Hi, can anybody help with the entry for Dec 1941 for 1st Bn Essex regt who were operating in North Africa? I am trying to locate the area and details of the action that took place on the 9th Dec 1941 when 13 members of the regiment are listed as KIA. Many thanks, Rick
I went through my files, but don't have the WD. I'm afraid there was no major combat that could be pinpointed easily on that day. When I go to Kew next I'll get the WD and will get back to you. All the best Andreas
Hi Rick, From the 26th of November to the 9th of December 1941, the 1st Essex saw action at Ed Duda in North Africa. From what I can see, no one was killed from the 9th-11th of December as the Battalion were carrying out salvage operations, however they still encountered small bands enemy forces who were taken prisoner. On the 12th of December the 1st Essex was recalled back to Tobruk. Unfortunately the 1st Essex suffered some loses during Ed Duda; 5 Officers & 31 other ranks KIA, 70 wounded, 90 missing, 4 died of wounds. I will try and find some specific mention of the 13 KIA. I hope this helps Regards, Nipper
Rick Don't know about not much going on at that time as it was a phase in the long running "Crusader " battles which we first won - and then lost - Nipper has it right as El Duda was just SE of Tobruk and saw some heavy fighting - and realistically led to the loss at Gazala and the retreat to El Alamein in early 1942 Cheers
The 13 . 001 BELL AR 6023603 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 002 BURLAND G 6009839 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 003 CUTTILL V 6012323 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 004 FORRESTER JA 6011750 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 005 HALL RA 6013152 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 006 HAYNES CG 6029076 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 007 HOPKINS TA 6019520 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 008 JONES HA 6022681 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 009 LINES CE 6012392 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 010 POLLARD RJH 6027028 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 011 RIPLEY N 6008002 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 012 SAVORY JJF 6011582 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 013 TIDMAN AC 6011938 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT
Could it be that these men were MIA in no-mans land during the operations on Ed (also El) Duda, and were then found during clearing-up and confirmed KIA with no specific date, hence they were all registered when they were found? By 9 December there were no organised Axis troops east and south of the perimeter. All the best Andreas
The 13 . 001 BELL AR 6023603 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 002 BURLAND G 6009839 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 003 CUTTILL V 6012323 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 004 FORRESTER JA 6011750 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 005 HALL RA 6013152 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 006 HAYNES CG 6029076 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 007 HOPKINS TA 6019520 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 008 JONES HA 6022681 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 009 LINES CE 6012392 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 010 POLLARD RJH 6027028 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 011 RIPLEY N 6008002 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 012 SAVORY JJF 6011582 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT 013 TIDMAN AC 6011938 1ST BN 09/12/1941 ESSEX REGIMENT The Essex Regiment 1929-50 Roll of Honour confirms these names, however there is no date in the book. I have also had a thorough search through a pages before, during and after the Ed Duda chapter I haven't found any specific mention of losses.
Rick This is becoming curiouser 'an curiouser and open to much speculation - while there might not have been too much going on at that time - the enemy still had a Luftwaffe - and used it to good effect and this list of 13 Killed is nearly half of a platoon from their numbers apparently all OR's Cheers
If 13 men died on the same day and the unit wasn't fighting on the frontline then I would say it will almost certainly be mentioned in the diary.
Guys, very many thanks for the informative replies...it will be really interesting to find out what actually happened.. I may apply for Pte Savory's service papers which could shed some light on the circumstances... Cheers, Rick
When dealing with men commemorated on Alamein Memorial - several from a unit for the same date - it's also a good idea to check for any sinking of POW ships in the Med on date given. The date for these men tallies with info on this thread http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/prisoners-war/17235-ss-sebastiano-venier-jason-09-dec-1941-a.html This sinking and that of other 'POW' ships has been fastidiously researched by forum member ADM199 and if you PM him he might be able to confirm if they were victims on the Sebastiano Venier (Jason) on 9th December 1941. See also his article on BBC People's War, which lists ships and dates BBC - WW2 People's War - S.S.SCILLIN Google "Sebastiano Venier" etc and you will find several sites giving details.
Hi, there is a possibility he died on the POW ship as he is listed in the "UK Army roll of honour 1939-45" as place of death "at sea": Name: James J F Savory Given Initials: J J F Rank: Corporal Death Date: 9 Dec 1941 Number: 6011582 Birth Place: Middlesex Residence: Middlesex Regiment at Enlistment: Essex Regiment Branch at Enlistment: Infantry Theatre of War: At sea Regiment at Death: Essex Regiment Branch at Death: Infantry Cheers, Rick
"At Sea" under Theatre on the Army ROH is a bit of a clincher that POW ship is the right direction to go in this case. Did you check the others on the list, just to verify? Best of luck D
Hi, I checked the "Army roll of honour for WW2" for all army who died at sea on the 9th Dec 1941 and all 13 men from the 1st Essex are listed as such. This leads me to beleive they were all POWs being transported on a ship that was sunk... now it is how to confrim which ship? Cheers, Rick
It is almost certain to be Sebastiano Venier then. The tragedy of the POWs killed at sea « The Crusader Project PM ADM199, he can give you the final verification. All the best Andreas
