BEF evacuation via Cherbourg!

Discussion in '1940' started by John H, Feb 15, 2009.

  1. Mullet94

    Mullet94 Senior Member

    You might be interested in this book John H:

    Dunkirk: The Men They Left Behind: Amazon.co.uk: Sean Longden: Books

    I've got it at home but have not read it yet but obviously deals with the men left in France and their attempts to get back to England. It obviously has lot about the 51st Highland division but thumbing through the index it has parts about Operation Aerial and a lot of references to the other ports like Cherbourg, Le Havre, St Naizaire and Marseille. I'm gonna start reading it this evening so I'll update you on it's contents after I get into it a bit.
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Rodan and welcome to the forum.


    yes very British no wonder they did'nt stand a chance!
    :lol:
     
  3. John H

    John H Junior Member

    Nice one Mullet! Let me have the isbn number and I'll look it out!
     
  4. nosmig

    nosmig Junior Member

    My Father joined the Militia in June 1939 and went to France as part of the BEF. The Unit he was in is a bit of a mystery though. I do know that He left France via Cherbourg on 15th June 1940 Well after Dunkirk. I like to hear of first hand accounts of similar repatriations after Dunkirk! Any feedback??
    Hello John H
    I registered on this site only today - so still feeling my way.
    An Uncle of mine was a signaler with 75th Field Regiment RA, part of the SAAR force/51st Highland Division - and I have a long letter written after his return to UK as part of the evacuation of Operation Cycle.
    I'm trying to build a map of the movements covered by his letter - but there are too many vague references such as 'village in valley of Moselle' etc!
    Hope others may have some information to add or clarify.
     
  5. nosmig

    nosmig Junior Member

    My Father joined the Militia in June 1939 and went to France as part of the BEF. The Unit he was in is a bit of a mystery though. I do know that He left France via Cherbourg on 15th June 1940 Well after Dunkirk. I like to hear of first hand accounts of similar repatriations after Dunkirk! Any feedback??

    Hello JohnH
    My uncle was one of those evacuated from Cherbourg in June 1940 - a couple of days before your father. Yesterday I posted a long letter he wrote about his experiences.

    Here's the link to the item:-
    http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/1940/28209-sig-coleby-75th-field-regiment-ra-1940-a.html
     
  6. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Nosmig,

    John hasn't visited the site since March 2009. I've sent him a PM (The best way to contact absent posters) on the chance he'll log in and contact you.

    Regards
    Andy
     
  7. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hello everyone, ive newly joined, and thought i should join in!! ive always been facinated in all aspects of ww2, having had both parents that were involved .My mother was capstan lathe opperator on war work, and my father was with the R.A.S.C. with the 2nd division BEF in France 1940, I was wondering if the Service corps units were just temporaryly attached to divisions, or stayed with the same division permanatly, (sorry about the spelling!!)

    Just noticed this due to a another member reading this thread.

    Anyway, better late than never -

    There were four RASC units with 2nd Division and they were:

    HQ 2nd Division RASC
    2nd Division Ammunition Company
    2nd Division Petrol Company
    2nd Division Supply Column

    PM sent to the member.
     
  8. RobertH

    RobertH Junior Member

    My father left Cherbourg 19th June 1940. He'd been with a scratch group known as Newcombe's Rifles which had retreated from a position south of Dieppe. The Rifles were commanded by Lt Col LEC Perowne to whom my father was Intelligence Officer.
     
  9. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    My father left Cherbourg 19th June 1940. He'd been with a scratch group known as Newcombe's Rifles which had retreated from a position south of Dieppe. The Rifles were commanded by Lt Col LEC Perowne to whom my father was Intelligence Officer.


    Hi Robert,

    Whats your fathers name? I have war diaries for Perowne's and Newcombe's Rifles so he should be listed in the Officers Field Returns if nothing else. Try both names (Perown and Newcombe) in the forums search engine as I have already posted some stuff about them.

    Cheers
    Andy
     
  10. Anne Johnson

    Anne Johnson Junior Member

    IWM photo F 4847
    The Evacuation of the BEF from France, June 1940: Motor transport on the quay at Cherbourg awaiting evacuation to England.
    Dear Owen,
    I'm researching a book that mentions the evacuation from Cherbourg. Wondering where you sourced this photo?
    Best wishes,
    Anne Johnson, South Australia
     
  11. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Anne,

    If its to do with 102 Fld Coy RE they left France via Dunkirk between the 27th and 29th May some on Queen of the Channel and others on Aegir.
     
  12. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  13. Roy Martin

    Roy Martin Senior Member

    Hi Anne,

    If you for to Convoyweb.org.uk you will find a list of the ships involved in the evacuation of France, from all ports.

    Regards,

    Roy
     
  14. gunner31

    gunner31 New Member

    Hi Rodan. Many moons after your post but maybe you'll see this. Simply to say that my granddad was also in the RASC and was also evacuated from Cherbourg. He was in charge of the personnel records for his company or battalion and they travelled with him in the ship in a couple of large kitbags. He fought in WWI as well and by WWII was probably considered too old for an active combat role. If your interest is still current, I'll check his service papers for the date of evacuation and name of the vessel etc. I seem to recall he landed in Weymouth but I may be mistaken.
     
  15. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Gunner 31,

    Rodan has not logged on since February 2009, just after his post. I doubt he is watching the forum or has an alert in place.
     

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