Hello everyone. Despite trudging through Wikipedia, I haven't answered my question, so maybe you can help. Were there any Green Howard battalions in the 1st Army in North Africa? Cheers Steve
Steve, As Tom and Drew say, no..as no doubt, you know, two battalions served with 8th Army in the Western Desert and in Sicily within 50th Div. 69th Infantry Brigade 5th Bn. The East Yorkshire Regiment (The Duke of York’s Own) 6th Bn. The Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own Yorkshire Regiment) 7th Bn. The Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own Yorkshire Regiment) edit - and see below's further information. best
The 50th (Northumbrian) Division had four battalions of Green Howards during its time in the 8th Army: 150th Infantry Brigade: 4th and 5th Bns Green Howards; and 69th Infantry Brigade; 6th and 7th Bns Green Howards. The 150th Infantry Brigade was overrun by the DAK/Axis forces at Gazala on 1 June 1942 and those not killed were taken PoW. The 4th and 5th Bns Green Howards were later struck off the nominal role and the Brigade replaced temporarily for the 2nd Battle of El Alamein by the Greek Brigade. The 1st Bn Green Howards, 15th Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division, served in Palestine, Syria and Egypt; the latter in preparation for Operation Husky - the Sicily landings and campaign. They also fought in Italy for circa 9 months, before returning to Palestine. No other Green Howard ballation served in these theatres; North Africa, Western Desert, Sicily/Italy. However, it is likely that Officers Commissioned into the Green Howards served with regiments in 1st Army. Best, Steve.
Thanks all. I've seen some medals for sale, with paperwork to a Green Howards serviceman. However, the Africa Star has a First Army clasp. So it appears all is not right. Shame. Thanks again for the replies. Steve
I know of one specific Green Howards' commissioned officer who served with the 38 (Irish) Brigade in Tunisia from Dec 1942 to May 1943... edit. make that two.. Surnames - Dunnill and Davidson.
Do bear in mind he may have been cap badged GHs and been serving with another unit. I can't speak post 1940 (not my area) but I have seen plenty of cases of Infantry men serving with RA, RE and RASC units in France and vice versa all documented in war diaries. The only way you'd know for sure would be his service records. A
He could have served with another unit in first Army. If an officer could have been on the staff of a formation.
Thanks all. He was a private. But yes, it's not as clear cut as I first thought then. Cheers for your time. Steve
What's his army number ? Is it for a different regiment than the block allocated to the Green Howards ? Are his medals for sale online? If so can you post a link.
Hi Owen, His army number is 4749252 Here's a link to the auction:- http://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/lockdales/catalogue-id-2891683/lot-21973570 Cheers Steve
Hello Steve, That is a Yorks and Lancs Regiment service number. The 6th Bn York & Lancs served with the 46th Infantry Division, 1st Army, in North Africa. I have been working on another thread regarding Cpl M Lemberger who was KIA sometime between 23 October and 14 November 1942. He too had a Yorks & Lancs Regiment service number but was serving with the 7th Bn Green Howards when he was KIA in the Western Desert. From further research undertaken it appears that two other 7th Bn Green Howards men out of ten other KIAs the same day were originally from the Yorks & Lancs Regiment. I wonder if there was an 'en bloc' transfer of men from the Yorks & Lancs (1st Army) to the Green Howards (8th Army) during this period, even if only replacements sent from the UK and moved quickly from 1st Army to 8th Army, i.e. arrived N Africa, transfered Westren Desert almost immediately. His service records should reveal all... Best, Steve.
Thanks Steve, That makes sense now. Cheers. I'll probably put a bid on that, although I always seem to get outbid with Lockdales! Cheers Steve
Not adding too much to the detail of the research on the individual - but just to note that 78th Div's first landing in Algeria took place on 8th November 1942... 46th Division arrived in early 1943. best
My great-uncle died on 5 June 1942 during what I think was the Battle of Gazala. The information from CWG is that he was in the 7th Battalion Green Howards. Your information seems to suggest otherwise? Have I understood it correctly?
My great-uncle died on 5 June 1942 during what I think was the Battle of Gazala. The information from CWG is that he was in the 7th Battalion Green Howards. Your information seems to suggest otherwise? Have I understood it correctly?
Respectfully, I don't think so. 6 and 7 Green Howards were (from what Steve wrote) in 69 Brigade, and that Brigade was also at Gazala. According to wikipedia, "The 69th Brigade and the remaining units of 50th Northumbrian Division had to escape by attacking west through the enemy lines then sweeping back east to the south of the enemy forces, eventually they reached the El Alamein line by 1 July." 69th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom) - Wikipedia
Correct, Chris. Anne - The whole of the 50th (Northumbrian) Division were in the Gazala line, being: 150th Infantry Brigade: 4th Bn East Yorkshire Regt, and 4th & 5th Bns Green Howards; 69th Infantry Brigade: 5th Bn East Yorkshire Regt, and 6th & 7th Bns Green Howards; 151st Infantry Brigade: 6th, 8th & 9th Bns Durham Light Infantry; - and supporting troops. Only the 150th Infantry Brigade and its supporting troops got overrun on 1 June 1942. The other two brigades remained in the line until 14th/15th June 1942 when, surrounded by the enemy, they were ordered to breakout and reassemble at ‘the wire’ in Egypt. The 7th Bn Green Howards would have lost men during the Gazala battle(s), during the breakout and in-between those dates. NB. I am working from memory on the dates, so trusting that they are right! Best, Steve.