70th Northamptonshire Regiment...

Hello, I joined this forum about a week ago and added a few posts to an existing thread about 2nd Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment where I received lots of information that helped me to find out where my Great Uncle - John Hughes Jacques - was killed on 30th October 1943. - Thanks again

Could anyone help with this query please? - We have three letters and on one of the addresses sent from Newquay - it says 70th Northamptonshire Regiment.

The only reference I have found linked to the Northamptons is a 70th Brigade...Does anyone know anymore? He was doing signalling training there.

Thank you very much,

Jules.

 

He also did this sketch of the NAFFI at the camp..

 

Hi Jules

There are war diaries at Kew for the 70 Northamptonshire Regt from 1939 to 1943. They were based in the UK during this period. A training regiment if I am correct.

The war diary might tell you what was happening on the date you are looking at in 1943.

Regards - Rob

 

The war diary for 1943 finishes in September. Obviously he had moved to another unit by the time he died, so you need to apply for his service records to get more information.

Do you know who the next of kin is, as you need their signature to apply for them and unfortunately £30 to get them.

 

Hi Rob,

I was querying the addresses because we think he enlisted in 1941 (he was definitely with a regiment in Lincoln in January 1942) and it just seemed a long time if he wasn't on Active Service until 1943.

The next of kin is my Great Aunt and I am hoping that she will agree to let me order the service records. Unfortunately, I don't live in the UK anymore so a visit to Kew is out of the question. I shall have to keep my fingers crossed that my Aunt will sign the forms - and be patient!

Thanks for the information about it being a training regiment. It helps piece together what I have so far

 

The 70th was a Young Soldiers' Battalion, these provided continuation training and had a home defence role. The Battalion started off at Kettering but moved to Truro in July 1941, staying in the south-west thereafter. Initially it only had rifle companies but gained specialist platoons - including signals - in early 1942.

Perhaps he first attended an Infantry Training Centre in Lincoln, then got posted to 70th Northamptonshires? The Lincolnshire Regiment didn't have a Young Soldiers' Battalion which may explain the move.

The address on the second letter isn't 3rd Battalion Northamptonshires, it's the 3rd Bn of No.1 Infantry Reinforcement Training Depot (IRTD) in North Africa where he would have been held/trained on his way to 2nd Battalion.

 

Rosy - Ramacal is quite right inasmuch as most higher numbers of various battalions within a regiment - were training or Holding Battalions in order to be able to reinforce the fighting battalions - note that he was also in the IRTD - Infantry Reinforcement Training Depot in the BNAF - North Africa Force prior to heading for the CMF - Central Mediterranian Force ( Italy) with the 2nd Battalion.
Cheers

 

According to the Regimental history, the 70th Battalion was raised in December 1940 .

The 70th Battalion Northamptonshires moved to Truro in July 1941 and were to spend the rest of their existence in Cornwall.

They were one of the four battalions of 73rd Independent Infantry Brigade and were fully employed in airfield defence, with training only at intervals. They gained Signals, Carrier and mortar platoons early in 1942.

By the end of 1943, the Young Soldiers' Battalions were being disbanded, not least because the manpower was needed elsewhere.

 

It's my round next for the beers!

All this information certainly seems to explain why he was in Lincoln/Newquay and why my family said he had been in North Africa onwards until he was killed in Italy.

I had misunderstood the "3rd Battalion" address. It had me as puzzled as the 70th Regiment...!

Thanks everyone for your help. I really appreciate it very much and I hope in time I can help out someone here at some point too.

Jules.

 

I have recently got hold of a copy of the Northamptonshire Regimental History could you tell me where I can get information about the 70th Battalion please? Thanks.

Jules.

 

Which book do you have Jules ? If it's Jervois's 1953 Regimental history then you need to look at pages 94 - 95. Not a lot, I'm afraid.

 

I have a Gale and Polden History of the 58th '39 - '45 copy. Not seen anything there. I have spoken to Paul Robinson at the museum and he could only tell me pretty much what has already been posted here. Not to worry Thanks anyway Rich.

Jules.

 

I have the History of the 58th as well but the title of '58th Regiment' was only used by the 2nd Battalion of the Northamptonshire Regiment after the 1881 amalgamations. The 1st Battalion was the 48th Regiment and new battalions (such as the 70th) formed after 1881 did not have the references to the old Regiments of Foot.

The information that I've posted is about the extent of that to be found in the wider 'History of the Northamptonshire Regiment' which covers all the battalions (but not necessarily in greater detail). For anyone other than a committed enthusiast, either one of the volumes will suffice.

The wider volume is not cheap either.

jervois - northamptonshire - AbeBooks

 

Thanks for the link. No they're not cheap. I was surprised at how much some of the copies of the book I have were going for and even so I still think they saw me coming! However, it's great to have it!

 

Unfortunately, WW2 histories of the less celebrated regiments have yet to be re-printed (perhaps they never will be). This is in contrast with WW1 where almost all of the official histories are now available in reprint form.

The lack of reprints means that researchers are competing with the collector's market for something that was not produced in particularly large numbers.

We've all paid over the odds for some books but second-hand bookshops have to live too and if the service was pleasant and you're happy with the book then who's to say it was expensive ?

 

We've all paid over the odds for some books but second-hand bookshops have to live too and if the service was pleasant and you're happy with the book then who's to say it was expensive ?

Good point Rich!

 

hi my dad Roland Crossley Private 14412527 has just started to talk to me about his wartime experiences. Until now it was never something he could speak of. He showed me a photo dated March 1943 entitled
Training Coy 70th Northamptonshire Regiment No7 Squad. He is at the end of one of the rows of smart young men. My dad said he went to Newquay.
Later on he was sent to the Durham Light Infantry and went to Nomandy D6 in June 1944. I think he witnessed many horrors there and lost the majority of his comrades.
My father came from Leicester originally. I wonder if anyone can give any more information . I think my father would be pleased to hear about it. Thank you
Thelma ( nee Crossley )

 

Hello Thelma
It is a good idea (if you haven't already) is to send off for his service records.Link below.
Make sure you log and record your Fathers experiences.
https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records


regards
Clive

 

Hello Thelma,

I`ve sent a PM regarding a site of possible interest for your Dad.

Kyle

 

Thelma,
If you look in again please let us know if you found anything in relation to your dad Thanks

Kyle