Hello, Was there any company or battalion of The South Staffordshire Regiment engaged in the fighting at the River Dyle Line (Belgium) in May 1940? The reason for my question is the following: While going through the Concentration Records (now available on the CWGC website) I came across two unknown British soldiers of The South Staffordshire Regiment, killed on the 16th of May 1940 and initially buried at Heverlee Churchyard near Leuven (Louvain), Belgium. In 1959 Heverlee Churchyard was closed. In 1960 both unknown South Staffordshires were reburied at Adegem Canadian War Cemetery, Belgium (Plot XII, Row G , Graves 11 and 12). Their grave marker reads " A Soldier of the 1939-1945 War, The South Staffordshire Regiment, 16 May 1940, Known Unto God". To my knowledge only the 2nd Bn. The North Staffordshire Regiment was engaged in the fighting at the River Dyle, namely at Korbeek-Dijle, which is a village adjacent to Heverlee. Could it therefore be that the two unknown South Staffordshires were in fact two unknown North Staffordshires? Can anyone confirm whether there was or wasn't a unit of the South Staffordshires present at the River Dyle Line in May 1940? I thank you for any help you can give. Dirk
Good evening Andy, Thanks for posting both War Diaries! It seems 1/6 Bn. The South Staffordshire Regiment was no where near Leuven (Louvain) when battle raged at the River Dyle, and saw service as a Pioneer Battalion. Was 1/6 Bn. the only battalion of the South Staffs in France with the BEF? Any other South Staff Battalions with the BEF? I wonder on the basis of what findings both unknown British Soldiers were identified as being South Staffs ... Thanks Dirk
I wondered if they could have been attached to the North Staffs or the cap badges are similar ? They are the only two battalions I have in France with the WO 167 prefix for war diaries.
Interesting post. My grandfather George Rose a signaller in the 1/6th south Staffordshire regiment was reported MIA on May 21st 1940. I wonder if he was with the men above. He was captured and sent to Stalag XX. According to my Grandmother he was always up for a fight and when she learned he'd been captured remarked that if he escaped Hitler better watch out. He was repatriated in 1944 after walking through the winter snow to the American lines. My Grandmother said he looked like a Belson victim on his return to the uk.
Hi, I am researching about my wifes uncle, Private Albert Eric Wilcox (North Staffordshire Regiment 2nd Btn) who was killed on the 21st May 1940. I wondered if anyone can help with any information about him at all? Regards, Mike H. [/QUOTE]
Hi, I was just doing some research on my great uncle Albert Eric Wilcox and came across this site. I thought this might be of interest to you if you haven’t seen them already. My grandad was Edwin Cyril Wilcox, Albert’s brother.
Full of mysteries, so much to research if anyone has the time and access to information. I placed a "Like" against #7 because whilst I know this is an old thread it may prove interesting to others for the future. It was during these dates that Captain Jimmy Styles Commanding A Troop 67th Field Regt RA (TA) went missing. No one really knows where or how, only that his driver mentioned at a reunion that he was "last seen advancing towards the enemy armed with a revolver". See previous Thread 68644 Captain 'Jimmy' James Alfred Hampton STYLES, 67 Field Regt RA: 17/05/1940, buried Adegem War Cemetery. Being part of 1st Infantry Division A Troop were probably supporting the 2nd North Staffs at this time.
Re post #12 transcribed from a part of a long lost report by Lt Col Hobson OC 67th Field Regt (I assume the complete report is in NA) There might be a few clues here. "I don’t know my losses but very inconsiderable really, considering we fought the whole time. My Infantry Brigadier (Hudson VC 2nd Infantry Brigade) was a gem. Three days before the end he decided to attack with one company at 3pm under 67th Fire. He did and took eleven prisoners (two officers) losses nil. We caught three battalions in the open and wiped them out”. Charles Hudson (VC) - Wikipedia 2nd Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom) - Wikipedia
Hi, thanks for loading these war diaries. My late father was in that area at that time and I've been trying to research his route from Belgium back to Dunkirk. He was part of a rear guard action and awarded a Military Cross for his part. Citation is attached. I'm trying to find where he may have been because I am visiting Brussells in August 2022 and want to visit the areas where he may have been. These diaries give me a great indication of where he possibly started from. Any tips or further info is appreciated. Many thanks, Colin Russell
