Cpl William Edward Pettengale, 1st East Surreys

Discussion in '1940' started by Ken P, Aug 24, 2016.

  1. Ken P

    Ken P Active Member

    Today my grandfathers service records arrived in the post. I am pleased that they took just over a week to arrive, but they have now raised more questions than they have given answers.

    Firstly. He did enlist in January 1931. He was just 19 years old then and after training at the depot in Kingston Upon Thames and Catterick, he was posted to India where he served for five years and 38 days.

    At his own request in August 1938, he transferred to the reserve to complete his twelve years service and was given an exemplary discharge. Much was made of his athletic/sportsmanship prowess and his other commendable personal attributes. He wasn't long on reserve before he reenlisted in February 1939. There is an entry of him being granted ten days leave which tallies with the ESR records of a block 10 days of embarkation leave prior to being sent to France as part of the BEF.

    His service dates for France are: 02/10/39 - 31/05/40. There is no mention of him being wounded at or near Dunkirk, which was always made much of in the family and by him to me personally, so that is an interesting point.

    Next is 'Home' 01/06/40 - 14/10/42

    Then BEF N. Africa 15/10/42

    The final entry is 'Wounded in action 13/08/43 Cas/47/1235. Multiple wounds to legs and wrist 13.8.43 Cas/69/308

    Medal entry confirms 39/45 Star, Italy Star, Africa star (and clasp '1st Army') defence medal, 39/45 medal.

    Discharged 31/05/44 as 'Unfit for any further military service'...

    So....where next?

    I need to find out what action he was wounded in and what actions he took part in as part of A Company 1ESR The Dunkirk/BEF period.

    Lots of stuff I need/want to gather to fill in the service of the man who raised me.
     
    Last edited: Aug 24, 2016
  2. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    Ken,

    Greater brains than I can give you further details about the 1940 campaign - I can only comment on a couple of the 1942/43 entries.

    Of course, you can gain details of the specific dates/battlefield encounters of the East Surreys from the various war diaries at The National Archives, published official histories and personal accounts lodged with the IWM etc.

    My own specific reference book is "With the Surreys in Tunisia, Sicily and Italy 1942 - 1945" written by Bryn Evans and published in 2012.

    "BEF North Africa 15/10/42" - the East Surreys left Greenock with 11 Brigade/78th Division on 26th October 1942, landing on 7th November just to the west of Algiers. Six months of hard fighting in Algeria/Tunisia lay ahead.

    "Wounded in Action 13/08/43" - on 13th August 1943, units of the 78th Division were near to Randazzo (on the north western slopes of Mt Etna) where they met up with the Americans coming through from the west. The East Surreys had landed in Sicily on 25th July 1943 at Cassibile, just to the south of Syracuse.

    A veteran quoted in Bryn Evans' book states: "we continued the advance as far as Randazzo, suffering further casualties from 'S' mines in the ruins", which might give you an idea of what they were up against at the end of their advance on the western side of Etna.

    Perhaps the above merely bookends the 10 month period from October 1942 to August 1943 but it might just help a little in your research.

    best wishes and good luck.
     
    Last edited: Aug 24, 2016
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  3. KevinBattle

    KevinBattle Senior Member

    Just to add to your research burden, are you aware of this chap?
    PETTENGALE, JOHN WILLIAM. Rank: Private. Service No: 27966. Date of Death: 23/08/1918. Age: 33.
    Regiment/Service: Hampshire Regiment 2nd Bn.
    Grave Reference: II. H. 10. Cemetery: BORRE BRITISH CEMETERY.
    Additional Information: Son of Mary Ann Pettengale, of 9, Lamont Road, King's Road, Chelsea, London.

    Different war, but also a William and a very unusual surname - he's the only one in the CWGC database.....
    If it IS your family, then this may help Ethel Pettengale nee Crane - Find Ancestors - Boards - Genes Reunited
     
    Last edited: Aug 24, 2016
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  4. Ken P

    Ken P Active Member

    John is no relation, and it isn't as unusual as you may think! Here in Norfolk (where we originated from) there are plenty!

    Ethel Crane however, is a different kettle of fish - she was William's mother. She died when he was six and George, his brother, was four.
     
  5. Ken P

    Ken P Active Member

    Thanks Richard. I have Bryn Evans book too.

    The use of 's' mines and Bill's injuries (legs and wrist) seem to bear witness to him having "trod on a mine"...I wonder how in later life that made him feel - knowing that his sporting career (he was a long distance and cross country runner) was over - it must have affected him...

    God.....if only I could have another day with him..
     
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  6. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.


    Ken, if of use to you? There is about twenty pages covering there time in France. Will gladly scan & send on, if required? VOLUME IV History Of The East Surrey Regiment.

    PM me if so.
    Stu.
     
    Last edited: Aug 27, 2016
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  7. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    End of May 1940
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  8. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Beginning of June 1940
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  9. Ken P

    Ken P Active Member

    Drew - thanks for that mate! Very informative and thought provoking.
     
  10. Ken P

    Ken P Active Member

    PM sent.....
     
  11. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Ken, with you saying that you have Bryn Evans book. I was just wondering if it has a picture of my first attachment? Its from the History of the East Surrey Regiment Volume IV. The second is from ALGIERS TO AUSTRIA The History of 78 Division. The third is from The HISTORY OF THE A.& S.H. 8TH BATT 39-47.
    Something has gone pear-shaped here! The latter being part of the 36 Infantry Brigade.

    Stu.

    CCF28082016_0001 (3).jpg CCF28082016 (7).jpg CCF28082016 (8).jpg
     
  12. Ken P

    Ken P Active Member

    Yes it does.

    I have no email from you as yet....
     
  13. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Weird, sent you three this morning.

    Edit. Checked e-mail, i must of been seeing things. Resent.. One must put ones bins on in the morning.:sleep:
     
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2016
    Ken P likes this.
  14. Ken P

    Ken P Active Member

    All comms now received!
     

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