69th Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery

Andy.

Excellent. Just be careful where you park. It is in a dodgy part of town.

Regards

Frank

 

Contact the Submitter of this Record of a Person who served during the Second World War on the The Wartime Memories Project Website

It might be useful to contact Kevin Barwick. His father fought with this unit from Dunkirk to the Ruhr.

On this website Kevin invites anyone to contact him.

He kindly provided me with detailed word document on his father's service record which I have unfortunately lost when my previous computer died. However I am sure that he would be pleased to share this and photos with anyone connected with with the 69th.

From my memory: His fathers battery led by the Duke of Aylesford had arrived in France, early May, and had only been briefly involved in the conflict before they were ordered to retreat.

Outside Herzeele they destroyed their guns, 18 pounders and the Duke made the disastrous decision to take the road west to Wormhoudt (about 4 miles away) to avoid the clogged up roads.

As they approached Wormhoudt, they saw soldiers digging in. All would have been well if they had then turned north on the Wylder road but unfortunately they continued into Wormhoudt and were ambushed by german machine guns firing from motorbike sidecar (others say a tank) at the bridge over the Peenebecq stream on the north side of town..

The gunners dived out the vehicles, Kevin's father and friend into a barn (the friend had a finger shot off) and then into the Stream with most of the survivors. Kevin's father followed the Peenebecq downstream to Dunkirk.

Gunner Parry in the confusion went up stream and was captured. He became a victim of the Barn Massacre.

 

Yes, yes........I contacted Kevin some time ago and he kindly sent me lots of information.

I haven't been able to substantiate how my Grandad got to Dunkirk or the ship he managed to get on back to Blighty, but just reading Kevin's story again and how his Dad was able to board a ship by carrying a stretcher reminded me of the recent movie Dunkirk........makes you wonder whether that was a portrayal of his Father's experiences.

My Grandad and Kevin's Dad were both on SS Samara to North Africa and I would presume they also went to Italy together.

Anyway, if anyone would like me to send them my Grandads story, please don't hesitate to ask.

 

My father also served with the 69th Medium until late 1943. I have some information (from another gunner's diary, serving in the same regiment) about the locations where the 69th were during this period. Happy to share/swap info

 

Hi
I am only just starting to research my dads WW2 records and would appreciate any info. He was in 241 Battery 69th

 

Hi Eryl

If you already have his service records from the MOD then I would suggest you start a new thread where all his details can be kept together.

If you do not have his service records then you need to apply to the MOD which is the only place to obtain WW2 service records, th link to the forms is Request records of deceased service personnel

TD