Hi There.

Discussion in 'User Introductions' started by Gary Parker, May 18, 2020.

  1. Gary Parker

    Gary Parker New Member

    Hi just stumbled across you guys as i was looking for info regarding my grandad, he used to mention it to me quite a lot when he was with us and i have his medals, letters to nanna oh loads of things.

    But recently i got from my mum his Bible!!! which shows (His writing) His full name,his number 4133187 and date he received it 1943, so this has got me intrigued.
    Any pointers as a starter for 10.

    Many thanks
    Gary


    Been browsing a while so i thought its best to join and say "Hi".

    My Grandad was in the 2nd battalion, Cheshire his number was 4133187
     
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  2. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Hi to you, and welcome.
    Only way to start is to send off for his official service records, ONLY available from the MOD:
    Get a copy of military service records

    His service number indicates that he enlisted with the Cheshire Regiment and he was wounded:
    Casualty List No. 1559 Dated 23 September 1944
    Expeditionary Forces / North West Europe / Wounded
    2nd Bn Cheshire regiment
    4133187 SPENCER Pte G Date of casualty 8/9/44
     
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  3. Gary Parker

    Gary Parker New Member


    Hi Many thanks for that (Where did you find that) Just spoke with mum and she says he was blinded for 3 months with shrapnel and she thinks he was in the 8th army.

    Ill have a look at that link you sent me and many thanks for that info (Put a smile on my face as i was very close to my grandad)

    Much appreciated.

    Gary
     
  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Welcome to the forum.
    I'm sure you'll get lots of help on here.
     
  5. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    Hi

    Getting his service record is the only way you can be 100% sure.

    2 The Cheshire Regiment

    Hope this helps.

    Gus
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2020
  6. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Online from 'Findmypast' but it is just a list, as simple as that, and gives no more details. There is very little personal information in the public domain which is why you need the service records.

    Also worth using the site's search facility - box top right - putting Cheshire in gives the following:
    http://ww2talk.com/index.php?search/5954535/&q=cheshire&o=relevance
     
  7. Pat Atkins

    Pat Atkins Well-Known Member

    Welcome to the forum, and good luck with your research.

    Pat

    Edit: a quick Google shows that 50th Div, including 2nd Cheshires, were in action around Geel on the date he was wounded, 8/9/44.
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2020
  8. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    Welcome Gary.
     
  9. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Hello Gary,

    The 2nd Bn Cheshire Regiment was the Medium Machine Gun (Vickers MMG)/Heavy Mortar support unit for the 50th (Northumbrian) Division from 1 February 1941 for the duration. The MMG Company’s would be split between the three 50 Div Infantry Brigades, being:

    151st Infantry Brigade - 6th, 8th & 9th Bns Durham Light Infantry
    69th Infantry Brigade - 5th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment + 6th & 7th Bns Green Howards

    In addition, on D-Day and NW Europe thereafter:

    231st Infantry Brigade - 1st Bn Hampshire Regiment, 1st Bn Dorsetshire Regiment & 2nd Bn Devonshire Regiment.

    Without knowing which Company and better still, Platoon, your grandad served in, it will be impossible to place him exactly at the time he was wounded on 23 September 1944. However, 50 Div was involved in Operation Market Garden and the 2nd Bn Cheshire Regiment’s platoons would have been located somewhere between Eindhoven and likely a little short of Nijmegen on that date.

    Whilst with the 50 Div, the 2nd Bn Cheshire Regiment would have served in the Western Desert and Sicily as part of the 8th Army, including, amongst others, the Battle of Gazala, the Gazala Gallop, the 2nd Battle of El Alamein, Mareth (Wadi Zigazou/Zigzag), perhaps Wadi Akarit (if attached to the 69th Infantry Brigade) and as an assault Division in Operation Husky (the invasion of Sicily and fighting thereafter). In NW Europe, now in the 21st Army Group, as part of an assault Division on Gold Beach on D-Day, the fighting in Normandy, Gheel and Operation Market Garden.

    He would have had a tough war.

    Advise you get his service records per Tony56’s post above and then post these on this thread so that we can help you analyse these.

    Best,

    Steve.
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2020
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  10. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Welcome aboard Gary. Looks like you are off to a running start.
     
  11. veronicad

    veronicad Well-Known Member

    Welcome. We are guys and gal's on here!!
    You seem to be getting on fine. Good luck.
    Veronica.
     
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  12. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

    Hello and welcome to the forum Gary.

    Lesley
     
  13. Wobbler

    Wobbler Well-Known Member

    Welcome Gary.
     

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