What battalion Royal West Kent?

Hi,
I have some documents to a member of the BEF. He has the number 6018847. He was transferred from the Essex Regiment on the 17 April 1940 to the Royal West Kent Regiment.
Would there be any way of finding out from this which battalion of the RWK he went to? I understand the 1st and the 4th were evacuated from Dunkirk. The individual in question was unfortunately taken POW, albeit after evading for 6 months.

Cheers
Steve

 

There was 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Royal West Kents fighting in France during 1940. If someone moves this to the 1940 section I'll read through all the April diaries tomorrow for a clue.

Have you considered looking to see if he completed a PoW Liberation report? His service records will confirm the battalion he was with in France prior to capture.

Andy

 

Thanks Andy,

Would that involve a trip to Kew for the POW liberation report? I guess as he evaded for some time, it's more likely he would have had to complete a report?

Cheers
Steve

 

Indeed that are at Kew. Not many completed them, around 40% I believe and many that did complete only recorded the regiment on the form rather than the unit so assuming he did complete one he might have left the battalion out and just recorded RWK's.

Whats his name? I have the regimental history, a long shot, but he may get a brief mention.

 

Hi Andy.
He's Pte 6018847 Ronald Squires.
Cheers!
Steve

 

361's are always worth a look. Even if your man is not contained within, these files often give clues to what was going on.

 

Ok, cool.
Cheers both.
Steve

 

Sorry not listed in the regimental history. I would apply for a copy of his records, then once you know the Bn get the units war diary and check the PoW Lib reports and missing men file. To be fair you could probably ID his battalion from the missing men file through the PoW nominal rolls.