Hello everyone from Montreal Canada! I’m Chris and I’m so happy to have found this message board. I’m looking to find more info on my Great Uncles lost Lancaster and my Grandfather’s Cheshire unit. See you in the boards. Cheers!
Welcome to the forum start a thread here when you are ready Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy regards Clive
Hi Frank. Looks like he was in the Second battalion. I found a casualty record dated July 27th 1942 for him and was going start there.
Hello mice00ca, The 2nd Bn Cheshire Regiment joined the 50th (Northumbrian) Division as its MG battalion on 1 February 1941. It stayed with it for the duration. I have the regimental history, which includes that of the 2nd Bn. Anything you would wish me to look up? Best, Steve.
Steve, that would be amazing! Here is a link to a casualty report I found. http://ww2talk.com/index.php?attachments/17d293e3-7d82-4125-935d-0e5f984938d8-jpeg.292203/ GH Caldwell highlighted I'm thinking is him. His name was Geoffrey Harold Caldwell (1912-1961) Any info would be very helpful. I have been trying info on him for a while now and my father never met him. Thanks in advance! Chris
Geoffrey Harold Caldwell 1912–1961 BIRTH 19 FEB 1912 • Birkenhead, Cheshire DEATH MAR 1961 • Surrey North eastern, Surrey, England 1939 England and Wales Register Name: Geoffrey Caldwell Gender: Male Marital Status: Divorced Birth Date: 19 Feb 1912 Residence Year: 1939 Address: 84c Residence Place: Wandsworth, London, England Occupation: Radio Mechanic Comm Photographer Carpenter Line Number: 30 Schedule Number: 222 Sub Schedule Number: 1 Enumeration District: AXPO Borough: Wandsworth Registration district: 24-4. Household Members: 1 A jack of all trades it seems Ancestry has 5 family trees for him TD
Wow that’s an incredible find Tony. Im guessing this could be a reason why my grandmother left for Canada in the early 1940s with my father and divorced Geoffrey. She also never said much about him to my father. Thank you very much! Chris
Hasn't been mentioned so far but, if you really want to trace his history, you should start with his official service records, only available here: Get a copy of military service records: Apply for the records of someone who's deceased - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Unfortunately there is rather a long wait for service records at the present time, you should allow about 12 months, unfortunately they do not take plastic or online payments, so will have to be a cheque/money order in £s. You don not need any military details to apply, but you will need a death certificate, these are the details you need: Name: Geoffrey H Caldwell Death Age: 48 Birth Date: abt 1913 Registration Quarter: Jan-Feb-Mar Registration District: Surrey North eastern Inferred County: Surrey Volume: 5g Page: 601 Can be ordered online: General Register Office (GRO) - Official information on births, marriages, civil partnerships and deaths
Thanks again Tony, It was definitely on my to do list for him. Looks like the sooner the better. Appreciate the help! Chris
There is no mention of your grandfather in the regimental history: 'The History Of The Cheshire Regiment In The Second World War' (Crookenden), Chris. Going off the date of his wounding, he was likely involved in, either, the fighting at Taqa Plateau, near Himeimat Ridge or in the area between Ruweisat Ridge and the sea (Operation Manhood), both Egypt, depending on which Company he served with. Best, Steve.
Thank you very much for your help in looking up his info Steve, It has given me some more places to look. At this point Im going to apply for his records as mentioned by Tony above and see what I get. I will report back with what I find. Thanks again and have a nice weekend! Chris
Sorry to jump on this thread, but do you know if there Is a digital copy of ‘The History Of The Cheshire Regiment In The Second World War' anywhere??, I’m trying to trace my Great-Grandad and his brothers steps throughout the war. Both signed up firstly for the Cheshire Regiment then ended up in different regiments as the war went on. TIA
No problem. I am not aware of if there is a digital copy, but would have thought it unlikely given the year of publication. The Cheshire Regiment Museum should be able to confirm: https://www.cheshiremilitarymuseum.co.uk/contact-us/ As you have read, I do have a hard copy of the stated book and I would be happy to help with your research. Contact me by PM if best for you! Best, Steve.