Picking up the story... 2 Cheshire Regiment, North Africa, June 1942

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by wilsonian, Mar 17, 2020.

  1. wilsonian

    wilsonian Member

    Hello,

    Some years back my grandad passed away. His father had served in the Cheshire Reg 2nd B. during the war and was killed in north africa. Unfortunately he had no known grave and all we know is this:

    Casualty
    Private ROWBOTHAM, ALFRED
    Service Number 3853134
    Died 26/06/1942
    Aged 33
    2nd Bn.
    Cheshire Regiment

    I've found a record on here that lists which company was supporting the other Divsions. However looking through the records we have been given it never lists the company he was in.

    If I request his records would I get what I already know?
     
  2. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Hi wilsonian

    You will get more and I think it will depend on for instance if your grandmother was still alive you could apply in her name for his full service records, it also depends on how long ago he died - for full guidance on service records I would suggest you read the MOD guidelines (the forms are also in the link) Request records of deceased service personnel

    They will detail which units he was in, where they were and when they were there. The other way to look at it is that you never know until you try. I would also suggest perhaps using the sites search facility to see what others have found or how they have used their relatives service records

    TD
     
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  3. wilsonian

    wilsonian Member

    Thanks for the reply. My grandfather passed in 2009. His own requests had a reply where his was posted and which reg and Bn but not the company he was in. I'll put a new request in and see what shows.
     
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  4. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Are you saying you already have his MOD official service records?

    Depending on his rank it may be difficult to know what company he was in, presuming here he was infantry, unless for some reason he was mentioned in the War Diaries and their appendices, but to obtain those relevant to your relative you really need his service records to know what units he was in and when - otherwise you could be going down endless blind alleys

    TD
     
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  5. ltdan

    ltdan Nietenzähler

  6. wilsonian

    wilsonian Member

    This was the posting I make mention of before. It's a good start however as they were broken up into different areas I'm keen to see if I can track down events leading up to the date.
     
  7. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    So do you have his 'official service records' if you have it may help members to see a copy of them so more advise can be given as to where to find more details (if possible)

    TD
     
  8. wilsonian

    wilsonian Member

    haha - your very fast. I was busy getting a snap of what we have.

    [​IMG]

    This was the only document provided at the request - albiet back in 1992. Could more info be provided these days?
     
  9. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Thats not his official service record, my fathers is on this image http://ww2talk.com/index.php?media/img025.24831/, thats how they would normally look when you apply to the MOD using the forms in the link above.

    They should show for example when he was shipped out to North Africa which that letter doesnt

    TD

    Use the site search engine to have a look at other service records and the detail they show
     
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  10. wilsonian

    wilsonian Member

    one issue above is your link isn't working for me

    "You do not have permission to view media within this album."

    But thanks for confirming this. I'll get an application put in today.
     
  11. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    [​IMG]

    Using the search facility - as an example have a look at this thread Service Records Arrived there are many others - its a common thread on this site
     
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  12. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    In the regimental history: 'The History Of The Cheshire Regiment In The Second World War' (Crookenden), Pte. Alfred Rowbotham is only mentioned in the Roll of Honour.

    He lost his life during the Gazala Gallop, the 8th Army’s retreat from the Gazala line to the Egyptian border and eventually the Alamein line. The 8th Army faced possible destruction and the 50th (Northumbrian) Division, of which the 2nd Bn Cheshire Regiment was its Machine Gun battalion, was acting as the rearguard.

    The regimental history at pages 57 to 59 states:
    On circa 24 June 1942,the Battalion was reorganised into two companies of four platoons each, with ‘A’ and ‘C’ companies being merged into a composite company.
    On the evening of the 26th June, two columns were established that included composite platoons from the 2nd Bn Cheshire Regiment, at least one including a battery of 124th Field Regiment, RA and a Company of the 5th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment (all 50 Div), with orders to cut the enemy supply line that night.
    Words in square brackets added by me to aid understanding.
     
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  13. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

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  14. wilsonian

    wilsonian Member

    Many thanks for the info. I've submitted a request for his records as I'd like to try and uncover a story my grandad was told about his dad being wounded several days before hand. Not sure how much info will be contained. This site is deffo an eye opener to how hard it is try and pin point some ones whereabouts.
     

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