Looking trough the massive amounts of war diaries hold by the national archives, I noticed that there are diaries for Town Majors. They all are filed under WO 171/ But more then a number is not given. How would I find these files for my area of interest and what could I expect to find in them? Anyone on this forum who has expierience with these?
Hi Ray, WO 171 Series - Theatre: North West Europe: Browse records of other archives | The National Archives Perhaps there is a list of districts with codes within the files. Otherwise it might just be a matter of checking each file... ...
Yes maybe I should read one and hope for an index. If not it will be too time consuming. I do not travel to the archives on a regular basis and always try to get the most out of the time spent there.
Hi Town Majors was the term given to the Military Officer given the responsibility for looking after the civilian population of a town or village. They were also the representative of the military power that was running their county after the axis powers left. It wasn't necessarily a job for Major's either. I have read documents that suggest that a Lt. looked after the Greek Island of Salamis as Town Major after the Germans left. I have read they were part peacekeeper, part magistrate, part Councillor, part Mayor, part arbitrator. A real jack of all trades. Here is the one in Athens in December of 1944. The number 53 is the unit ID given in the Op Manna OOB. But I've never seen a WD on one as yet. Gus
Thanks Gus, They are in the archives but just by number and no location. Just check out the link Dbf mentioned above.
I'm interested in the south of the Netherlands "the Kempen". Say from Eindhoven to the Belgium border. But thanks anyway.
HQ 12 Line of Communication Sub Area was in Helmond-NL until 24 Jun 45, replaced by HQ 21 Line of Communication Sub Area in Eindhoven-Sonnis-NL. The Kew reference for the HQ 12 Line of Communication Sub Area War Diary from 1 Jan 45 to 31 Aug 45 is WO 171/4525, Town Major details should be therein. Best of luck with your research
Town Majors were also involved in sorting out accommodation for the troops. I attach some war diary extracts from 83 Town Major in Hanover to give you an idea of what he did. In September 1945, I believe that 85 Town Major was in Eindhoven. His War Diary for 1945 is at WO 171/7611. Dave
Little bit off thread. After being wounded my father was posted to 307 Military Gov. Det. This was a unit very top heavy in Officers whose task was to re-establish a German Gov. I was browsing through the war diaries to see if there was a mention of Town Majors without success (Reams of minutes of committee meetings) I was surprised at the amount of apparent civil disorder including murder of a British Officer posted some trial reports. Sorry file will not upload but it contains 6-7-8th Sept 45 Unlawful possession of arms. Accused 13 Guilty 9 not guilty 4. Sentences range from 10 years to 51 days 12-13 Sept 45 Nicolia Kowziga a Russian displaced person was tried and convicted of shooting and causing death of Capt HX Dixon 1/4 KOYLI sentenced to death. 12-13 Sept 45 12 arms cases 12 accused 10 guilty sentences from 1 to 7 years 50 Poles tried for general disorder Bound over 4 3 years 8 10 years 15 20 years 8 Death 4 Escaped 2 Those military Judges could not be accused of light sentencing!
For laws in the British Zone of Control in Germany in 1945 see copies of the "Military Government Gazette" available from the Legal Tools website. For early editions see, for example: https://www.legal-tools.org/doc/b779df/pdf/ https://www.legal-tools.org/doc/f4265c/pdf/
Here are a couple more with SOME of the places mentioned in them: WO 171/3494 Eindhoven WO 171/3519 Eindhoven, Uden WO 171/3518 Argentan WO 171/7690 Osnabruck, Kiel WO 171/3517 Gemert WO 171/3516 Neerpelt WO 171/3515 Eindhoven, Geldrop, Leende, Weert WO 171/3514 Bayeux WO 171/3513 Eersel WO 171/3512 Leopoldsburg WO 171/7653 Weert WO 171/7652 Vught, Boxtel WO 171/7651 Eersel WO 171/7650 Leopoldsburg WO 171/7647 Helmond WO 171/7630 Eindhoven WO 171/10681 Kiel WO 171/7657 Uden, Oss WO 171/7655 Gemert WO 171/7654 Bree
The role of Town Major first emerged in WW1 when many French towns were allocated one. His job was to liaise with the civil authorities. He also arranged billets for British soldiers passing through etc. I believe that the role was revived in 1939/40 in France and refreshed in 1944/45 so there may well be Town Majors based in France, Belgium and the Netherlands as well as Germany etc.
Looking for the file reference for Positano and also Sienna. Any wise owls out there who might know so that I can get the right WDs. Regards Frank
