1/7 Middlesex 1939-45

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by Dan Todman, Nov 14, 2008.

  1. Dan Todman

    Dan Todman Junior Member

    I am currently researching into the history of the 1/7th bn Middlesex Regiment during the Second World War. I'm using the battalion as a case study of a military community, and a window through which to approach the changing military performance of the British army, it's approach to technology and firepower, and the relationship between soldiers and civilians. This research will ultimately contribute to both a journal article and a book.

    I have already examined the regimental history, the war diary and associated documents in the PRO, and the IWM's archival holdings, but I wondered either whether any members had come across further information about the 1/7th during their research that they were willing to share, or whether those more experienced than me in researching units during the Second World War had any suggestions for next steps or extra angles? Any help gratefully received and fully acknowledged in any eventual publication.
     
  2. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

  3. Dan Todman

    Dan Todman Junior Member

    Cheers Paul, hope you like the WWI stuff. I haven't yet looked up an OCA. I am not trained as an oral historian, and I am anxious in the extreme about learning to become one in the middle of my career. On the other hand, it would I think be valuable to me to test out what I've written on those who knew it at first hand, so I will follow that up, along with your Leeds suggestion, on Monday.
     
  4. Ron heyfron

    Ron heyfron Junior Member

    Dan, did you ever publish the document that you were working on and if so where it available? I know my father Thomas Heyfron served with the Middlesex and most like with the 1/7th, hence my interest.
    Regards
    Ron Heyfron
     
  5. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Ron

    I would apply for his service records to confirm the battalion and then view the battalions war diaries. There is also a regimental history covering WW2 which I think I have (too many books).

    Do you know if he was in France during 1940?
     
  6. Hallo, the patch colours for 1/7 btt is black and yellow or yellow and red? I find different information. Thanks.
     
  7. von Smallhausen

    von Smallhausen Junior Member

    Hello Dan,
    Was wondering if you have information about the events around the bridge Wervik ( Belgium) - Wervicq -Sud ( france) May 1940. Both comunities have burials of the 1/7th Middlesex Rgt in their cemeteries. I'm doing this enquirie for a close friend who has no internet.
    Kind regards,
    Jef
     
    DANIELE PISELLI likes this.
  8. Hallo Jef, i'm not information about it :(.
    I'm searching info about a regiment tactical recognition colours. :)
    Daniele
     
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  9. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Its a yellow & burgundy triangle. Click on my avatar: 2/7 MX battalion. The white triangle is of the First British Infantry Division. You could also google the Middlesex Regiment in the Second World War. 1/7 MX battalion was with the 51st Highland Division.

    Regards,
    Stu.
     
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  10. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Jef,

    I'm on my phone at the moment.

    After many years of having the regimental history of the middlesex then i could probably help you out?

    Finally got the pages scanned of 1/7 & 2/7 battalions. Should have done it years ago. 2/7 is more my bag. Any chance you can provide some photos of the headstones? Off the top of my head, i think the 1/7 was part of the 3 British infantry Division?

    Regards,
    Stu.
     
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  11. von Smallhausen

    von Smallhausen Junior Member

    Hello Stu,
    Thank you for your answer. I'll see if I can fins some pics online.
    Jef
     
  12. von Smallhausen

    von Smallhausen Junior Member

    Hello again Stu,
    Found these pics. Only James Cordon is buried in Wervik Communal Cemetery, The other four in Wervik Sud. All the men belonged to the 1/7th Middlesex Regt.
    I would be very grateful if you could find the war Diary of thes days concerning Wervik. I think it has something to do with blowing the bridge. That was the link between France and Belgium.
    Again thank you, be careful, stay safe.
    Jef
     

    Attached Files:

  13. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Jef,

    Please do bare with me.

    I did have a quick look at the scans over the weekend & then got side-tracked with that woman's work around the house!:D

    Remind me over the weekend. Sorry for the tardy reply. I think that there may also have something to do with the 2 MX has well? That war diary is rather detailed to say the least. I'm on my dog&bone at the mo.

    Pm me to remind me.
    Regards,
    Stu.
     
    von Smallhausen likes this.
  14. von Smallhausen

    von Smallhausen Junior Member

    Thank you Stuart.I would be very happy with information from 24th till 29 th May.
    kind regards,
    Jef
     
  15. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Jef,

    here are the pages concerning 1/7th . Not a great amount of detail. More reading to be done on my part. The history is on loan at the moment. That would not give anymore detail. The 2nd war diary would probably. Its a start.
    rsz_118_start_ch_v.jpg
    rsz_120.jpg
    rsz_124t.jpg
    rsz_126.jpg

    Regards,
    Stu.
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2020
  16. von Smallhausen

    von Smallhausen Junior Member

    Thank you Stuart.
    kind regards,
    Jef
     
  17. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Jef,

    i should have given the full title of the history.

    The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) Written & Edited by Lt-Commander P.K. Kemp. F.R.Hist.S., R.N. (ret)

    A touching forward with a nice illustration of the infamous Lt- General Sir Brian C. Horrocks. K.C.B., K.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. He was also the Lt- Col of the 2 Mx in-parts towards the back-end of this period. You have got me intrigued with these two battalions.

    Will post some more has & when i get the chance. I've resized a few pages of the 2 Mx war diaries that i have. If only some chap could come-up with WD's of the 1/7th? It would help. ;) A hint to Andy, aka, Drew5233.

    Got a funny feeling that they won't be has detailed? Edit: to add if they got them back from Dunkirk?

    Regards,
    Stu.
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2020

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