 Pz withdrawing as we saw nothing of them hereafter. Kings Coy 1 Mot GREN GD was sent up under comd to take over from No. 4 Coy 5 COLDM GDS which was going to do the attack.
The attack started and progressed satisfactorily behind the barrage. The objective was gained on schedule, as the enemy had already withdrawn, and ST DENIS MAISONCELLES was finally occupied. [To] the front of No. 1 Sqn the enemy had gone also - so we could inspect the battlefield. Against seven of our tks lost, we found 1 Mk IV knocked out and about 40 enemy dead. The identification of the enemy tk showed it to be from II Bn 3 Pz Regt of 2 Pz Div. The Divisional staff told us next day that the is Bn was possibly left behind in support of 752 Grenadier Regt; a deduction welcome through late.
The 32 Bde Gp then passed through us and consolidated the far side (SOUTH) of ST DENIS. No. 2 Sqn had followed No. 4 Coy, 5 COLDM GDS to the village and stayed there the night. The rest of the day was spent resting, refilling and sorting out the Sqns. The Brigadier congratulated the Bn on its efforts in mot difficult circumstances and on gaining its objective.
A “Honey” patrol was sent S of ST DENIS to reconnoitre the bridge at LE TOURNREUR 6845. Unfortunately it ran into a “PANTHER” and the leading tk was knocked out. A Motor Coy, 1 GREN DGS with Lt. McCORKELL’s tp in support was then ordered to clear the road down to the bridge which they were to seize if possible, intact. The opposition proved too tiff for them and at nightfall LE TOURNEUR remained in enemy hands. Meanwhile the rest of the Bn went into harbour, brewed up suppers and slept.
An extraordinary order was received from Bde HQ. We were told to seize the bridge at LE TOURNEUR calling for help if needed from 3 BN IG.

( Transcription thanks to Moderatrix dbf)

 

Hi Mel,

The only names that are shown on the listing are as follows:-

Sherman T147685 No. 2 Sqn No. 1 Tp No. 106

D/Mech. L/Cpl. L. Baker 2722743, D/Op. Gdsm. B. Whitney 2718695, G/Mech. Gdsm. T. Colton 6096248. Other crew man Tp. Sjt. P/M. J. Crozier 2718676

Stuart T224089 HQ Sqn No. 205

Dvr/Op Gdsm. W. Tierney 2722795. Other crew names G/Mech. L/Cpl. F. Gordon 2722682, Dvr/Mech. Gdsm. F. Phillips 2720684, G/Op Gdsm. T. N??nan 2723558

Again I could find no trace of P. Concannon or F. Holley listed in the data I have.

Looking at your list that appears to be the majority of No.1 Sqn HQ and No.1 Tp

I have the following for missing tank nos.:-

Sherman T148735 MUNSTER No. 61. No. 1 Sqn HQ

Sqn. Ldr. Maj. N.A.R. O’Neill 92178, D/Op. L/Sjt. N. Myles 2722329, G/Op. L/Cpl. W.Williams 2721941, D/Mech. L/Cpl. J. Johnston 2720887, D/Op. L/Cpl. D. Lelliott 2723290

Sherman T212280 ARMAGH No. 63. No. 1 Sqn. HQ

Tp. Offr. Lt. B?. C. Isitt 251988, G/Mech. L/Sjt. H. Raistrick 2720406, G/Mech. L/Cpl. J. Modler 2719160, G/Op. Gdsm. W. Kingsley 2721716, D/Mech. Gdsm. F. Roe 2719212

Sherman T147420 No. 67. No. 1 Sqn. No. 1 Tp

D/Op. L/Sjt. I. Harrison 2721034, D/Op. L/Sjt. J. Murphy 2719636, G/Mech. Gdsm. L. Walsgrove 2721569, G/Mech. Gdsm. J. Mallaburn 2719927, D/Mech. Gdsm. J. Blackburn 2723191

Sherman Vc (census not listed) No. 68. No. 1 sqn. No. 1 Tp

G/Op. L/Sjt. W. Smith 2721109, G/Op. Gdsm. D. Nay 2721140, G/Op. Gdsm. J. Corby 2723183, D/Mech. L/Cpl. R. Skellard 2722075

Cheers

Kevin

 

Hello Kevin

I think that you have cracked it !

Tank 3 under the command of Lt. Carvill must be Sherman T147685 No. 2 Sqn No. 1 Tp No. 106 - as you say, Carvill must have been assigned after 6 June
and
Tank 4 must be Stuart T224089 HQ Sqn No. 205 - there is a slight transcription error on this one- F. Philips is Thomas John Philips 2720684 (KIA).

Having had a second look, Concannon's remains were recovered well away from the engagement of 1 August and Holley was found in exactly the same location as Philips and Tierney so he must have been a replacement crew member for the Stuart

Your help has been immeasurable. I can't thank you enough.

Mel

 

Hi Mel,

No problem glad to have helped with your query. just let me know if you have any other names to tank matches.

Cheers

Kevin

 

Hello Kevin

Can you check out whether Sjt G Robinson 2719071 appears on your list. He was KIA on 3 August 1944 but his CWGC entry curiously fails to specify if he is 2nd or 3rd Battalion Irish Guards.

Thanks

 

Hi,

No not listed. Only Robinson is L/Sjt. F. Robinson G/Mech. from Sherman V T147380 No. 3 Sqn. No. 4 Tp.

Cheers

Kevin