2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment - at Normandy?

I would be very grateful if anyone could tell me if the 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment were at Normandy 6th June 1944?

Many thanks,
EoB.

 

No, it was part of 13th Brigade, 5th Infantry Division and during 1944 it fought in Italy.

The 2nd Battalion began the war as part of the 13th Infantry Brigade, part of the British 5th Infantry Division of the BEF. After being evacuated at Dunkirk, the Wiltshires participated on Operation Ironclad, the capture of Vichy-held Madagascar. Following Madagascar, the Wiltshires, as well as the rest of the brigade were sent to the Middle East, . As part of 13th Infantry Brigade, the Wiltshires operated in Persia, Iraq, and Syria. Eventually, the brigade participated in Operation Husky and the follow-on invasion of the Italian mainland 1943. After refitting, the 2nd Battalion was transferred to North-West Europe in April 1945 to participate in the final drive into Germany

 

13th Infantry Brigade for the duration.
Iraq/Persia/Syria 28/8/42-12/6/43;
Sicily / Italy 10/7/43-3/7/44;
NW Europe from 4/3/45.

 

Thanks Guys, that straightens a few things out for me. Appreciate the help.

Regards,
EoB.

 

Hi Chaps,

Sorry to ask again, but I am afraid I may have been hoodwinked now...
I was told by a source that he served at Normandy on 6th June 1944, in the 2nd Battlion of the Wiltshire Regt.

Although I am sure, perhaps I did not catch the battalion correctly.
Did the 1st battalion of the Wiltshire Regt serve at Normandy on the 6th June 1944?

Sorry to be pedantic, but I feel I must be sure.

Thank you again,
EoB.

 

No, 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment served in India and Burma during the www2

 

Thank you Sol. I appreciate the help.

Regards,
EoB.

 

The 4th and 5th battalions went to Normandy but not until after D-Day

129th Infantry Brigade for the duration
landed N.W. Europe theatre 23/6/44

Do you have a service number for the person in qustion ?

 

Hi englandphil,

No I'm afriad not. The story is that I met this chap and his friend in the Pub after attending Harry Patch's funeral in Wells.

We ended up chatting and I couldn't help notice he had the DCM and MM on his medal mounts. He didn't want to talk about the actions that resulted in the decorations, but I memorised his name and his regiment. I even made sure that I had his surname spelt correctly. He gave some great accounts of his time in the War and I remember he told me a story about being in the landing craft on the first wave of 6th June.

Nothing seems to fit the evidence however...
although who am I to judge people - there may be an explanation.

Thanks for your help once again.
EoB.

 

He may have been Army Commandos; many of them were from regiments attached to Commando.

If you want to PM me his name, I can see if I can find him among the DCM/MMs.

 

Thanks Paul - PM sent.

Much obliged,
EoB.

 

After much soul-searching, I have decided to reply.

Unfortunately the person in question is a proven charlatan.

Regards,
EoB.

 

Sadly he is one of many, it seems.

 

After much soul-searching, I have decided to reply.

Unfortunately the person in question is a proven charlatan.

Regards,
EoB.

Why would a 80 something chap do that ? Free drinks in the Legion?

 

Who knows?

There is a guy in my home town who claims to have captured Pegasus Bridge. He tells people all about it in the queue in Sainsburys. I suspect he never left the ground, let alone England.

 

"Why would a 80 something chap do that ? Free drinks in the Legion?"

I have asked this question to many people.

My first reaction was anger. Whilst I feel this is desecration against the men and women who did risk all and pay the ultimate price, I am afraid that I have to accept that these kind of people have an illness.

The need to feel that one must kidnap another's identity due to a need for attention and respect, must be led by personal insecurities.

Rather than work myself up, I remember the fact that when they lay their head on their pillow, the feeling of emptiness must be quite severe.

Whether this is punishment enough, I will let others be the judge.

The taste is certainly very bitter.

Regards,
EoB.

 

Just call him 'Walt' the next time you see him