Trying to find which regiment my father was with at Dunkirk

Discussion in '1940' started by Graham Alexander, Sep 1, 2017.

  1. Hi all. I would really appreciate any help you can give me regarding my father Donald Alexander.
    He was called up in early 1940 and we know that he was with the BEF and evacuated from Dunkirk. He apparently walked from Ypres and suffered from foot trouble as a result. He was posted to admin duties on his return and for the rest of the war.
    We have 2 photos of him, the first early on is in a London Irish uniform, but as far as I can see they were not part of the BEF. I understand that there was possibly some amalgamation with the Royal Fusilers (City of London) regiment is this correct.
    The second picture is in an Ox & Bucks Light Infantry uniform, but he is older so this would probably be later in his service.
    Any info is very much appreciated
     
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2017
  2. amberdog45

    amberdog45 Senior Member

  3. Many thanks I will get her to apply
     
  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Can you post the pictures on here? There may be a clue or two in them.
     
  5. After digging through some box s in my mums loft we have found his service record, which has confused us even more.
    His service number was 7016241 and he was called up to the London Irish Rifles 18 Jan 1940. We know from a letter that he walked from Yepres to Dunkirk, and this damaged his feet. It would appear that he transfered to the East Surrey Regiment on 11April41 and was discharged at the rank of Sgt 28 Feb 46. We know from a letter that he served at a top secret establishment we are pretty sure it was Wilton Park where they kept prisoners who it was felt would have useful intelligence. He also escorted prisoners to Canada. We still don't know how he came to be at Dunkirk with the London Irish. I will try and add the pics later. We will also apply for his service record.
     
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2017
  6. I guess the pic of the Ox and Bucks uniform could be later on as a TA member
     
  7. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    It will probably be worth posting a picture of the records you found as well.
     
  8. IMG_0029.JPG
     

    Attached Files:

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  9. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    Graham,

    Obviously some anomalies between the service record/memories....I think that you'll need to provide more service record details to provoke some "expert" comment.

    What you've said is his service number is a RUR issued one (which were ones issued to men who joined the London Irish Rifles)) - and you're saying he joined the LIR on 18th June 1940. My father was 7015972 and he joined the LIR in London on 18th Oct 1939.

    So the Ypres to Dunkirk walk seems in contradiction to that enlistment detail...as you may also know the LIR's two battalions were in various locations in the UK until mid/late1942 when they travelled to Iraq and Algeria.... they didn't go to France during the Second World War.

    edit update: they didn't combine with any other battalions but due to casualties, men could be detached/reposted to various other units.

    But as previously stated, the service record is the key to unravel the confusions.

    best wishes
     
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  10. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    beaut caubeen...cap badge over right eye...defo London Irish Rifles,
     
  11. Thanks for the info. We will apply for the records to try and find out more. His whole military service seems to be full of contradictions, but we pretty confident on where he served as he wrote a record of his medical history when he was taken ill later in life and mentioned Dunkirk and his posting to a top secret establishment in the country.
     
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  12. I actually made a typo his joining date was 18 Jan 1940 so Dunkirk is still possible, poss with the RUR?
     
  13. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Having looked at what you have info wise so far I think Service records are required. They'll list the dates with specific units and deployments overseas etc so you'll know 100% with a copy of them.

    He may have been cap badged with one unit and attached to another in France during 1940 so nothing is impossible.
     
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  14. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    Sorry to be boring but the service records can be the only reliable source of postings/promotions/leave etc - in which country/on what dates he served.

    It seems that you already have a source for some dates but his service records should have the fullest details and ought not to allow anomaly or additional confusions.

    good luck.

    edit: sorry for repeat post...
     
  15. Many thanks we are applying for the records and will post our findings
     
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  16. amberdog45

    amberdog45 Senior Member

    Graham, just so you are aware it can take a few weeks to get the service record. It's much better now as in the past it could take up to a year to receive them.
     
  17. Thanks for the info, at least it's not a year
     
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2017
  18. Quis Separabit

    Quis Separabit Junior Member

    Hi Graham

    Only just stumbled across this but hopefully by now you have managed to obtain a copy of his Service Records...

    In the meantime, the Quis Separabit badge over right eye in photo means an Irish regiment and the (30+ mile) long trek from Ypres to Dunkirk means he was with 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles in 1940.

    See - 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles in WW2: Dunkirk

    and pdf of 1944 Regimental History document which includes reference to Dunkirk can be downloaded from:

    https://drive.google.com/open?id=14Vl7yJXkzFh6phoL96XmrZQasok2ePAn

    It seems that the Irish regiments were quite "fluid" as my Dad technically commissioned to the Royal Irish Fusiliers in January 1943 but as far a I am aware never joined them and spent all of his time from then on with the 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles with subsequent records showing him as being either R.I.F. and/or R.U.R. depending upon which way the wind blew....

    Hope this helps.

    Cheers.

    Quis Separabit
     

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