After a recent visit to the CWG at Uden, Netherlands I am interested in any stories relating to the aftermath of operation Market Garden. My uncle was killed on 4th Oct 1944 and was buried at Sint Oedenrode prior to being moved in 1946 to the War Graves Cemetary at Uden. He was 21 years old. I have his war records and prior to June 44 had been held in 47 RHU before being posted to 5/7th Btn on 10 /7/44. It would appear that he took part in Operation Market Garden, although this was not a success and continued to fight until he was Killed in Action.
Hi Drew, Thank you so much for this information. It does mention " 1 other rank killled" and I wondered if it could have been my Uncle. Do you know if there is any way to check? PTE Gorin. Thomas James, 14242298.
Check CWGC website for Gordon Highlanders killed that day. There are two, your Uncle and another in Italy, 1st Bn London Scottish. http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead.aspx?cpage=1 Therefore that has to be your Uncle referred to in war diary.
Quote from page 172 of Monty's Highlanders by Delaforce. 153 Bde left Normandy on 28th September and via Amiens and Cambrai entered Holland on 1st October to take over from units of 15th Scottish Division. Between St Oedenrode on the river Dommel and Fratershof were 5th Black Watch on the right , 5/7th Gordons in the centre and 1st Gordons on the left. New reinforcements with no battle experience were given a gradual initiation. 'B' Coy 5/7th Gordons was made up to strength with RASC drivers and RAMC personnel.
Hi Owen, Thats good because it now completes the picture. Sad to have only served for 2 years and a couple of months. I can only imagine how dreadfull this must have been for all of then let alone a young inexperienced man.
You say he joined the 5/7th in July 44. They had quite a bit of fighting in Normandy & at Le Havre. He'd have learnt fast. You also mention Op Market Garden - they werent involved in that. They were resting after the battle for Le Havre. Operation Astonia - Wikipedia
Hi Owen, The documents I have are difficult to read, especially when you are not used to the terms and abbreviations. It looks as though he only had Primary Training, when he signed up in Aug 42, followed by some time with 3 fld reg RA, 79th fld reg, ITC Hyderabad,Gloucester Regt,8th Devons then to RHU 10/6/44 before posting to 5th/7th Gordons 10/7/44.
If you want to know what 5/7th Gordons did in August 44 have a read of the transcribed war diary here. Account of Operation Totalise | Account | 51st Highland Division Website Worth having a look around that website for an overview of what the Division was doing during the time your Uncle was with them.
