4th Ox & Bucks Jan to May 1940.

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by Brian12345, Jul 6, 2012.

  1. Brian12345

    Brian12345 Junior Member

    Hi

    I wonder if anyone has war diaries for the above period. My father was in 'C' company and captured after leaving Cassel on on 30th May 1940 and I am trying to track his route to Cassel.

    I do have his diaries and know his movements during the early days after capture. He ended up in Poland and then the long march back again in 1945.

    Also, I am still trying to clarify the death of my uncle, possibly on LCT 155, (see thread on war at sea). As I know that he was in 11th Field Hygiene Section, would the RAMC have kept war diaries in a similar format to other units? Or isn't life that simple?

    Thanks for any help

    Brian
     
  2. CROONAERT

    CROONAERT Ipsissimus

    Here's May 1940 for you...


    *edit* (Sorry!.... the system's (or my PC) not letting me upload the images at the moment. Bear with me and I'll get them on eventually (unless someone else wishes to take over?)
     
  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I believe they are already posted on here Dave - I'll have a look for the link in the 1940 section.

    Whats your fathers name - I have the Ox Bucks Missing Men files for 1940 and he maybe listed.
     
  4. Brian12345

    Brian12345 Junior Member

    My father was Reginald Joseph Ludgate (5384837).

    Be interested to see if he's mentioned.
     
  5. idler

    idler GeneralList

    Also, I am still trying to clarify the death of my uncle, possibly on LCT 155, (see thread on war at sea). As I know that he was in 11th Field Hygiene Section, would the RAMC have kept war diaries in a similar format to other units? Or isn't life that simple?

    Not quite - RAMC diaries have their own 'division' within TNA. 11 Fd Hygiene Sec is WO 177/1466. Section sounds small enough that detailed records could have been kept but it's not crystal clear that they hold diaries for 1944. The description can be read as Aug 1942 - Sep 1945, so worth checking.
     
  6. Brian12345

    Brian12345 Junior Member

    Hi Idler

    His death was on or about March 1942, so I guess that rules out that particular avenue.

    Thanks anyway
     
  7. idler

    idler GeneralList

    That'll teach me to look at the other thread and not make assumptions!

    All is not lost: WO 177/1466 appears to cover March 1942:
    Covering dates: 1939 Sept.- 1940 June, 1941 Apr.- 1942 June, Aug.- 1945 Sept.
     
  8. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

  9. James Barrie

    James Barrie Junior Member

    Hi

    I wonder if anyone has war diaries for the above period. My father was in 'C' company and captured after leaving Cassel on on 30th May 1940 and I am trying to track his route to Cassel.

    I do have his diaries and know his movements during the early days after capture. He ended up in Poland and then the long march back again in 1945.

    Also, I am still trying to clarify the death of my uncle, possibly on LCT 155, (see thread on war at sea). As I know that he was in 11th Field Hygiene Section, would the RAMC have kept war diaries in a similar format to other units? Or isn't life that simple?

    Thanks for any help

    Brian
    Hi Brian, Am trying to do the same thing! Have the war diaries of the 4th Ox and Bucks 1st Jan - 30th May 1940. 14th May the 4th Bn OBLI embussed at Thumeries (Fr) for Alsemberg (Belg). 15th marched to Waterloo. 16th @05.00 to Foret De Soignee, air attacked en route. Moved to defensive pos'n NE of F De S heavily bombed @23.00hrs withdrew into F De S. 17th enemy on both flanks withdrew to Halle, moved to billets near Eighen 17.00 "all troops weary and footsore". Took up defensive pos'ns NE of Eighen. 18th withdrew @07.00 to Ath. 23.00 withdrew marched 10 miles then by MT via Tournai to Bleharies. Convoy bombed 30 casualties. Arrived 19th pm. 20th Dug in by dawn "we stand and fight" order "greeted with enthusiasm." Heavy shelling 21st 00.30 Strong attack until 12.00. 22nd fighting. 23rd 02.00 withdrew to Rongy(F/B border) reached pos'ns @08.00 relieved by French @23.00 marched all night to village S of Lille. 24th Troops fed 08.00 asleep 08.00. 10.00 warned to move to Calais weapons prep'd 22.00 plan changed. 23.00 Bn M/T'd via Lille Rd Armentieres, Steinborg to Cassell. 25th 04.30. Hope this helps, Barrie
     
  10. Brian12345

    Brian12345 Junior Member

    Thanks for that James, brilliant.

    I wonder in what format you have the war diaries? I would love to get hold of a copy and would willingly reimburse any costs.

    Thanks

    Brian
     
  11. Skoyen89

    Skoyen89 Senior Member

    Hi I am trying to find out more about Sidney Henry Noel RUCK NIGHTINGALE, who was missing 30th May 1940 after the fighting for Cassel. There are documents etc on here that suggest he went to France with the unit in January 1940, and was a 'Company Officer' in the unit.

    Does anyone know his pre-war service history?
    Is there any mention of him in any of the books, accounts etc?
    Which Company was he in at Cassel?

    I recently went through WO 361/84 at Kew which has correspondence on missing men from the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry in 1940 but there is no mention of him or any officers. Are there other files at Kew which may refer to him as he was missing?

    Any help gratefully received!
     
  12. Peteadonis

    Peteadonis New Member

    Hi
    My wife's uncle, Herbert Raymond Nash 4th OBLI was missing in action around the time of Cassel. He is commemorated on the Dunkirk Monument but we have no further information. Can anyone point me in the right direction to learn more? Thank you
     
  13. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Pete

    Do you have a copy of his service records or any photo's of him in uniform?
     
  14. Skoyen89

    Skoyen89 Senior Member

    Hi Pete

    HR Nash gets two mentions in WO361/84 I mention above....but they seem to differ in content as one suggests he was a casualty of the bombing of some lorries at Tournai prior to Cassel and the second says he was seen fit and well at Cassel. Documents attached.
     

    Attached Files:

  15. Peteadonis

    Peteadonis New Member

    Hello Drew
    Thank you for taking an interest in this.

    We do not yet have a service record and are planning to visit Woodstock museum shortly.
    I attach a composite photo which I lack the ability to edit!!

    However, disregarding the two images lower left, the subject is on the right in the two groups. Any thoughts?

    Regards

    Pete
    Hello Drew
    Thanks for your reply.

    No service record but here he is in uniform - the right hand figure in yhe two group photos. Please ignore the oyher two pictures.

    Regards

    Pete
     

    Attached Files:

  16. Peteadonis

    Peteadonis New Member

    Sorry for the delay in expressing my thanks for those documents. Have been away for a couple of weeks. Would welcome any further thoughts . Thanks again!!
     

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