I am trying to track down the route of my grandfather, who volunteered (Irish citizen) in Dec 1940 and initially served in the 59th Division - South Staffordshire Regiment. However after the Normandy campaign the 59th was disbanded and there is no clue as to which division he ended up in. I have a page from a notebook/logbook detailing his time in 1945 as follows; it's literally a list of place names and some dates Xanten Gesher Sulingen Celle Luneburg Hamburg - May 1945 Aaborg, Denmark - June 1945 Veimborg - July 1945 Munster - January 1946 Demobbed - Febuary 1946 And a note that he was in "4 Platoon, Subsecton A. OIC Lt. Warburton". I also know that he was involved in the liberation of a concentration camp along the way (he always mentioned he couldn't go into the camp because he had not had the right innoculations - was this frequently the case?) I have done some looking on Wikipedia and it seems that that route follows the British 11th Armoured Division, certainly up to Hamburg. Does this seem about right? That would place Bergen-Belsen on the route which seems to tie everything together. Which divisions ended up in Denmark ? I hope to find the rest of the logbook which I assume will have his service number on it to allow further research.
Hi and Welcome to the forum. Is this Log Book/Note Book something your grandfather kept as a personal record? If so you may be better off applying for his service records assuming you don't already have this. It should give you the information regarding his parent units etc. Reading your post I would guess he stayed in the South Staffs and they were placed in another Div. I think you may need to identify what Battalion he was in assuming there was more than one South Staffs Battalion. Cheers Andy
59 (Staffordshire) Infantry Division 2nd Line Territorial Army Infantry Division From To Notes 15-Sep-1939 15-Sep-1939 Duplicate of 55 (West Lancashire) Infantry Division, organised as a Motor Division 23-Jun-1940 23-Jun-1940 Reorganised as an Infantry Division 18-Oct-1944 18-Oct-1944 Division HQ placed in Suspended Animation This would have meant that he served with one of the following 7th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (176 Infantry Brigade) 5th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (177 Infantry Brigade) 1/6th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (177 Infantry Brigade) 2/6th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment (177 Infantry Brigade) It actually looks as if the Battaliosn were disbanded as well as the Brigade / Division P
Might be worth contacting the Staffordshire Regiment museum. I've used them in the past and they are quite helpful. Staffordshire Regiment Museum | Culture24
Somewhere in the family exists some of the wartime paperwork which no doubt has the service number on it; I'll be sure to apply for details. What factors decided the regiment that a volunteer ended up in? He lived in northwest London when he volunteered. It was always talked that he took part in the Sword beach landings on D-Day - but this does not tie up with the 59th's route (they went in later in June). So, some confusion exists, no doubt the mists of time took their toll.
jdp80, the Royal Dragoons where some of the 1st troops to enter Denmark, as part of the 30th Armoured Brigade (79th Armoured Div), but at this time where classified as type 'B' so did not have an attached infantry battalion. Infantry Battalions seving with the Division at the time were as below 2 The King's Shropshire Light Infantry 1 The Royal Norfolk Regiment 2 The Royal Warwickshire Regiment 1 The Highland Light Infantry It is highly likely that members of the battalions of the 59th Div, were sent to wherever they were needed and not moved enmasse. It fought in Normandy until 18 August 1944 when, due to the severe casualties suffered by other British units in the British Second Army, it was disbanded. It was chosen because it was the most junior of the divisions in Normandy and its men used as badly needed reinforcements for the rest of the Second Army this is a possible source for further assistance : http://59div.morssweb.com/ an example of re-designated officer CWGC :: Casualty Details CWGC :: Casualty Details
(8 years! wow) I have a photo of him, not sure when it was taken. I think pre-Normandy. There's a few badges on the upper arm / brassard I can't identify. Anyone have any ideas? I assume the upper one is red on white as per the St George cross but can't be sure.
Did you take up the suggestions to obtain his service records? That is always the best place to start. If you post his name, service number etc you may get some results. Get a copy of military service records - GOV.UK
