3530258 Edward Whittaker Ainsworth. 2 Manchesters. PoW.

Good morning all,

I hope you've had a great week and looking forward to a relaxing weekend. My name is Alex Griffin and I was wondering if anyone has any further advice on researching my grandad, who served in WWII.

His name was Edward Whittaker Ainsworth, he was a Private in the 2nd Battalion (possibly D Company) of the Manchester Regiment, and captured in France on 27th May 1940 before being transferred to Stalag VIIIB where he was for 5 years (I think). His army number was 3530258, and his prisoner number was 10614.

I've gathered information through the following sources:

- The National Archives (I have his Personalkarte, but was also directed to make a FOI request to them by the MOD for personnel records, which I have - it's a long wait!)
- Ancestry and Fold3 (his questionnaire)
- I've emailed the Bundesarchiv to see if they have anything from his time in the camp.
- I haven't yet, but I will make a request to the ICRC when the quota refreshes later this month.

Are there any other sources I am unaware of and/or missing? I'm particularly interested in his unit's movements and activities but I know this is a stretch!

I am a novice and learning so please forgive me if I've missed anything obvious.

Thank you all!

 

Alex,

Welcome aboard. I am sure we can help you. Your subject's name and number have not appeared here before.

There are members whose focus is the May 1940 campaign and POWs taken to Germany, hopefully they will be along.

An online search with: "2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment" site:ww2talk.com found a few threads. The very first thread has general history of the unit, started by a member who'd made a discovery referring to 'D' Company. See: Research and 2nd Manchester Regt Info

Yes, you could add + "May 1940" or + "France" to narrow the search down. Using: "2 Manchester Regiment" site:ww2talk.com found x4, including one that id'd their regimental history Manchester Regiment: First and Second Battalions 1922-1948 Lieut-Commander A.C.Bell, R.N.

This expert website explains what a divisional machine gun battalion did in WW2: Machine Gun Battalions. See for a very brief history (scroll down a lot): The Manchester Regiment

I recommend you view: Vickers MG Collection & Research Association where Richard is the key figure. The VIckers MG was used in WW1 & WW2, in a direct and indirect fire role. The opening video has a section when twenty MGs were fired - awesome and horrible.

A search with: "Stalag VIIIB" site:ww2talk.com found a multitude of threads, not looked at.

Some research tips next via PM and good luck.

 

Welcome Alex and congratulations for an excellent first post. Thank you for making clear what sources you have already looked at, something often missed, and members can spend a lot of time looking for detail already known. As per the the above post #3 diaries should be a direction to go and I can confirm that the folks around here do an excellent copying service if required.

Afraid I can't offer up anything, other than good luck, hopefully others will be along to help you build up the story.

 

Hi Alex

I have the 1940 2nd Manchester Regt war diary and the Regimental Missing Men file which may mention your grandfather.

I charge 10p per page for any complete diary/document and transfer files via Dropbox. I'm currently donating any sale from this forum to charity to support my son's £100,000 fundraising for the RAF Benevolent Fund.

2 Manchester Regiment War Diary Sep 1939 to May 1940 = £14.00
Manchester Regiment 1940 Missing Men file = £21.40

If you'd like either you can donate via the link below, use your name on the donation and I know it's from you.

Jacob Newson is fundraising for The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund

Cheers
Andy

 

Thank you all so much for your insightful and thoughtful replies so far - they're hugely appreciated and there is a lot of information and links here to keep me occupied. Brilliant work!

 

A fantastic cause and I have just donated for both the War Diary and Missing Men file - I included my name on the JustGiving page. How do we go about sorting it on Dropbox? I am a novice!

 

Thank you so much for all the information and links. You’ve been a huge help.

 

Thank you for this brilliant information!

 

Thanks for your help!

 

Thanks for the information and well wishes!

 

Thanks Alex...I'll send you a direct message for your email address and I can send the links to download the two files.

 

I may be able to add a few bits, Alex Griffin - I'll drop you a DM.