Hi, I'm trying to find any records on my wifes greatgrandfather, he was serving in 2nd Batt Royal Sussex regt, he was captured in may 1940 in or around Hazebrouck. I have his name rank number etc should they be needed, can anybody shed any further light? I have tried forces war records but to no avail and have little info on what happended at hazebrouck apart a siege that took place there around that time.
Hi, I'm trying to find a record of my wifes greatgrandfather who was caputered while serving with 2nd batt roayal sussex regt around hazebrouck 1940. I have his regt number, rank etc but can find no trace on forces war records anyone have any ideas to help. He also took place in the death march from silesia in 1945 he surived this and made it home.
Welcome to the forum dropshort. No need for multipal posts on same topic. I've dropped a few messages to a couple of members with interst in Royal Sussex & the 1940 campaign. Hope they can help.
hi owen thanks for the welcome i tried to post the 1st one and screen said it was unable to connect so i retyped it lol
Tracking the units route in the war diaries they retreated North from Grand Sec Bois to Meteren to St. Jans Cappel to Poperinge in Belgium. You can see on Google maps this would put his battalion passing just to the East of Hazebrouck between 26 and 29th May. His PoW qestionnaire may have a few more clues, assuming he filled one out when he was repatriated.
Hi Drew, The details are as follows: Name John Bridges Rank Private, Number 6402426, 13 platoon, C Coy 2nd batt captured 29th May 1940, P.O.W. no: 8655. I hope this helps Dropshort
Based on your POW Number I have this record: First Name: J. Last Name: Bridges Rank: Private Regt / Unit: Royal Sussex Regiment Soldier Number: 3240030 Pow: Yes POW Number: 8655 Place and Date: Escaper Evader: Camp: Stalag 344 Camp Location: Lambinowice, Poland Note the Soldier Number difference. Wayne
hi drew thank you this is very interesting and will get time to read it later thank you very much again
Liberation Questionnaire states:- 2nd Batt. Royal Sussex Regt. DOB 22.7.07 Date of enlistment Nov. 1939 Hairdresser Captured Hazebruick, Belg. 29.5.40, not injured Camps XXA Thorn, Poland June 1940 to March 1942 B.A.B.20 Solesia March 1942 to July 1944 344 Silesia July 1944 to March 1945 Under Work camps, he states he worked as a hairdresser (The Frenchman in the Colditz story springs to mind when he was asked to work for the Germans, he volunteered and when he was asked what he could do, he stated he was an undertaker. I hope John gave them silly hair dos!!!) Thorn, Poland June 1940 to March 1942 Regeisfield, Silesia March 1942 to July 1944 Lamsdorf, Solesia July 1944 to March 1945 He received lectures on capture at Seaford, Sussex C.O. Info. He carried out petty sabotage during capture and he states he is confident it is the Int. red Cross whom we have to thank for being alive today as the food supplied by the German's was insufficient to keep one alive. He completed the questionnaire on 12th May 1945. PM your E Mail and l will E Mail you the original or post if you prefer. Regards, Nick
Hi, My father was in X company 2nd Royal Sussex Regiment and “went into the bag” on the morning of the 28th May 1940, near Hazebrouck. His company woke up and found themselves surrounded by German troops. This is consistent with the 2nd Sussex war diary excerpts submitted by Drew5233. The 2nd Sussex had already by the 27th May lost their C.O and A company. No wonder so few made it to Dunkirk.
