5th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment

Hello
Just found this forum and quite excited that someone might have knowledge of my Father.
Sgt Joseph Farrell army service number 4340692,enlisted 30/09/26.discharged 29/09/38 into reserve sect d.
rejoined at out break of war date unknown.
Believed to be 5th battalion, was in the bef taken off at Dunkirk,fought at Alemain, Tobruk.
1943 transfered to RAF regiment.(not sure if this was whilst in the desert)
Tried Glasgow army records for more detailed history only to be told after a year that they hold no records, and they could have possibly been transfered to the RAF records office which i am in the process of chasing.
Would appreciate any help in progressing my search for information

Regards

Jim Farrell

 

Hello,

Looking for informatin on my Father who i believe may have been in the 5th Battalion.
Sgt Joseph Farrell no 4340692 enlisted 30/09/26, discharged 29/09/38 into sect D reserve. called up possibly into 5th battalion at outbreak of war .

Was at Dunkirk, Alemain, Tobruk. Transfered to RAF Regiment in 1943 (not sure if this was whilst in the Desert)
Tried glasgow for army records only to be told after a year of waiting that they held no records and that they may have been transferd to the RAF records office which i am now looking into.

Any information gratefully received.

Regards
Jim F

 

Hello
Just found this forum and quite excited that someone might have knowledge of my Father.
Sgt Joseph Farrell army service number 4340692,enlisted 30/09/26.discharged 29/09/38 into reserve sect d.
rejoined at out break of war date unknown.
Believed to be 5th battalion, was in the bef taken off at Dunkirk,fought at Alemain, Tobruk.
1943 transfered to RAF regiment.(not sure if this was whilst in the desert)
Tried Glasgow army records for more detailed history only to be told after a year that they hold no records, and they could have possibly been transfered to the RAF records office which i am in the process of chasing.
Would appreciate any help in progressing my search for information

Regards

Jim Farrell

Hello,

Looking for informatin on my Father who i believe may have been in the 5th Battalion.
Sgt Joseph Farrell no 4340692 enlisted 30/09/26, discharged 29/09/38 into sect D reserve. called up possibly into 5th battalion at outbreak of war .

Was at Dunkirk, Alemain, Tobruk. Transfered to RAF Regiment in 1943 (not sure if this was whilst in the Desert)
Tried glasgow for army records only to be told after a year of waiting that they held no records and that they may have been transferd to the RAF records office which i am now looking into.

Any information gratefully received.

Regards
Jim F

Hello Jim,

I have no information specific to your father, but can confirm that his service number is from the East Yorkshire Regiment block.

Assuming he was still with the East Yorks up to El Alamein (even the 1st Alamein) it is most likely that he was with the 5th Bn East Yorks, 69th Infantry Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. There is a possibility that he was with the 4th Bn East Yorks, 150th Infantry Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division, but as this battalion was overrun at Gazala before the Alamein battles it is less likely.

The reference to Tobruk is misleading because neither battalion were positioned there. However, Tobruk was within the Gazala line defences and therefore you should probably read this as 'Gazala'.

The 5th Bn East Yorks, as part of the 69th Infantry Brigade, were with the second line 23rd (Northumbrian) Division in Flanders in 1940 - the BEF and transferred to the first line 50th (Northumbrian) Division around 1 July 1940; staying with the 50 Div for the duration.

Good luck with your search for his services records and if, once received, you need assistance with understanding his service records give me a 'shout'.

Best,

Steve.

 

Hi Steve

Thanks for a quick response, and also more information to help put the pieces in the jigsaw.
I think the reference to Tobruk that i have was a march past in front of Churchill in which my Father was a marker for the parade,I have a phot0 which my mother has marked on the back to indicate this, how accurate this is i do not know.
I am keen to find out the reason for the transfer to the RAF Regiment and whether this was common or if it was a one off, maybe airfield defence
Thanks again for the info.

Jim

 

Hi Steve

Thanks for a quick response, and also more information to help put the pieces in the jigsaw.
I think the reference to Tobruk that i have was a march past in front of Churchill in which my Father was a marker for the parade,I have a phot0 which my mother has marked on the back to indicate this, how accurate this is i do not know.
I am keen to find out the reason for the transfer to the RAF Regiment and whether this was common or if it was a one off, maybe airfield defence
Thanks again for the info.

Jim

Hello Jim,

The 5th East Yorks were fighting with the 8th Army in N Africa until circa April 1943, Wadi Akarit being their last major battle there. They then moved back to Egypt to prepare for Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily. Do you know if he was involved in the fighting in Sicily?

If he transfered to the RAF Regiment before Sicily it could have been that, either, as an 'older' soldier that had spent quite a bit of time overseas he was entitled to Liap, Lilop and/or Python: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/general/29512-python-lilop-leave.html or maybe he had been wounded at, say, Mareth (Wadi Zigzaou) or Akarit and was no longer fit enough for front line infantry soldiering. All conjecture of course... You really need those service records.

Best,

Steve.

 

Nothing specific to WO G Andrews, Rick. However, the 4th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment, as part of the 150th Infantry Brigade, was overrun on 1 June 1942 and went into suspended animiation i.e. ceased to be on the nominal role for the duration of WWII.

The 150th Infantry Brigade occupied one of the 'Boxes' in the Gazala defences, the 4th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment defences covering the Trigh el Abd. Following very heavy fighting over 6 days, with their small arms ammunition virtually exhausted and with no effective artillery, anti-tank or tank protectection remaining intact, the Brigade Box was completely surrounded and islotaed by the Axis forces. The Brigade was overrun and those that had not been killed were taken prisoner. Very few escaped and those that did were afterwards absorbed as replacements in the 5th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment.

The 150th Infantry Brigade were at the front from just after 25 January 1942 until being overrun on 1 June 1942 and he must have been taken prisoner during this time. Although not certain, it is likely that he was taken prisoner at Gazala.

Best,

Steve.
Hi Steve, got a copy of his POW questionnaire, he was captured 1st June 1942, had quite a time - escaped from the POW camp when the Italians surrendered and was recaptured by the germans in March 1944, he was born in 1899 so an old and bold soldier by all accounts... Cheers, Rick

 

Hi Steve, got a copy of his POW questionnaire, he was captured 1st June 1942, had quite a time - escaped from the POW camp when the Italians surrendered and was recaptured by the germans in March 1944, he was born in 1899 so an old and bold soldier by all accounts... Cheers, Rick

Hello Rick,

I'm not a gambling man but I should have put money on the date - 1 June 1942.

What's your connection/interest?

Best,

Steve.

 

Hi Steve,

Sorry for not coming back to you, have been away for a few days. Thanks for info.
We are off to Normandy at the end of the month and travelling to Dunkirk for the night on the first of June and intend going to the beaches where the East Yorks were taken off.
I will be in contact again when i have more info.

Regards

Jim

 

Hi Steve,

Sorry for not coming back to you, have been away for a few days. Thanks for info.
We are off to Normandy at the end of the month and travelling to Dunkirk for the night on the first of June and intend going to the beaches where the East Yorks were taken off.
I will be in contact again when i have more info.

Regards

Jim

Hello Jim,

Hey, you enjoy yourself at the beaches... we can catch-up when you are back.

I would love to go, but my life works to scupper that at present. My uncle Fred, dad's oldest brother, was KIA at Bray Dunes on 31 May 1940 - I always thought, wrongly, that he had died at Bulscamp just up the road. He was with the 50th (Northumbrian) Division; hence part of the reason for my interest in 50 Div. He got a boat off the beach, which capsized - don't know the circumstances - and eleven men, including a MM winner, were lost.

Have a great time there and speak soon, Jim!

Best,

Steve.

 

Steve - just doing a bit of catch up on my reading and found your post. My Dad was on the beaches at Dunkirk but he managed to get on the Lady of Mann and get home safely. You can read a chapter from his memoirs situated on the beaches as Dunkirk (and it was quite an horrific experience) at this link:
Dunkirk diary

Paul

PS Also, Major Petch's diaries for this period are at this war diaries link. Dad was his Batman. All Green Howards stuff but the East Yorks were in the same 69th Brigade - Dad said:
"We, B Company, were now part of the 23rd Division, Territorial Army and, together with the 7th Green Howards and the 5th East Yorks, formed the 69th Brigade of that division."


Hello Jim,

Hey, you enjoy yourself at the beaches... we can catch-up when you are back.

I would love to go, but my life works to scupper that at present. My uncle Fred, dad's oldest brother, was KIA at Bray Dunes on 31 May 1940 - I always thought, wrongly, that he had died at Bulscamp just up the road. He was with the 50th (Northumbrian) Division; hence part of the reason for my interest in 50 Div. He got a boat off the beach, which capsized - don't know the circumstances - and eleven men, including a MM winner, were lost.

Have a great time there and speak soon, Jim!

Best,

Steve.

 

Steve - just doing a bit of catch up on my reading and found your post. My Dad was on the beaches at Dunkirk but he managed to get on the Lady of Mann and get home safely. You can read a chapter from his memoirs situated on the beaches as Dunkirk (and it was quite an horrific experience) at this link:
Dunkirk diary

Paul

PS Also, Major Petch's diaries for this period are at this war diaries link. Dad was his Batman. All Green Howards stuff but the East Yorks were in the same 69th Brigade - Dad said:

"We, B Company, were now part of the 23rd Division, Territorial Army and, together with the 7th Green Howards and the 5th East Yorks, formed the 69th
Brigade of that division."


Thanks Paul. I will read these tonight, if at all possible!

Best,

Steve.

 

I know little of my Great Uncle's war. Captain Herbert Noel Wallace was awarded a posthumous MC for action on 23rd March 1943. I have a copy of his citation, but apart from this one day I know nothing other than he died 2 weeks later on April 6th.

Has anybody got access to Regimental diaries or other material that I might be able to cross-reference?

Here is the original citation:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7656785&queryType=1&resultcount=5

 

Dad mentioned two Capt Wallaces in his memoirs but sadly neither share the same christian name.
The 5EY were connected with 6GH and 7GH all as forming 69 Brigade of the 50th Divn. looking at the Story of the GH for 23 March 1943 this appears to be around Mareth as a prelude to the battle of Wadi Akarit which was on 6 April.

Paul


Here is the original citation:

The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details

 

Hi
I may be posting this in the wrong place, if so, I apologise.
Trying to trace my Dad's war record.
William Foster, Private, E. Yorkshires.4350320.
Wounded 13th June, 1942 in the desert. He never spoke much about his war, but I gather he was watching enemy supply lines when they got shelled.
He carried a piece of shrapnel in his head until he died in 1984.

 

Hi Bill-Do you know what battalion of East Yorks he was with?

 

Hello, Drew.

No, but I'm guessing the 5th, having researched as much as I can with the few facts I've got.

He was first picked up by the 12th Light Ambulance, then was in 58th General Hospital, then Hospital train, then in No. 6 General hospital.

I'm not sure what the 4th Bn were doing by June 13th.

Thanks for your interest. I've filled in the forms to get his Service Record, and I'll post them when we get to the UK next week.

 

Hello, Drew.

No, but I'm guessing the 5th, having researched as much as I can with the few facts I've got.

He was first picked up by the 12th Light Ambulance, then was in 58th General Hospital, then Hospital train, then in No. 6 General hospital.

I'm not sure what the 4th Bn were doing by June 13th.

Thanks for your interest. I've filled in the forms to get his Service Record, and I'll post them when we get to the UK next week.

Good luck-After 1940 I'm not much help I'm afraid. If you need a hand with any of his unit war diaries when you definately know the battalion(s) he served with just give me a shout.

Cheers
Andy

 

Thanks Andy

We arrive UK next Thursday, and I'll post the forms Friday.

28/9/2012. My Dad would have been 100.

 

Hi
I may be posting this in the wrong place, if so, I apologise.
Trying to trace my Dad's war record.
William Foster, Private, E. Yorkshires.4350320.
Wounded 13th June, 1942 in the desert. He never spoke much about his war, but I gather he was watching enemy supply lines when they got shelled.
He carried a piece of shrapnel in his head until he died in 1984.

Hello, Drew.

No, but I'm guessing the 5th, having researched as much as I can with the few facts I've got.

He was first picked up by the 12th Light Ambulance, then was in 58th General Hospital, then Hospital train, then in No. 6 General hospital.

I'm not sure what the 4th Bn were doing by June 13th.

Thanks for your interest. I've filled in the forms to get his Service Record, and I'll post them when we get to the UK next week.

Thanks Andy

We arrive UK next Thursday, and I'll post the forms Friday.

28/9/2012. My Dad would have been 100.

Hello Bill,

I'm just back from holiday; apologies that I am late to your request and a belated happy birthday to your dad for yesterday.

The 4th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment, 150th Infantry Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division, was overrun at Gazala on 1 June 1942 and thereafter ceased to be on the nominal role for the remainder of WWII. Those that were not killed or taken prisoner were absorbed into the 5th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment.

The 5th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment, 69th Infantry Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division, remained - with the remainder of Fifty Div - in the Gazala line until the night of the 14/15 June 1942, when the Division was the last to withdraw.

The Commonwealth forces always patrolled strongly and harrassed enemy communications. It looks like your father was injured whilst undertaking some similar work.

His service number is definitely East Yorks Regiment. His service records should fill in a lot of the gaps.

Did he go back to war or was his injury too severe?

Best,

Steve.

 

I am intrigued by the reference below to. J W Bousfield. John was a best pal of my dads and dad claims in his memoirs that John was killed by the friendly creeping barrage during the battle.

I am astounded to read a report that appears to differ, especially as I have already told john's family how he died.

You can read all I know at this link to dads web site

John Bousfield - British soldier in - Bill Cheall's World War 1939-45 diary and autobiography

Anyone got any ideas about this?

Paul

Hello Giles, me again!

Diane posted a great message about the award of your Great Uncle's MC at Mareth (Known as 'Wadi Zig Zag'), at Message #1 in the thread Reme (Steve) referred to. I won't repeat any of this.

The possible interesting references I have found is in a book "The Story of The 5th Battalion The East Yorkshire Regiment" TA by L M Garwood (Highgate).

1) On pages 194 and 195 he is shown as a Temporary Captain and Officer Commanding a Rifle Company, both, on 28th March and 27th June 1942;

2) At Wadi Akarit on the 6 April 1943, the 5th Bn had crossed a ditch and reached its objective. Major Wallace had been in the forefront of this action. Then on page 92:

"Later in the evening, as food arrived and was being sent out to companies, a German aircraft dropped three bombs on the headquarters of the battalion, resulting in the deaths of Major HN Wallace, Captain AA Blackwell, Lieutenant and Quartermaster AS James, Lieutenant JA Atkinson, and Privates A Blackmore, E Bolton, and JW Bousfield."

There are no other references therein that add to this information.

I hope that this adds to the information you have.

Best,

Steve.