9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (Normandy, June 1944)

If anyone has access to a copy of the War Diary for the 9th Battalion D.L.I. in Normandy during June 1944 be able to assist me with a summary please? It is mainly for additional background information for research of a 9th Bn. casualty who died at the end of June 1944.

The 9th were brigaded with the 6th D.L.I. and 8th D.L.I. in the 151st Brigade, part of 50th (Northumberland) Division.

Thanks

 

Hi,
Is it Joseph Casson ? Who died of wounds? Originally buried at Jerusalem but moved (with his brother to Ryes?)



Kyle

 

Hi,
The 9th Bn War Diary at Kew, WO 171/1291, is missing the month of June 1944.

Regards

Danny

 

If the casualty is CASSON, he and his brother's headstone is shown in this thread of DLI headstones I did a few years ago.

(Edit - Detailed posted)

Name: CASSON, JOSEPH
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Durham Light Infantry
Unit Text: 9th Bn.
Age: 18
Date of Death: 27/06/1944
Service No: 14674155
Additional information: Son of David and Mary Ellen Casson, of Whitehaven, Cumberland.
Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. B. 1.
Cemetery: RYES WAR CEMETERY, BAZENVILLE





And his older brother killed on D-Day. They lay next to one another.

Name: CASSON, ROBERT
Rank: Marine
Regiment/Service: Royal Marines
Unit Text: No. 45 Commando.
Age: 25
Date of Death: 06/06/1944
Service No: EX/3236
Additional information: Son of David and Mary Ellen Casson, of Whitehaven, Cumberland.
Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. B. 2.
Cemetery: RYES WAR CEMETERY, BAZENVILLE

 

Yes, it is Joseph Casson thanks. Relatives have applied for his service record and are currently waiting for this to arrive. Ideally this can then be cross referenced with what can be traced of 9th D.L.I.'s movements.

The service record for Joseph's brother Robert, K.I.A. on 6 June and buried in the next grave to Joseph at Ryes, showed he was not with 45 R.M.C. as the CWGC record stated. He was with 46 R.M.C. / H.Q. 4th S.S. Bgde. (The CWGC has now amended its record).

 

The Wayback Machine is defeating me at the moment but there used to be a DLI website (a former member's, but name escapes me) that I think had a transcript of the 9 DLI June 44 WD. I recall it not being at Kew, so I'm pretty certain that's the one. I assume it was sourced from the DLI Museum (god rest it's soul) or a veteran.

 

Former Members name is Verieres (Jim).

 

There was more than one `51st HD` (Stewart Coupar) had an excellent 9 DLI site dealing exclusively with June 44

Ramacal is correct ,but Verrieres site has moved to a new server Diane (DBF) was kind enough to update the link to it recently but the NWF section doesn't appear to have war diary entries?

Kyle

 

I didn't want to promise what I might not have been able to deliver. It's a pdf-printed webpage from Stewart's defunct DLI site. I believe I messaged him at the time through his site to establish the source, but can't find any response.

Admin: it is referenced, but feel free to kill it if you must...

 

Just as a follow up to idlers post i have messaged Verrieres (Jim) too,he does not have a copy of the June 44 `official` diary for the 9th DLI either. Sorry.
He is however in contact with Stewart so he will message him this evening with a view to either returning here to establish if another copy exists or if he wishes he can forward an answer to Verrieres which I can then post here for you.

Kyle

 

An observation and a question:

1. Harry Moses ‘Gateshead Gurkhas’, the battalion history, includes similar words to those quoted by Kyle and then:

There is a War Diary for June 1944, even if not at Kew.

NB. The date in square brackets entered by me to aid understanding.

2. We know when Pte Joseph Casson died of his wounds, but do we know on which date he was wounded? Armed with this date we may be able to build the picture you need from other sources.

Best,

Steve.

 

Hello Steve,

I was told of Harry Moses quote and read his chapter on the days they spent in France ,June 44 and thought he relied heavily on the IWM sound archive of which he was a founder then once June is out the detail returns together with the dates (missing in the early pages) Thinking aloud could the war Diary be that of the `151 Brigade` (If that exists) or a divisional diary ,50th Div?
In relation to Joseph dying of his wounds I know the official list states this but the CWGC are stating killed in action ?

Casualty

Josephs records will more than likely be overstamped with either `Killed in Action` or `Died of Wounds` and little else so I can see Ritsonvaljos purpose in enquiring into more info. I also was made aware that there are battalion summaries for 6th DLI and 8th DLI for June 44 but 9th DLI..appears ....missing

I would presume these originated from Mr Moses?

Kyle

 

It could be a 151st Infantry Brigade War Diary, Kyle.

It may be worth contacting Harry Moses. He was helpful on a DLI matter to me 5 or so years ago.

Let’s see how the search goes over the next few days and if no progress, then maybe I’ll contact Harry. Hope he’s well?!

Best,

Steve.

 

Steve,All,
I received the following from Verrieres regarding his enquiry into the 9th DLI Diary;-

Kyle

 

Hello Kyle,

It would appear that to progress with obtaining the War Diary (assuming it exists) that, either, the DLI records are accessed or Harry Moses is approached.

I believe the physical DLI archive is now maintained by Durham County Council at Sevenhills, Spennymoor, but that the War Diaries are held at County Hall in Durham. I will make an enquiry with County Hall first, unless you tell me not to bother/advise differently.

Best,

Steve.

 

Hello Steve ,

I am sure anything you do will be appreciated by Ritson . I could only think of asking Verrieres who happened to be in touch with the guy who had the other DLI website (lucky really) about the diary and having done that and received a very detailed reply I am a bit reluctant to go back and ask him now to contact Harry Moses (who I know he knows too) and ask him the same questions (if that makes sense and doesn't sound too bad? )
I have been to Durham before but you have to make an appointment and the War Diaries I have seen there have been on microfiche with a point blank refusal given when I requested to view the originals,the Sevenhills facility now claim to have the battalion histories .

What will I find in the Research and Study at Sevenhills in Spennymoor? - Durham County Council

The Index to the holdings at County Hall (Records Office) are online but I do not know how up to date this facility is, it certainly does not show any diaries for the period but if the part diary was Harry Moses it could have been simply grouped in the 9DLI History documents whose References I posted in #12.

Best

Kyle

 

I'm currently working at the DLI Research Archive at Sevenhills , Spennymoor and one of the projects we have is putting together as much information as we can gather on the DLI casualties from the Battle of Normandy including Joseph Casson .The Spennymoor archive contains all the originals items that formed the Museum collection plus many Divisional and Bn histories , journals , magazines and research articles . I am working wioth Harry Moses on the Normandy project and he is very kindly handing over all his book research material as he is now engaged on the history of 1 DLI.

Durham County Records Office at County Hall still looks after the main document and photo collection and the Bn War Diaries are there. The 9 DLI WD for June does exist i have a copy it here with me now so just let me know what dates you are specifically interested in ?

regards

Paul

 

Best source there is for Normandy casualties run by my friend and fellow Battlefield Guide Carl Shilleto

Fallen Heroes of Normandy | Detail

 

Well I never... Good to hear from you, Paul.

Without in any way trying to be cheeky, I’d like the whole of June 1944 (not just the summary, but the applicable appendices/attachments too).

Is there a copying service and if so, do you know how much it would likely cost for the foregoing?

Please pass on my regards to Harry. Unlikely he will recall our exchange (I was after information on the availability of an out of publication DLI book) as it was a long time ago, but you never know...

Best,

Steve.

 

Yes the DCRO have a copying service Steve i am there on friday so will go back through the 9 DLI WD for any appendices/attachments . Sadly the WD is handwritten and is not one that has included a great deal of detail compared to others.

Joseph Casson was killed during the attritional fighting between Tilly sur seulles and the Juvigny - Hottot road . No actual detail of his death have emerged to date.

I'll be seeing Harry on Thursday Steve so will pass on your regards