Accident in the Devonshire and Dorset regiment

Hi,
I’m doing some research on my great uncle Douglas Hirst who was in the Devonshire and Dorset regiment during WW2. I have many fond memories of my uncle Doug (who died in 1990). I recently applied for his service records and it says that he was discharged from service due to an accident that occurred on 28th August 1942. It says that he was taken to hospital in Colchester and his disabilities were such that he could not continue as a soldier. He was discharged in 1943. My uncle never mentioned this accident and I’ve tried to google it but to no avail. Is there anyone on here that knows where I could find out more. Thanks!

 

Hi and welcome.

I'm sorry I can't help, but best of luck with your research.

John.

 

Thanks!

 

Have you tried the Regiment 's War Diaries? They should be available from The National Archives.

Edit.
I've just looked and there are records from 1959 onwards. On 'googling' the Regiment, it appears it was only created in 1958, with the merger of the Devonshire and Dorset Regt.

So, in 1942, I'm thinking the Devonshire and Dorset Regt didn't exist. Does your Great Uncle's records indicate, in 1942, which Regiment he was with?

Cheers.
John.

 

What was his army number? may help in tracing him.

 

Unit shown is "6 Devon".
War diary is here:
WO 166/8644. 6 Devonshire Regiment. Date: 1942 Jan.- Dec.

 

The service record says 6 Devons. I'm at Kew on Saturday. I can try to look it up if I have time, but the home service WDs from this time can be a bit sparse.

 

Wiki explains (it has it's faults, but can help):

From: Devonshire Regiment - Wikipedia

Might be worth contacting their museum, although the building is shut: The Keep Military Museum Their regimental journal may mention him; subject to wartime censorship.

Another option is to check the British Newspaper Archive (BNA), most public libraries have a subscription and enable on-site access.

Worth a look at the CWGC site for the period to see if anyone else, from his unit, died around that date.

 

You are absolutely right! I’ve just checked his cap badge and dog tags and he was in the Devonshire Regiment (6 Devon’s). Thanks!

 

Thanks for the offer but someone has sent me a link on how to request pages from Kew so I’ll use that service (I don’t want you to have to use your precious research time on my project!).

 

Thanks!!!

 

That will cost you about £9 just for them to do the page count in the file. Then £0.30 a page for the entire file - you can't request individual pages.

If you want the whole file, copying my charges are £3 for the file, then £0.12 a page.

 

Hi Gary,
That sounds great. Do you need any more information from me? I have the whole of my uncle’s service records (including number). Or is it just a case of photocopying the war diary for the 6 Devon’s and seeing what it says.
Thanks,
Chris

 

Hi Chris,

Do you want me to look and see if there is any mention of the accident, or do you want me to copy the file?

Regards,
Gary.

 

Hi Gary,
If you could copy the file that would be great. I can send you payment via PayPal when you know how much it is.
Thanks,
Chris

 

Okay Chris, I assume just January to August 1942?

 

That would be great! Thank you!

 

Hi Chris Hirst, if you find the answer to the accident, would you please post it on here?

It's got me a little intrigued.

Many thanks.
John.

 

Hi John,
Of course! I’ll post any documents on here for everyone on the thread to see.
Thanks,
Chris