4th Bn Northamptonshire Regiment March 1945

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by Skoyen89, Sep 16, 2019.

  1. Skoyen89

    Skoyen89 Senior Member

    Does anyone know what the 4th Bn Northamptonshire Regiment were doing on 1st March 1945? They were part of 115th Infantry Brigade. I am trying to find out what happened to a group of four Privates who were missing that day. Two are buried at Jonkerbos (after one being buried at Arcen and the other at Heumen ) and two seem to have survived.

    Google search and a search on here has not thrown up anything of note on the Battalion which only arrived in NW Europe the previous month.
     
  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  3. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    May or may not help

    304th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom) - Wikipedia

    The 304th Infantry Brigade was formed on 22 January 1945 by conversion of the Headquarters of 38th Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade within the 2nd Anti-Aircraft Group. It was commanded by Brigadier C.A.H. Chadwick, followed by Brigadier F.W. Sanders from 24 May 1945, and comprised the following Territorial Army RA units:[4][5]
    630th (Essex) Infantry Regiment, Royal Artillery formed by 28th (Essex) Searchlight Regiment RA (TA).[6][7][8]
    637th (Northamptonshire Regiment) Infantry Regiment, Royal Artillery formed by 50th Searchlight Regiment RA (TA) (The Northamptonshire Regiment), which had originally been converted from the 4th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment[9][10][11][12]
    638th (Royal Northumberland Fusiliers) Infantry Regiment, Royal Artillery formed by 53rd (Royal Northumberland Fusiliers) Searchlight Regiment RA (TA), which had originally been converted from 5th Battalion Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.[13][14][15][16]

    So it would seem between 22 Jan 1945 and 24 May 1945 they were part of 304th Inf Bde and named 637th Inf Regt

    Another avenue :
    4 Northamptonshire Regiment | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 171/5248
    Description:
    4 Northamptonshire Regiment
    Date: 1945 Jan-Dec
    Held by: The National Archives, Kew
    Legal status: Public Record(s)
    Closure status: Open Document, Open Description

    TD


    H.Q. | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 166/16460
    Description:
    H.Q. [304 Inf Bde]
    Date: 1945 Jan.-Apr.
    Held by: The National Archives, Kew
    Legal status: Public Record(s)
    Closure status: Open Document, Open Description
    Access conditions: Closed For 29 years
     
  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  5. Skoyen89

    Skoyen89 Senior Member

    Hi

    The 4th Battalion was reformed later in the war so it seems the 304th Infantry Brigade route is a red herring. The Jervois pages look interesting but they are hazed out - presumably by Photobucket. Does anyone know how I can access them?

    Thanks to all for your replies
     
  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Ask Rich Payne for better photos. I'm sure he won't mind. ;)
     
  7. Skoyen89

    Skoyen89 Senior Member

    Many thanks for Rich Payne for replacing the Jervois pages which set out what happened to White. Now to find a death cert for him so I can order his records. In his medal grouping is a Burma Star. It will be intetesting to see what Regiment he was in when earning that. He has a Northamptons number from about 1939/40 so it could be the 1st Battalion.
     
  8. Skoyen89

    Skoyen89 Senior Member

    I think I have found him through Ancestry/Findmypast/Freebmd. Have ordered his marriage cert which ahould confirm it is him as he married in 1945.
     
  9. Alexander M

    Alexander M Member

    Hi, I have obtained my great grandfather's service record, which says he served in the 6th Battalion Northamptonshire regiment. Still, I'm finding it hard to get details of the regiment's history. it says he served in North Africa(4 months), Egypt(2 months), and Italy(2years6months). he was wounded in Italy on 28th June 1944 and then was transferred to ACC I believe at some point after but I'm just wanting to find out what actions he took part in and where but can't seem to find anything on the 6th battalion? unless it is a typo in his service record? his name is John Alexander Higgs, service number: 14392398, enlisted on 17 December 1942, went to 23 PTC then 3ITC and I think there's mention of being involved in anti-tank training or belonging to such a role. Anyway, your help would be much appreciated as I'm trying to find out what he was involved in for his daughter (my nan) who doesn't know what her father did during WW2.
     
  10. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Alexander,

    I would recommend you start a new thread, in this area: Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy

    It will get more attention. Plus, this thread is about a different battalion, the 4th and your relative was in the 6th. Scan if possible the Service Record into the new thread and the experts can help.

    The cited service number has not appeared here before today.

    Some tips en route next and welcome aboard.
     
    Alexander M likes this.
  11. Alexander M

    Alexander M Member

    Thank you very much for your help :)
     

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