I first read 'The Gateshead Gurkhas, A History Of The 9th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry 1859-1967' (Harry Moses), many years ago now, but have often wondered if I should post a few lines of a little known or unknown US involvement at the Second Battle of El Alamein. The Medical Officer (MO) attached to the 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry, 151st Infantry Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division, was a citizen of the USA serving in the British Army. The 151st Infantry Brigade were one of two brigades that took part in Operation Supercharge, which commenced on 2 November 1942, the action that finally broke the Axis defences at El Alamein and started their rout by the British 8th Army. Unfortunately, Captain Edward Raymond Stone was to lose his life on this date. STONE, EDWARD RAYMOND Rank: Captain Service No: 211095 Date of Death: 02/11/1942 Age: 29 Regiment/Service: Royal Army Medical Corps attd. 9th Bn. Durham Light Infantry Grave Reference: IX. B. 19. Cemetery: EL ALAMEIN WAR CEMETERY Additional Information: Son of Edward Raymond and Margaret Castle Stone; husband of Elmina Bernice Stone, of Denver, Colorado, U.S.A. M.D. (Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.). Quotes from The Gateshead Gurkhas: "Pte J Everett... described: We were helping, going out of our dugout, carrying badly wounded [tank and infantry] to our field ambulance...Captain Stone, he was American and he was walking about as if he hadn't a care in the world. I don't think he had a tin hat on and he was just moving about. To me, I've always maintained, if anybody should have been decorated, he should have been. The bravest man I've ever seen. Private Kerens also saw Captain Stone go about his dangerous duties: The American MO and his Sergeant, Bill Ryle from Gateshead were killed by a shell. The MO, Captain Stone, had done wonders for the wounded from a hastily dug trench. When it was suggested that he take some cover he said, 'When is this darn war going to start anyway?' The same shell that killed him also killed his sergeant." RYLE, WILLIAM NEWTON Rank: Serjeant Service No: 4450815 Date of Death: 02/11/1942 Age: 22 Regiment/Service: Durham Light Infantry 9th Bn. Panel Reference: Column 67. Memorial: ALAMEIN MEMORIAL Additional Information: Son of William and Laura Ryle, of Gateshead, Co. Durham.
Interesting footnote to the battle - thanks. I presume from your quotation that Pte J Everett was a 9th Bn DLI soldier?
Not something you see everyday: Edward Raymond Stone in the England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966 Name: Edward Raymond Stone Probate Date: 16 Feb 1946 Registry: Llandudno Death Date: 2 Nov 1942 Death Place: USA Edward Stone in the UK, Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945 Name: Edward Stone Given Initials: E R Rank: Captain Death Date: 2 Nov 1942 Number: 211095 Birth Place: U.S.A Residence: U.S.A Branch at Enlistment: Other Corps Theatre of War: Middle East Regiment at Death: Royal Army Medical Corps Branch at Death: Other Corps TD
From an Ancestry family tree: 1940 United States Federal Census Name Edward Stone Age 27 Estimated Birth Year abt 1913 Gender Male Race White Birthplace Washington Marital Status Married Relation to Head of House Head Home in 1940 Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia Street O 28 NW House Number 2512 Farm No Inferred Residence in 1935 Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia Residence in 1935 Same Place Resident on farm in 1935 No Sheet Number 61B Number of Household in Order of Visitation 367 House Owned or Rented Rented Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented 40 Attended School or College No Highest Grade Completed College, 5th or subsequent year Weeks Worked in 1939 0 Income 0 Income Other Sources Yes Household Members Name Age Edward Stone 27 Bernice Stone 26 TD
A couple of related threads yanked from the depths of time: Americans in the Royal Americans American Volunteers in British Army. (KRRC) Non-Commonwealth in British forces
*Correct. He's quoted three times around the time of El Alamein! * I am aware that US citizens served in the British Forces, as did other nationalities. However, it was surprising to see one still doing so after the US belatedly entered the war and the El Alamein link... I found Asperon Thorn's postings in your first link gripping. His grandfather's writings about how Greece functioned in 1945 resonate as true today. Thanks for posting these!
There have been several J EVERETTs in my family -- and my grandfather T. J. Everett was at El Alamein with 1/4th Essex. Just checking, but I don't think we have any near relatives from the north-east.
Americans mentioned by my Father on being Casevac'ed at El Agelia (1942) no mention of what organisation they belonged to "I about came too being put in a small van two chaps strapped either side ,this was driven by American Volunteer drivers".
Evening Karen, It mentions in the Newspaper article that a Corporal was also killed in the same incident, but I have not yet tracked his name. I can’t find a 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry Corporal as killed that day, a Lance Corporal and a Lance Sergeant, but not a Corporal. The Newspaper article could be wrong about this, but I will check it out further... Best, Steve.
Just to clarify a point ,regarding the witness Pte Everett. He was not a North East man he was Welsh originally from Holyhead and had previously served pre-war with the 6th RWF. 1935-1940. 4194513 Pte John Alfred Everett Transferred to the newly formed 17th DLI in Edinburgh in 1940 Volunteered for a draft in the Middle East Joined the 9th Durham Light Infantry in August 1942 at Heliopolis . Fought at El Alamein but was later captured during the Mareth campaign(9DLI) He was a prisoner of the Italians at both Campo PG 66 and Campo PG 53 but escaped. He spent time on the run staying with at one time with a Facist farmer, Working on farms at one stage he was given civilian clothes by local workers ,meeting up with local partisans. Eventually meeting up with advancing British forces in Italy. Returned to the UK after debriefing at Salerno and Naples. Arrived Liverpool and posted to 13th Holding Battalion Durham light Infantry at Hartlepool from his return in late 1943. Applied to rejoin Royal Welch Fusiliers 1944 but was posted to The South Wales Borderers instead demobbed 1946. (all info DLI 1920-46) Kyle
Interesting. My grandfather was born in Wales... I do have a folder full of genealogical research passed to me by my father, but I've not been through it at all. Thanks for the additional information; I've made a copy of it just in case.
No problem. A little more about him "4194513 Pte Everett together with a Pte Barnes were left behind on the battlefield after `Supercharge` he busied himself bringing in the wounded both infantry and tank crews but when it was obvious that they had been left behind and that the 9th DLI had had pulled back the pair hitched a lift on a passing truck which took them to Alexandria ! Fearing he would be classed as a deserter Pte Everett set off to find his battalion . Pte Barnes had no such intention and remained in Alexandria. Two days later he made it back to the 9th DLI and was put before a field court martial found guilty he was given 56 days field punishment in a Military prison ! Released early and promoted to Corporal he rejoined the 9th DLI just prior to the Mareth offensive" Kyle