Guidance Please - 5253770 Cpl Raymond BARNETT, 1/6th South Staffs: 09/08/1944

Could anyone point me in the right direction please?
I'm researching a Kidderminster lad that served with the 1/6th South Staffs (in 1939 he lived not far from where I grew up) - I know he spent some time in Ireland before going to Normandy.

The question I have is: where were the 1/6th on August the 9th 1944? I've found references to the South Staffs being in and around Caen - and also Mt. Picon, but I can't determine if these references include the 1/6th Bn.

The lads name was Raymond Barnett - Serv. No. 5253770

Any help would be very gratefully received.
Very many thanks
Gary B

 

Have you looked here ?


59th (Staffordshire) Division in WWII

 

He was originally enlisted in the Worcestershire Regiment. From: Army Number Search

His CWGC record shows he'd moved: https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2955383/raymond-barnett/ His Concentration Card shows he was buried elsewhere @ Grand Aunay British Cemetery and moved 30/12/1946 to his resting place. There is a grid reference: 922518.

 

I should be going to the National Archives later in the week to digitise some war diaries of units that served in Normandy, if no other members have a copy of the diary I can try to add theirs to the list to photograph.

Looks to be WO 171/1377
1/6 South Staffordshire Regiment | The National Archives

 

Owen, this is great - thanks so much, I'll have a good read ! Thanks again!

 

Brilliant info - thanks so much; I did wonder why he went into the S. Staffs when most 'Kiddy' lads tried their hardest to serve with the Worcesters (1/7th preferably). I'm guessing he was transferred as part of a reinforcement draft with the S. Staffs having lost high numbers of men in the early stages of the Normandy campaign?

So he was originally interred at Grand Aunay before being moved to Bayeux? (am I understanding you correctly here?)

Thanks again - great information, very much appreciated!

 

Phil - that would be fantastic ! Thanks so much for your help in this respect. Absolutely brilliant support.

 

Gary B,

You asked:

Yes.

I did not look at the others shown on the Concentration Card. Just did, another two from the South Staffs, one being a Barnett too.

 

I'm currently at the archives and managed to photograph the war diary, I've had a quick look through and found this reference of him.

I'm going to Heathrow from the archive but should be able to send you a copy of the complete diary tomorrow or on the weekend once I have good internet

 

Phil, I can't thank you enough - you really are a top, top fella.
I'm indebted (and a little bit in awe of just how wonderful you Forum members are...)
Very, very much appreciated Phil - thank you.
Gary B

 

Happy to help! I've sent a PM with the download link

 

Hi Gary,

I've published geocoded transcriptions of the June to August 1944 war diaries which you may find useful

1/6th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment August 1944, War Diary » Normandy War Guide