I've been wanting to make a post about my great uncle Harry Rogal for a while now, finally got around to doing it. He was killed in action on 11th April 1945 whilst with the 15th Scottish Reconnaissance Regiment moving through Celle. Recce_Mitch very kindly pointed me in the direction of a book that had details of his death, so I'll paste that quote again here. "Next day, 11 April, the regiment again went into the forests around Celle, but this time with the infantry of the Scottish Division hurrying behind to join in the advance. On the road from Fuhrberg A Squadron met demolitions and enemy at the same place as on the previous evening. This was work for the infantry and sappers, and at one o’clock 227 Brigade took over. On the right B Squadron advanced swiftly through the woods to Ramlingen, but the enemy held the important road junction and railway crossing on the main Celle-Hanover road at Ehlershausen. Lieut Jellinek had a car patrol here. Only a civilian was to be seen—until a man jumped out of a ditch with a bazooka which hit Lieut Jellinek’s car at two yards’ range, wounding him and the driver. The German was killed, either by his own panzerfaust or by a grenade thrown from the turret of the car. The scout car was hit almost simultaneously, and Cpl H. Rogal and Tpr L. A. Ward, MM, were killed. Lieut Jock Browne was behind with the carriers of 4 Troop, which fired forward and themselves came under fire. During these exchanges Tpr J. Moffat, Lieut Jellinek’s gunner and wireless operator, scrambled into the driver’s seat, turned the damaged Daimler round in the narrow road and drove it back through the carriers. The Germans were SS troops with guns. After going north and south without finding a way round them, B Squadron kept them under observation until relieved by 46 Brigade late in the afternoon." Chamberlin, Tim; Kemsley, W (2012-07-12). Scottish Lion on Patrol: 15th Scottish Reconnaissance Regiment (Kindle Locations 4117-4124). Casemate Publishers. Kindle Edition." I plan to visit Celle over the next few years, and to visit his grave in Hanover War Cemetary. I've attached some of the photos I have of him below: Photo of him in uniform. I do not have a date for this photo. Harry is here on the right. I'm not sure who the other two chaps are and I don't have a date for this photo either. Writing below says "Our Harry". Harry's grave in Hanover War Cemetary after WW2. His grave photographed more recently. This is the wedding of Christopher Dudley South, my grandfather, who was in GHQ Liaison Regiment "Phantom" (I'll do a separate post about him) and Vera Bertha Rogal, Harry's sister. They were married on September 7th 1940, the day the London Blitz started. You can see Harry here in the background between the two on the left. The two on the left are Harry and Vera's parents, my great-grandfather also called Harry and his wife Martha. Harry Sr was a Lithuanian Jewish immigrant to England who lived in the East End of London. He served in the London Rifles in WW1 and was hit in the head by a shrapnel airburst shell and left for dead. As you can see he survived after someone saw him moving and took him to an aid station. I think this is a photo of Harry at his own wedding, but I don't currently know the name of his wife. I'll try to find out more. As you can see it was torn in two at some point in the past. These two photos are of Chris and Vera South and Harry Rogal and his wife. Text says "The Foursome". I do not have dates for these photos, nor am I sure who the third woman and the child are in the second photo.
Just out of interest - Harry Rogal Sr Harry Rogal in the British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 Name: Harry Rogal Regiment or Corps: Rifle Brigade 12th Battalion Regimental Number: S/24126 TD
Hi Tricky Dicky, thanks for that medal roll, did you get that from the National Archives website? I couldn't find anything last time I looked, perhaps I wasn't using it correctly!
Have made the post about Chris South and his time with Phantom: My grandfather, Tpr Christopher South, 6898866, GHQ Liaison Rgmt "Phantom" A Squadron
Mike There's a mention of the incident in 15 Recce's war diaries (Divisional Troops Group) here: 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division / War Diaries (June 1944 - May 1945) Adam
By the sound of it you know a great deal about your family, although you mention that you do not know Harry’s wife. Some of the following my be interesting. http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2100877/ROGAL,%20HARRY GRO Birth record Q4 1915 Rogal, Harry Mother’s maiden name Bruce District Islington Volume 1b Page 512 GRO Marriage record Q2 1943 Rogal, Harry Spouse Lawlor, Edith R District Southwark Volume 1b Page 82 GRO Marriage record Q4 1910 Rogal, Harry (presumably senior) District Islington Volume 1b Page 700 Spouse Martha Bruce 1911 Census, 4 Daleview Road, South Tottenham Harry Rogal age 26, cabinet maker born Russia Martha Rogal age 27 born Kings Cross Married for 1 year with no children 1939 Register 73a Streatfield Road, Harrow Ely, Kenneth G, DOB 14 July 1915, Married, Ambulance driver Ely, Sarah R, DOB 13 July 1913, Married Ely, Patricia, DOB 20 June 1938, Single Boulton, Wilfred, DOB 20 Oct 1918, Single, Bread baker Rogal, Harry, DOB 15 Oct 1884, Married, Cabinet maker Rogal, Martha, DOB 1 Dec 1883, Married Rogal, Bertha V, DOB 2 Jun 1921, Single, Shop asst Ely, Sarah R, DOB 13 July 1913, married Maybe others GRO Death record Q1 1949 Rogal, Harry Age 64 District Islington Volume 5c Page 1311 Probate Rogal, Harry of 136 Highbury Hill, London NE died 22 March 1949. Administration London 20 June to Martha Rogal, widow GRO Death record Q4 1950 Rogal, Martha Age 66 District Kensington Volume 5c Page 1069 Probate Martha Rogal of 136 Highbury Hill, Hoghbury, widow, died 8 Novemeber 1950 at St Charles Hospital, London W1, Administration London 23 November to Sadie Ely married woman
Hello Mike, You do not mention that your great uncle, like your grandfather was also in Queen Victoria's Rifles. I have the attached extract of 2QVR Part II Orders dated 3 Nov 1939 which shows 6898415 Rfn Rogal, H, C Coy. I was looking for your grandfather, CD South, who may be on another page. I only took a copy of this page as my father is on the list (Rfn Lewis, WL, who later went on to serve in 3 Recce Regt). Regards, Richard.
Thanks for that Richard Lewis , that's great! My Dad told me that as he understood it Harry Rogal had some kind of falling out with a senior officer, which resulted him being transferred to the 15th Scottish Reconnaissance Regiment. I don't really have any more details than that yet.