1639171 Hyman EICHEN, 7 Seaforth Highlanders: 15/02/1945

Greetings from South Australia.This is my first posting. My father Hyman (Harry) Eichen served with the 7th Btn Seaforth Highlanders. He was killed on 15th February 1945 at 9.45am during the battle in Reichwald Forest (Operation Veritable). I visited his grave in 1997 at the CWG in Reichswald. I was interested yesterday to read details of the battle and recognised the area in which he was killed. He was 34 years of age when he died and I was 3 years so never knew him. I have two letters sent to my mother following his death, one from the second in command of D Company, who unfortunately was the only officer in the company left - Capn WG Wright. Another letter is from their Chaplan, ?H C Whitley. I would be happy to make these letters available to the Seaforth Museum. Does anyone know by which route the Seaforths arrived in Germany?
Gilda1941

Casualty
Private EICHEN, HYMAN
Service Number 1639171
Died 15/02/1945
Aged 34
7th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
Son of Myer and Bloomah Eichen; husband of Hetty Esther Eichen, of Walthamstow, Essex.
INSCRIPTION: DEEPLY MOURNED BY HIS WIFE, DAUGHTER, PARENTS, SISTERS, BROTHERS, AND RELATIVES
Buried at REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY
Location: Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Number of casualties: 7500
Cemetery/memorial reference: 44. F. 4.
See cemetery plan

 

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Welcome to the forum Gilda - enjoy!

I have the book that Owen recommends at Message #2 - Monty's Northern Legions: 50th Tyne Tees and 15th Scottish Divisions at War 1939-1945 (Delaforce) - and agree that it is a worthwhile read.

Best,

Steve.

 

I have the battalions war diary covering this period-I'll post the page that covers the date of his death when I have more time. I'm catching up from a 18 hour round trip to the National Archives. If I haven't posted it in a couple of days send me a message and I'll do it

 

Gilda,

 

Hi,

As Gilda hasn’t been in the forum since 2013 she is unlikely to see your update unless you send her a PM to alert her to your informative post. I’m sure she will be very interested.

Steve

 

7th Seaforths diaries here; https://www.15thscottishdivisionwardiaries.co.uk/war-diaries
Ah, reading the above post this is too late!!