Army Number: 2716850 Rank: Guardsman Name: William ARMER, MiD Unit: 1 Irish Guards London Gazette : 20 December 1940 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35020/supplement/7201/data.pdf The names of the undermentioned have been brought to notice in recognition of distinguished services in connection with operations in Norway. IRISH GUARDS. ARMER, 2716850, Gdsmn. W.
The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details 2716850 Guardsman ARMER, 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS At 0015 hours on 15 May 1940, H.M.T. ‘CHOBRY’ was bombed, set on fire and subsequently abandoned. The bomb, or bombs, droppped in the cabins occupied by the senior officers of the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, six officers including the *Commanding Officer and four Other Ranks being killed. Guardsman ARMER was the Commanding Officer’s batman. Although burned and pinned to the ground by the initial explosion, he freed himself and made his way through dense smoke to the Commanding Officer’s cabin in search of him. * 15271 Walter Douglas FAULKNER, MC, 1 Irish Guards
London Gazette : 20 December 1940 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35020/supplement/7200/data.pdf https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35020/supplement/7201/data.pdf
Welcome to the forum. Glad it was helpful. Do you have a photo of him you'd like to share? It's always great to put a face to a name. Are you researching your grandfather's service at all, applied for copy service records, checked war diaries? War Diary: 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS, September 1939 - July 1944 War Diary: 3rd Battalion IRISH GUARDS, Jan - Dec 1944 War Diary: 3rd Battalion IRISH GUARDS, Jan - Dec 1945 Could you confirm his first name please? - It'd be great to edit the thread title to include his full name
I am definitely interested in finding out more about his service. My brother (Ex Royal Engineer) dig up some info that was entertaining as well as educational. I will find a picture of him. He was William Armer originally from Belfast.
So was my Dad who served in 3rd Bn. To go along with the war diaries I linked to, and if no one in the family already has a copy of the Regimental History, I'd really recommend: The History of the Irish Guards in the Second World War by D J L Fitzgerald There's a longer wait for copy service records from MOD Glasgow owing to current restrictions. So those might be of interest in the meantime.
That’s great. I need to know exactly what my brother has - but I know he spent some time researching Grandad’s military service. I heard a story that he was dropped a rank at some point in his career for removing his boots and dipping his feet in a fountain at the palace. Would love to clarify that story.
Sorry about poor quality, quick snaps using a crap phone From The History of the Irish Guards in the Second World War by D J L Fitzgerald, pages 43 & 48