Hello, sorry don't mean to be a pain.....but I have just received confirmation of my grandfather's medal entitlement. It advises that he was awarded the Africa Star (8th Army clasp), Italy Star, 1939-45 star and War Medal. He was evacuated from Dunkirk, so I have purchased a Dunkirk Medal. As I mentioned he served his entire service from 1939 - 1944 with the 69th Medium Regt, which shows some service on British Soil from 1940-42. Would this mean that he should have been entitled to the Defence Medal also?????? I am in the process of purchasing replacement medals as the originals apparently went to my Nan Lavina Woolman via my great grandparents George and Kate Lineker, all have passed with no sign of the medals. Thanks Sam Sam, sorry No, he would'nt. Quaification for the Defence Medal Rob Defence Medal Awarded for non-operational service from 3 Sep 1939 to 2 Sep 1945. 3 years in UK to 8 May 1945 only, 1 year overseas. 6 months in specified threatened areas overseas. 3 months on bomb disposal.
The 69th Medium Regt RA From March 1945 - June 1945 was under command of 17AGRA in N.W. Europe as part of "Dunkirk Force" the only Medium Regt of the Force laying siege to the town. Indeed, the 69th were in Wormhout in 1945 to take the surrender of the German Dunkirk Force at the Chateau Maes. Must have been sweet justice and I know of one veteran who would definitely have been in Wormhout on both the losing side in 1940 and winning in 1945 (sadly now deceased).
The Denbighshire Yeomanry Hussars and their descendants is one of my projects, a little known Welsh Yeomanry. I have a good collection of their insignia (correct to signed patterns). One of the grey areas for me is WW2 and seeing actual photos of this unit.... does anyone have anything? I am unclear on one point ..... before the War they were the 61st Caernarvon & Denbigh (Yeomanry) Medium Regiment RA - Two batteries..... and then in 1939 it also formed the 69th Medium Regiment RA. So.... did they have two units that were active or was it just the 69th in theatre?
Formed into two separate regts. after 1940 BEF: 61st Med Regt RA, 243-244 Btys - to N.W. Europe 69th Med Regt RA, 241-242 Btys - to N.Africa,CMF- Italy (NW Europe Apr 1945) Best Rob
Formed into two separate regts. after 1940 BEF: 61st Med Regt RA, 243-244 Btys - to N.W. Europe 69th Med Regt RA, 241-242 Btys - to N.Africa,CMF- Italy (NW Europe Apr 1945) Best Rob Rob Thank you very much..... now the hard task will be trying to find images of either unit during WW2. As you can see above the cap badge is a bi-metal and I would love to know if this was actually worn during hostilities by the Other Ranks.... I am pretty sure that the Officers would have worn the RA cap badge.
I can see that the 69th arrived in North Africa in late 1942, but early enough to have fought at Alamein, but does anyone have a more precise date? Thanks. Afterthought....... Were they the Carnarvon and Denbighshire Yeomanry, or just Denbighshire?
They had no subtitle at the start of the war, as was the case of many 2nd Line Territorial Army RA units. The regiment added (Carnarvon and Denbigh) (Yeomanry) to its name on 17 February 1942.
Hi David, my grandfather was in 241 Battery and his records show he arrived in Egypt on 21 Sep 42 (see photo below). Hope this is of help.
This is quite an old thread so not sure of the interest. I have a record of the diary of a soldier who served in the 242bat/69th med - up to Naples October 1943 if any use to anyone.
Hi, I’m very interested in their involvement in Salerno landings so would love to see any relevant pages. Regards Tom
Hi Sam, an old thread i know but having done some research into my Grandma's brother - Turns out Archie is my Great uncle Having also looked further into it. Archie is also (technically) Gary Linekars Great Uncle. (yes THE gary linekar lol) Arhchies dad, my Great Grandpa Woolman who would also be your Great Grandpa Woolman fought in the cavalry in WW1 and survived, he sadly passed away before i was born, i was only born in 1988 I have messaged gary linekar regarding this as he recently did a documentary on his Grandpa from the other side of his family who served in the italian campaign as a medic, It would be amazing to see if there paths crossed at some point.
Hi I am slowly researching my father's WW2 history He was in 241 and I am aware that there was a and b So were they both on the fated diversion at Wormhout I can't yet work out if he was in a or b Any ideas
Hi Eryl, if you're referring to the diary - it's posted a couple up (Post 36)! As I understand, there were in fact A, B, C and D divisions in the 241 Battery, perhaps up to 250 troops in each. I have been told that the group that got caught up at Wormhout was D. Not sure where you live, but the guy who runs the Home Front Museum, Llandudno is quite knowledgeable about the Battery because of the relationship with Llandudno. Peter