Cheshire regiment - locating my dads records

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by Lilbelu, Jun 26, 2012.

  1. Lilbelu

    Lilbelu Junior Member

    Hello everyone

    Hoping that someone can point a novice in
    the right direction. I'm trying to find out about
    my dads WW2 service. Only info I have is that
    he joined the Cheshire regiment in late 1940
    as his marriage to my mum in Dec of that year
    shows him in his military uniform. A good friend
    has helped me establish from the picture of
    him in uniform & the medals he received, that
    he served in the Cheshires. I have no further info
    at all. I recall him telling me he served in Egypt
    & I have some pictures that certainly show him in
    warmer climes.

    Any advice whatsoever would be greatly appreciated
     
  2. Mike L

    Mike L Very Senior Member

    Hi Lilbelu and welcome to WW2Talk.
    You can apply for your Father's service record, see link:
    Ministry of Defence | About Defence | What we do | Personnel | Service Records | Making a Request for Information held on the Personnel Records of Deceased Service Personnel

    It will take up to a year to receive the record (make sure you ask for the full record, not a summary) due to a backlog of applications. Once you have the record members here will be able to help by providing details from other sources such as unit war diaries.
    Good luck and keep us informed. Don't be scared to ask other questions in the meantime, and please post some of the photos you mention.

    Mike
     
  3. Lilbelu

    Lilbelu Junior Member

    Thank you Mike,
    I'll complete 1st thing tomoz. Will have a read-thru & dig out some of the pics I have
    Thx again
     
  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hello do you know what Battalion he was in?
     
  5. TTH

    TTH Senior Member

    If he was in Egypt, he may have been in either the 2nd Cheshires or the 6th. Both served as machine-gun units in the 8th Army, the 2nd Battalion with the 50th Division and the 6th with the 44th Division.
     
  6. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Welcome to the forum Lilbelu.

    I have the regimental history of the Cheshire Regiment in WWII, with my bias being all things 50th (Northumbrian) Division; so 2nd Battalion Cheshire Regiment.

    If you believe I can be of any asistance please let me know - either open on the forum or by PM (personal message).

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  7. Peccavi

    Peccavi Senior Member

    There was action in NA before the 50th arrived!!

    1st Battalion Cheshires were involved from the beginning - mostly in support of the Australians. They were transferred to Malta after the successful taking of Tobruk.

    1st and 2nd were regulars - where was your father living? 6th was recruited from the Stockport area and were mostly conscripts.
     
  8. TTH

    TTH Senior Member

    Yes, I forgot the 1st Bn. They worked with 6th Australian Div in O'Connor's campaign, then went to Malta.
     
  9. Lilbelu

    Lilbelu Junior Member

    Thx for your messages. I don't know his battalion, but he lived in Crewe. I recall him telling me that he came home on a hospital ship, but never spoke of his injury or how it was incurred. His name was Cecil Ballington Stones. I befriended a Jack Gingell who I believe had a higher ranking (though I'm not 100% on this). They remained friends until his death in 1996.
     
  10. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Thx for your messages. I don't know his battalion, but he lived in Crewe. I recall him telling me that he came home on a hospital ship, but never spoke of his injury or how it was incurred. His name was Cecil Ballington Stones. I befriended a Jack Gingell who I believe had a higher ranking (though I'm not 100% on this). They remained friends until his death in 1996.

    There is no mention of either in the index to the Cheshire's regimental history. However, the is a Captain LN Gingell who is listed a MiD (Mentioned in Despatches), but no indication of which battalion he served with. Could this be the same man? I know that in those days what people were called didn't always follow their initials/birth name. For example, I have an uncle who was christened 'Terence' but who has always been called 'Joe'!

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  11. Lilbelu

    Lilbelu Junior Member

    There is no mention of either in the index to the Cheshire's regimental history. However, the is a Captain LN Gingell who is listed a MiD (Mentioned in Despatches), but no indication of which battalion he served with. Could this be the same man? I know that in those days what people were called didn't always follow their initials/birth name. For example, I have an uncle who was christened 'Terence' but who has always been called 'Joe'!

    Best,

    Steve.

    Hi Steve
    I think that LN Gingell is one & the same. His rank would also appear correct, as I'm pretty sure my dad was a private. Is it still the best option to write requesting my Dads service records as a starting point? I do have a picture of his battalion somewhere I think, I'll try & locate & scan in, maybe that could help?
    Thx
    Jackie
     
  12. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Hi Steve
    I think that LN Gingell is one & the same. His rank would also appear correct, as I'm pretty sure my dad was a private. Is it still the best option to write requesting my Dads service records as a starting point? I do have a picture of his battalion somewhere I think, I'll try & locate & scan in, maybe that could help?
    Thx
    Jackie

    Hello Jackie,

    Requesting his FULL service records is the best option, but in the meantime post whatever you have relating to his time in uniform and let's see where we get.

    Were Capt Gingell and your Dad in the same battalion? If they were and we locate the formers MiD, this will give us a good - but not fool proof - guide.

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  13. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Capt (temp) LN Gingell's MiD was awarded for services in Italy. London Gazette link:

    http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37368/supplements/5813/page.pdf

    He was announced as Lieutenant (Honourary Major) in 1949. London Gazette link:

    http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/38571/supplements/1538/page.pdf

    The 2nd Bn fought in Sicily, the 6th and 7th Bns fought on the Italian mainland and the 30th Bn was in Italy too, but I don't believe it saw any action (although individuals from the battalion did whilst on loan to other outfits).

    I hope this proves helpful.

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  14. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Jackie.

    If you establish that he served in 7 CHESHIRE, do get in touch. I have lots of information on their activities on the Garigliano and at Anzio in Italy.

    Regards

    FdeP
     
  15. Peccavi

    Peccavi Senior Member

    Gingell's number 109258 is not a "normal" Cheshire number - should begin with 412.

    I have list of 7th Cheshires who were awarded MiDs in WW2 and he is not listed.
     
  16. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Gingell's number 109258 is not a "normal" Cheshire number - should begin with 412.

    He was an officer - different numbering system!

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  17. Lilbelu

    Lilbelu Junior Member

    Thanks all, hopefully you can all view the attachment. I will trawl through old pics & see what else I can find.
     

    Attached Files:

  18. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Hello Jackie,

    No clues from the photograph for me regarding the battalion. However, the uniforms suggest early WWII and it looks like it was taken in the UK - building, its environment, etc.

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  19. Peccavi

    Peccavi Senior Member

    I think it is Chester Depot and would guess that it is completion of training.

    Do you remember any other names?
     
  20. Lilbelu

    Lilbelu Junior Member

    That seems logical, am pretty sure it was taken in the uk. Sorry, don't recall my dad talking of any other names apart from Jack Gingell. I'm hoping some of his old photos may have places or names shown on the reverse.
     

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