The Parachute Regiment, A.A.C. 12th (10th Bn. The Green Howards [Yorkshire Regt.]) Bn.

Discussion in 'Airborne' started by Deacs, Apr 28, 2022.

  1. Deacs

    Deacs Well i am from Cumbria.

    I am wondering if any forum member as the war diaries for this regiment please.
    Especially for the date of around the 19th February 1945.

    Regards Mike
     
  2. Deacs

    Deacs Well i am from Cumbria.

    Its to help a good friend of mine researching her Uncle who was killed on the 19th Feb 1945.
    PRIVATE PATRICK FLEMING
    Service Number: 4205965
    Regiment & Unit/Ship
    The Parachute Regiment, A.A.C.
    12th (10th Bn. The Green Howards [Yorkshire Regt.]) Bn.
    Date of Death
    Died 19 February 1945
    Age 22 years old
    Buried or commemorated at
    VENRAY WAR CEMETERY
    IV. F. 11.
    Netherlands


    Here is a link to a short newspaper report just published.
    'He hasn't been forgotten' - Family find war hero's grave after 77 years
     
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  3. David Woods

    David Woods Active Member

    4205965 Pte. Patrick Fleming, enlisted on 24.07.1940 with the Royal Welch Fusiliers, 11th (Home Defence) Battalion.

    Transferred to Army Air Corps 29.09.1943.

    Airborne Forces Depot.

    Parachute Training Course No.89. 28.10.1943 to 09.11.1943.

    Assigned to 12th (Yorkshire) Parachute Battalion.

    Normandy
    18th June 1944
    Place: Le Mesnil

    The badly depleted 12th (Yorkshire) Parachute Battalion reorganised into 1 Rifle Coy, 1 HQ Coy.

    Normandy
    20th June 1944
    Place: Le Mesnil

    Bde Reserve. Enemy shell & mortar fire.

    4205965 Pte. P. Fleming W.I.A. 20.06.1944 Normandy. Evacuated to U.K.

    4205965 Pte. Patrick Fleming.jpg


    Holland 19th Feb 1945.

    4205965 Pte. Patrick Fleming's original place of burial is listed as Maasbree, Holland. Map Ref. 846086.

    Plotting Map Ref. 846086 on G.S.G.S. map, Tegelen Sheet 4602, gives us the village of Rooth (see Maasbree map).

    At this reference point there is a small chapel, Maria in t'Rooth Kapel. A probable place for a cemetery.

    There is a field behind it that was possibly the original place of burial.

    Numerous men were buried on this site. Doc.4208029 and Doc.4208047 (Pte. P. Fleming) being two examples.

    A day or two after his death, the 12th (Yorkshire) Parachute Battalion were relieved by the Americans.

    I believe Pte. P. Fleming was killed by an artillery shell and may have served with the Mortar platoon.

    Maasbree Sheet 4602.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

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  4. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    Michael

    I've asked a friend who works at the Green Howards Museum if he can help. Here's a photo of his grave from when I was last at Venray in 2019.

    IMG_0184.jpg
     
  5. Deacs

    Deacs Well i am from Cumbria.

    Great information guys cheers very much this is much appreciated.Tracey as sent off for his service records but it may take a year ?

    Regards Mike
     
  6. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    Hi. the temporary cemetery there was at a place referred to as Jerry Can Bridge, which is mentioned in a few of the unit war diaries there.

    Alex.
     
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  7. Captain BX

    Captain BX Captain GBX

    Hello. The temporary cemetery, named cemetery 81 was situated opposite the chapel.
    Nothing reminds at it. There is now a restaurant and parkingspace.

    The grave of Patrick Fleming is shown.
    Bottom row, second from right.
     

    Attached Files:

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  8. Deacs

    Deacs Well i am from Cumbria.

    Hi Captain BX what a great first post welcome and thank you very much.

    Regards Mike
     
  9. Captain BX

    Captain BX Captain GBX

    Hi Mike,
    Patrick Fleming belonged to a mortarplatoon, which was situated in the little village of Kessel-Eik (in the southern part of the Nederlands).Some 500 mtrs. west of the restaurant Pleisterplaats.
    The Germans must have discovered this location, because on February 19th they fired 16 shells (16.00 hours), which exploded in and around the position of the mortarplatoon.
    Patrick was killed......
    Unfortunately this happened on Patricks birthday AND they would have been relieved in the evening (by the 75 American Infantry Division) and send back to England to prepare for Operation Varsity.
     
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  10. Captain BX

    Captain BX Captain GBX

    I've send Tracey M. most of this information some weeks ago.
     
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  11. Deacs

    Deacs Well i am from Cumbria.

    Ah I see she did say she as got a lot of information from someone, so thank you very much for helping her that's great cheers.

    Regards Mike.
     
  12. Deacs

    Deacs Well i am from Cumbria.

    A nice poem that Tracey as done for her uncle Patrick.

     
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