Hi all, I hope that I'm posting in the right place to begin with I have joined this forum to find out more about my Grandad. If anyone can give me any help, I most certainly would appreciate it. Here's what I know. He was in the Essex Regiment. I know that he was at Hill 112. He was was listed as "missing" in July 1944 (France, I believe) & was held in a German camp. He attained the rank of L/Cpl. His number was 6014543. He was in a TA regiment. He was awarded the France-Germany star, the Cival Defence medal, the War medal, the '39-'45 star & the TA long service medal. He was discharged in Slough. Would his service cap have had a coloured patch behind the badge. & what Battalion/Division he would have been in. Thank-You in advance Thanks to this site, I have just found that he was in Stalag VIIIC, his POW number & that he was listed at the time as being in the Dorsetshire Regt!??
His number would suggest that he was, at least initially, in the Essex Regiment. You best bet it to apply for his service record if you have not already. Here is the link https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records It is a long wait (up to 12 months) but worth it. If you already have them, perhaps you can give us a bit more detail as to what was on them. If he was a POW the Red Cross may have a record for them. Try here http://www.redcross.org.uk/About-us/Who-we-are/Museum-and-archives/Resources-for-researchers/Records-of-prisoners-of-war Also, in the National Archives there may be a liberation questionnaire. There are a few guys here who would be able to get that for you if it exists. I am sure one of them will be along shortly. These guys may or may not have details about the Essex Regiment http://www.royalanglianassociation.co.uk/chapel/index.htm If he was in the Dorsets you could try here http://www.devondorsetregiment.co.uk/ and these guys http://www.keepmilitarymuseum.org/ But as I say, your best bet is the service record. Others may have more information immediately. All the best, Dave
Thank-You very much Dave I don't have his records & as I am "only" his Grand-daughter, I'm not sure I can get them? I think that his son (who we are not in communication with) may already have them. Thanks again for your help. It's very much appreciated. I purchased an Allied Ex POW for him & a Forces In Germany medal. Does anyone know if he'd be eligable for any more?
It might be worth a try to get your parents or a different aunt/uncle to apply for you, if any of those are an option. If not the regimental associations and museums may help pin-point when he was with each regiment and which Bn, etc. The only thing is this is not always cheap if an archivist is involved, especially when going to more than one. Drop them an e-mail and see what they say. When you do figure out which regiment he was in and when he was in them, post it up and I am sure the guys here will be able to tell you more from war diaries etc. Also feel free to post up any photos of badges/old photos of your Grandad or scans of documents that you have and you never know, we might be able to get you a little further along, All the best with it, Dave
With pointers from this forum. I have now established the Grandad started in the Essex, then to the Dorsets & ultimately, the 43rd Wessex. He was Captured July 10th '44 on Hill 112. What I still haven't managed to discover is what "Battalion"? he was in, in any of those Regt's. I would very much like to know what "insignia"? he would have worn if anyone can help me with that, I'd be grateful Thank-You to everyone for your help so far. :ukflag[1]:
Sorry I missed this post - there are instructions on how to upload a photo here in case you still need them. http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/48935-a-little-help-please/?p=575283
If he was in the Dorset Regiment then it must have been either the 4th or 5th Battalion both of which along with the 7th Hampshires comprised 130th Brigade of 43rd Wessex Division. They began Operation Jupiter on the 10th July. The 5th Bn attacked the high ground around Chateau Fontaine after which the 4th Bn captured Eterville. The 5th took the most casualties. The Dorset Regiment at the Keep in Dorchester produce two paperback books "The 5th Battalion The Dorsetshire Regiment in North-West Europe" and the same title for the 4th. Both books have a roll of honour and list awards but since the 10th July was really the 130 Brigades first major action during which he was captured it is unlikely he is mentioned. The insignia he would have worn on his sleeve would have been the Dorset title just below the epaulette, then the Wessex Wyvern badge which is a gold wyvern on a blue background (you can see these and the cap badge on a famous auction website), below that were two horizontal red strips indicating the 2nd Infantry Brigade e.g (130th Brigade) and then the green horizontal strip of the Dorset Regiment. If he was a specialist e.g Signaller or mortarman he would have worn other insignia down on the forearm of his sleeve He would have worn the Dorset Regiment cap badge in his beret. Hope this helps you along a bit. Kind regards, Will.
Hi, it's me again Okay, you know my Grandad was a POW in Stalag 8c. What his record doesn't tell me, is how or when he left (one way or another) I do know, as you do by now, that he was captured on July 10th 1944. I also know that he returned to England on April 21st 1945. There was family talk about a long & brutal march that he may have been part of. Would that have taken place during his time in camp? I'm a bit stumped! I have faith in you guys!
