7 Somerset Light Infantry NW Europe 1944/5

I am trying to piece together the history of my Grandfather's participation in events during his 2yrs and 120 days in NW Europe from 19.06.1944 to 16.10.1946.

Donald Freeman
Soldier: 5671129
Enlisted in Guernsey on 28/08/1935 at 14yrs and ended up serving for 13yrs with colours.
Transferred out as Sergeant.

Don Served with 7th Battalion The Somerset Light Infantry in The Normandy Campaign as part of the 214th Infantry Brigade under the 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division.

I have a photo of him with two comrades. On the back he has written December 1944, Bourg Leopold, Belgium. I have his medals and a collection of private letters he wrote to my Nan from the trenches, none of which mention any action at all just arbitrary training and weather but he was quite the romantic; on 11th October 1944 he asked my Nan to marry him. I digress, anyway, the return address he wrote on the letter included a line for 'C Coy' - which might also be useful in pinpointing him at that time.


I have researched this forum and other sources which have already lead me down the right path - thank you so much. I have bought but am awaiting delivery of the Story of the Seventh Battalion The Somerset Light Infantry June 1944 to May 1945 and am planning to visit the museum in Taunton. I have read the WD for September 1944 in which 7SomLI seemed quite active, though I must confess, I am struggling with the shorthand and abbreviation:- How might I find WDs for the former and remaining months?

I wondered whether I might be lucky enough to find someone here who may have any specific detail of C Coy, may have known him, or indeed if anyone knows any of the other two chaps in the photo. It's possible this could be the only photo of somebody else's Father or Grandfather in service. If so I'm glad to have provided it.

I know also that he had shell scars down his left side resulting from a mortar or grenade attack in which he lost comrades but I cannot offer a date. I have heard blurred stories from my Father that Don was involved in some hand-to-hand combat in which he killed a young German soldier and this seemed to have affected him emotionally - he took some personal possessions from the soldier and kept them safe with his limited personal memorabilia until he died.

Whilst I always had the utmost love and respect for my Grandfather I just wish I knew the young man he was and what he endured.

Respect to all who serve their country that we might live in the free land of a better world.

Here is a link to the file on Picasa, Don is on the left:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/g1CQ6uaygga1HWGv639QQR6VutHNTqmvPgi0WdE2Z6Y?feat=directlink

 

Hello and welcome to the forum. Here's his units war diaries held at the National Archives:

WO 171/1373 7 Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert's) 1944 Jan.- Dec.

WO 171/5272 7 Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert's) 1945 Jan.- Dec.

 

Thanks Drew5233. I must pay the NA a visit. I've also seen the post of Overlord Daily Maps and know that 7SomLI were part of Second Army, 30 Corps but the digital copy makes it difficult to pinpoint units. Do you know if the originals are available at The NA as well? I'm guessing I can pay to make copies of such documents. Do you know if anyone has ever taken the time to transcribe them? Might be a little project for me but only for 7SomLI detail.

 

The docs/maps on 21AG you have looked at were copied by me originally. I still hav ethe originals


Just got a call and have to shoot back to work - click the link below about copy files

I'll be back !

 

Hello and welcome to the forum. My Grandad served with the RAMC as part of 43 Div from Normandy until the end of the war. I don't know if you are aware but there is a quite decent single volume history of the Division that covers this period. It's entitled The Fighting Wessex Wyverns by Patrick Delaforce and you should be able to pick up a copy quite cheaply.

Cheers

JB

 

Drew5233, you have mail.

JB, I hadn't considered researching the 43rd at large or any of the other units, mostly because I hadn't assumed that they would be moving around together and so would not point to Grandad's involvement. I'm not a military man and I don't have a feel for the overall 'movement', sequence of events, or even the battles and how they may have shaped subsequent events. But your point is a good one and such research would certainly help to build a better understanding for the role of 43 Div and it's units. I guess the units couldn't have been far apart from each other. If you recommend it I will look into buying a copy of this book from Amazon. Thank you and I hope you have a good history of your Grandad as I hope to of mine. Men of steel.

**EDIT**
I have ordered the book JB recommended from Amazon together with a copy of H. Essame. The 43rd Wessex Division at War, 1944-1945.

 

I've just come across details of a film held at the Imperial War Museum which shows the 7th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry marching in single file through the village of Le Mesnil-Auzouf towards Montamy on 5th August 1944. I would love to view this but at least it places Grandad at a location and time.

[the 43RD (WESSEX) DIVISION IN ACTION ON 30TH CORPS' FRONT IN THE 'BOCAGE'] [Allocated] | Imperial War Museums

 

...

 

Thanks for that stolpi, more to research and the operation seemed to be a success. - I have now ordered Essame's "The 43rd Wessex Division at War, 1944-1945". I can't wait to read the books.

 

Found this: Troops of the 7th Somerset Light Infantry, 43rd (Wessex) Division resting during the assault on Geilenkirchen in Germany, 18 November 1944.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/S6nsekTJQLd_c9uDCEEtpR6VutHNTqmvPgi0WdE2Z6Y?feat=directlink

 

....

 

i've noticed that you mentioned that your Grandfather was wounded in action? The following link relates to 213 Field Ambulance, RAMC which was attached to 214 Infantry Brigade. At some point in your future research you might find it useful?

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/unit-documents/41455-213-field-ambulance-43rd-wessex-division-nwe-july-1944-march.html

 

This is all really very good stuff, how exhilarating! Thank you, thank you. Keep it coming. I'm sure I'll have lots more questions once I get the books as well as the 1944 and 1945 War Diaries.

 

Try this link for Naval and Military Press. The history of the 7th Battalion is on sale:

Results for somerset light infantry :: Naval & Military Press

 

Thank you Owen. I shall hound Ken Smith once I have found my feet a little. Perhaps he will find his way to this thread and contact me of his own accord. I don't feel very confident in approaching people directly yet as I'm not even sure what questions to ask. Perhaps I will send him a PM to let him know about the thread so that he is at least aware of what I am trying to achieve. It would certainly be most useful to have some guidance or detail from an expert from the field. Thank you.

 

Hi Mark,

I see dryan has posted a link to the Battalions history-Call me old fashioned but I'd prefer the original book rather than a cheap Naval Military Press copy. I purchased a BEF France and Flanders book from them and the quality was rubbish and as Owen has pointed out in the past, they had left a few pages out of the book by mistake. The maps were low quality black and white copies. I got an original copy a few weeks later and there was no competition-The maps were in colour for starters. Each to their own at the end of the day though

There's some second hand copies for sale on Abe:

'The Story of The Seventh Battalion The Somerset Light Infantry' - AbeBooks

Cheers
Andy

 

I am now the proud owner of a First Edition of The Story of The Seventh Battalion The Seventh Light Infantry, originally reserved for the men of the Seventh Battalion and for their next-of-kin only.

Happy days.

 

I am now the proud owner of a First Edition of The Story of The Seventh Battalion The Seventh Light Infantry, originally reserved for the men of the Seventh Battalion and for their next-of-kin only.

Happy days.

Good stuff.