8th Durham Light Infantry.

Discussion in 'Durham Light Infantry' started by Terry Wogan, Mar 7, 2011.

  1. Terry Wogan

    Terry Wogan Junior Member

    Hello
    I was searching for the DLI and came across this site and thought I would post and see if anyone could possibly help me or point me in the right direction.

    I have been doing family tree and would love to be able to put a photograph of my granddad on there.
    Unfortunately every picture of him was lost in the Liverpool blitz but I know that he served in the DLI 8th Battalion and was killed 2 November 1942 at El Alamein, his name was Private John "Jack" McEvoy. He is buried in the El Alamein War Cemetery. His number was 3661975. Is there anyway of finding a photo? Its been suggested that there may be a Company photo.

    As he lived in Liverpool, I also wondered why he would have joined the DLI but it has been suggested that he would have enlisted in the Prince of Wales Volunteers, although I have no record of that. I have no other information other than what is on here.


    I hope someone out there has something that might be of help to me, I have no idea what he looked like and there is no one around now to ask.



    Going to take a good look round the site now
     
  2. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    Hello and welcome to the forum.

    Are you bringing the TOGs with you?:D
     
  3. Terry Wogan

    Terry Wogan Junior Member

    OMGoodness! I was sitting here wondering what username I should have and that was the first thing I thought of! Had to look up what a TOG was though.
    As soon as I posted the thread I knew I should have taken an extra 30 seconds to come up with something better.
    Suppose I will have to live with it now, but you can call me Sir, if you wish!:blush:
     
  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Terry and welcome to the forum-I'm sure one of the Moderators would be happy to change your name for you if members are picking on you :D

    We have a DLI expert on the forum so hopefully he'll be along at some point to help you out.

    Cheers
    Andy
     
  5. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Welcome to the forum Terry.

    As Andy mentioned Jim (handle 'Verrieres') is our resident DLI expert and he no doubt he will help if he can. If I remember correctly, I believe that the 2 November 1942 would have been Operation 'Supercharge', when the 8th Army finally broke the Axis forces at El Alamein. I will see what I have at home later and whether I can add to what's already on this thread by then!

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  6. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Terry -
    the 8th DLI were in the 151st Brigade of 50th Northumbrian Division and involved in the operation "supercharge" which broke through at El Alamein....
    Google for 50th Division and read of their exploits - there was no one more involved in many theatres

    Cheers
     
  7. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

  8. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

    Terry, your father did indeed originally enlist with the South Lancashire Regiment (PWV)
     

    Attached Files:

  9. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Hello again Terry.

    Just thinking about your original enquiry, which was solely about obtaining a photograph of your granddad. Have you got his service records and a background to the actions he fought in?

    As sol mentions at Message #7, 8th Battalion the Durham Light Infantry 1939-1945 2004: Amazon.co.uk: P. J. Lewis, I. R. English: Books is the 8DLI Battalion history for WWII and covers El Alamein at Chapter 15, giving a very good account of 'Supercharge' at pages 146 to 157.

    It was the leading Companies, A & B that suffered the heaviest casualties and on page 147 the book states "As the companies swung off the track [at Tel el Eisa - their assembley point pre-battle], a newsreel cameraman, standing on the roof of a Ford utility, filmed the leading sections staggering along under their heavy loads." If your granddad was in one of these two companies, it is likely that he is caught on this film. But two issues:

    1) Who would now have that film, or 'stills' derived therefrom; and
    2) How would you identify your granddad?

    It maybe that the IWM has this newsreel and any stills, but I guess you would only be able to identify your granddad, either, if he is named or there is an unmistakable family resemblance.

    Unless someone has a better idea or has access to the IWM archive and can assist, I suggest you try the IWM for a picture(s).

    If you need assistance with obtaining services records or any battle particulars just ask.

    If you have your granddads service records, please post them onto this thread as they could help us to help you, namely, narrow down the search!

    Kind regards,

    Steve.
     
  10. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

    Hi Terry,
    I`m afraid I cannot add to the little information I supplied on your visit to my web site regarding his original enlistment in the PoW Vol etc.The company photos for the 8th DLI do exist its just I don`t have any for that particular battalion they were taken in 1941 just prior to their embarkation..maybe the DRO (Durham Records Office) have one tucked away somewhere ..don`t bother with the museum they no longer hold paper based records.I can give you plenty background info on the battalion but as its for a family tree (as stated in your web enquiries) I assume the information you seek is of a more personal/family nature?
    Best Wishes
    Jim
     
  11. Terry Wogan

    Terry Wogan Junior Member

    Hello again and thanks to everyone that has tried to help out.
    Yes, I suppose it is more of a family nature than anything else, it would be nice to have a face to put to the name of John Jack McEvoy.
    Thank you so much for the photograph of the grave, I didnt know you could do that. I have added it to my tree. Is this also possible for graves from WW1? As my great grandfather was killed France and Flanders 1917.
    I had the details from the CWGC and a general picture of the cemetery for both men, but had no idea that pictures of individual stones were available.
    I dont have anything at all on Jack McEvoy, could I ask how I would attempt to get hold of service records for Jack?
    Thanks again to everyone.
     
  12. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

  13. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

    my great grandfather was killed France and Flanders 1917


    Terry do you know what Cemetery he is buried in ? and his name.

    I dont have anything at all on Jack McEvoy


    Have you been able to find out anything about him for your family tree, when he was born etc ?
     
  14. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

  15. Terry Wogan

    Terry Wogan Junior Member

    My Great grandfathers anem was Robert Robinson, born 3 July 1891 and died 30 September 1917. He was a driver with the RFA 59th Division. His number was 695690.
    I contacted the CWGC to let them know they had misspelled the address where he had lived before going to war. The kindly corrected this. I know an awful lot about this side of my family.
    On the other hand I know the name John "Jack" McEvoy. Born in 1911. Died 1942. Born and lived in Liverpool. He had another family, these are the people mention on the headstone.
    Thanks again.
     
  16. Terry Wogan

    Terry Wogan Junior Member

    Forgot to mention the details about Robert Robinson

    Brandhoek New military Cemetry Vlamertinghe Belgium, Plot 1 Row J, Grave 27 His name is inscribed on the Arch at Ypres also named on Panel 44 at Liverpool Town Hall
     
  17. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    Forgot to mention the details about Robert Robinson

    Brandhoek New military Cemetry Vlamertinghe Belgium, Plot 1 Row J, Grave 27 His name is inscribed on the Arch at Ypres also named on Panel 44 at Liverpool Town Hall

    Terry

    If nobody has the pic then click on the link.

    BRITISH WAR GRAVES - War Graves In Belgium Cems A-K

    Brandhoek New Military Cemetery is on this page. On the list of links on the left of the page is a link called 'Contact Form'. Click on that and write away!

    By the way, this is the cemetery where Noel Chavasse is. He was from Liverpool and won the VC and bar and a MC

    [​IMG]

    Jonathan
     
  18. Terry Wogan

    Terry Wogan Junior Member

    Thank you once again, I have now filled in a 'contact form' and I will wait to see what happens.
     
  19. Terry Wogan

    Terry Wogan Junior Member

    Hello again
    When I checked my emails this morning I had a reply and a photograph of Robert Robinsons grave.
    I am utterly amazed at how quickly Mick got back to me. I have put the photograph on my family tree.
    A very big thank you to Jonathon for suggesting that I fill in the contact form.
    This really does mean a lot to me.
    Thank you all.
     
  20. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    Nice one. Mick is a great bloke. Why don't you put the photo up here? it would be nice to see. :)
     

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