This is my grandads picture he said he was in Durham light infantry. I was given his army 5961292 but when I search this on WW2 Army number search it say's Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire regiment can someone tell me if this is right please. My thinks this was taken in Italy he is on the back row right hand side. Sorry the picture is so small cheers
Using a magnifying glass they are wearing a Light Infanty Bugle Horn Badge: Beds and Herts Durham Record Office Deposit - Durham Light Infantry Records
View attachment 56329 This is my grandads picture he said he was in Durham light infantry. I was given his army 5961292 but when I search this on WW2 Army number search it say's Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire regiment can someone tell me if this is right please. My thinks this was taken in Italy he is on the back row right hand side. Sorry the picture is so small cheers The service numbers does indeed belong to the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment You may find some info or help on this previous Thread. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/allied-units-general/33456-2nd-hertfordshire-regiment-september-1939-a.html Good luck
Hi Vespa, Take a look at this thread, its on the forum front page under Army service numbers: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/8564-army-number-block-allocations.html Seems he may have changed Regiments.
Hello vespa, As has been indicated in previous posts, he probably transfered at some time. If he was with the DLI in Italy, he would have been either: 1st Battalion Durham Light Infantry - 10th Indian Infantry Brigade, 10th Indian Infantry Division; or 16th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry - 139th Infantry Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division. You will require his service records to obtain the answers. Best, Steve.
Its not uncommon to find men changing units through the war. My GF's grandfather served with 3 different infantry units before being wounded at Normandy. His service records will confirm who he served with and when.
Vespa, this is the address for Army service records (except Guards): service records army Be prepared for a wait though - they are very busy. Mike
As you can tell I am new to all this. I Know this may sound a silly question but when you join the army do you join your local regiment as my grandad is from the Wirral, Merseyside , so I was thinking he would be in the Cheshires.
That would depend largely on when he signed up or was conscripted. Early days he might be assigned to the local Regiment, later on most likely he would have been sent to whoever needed particular skills or just replacements. Difficult to say without seeing his record.
About 150 Other Ranks from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment joined the 16th DLI in Scotland on its formation in July 1940.Seven ex Beds and Herts were killed in Action/died of wounds serving with 16th DLI.One ex Beds and herts died serving with 1st DLI (Who served under many commands).Two ex Beds and Herts died with 8DLI in Sicily.Two with 6th DLI in the desert along with one serving with 9DLI. Drop Tom Tunney a line on his site http://16dli.awardspace.com/index.html He`s the 16th DLI expert he may have confirmation or be able to identify others in the group? Vespa are we talking about another Grandfather? I thought you`d established Grandad Lynchy as Cheshires ? Whats the name of the DLI Grandfather? Jim
Ref No. D/DLI 15/1 These books record the soldiers who enlisted in The Durham Light Infantry Regiment or who were transferred in from other regiments or corps, in the period from 1921 to 1945. They include soldiers who had originally enlisted in the regiment from 1899 onwards, and continued to serve after the First World War, and were therefore given a new army number in 1921. Durham Record Office Deposit - Durham Light Infantry Records
Yes this is my mothers father who is still alive. My grandad who was a prisoner of war died in 1974. My grandads name is Cornelius Easton and is still going strong.
Yes this is my mothers father who is still alive. My grandad who was a prisoner of war died in 1974. My grandads name is Cornelius Easton and is still going strong. Vespa100, Bearing the above in mind ..did Grandfather Easton serve with 16th DLI or 1st DLI do you know? http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachments/durham-light-infantry/53878d1308610597-1st-dli-pre-war-1931-39-scan0001-jpg Jim
I am going away until friday when I get back I will go and see my grandad and find out. When I was a kid I can rember my grandad having a certificate on his wall saying he was at Monte Cassino dose this sound right?
Hello Jim, It looks like the 16DLI to me, as I believe the 1DLI were on the Adriatic side. I wondered if there could be a mix up between Monte Cassino (Med.) and Monte Camino (Adriatic), but I think 1 DLI joined in Italy after Camino; therefore suggesting that Cassino is correct! What do you think? Best, Steve.
I am going away until friday when I get back I will go and see my grandad and find out. When I was a kid I can rember my grandad having a certificate on his wall saying he was at Monte Cassino dose this sound right? Hi Vespa100,/Steve 16th DLI left Italy in February 1944 for Egypt ,whilst on leave in Cairo they were noted for fighting with the `base wallahs`as they called them ,constantly been nicked by MP`s after three days they were all nabbed for being improperly dressed,not wearing `gaiters`,just coming out of the line none of the battalion had them! The battalion were paraded before Colonel John Preston who is reported to have addressed them with the words (or similar to) ;- "Now,everybody that has been charged with fighting and being improperly dressed-I`ve decided to hang one of you and jail the rest of you for life! They have you on charges of fighting they`re stupid! or Bloody mad! I`ve trained you to fight! All cases dismissed! On the 24th June 1944 Colonel Preston was replaced as CO he had said to Captain Hay(A Company) "Don`t be suicidal do what you can,you`ve got a few more battlesto fight-don`t make this next one your last one-No good dashing in to lose more troops than need be! The 16th DLI returned to Italy in July 1944 (V Corps) Cassino had fallen in May 1944 I believe. If Grandfather Easton had been at Cassino it was not between Feb-July 44 or at least not with the bulk of 16th DLI. Jim Quotes from Peter Hart Publications
A wonderful story, Jim. I like Col. John Preston already! Weren't 16 DLI at Monte Cassino (1) in January 1944? I guess we will need to see the applicable service records to be sure! Best, Steve.
A wonderful story, Jim. I like Col. John Preston already! Weren't 16 DLI at Monte Cassino (1) in January 1944? I guess we will need to see the applicable service records to be sure! Best, Steve. Hi Steve, 16 DLI celebrated Christmas 1943 at La Vaglie on January 6th 1944 they were I believe on the lower slopes of Mt Maggiori,Lt Russell Collins earned an MC at the actions of Cocuruzzo Spur prior to the DLI moving back across the Peccia to their former positions.They then occupied reserve positions at La Murata 25th January they crossed the Garigliano via the pontoon bridge moving into the area of Suja attached to 138 Brigade for the attack on Mt Tuja.Actions at Mt Turlito and Siela (Military Medal for Pte Mawson).Theres 8 Durhams buried at Cassino but I don`t think they took part in the actual assaults on the monastery but I do stand to be corrected on this like I mentioned Tom Tunneys site cannot be bettered for 16DLI information Best Wishes Jim
