British Unit Histories

Discussion in 'Research Material' started by Paul Reed, Feb 29, 2004.

  1. Belville

    Belville Senior Member

    Do you have anything on th 8th (Kings Royal Irish) Hussars, particularly around June 1944.

    Chris Attwood

    I don't see a reply to this. I'm interested in the 8th Hussars about 16th February, 1941. They must have been in North Africa, as the man I am interested in is buried in Benghazi. Does anyone know of a regimental history?

    Belville
     
  2. Rich

    Rich Member

    Hi,

    Does anyone have a war diary for the 6th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, or similar information, specifically for the period from 1939 until Dunkirk?
    I have done an internet search on the national archives website, but the only downloads I can find are WW1 documents.

    Many thanks,

    Rich.
     
  3. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    I don't see a reply to this. I'm interested in the 8th Hussars about 16th February, 1941. They must have been in North Africa, as the man I am interested in is buried in Benghazi. Does anyone know of a regimental history?

    Belville

    BBC - WW2 People's War - James Kenna - The Story of A Prisoner of War

    He was posted to the 8th Kings's Royal Irish Hussars in Egypt on 6th January 1937. When the Mobile Division was formed in 1938 the 8th Hussars was one of the original units that formed what was then called 'The Light Armoured Brigade'. They then became one of the founders of the 7th Armoured Division - ‘The Desert Rats’ in December 1939. and took part in the British offensive in late 1940 which re-captured Sidi Barrani and Bardia from the Italians and then in February 1941, the decisive battle of Beda Fomm, which lead to the capture of most of the Italian forces in North Africa at the time.
    In March 1941 the 8th Hussars saw brief service in Greece before returning to North Africa as part of the Ist Armoured Division. July 1941 found the 8th Hussars back as part of the 4th Armoured Brigade with which they then fought during Operation Crusader, suffering heavy casualties when attacked in the rear by the 15th Panzer Division, which left them with just eight Honey Tanks fit for battle, with 35 having been captured in this engagement.
    After a re-fit the 8th Hussars were once again part of the 4th Armoured Brigade with which it served during the Gazala battles of May and June 1942, suffering heavy losses at Bir Hacheim, where once again they were almost annihilated showing amazing bravery before withdrawing with the rest of the 8th Army to El Alamein.
     
  4. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Hi,

    Does anyone have a war diary for the 6th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, or similar information, specifically for the period from 1939 until Dunkirk?
    I have done an internet search on the national archives website, but the only downloads I can find are WW1 documents.

    Many thanks,

    Rich.

    Unfortunatelty WW2 diaries are not available to download yet. You have to visit TNA to see them.
     
  5. Rich

    Rich Member

    Unfortunatelty WW2 diaries are not available to download yet. You have to visit TNA to see them.

    Thanks Paul,

    I will have to make my way to the National Archives at some point.

    Rich.
     
  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Been out to a small unit in a farmyard out near Cricklade.
    Welcome to Aviabooks Second Hand Books

    To buy this,
    C.N. Barclay. The History of the 53rd (Welsh) Division in the Second World War.
     
  7. marcus69x

    marcus69x I love WW2 meah!!!

    Sounds like a good book Owen. That's the type of thing I'm after. Gonna go on a spending spree at the end of the month I think. I'll be asking for some recommendations just before. Watch this space.
     
  8. Bodston

    Bodston Little Willy

    Hope you can help me.
    Do you have any thing on 2nd div 14th army, particually 2DLI, 1bn royal Berks Regt or 1bn Royal Welch Fusiliers. I'm also desperate for info on REME in 2nd div. Anything will help!
    Thanks
    craftman
    Just read this old post.
    I have a copy of 'Craftsmen of the Army, the Story of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers'
    There is some brief mention of operations in Burma and SEAC, nothing specific, it mainly deals with training and setting up the of the Indian version, IEME.
     
  9. Richard Harrison

    Richard Harrison Senior Member

    my grandfather Kenneth Joseph harrison fus. 3133174 dob 25/04/17

    he was attached to 2nd Bat royal scots fusiliers 5th Div as a bren gun carrier driver if you had any info i would be very greatfull :)
     
  10. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Just got my copy of 46th Division history.

    [​IMG]
     
  11. NORMAN MURPHY

    NORMAN MURPHY Junior Member

    I have quite a lot of unit, regimental and divisional histories for British and Commonwealth units in WW2, mainly for NW Europe and Italy. Am happy to look up specific requests for info for forum members.
    Hi I am looking for info on any units which fought at Mersa el Brega Libya Feb- March 1941

    Norm
     
  12. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    HandtoHand22

    I would look at the National Archives for the LAA war diaries. Went to RA Museum at Woolwich first to look at 102 LAA diaries re my dad's unit, but found those at Kew more complete.

    Robert
     
  13. Philip Reinders

    Philip Reinders Very Senior Member

    If you make a scan/photograph Robert, and can spare to send them it would be great
     
  14. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Phillip

    Having taken notes of 102 LAA Regt, I aim by the end of this year to get a complete copy of every page (from forming up on 1 Dec '41 to 6 March 46 when they were disbanded) for my Family project. You must be a clairvoyant as I planned to copy you when I complete this task. Will be taking a camera this time as queuing for copies is a real drag.

    Robert.
     
  15. brispencer

    brispencer Member

    Does anyone know how I can source any information on 2nd Batt Coldstream Guards late May/early June 1940. I know they were positioned about 20 miled south east of Dunkirk in the rearguad but detail seems to dosappear at that point. I have spent about a week on internet and Coldstream Guard sites seem a bit thin. I assume there were diaries and dispositions documented so any info. woul dbe helpful.

    Incidentally, I came across a book today "Dunkirk, retreat to victory" by Major General Julian Thompson only just published. It seems to have some good detail if anyone is interested.
     
  16. Philip Reinders

    Philip Reinders Very Senior Member

    The same as Robert, brispencer visit the NA in Kew, they are holding the War diairies, which would provide you with this information.

    Thanks Robert, yes I know sometimes its very crowded indeed
     
  17. saintconor

    saintconor Senior Member

    For anyone interested I have the war diary for:

    1st Battalion Royal Innsikilling Fusiliers - the period during the retreat from Burma.

    2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers - the evacuation from Dunkirk period.
     
  18. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Got a couple of bargins of eBay this last week.

    4th Indian Division History for 16 quid including P & P.

    51st Highland Division History for 12 quid inc p & p.

    Both origianls from 1950s.
    I'm happy.
     
  19. Philip Reinders

    Philip Reinders Very Senior Member

    indeed good ones, I got 2 Canadian Anti booklet units from 1945, for free this weekend from someone I know.
    The units books from 1940s- 50s are getting hard to get
     
  20. AndyBaldEagle

    AndyBaldEagle Very Senior Member

    Owen
    Whats did Mrs Owen say? I thought you got told off last time for buying books! I still have boxes of military books to get rid of, as I need the space and have downsized my collection considerably. I will publish a list of 'em all when I get to it!
    And before anyone asks I'm accessing the site from work (naughty me!)

    Regards

    Andy
     

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