2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters September 1941

Does anyone have any information where the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters were billeted in September 1941?
Regards Richard.

 

As Part of the British 1st Infantry Division they were in Lincolnshire cant find out much more in my files until 1942 when the 6th Gordons were in Swaffham so the Foresters Shouldn't be too far away.

 

Just this moment spoke to a friend whose father was in 2nd Foresters in1942 to Post War, ending his Regular Army Career in their HQ in Nottingham.
He read through the history of the Regiment which says little about this period,
I made note of the following: June 1941 the 2nd Battalion moved from Sheffield where they had finally gathered together or their remnants from Dunkirk moving to Skegness for three weeks where their numbers were brought up to strength with replacements. They then moved to various locations in Lincolnshire and Norfolk and finally to Gt Yarmouth Nov 41-42 where they were in defence of the east coast until the Division moved to Scotland for Training before they embarked to North Africa in Feb 1943.
This follows a similar pattern to all Units of the British 1st Infantry Division including the Artillery etc.
There was a huge shortage of equipment with the Artillery having only one rifle between three men, carrying out bicycle patrols around Holbeach.
See my notes below ref 67th Field Regt RA 1st Infantry Div.

After their evacuation at Dunkirk they gathered near Leeds.
The Regiment were posted to Lincolnshire during 1940 and 1941.
They were short of equipment and weapons, relying on bicycles in the early days with an old Railway mounted gun and one 25 pounder for 25 miles of coast.
For the winter many were sent home either on leave to recuperate after Dunkirk or to return to their work on farms, in factories or professions.
Those who stayed found themselves digging up potatoes as the local farmers were short of labour with their men fighting abroad.
As 1941 drew to a close they began to attend courses and train on new weapons that began to appear..

Your only real chance to find out more is from the Regimental War Diary which others on the forum may be able to help you with.

Good Luck!

 

Thanks


That’s brilliant thank you.
Regards Richard

 

From Major Tom Averill of 67th Field Regt. in his Article in BBC Peoples War.

Edit 110523:
After Dunkirk we were given the job of defending the area around the Wash in the Gedney Dyke region.
We had no guns or vehicles and were equipped with rifles, grenades and “broom sticks”, which we sharpened at one end; one old 18 pound gun covered 25 miles.

“Notes for Men of the 1st Division” were sent out by the Divisional Commander K.A.N. Anderson.
The summary of these were:

“To every soldier in my Division I give the following orders:
1. Be staunch and hold on
2. Hunt the German by every means at your disposal
3. Be suspicious of all strangers
4. Check up on all messages, especially unexpected ones
5. Don’t chatter
6. Dig in on all occasions
Lastly, have faith in your Cause, your Country and your God”