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.
Welcome to the forum, Dan. Quite of a few of us here are familiar with your work on the Great War, and good to read you are also doing something on WW2. Have you tried this archive yet? They have quite a lot of material and are not widely known. The Second World War Experience Centre - World War Two (WW2 world war 2) Personal Experiences on the Home Front and on active service World War Two 2 Memories of War WW2 Am presuming you've checked for any sort of old comrades association?
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.
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
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?
Hallo, the patch colours for 1/7 btt is black and yellow or yellow and red? I find different information. Thanks.
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
Hallo Jef, i'm not information about it . I'm searching info about a regiment tactical recognition colours. Daniele
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.
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.
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
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! 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.
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. Regards, Stu.
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.