1/4th Hampshire Regiment

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by mark rogers, Jan 31, 2018.

  1. mark rogers

    mark rogers Member

    Can I first thank everyone for the many replies that I have received for previous posts. This website has been excellent in finding out the information I need.
    I am conducting research into the men on the two King’s School Worcester war memorials The intention is to produce a commemorative book. I am looking to find details of how men were killed and if possible obtain a photograph of the individual. Could anyone help with the following casualty?

    HALL, David Osborne Captain 65580 1/4th Hampshire Regiment buried MEDJEZ-AL-BAB WAR CEMETERY, Tunisia died 22/04/1943
     
  2. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    From the regimental history ‘The Royal Hampshire Regiment 1918-1954’ (Daniell), Page 116:
    NB. Words in square brackets added by me to aid understanding.
     
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  3. mark rogers

    mark rogers Member

    Hi Steve

    First sorry for taking so long to reply and thank you. Life sometimes overtakes you! This is exactly what I wanted. Could you fill me in on the broader picture within which this action took place?

    Cheers

    Mark
     
  4. GeorgyB

    GeorgyB Active Member

    Old thread I know but Steve Mac's extract from the Regimental History above was very useful as it covers my specific area of interest. I also found the 'The Story of the 46th Division' helpful in fleshing out some of the detail which someone (don't know if they're a member here) very generously posted online http://daimler-fighting-vehicles.co.uk/The Story of the 46th Infantry Division Part 1.pdf

    So cribbed from the above I've created a short account of the Hampshires in this timeframe leading up to the battle of Bou Arada, which covers my serviceman's overseas military experience.

    If anyone on here has the 1/4 Hampshire's War Diary for this period (Jan 1943 - May 1943) I would be tremendously grateful, it would help to complete the picture even more, although as a Private I doubt he gets a mention, would it in anyway indicate which company he was with?
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2022
  5. Ingo

    Ingo Member

    Hi George, thanks for your detailed information - highly appreciated!
    I may contribute some maps and pictures.

    First map: "The Mediterranean and Middle East. Volume IV: The Destruction of the Axis Forces in Africa"; by Major-General I.S.O. Playfair, Published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. The dates most likely indicate once a position was finally taken and not the beginning of the attack.
    1/4 Hamps (Attack on Sidi Barko, Argoup Melhalla/285, Roman Ruins)
    2/4 Hamps (Attack on Seba Argout/303)
    5 Hamps (Attack on Brer Rabbit/341)
    upload_2025-5-24_22-16-22.png

    German Situation Map from 5.5.1943 (German Military Archive RL32/23-0008)
    upload_2025-5-24_22-11-51.png

    How it looks today? Bou Arada to the hills
    upload_2025-5-24_22-19-2.png

    Peak 303 with view to the North-East (The gully of C/D company might be visible on the right side)
    upload_2025-5-24_22-29-16.png

    Peak 303 with view to north west.
    upload_2025-5-24_22-25-44.png
     

    Attached Files:

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  6. Ingo

    Ingo Member

    Hi George, did you finally got the war diaries from the Hampshire regiment. I would be highly interested in them! Thanks!
     
  7. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Ingo,

    Looks like GeorgyB has not logged in since January 2025. I will send her a message to return next.
     
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  8. Ingo

    Ingo Member

    Thanks, David.
    I may add the english legend to above pictures:
    Kamelberg = Camel Mountain = Two-Tid-Mountain
    Salzsee = Salt Lake (Sebkret el Kourzia)
    Röm. Ruinen = Roman Ruins
    Höhe = Peak
     
  9. Ingo

    Ingo Member

    Please also find an excerpt of the German Situation Map of North Africa from 23.04.1943 18:50,
    upload_2025-5-25_10-12-55.png
    upload_2025-5-25_10-9-0.png
     

    Attached Files:

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  10. GeorgyB

    GeorgyB Active Member

    Hello Ingo, thank you so much for the highly detailed maps and photos, much appreciated. I didn't manage to obtain the War Diaries unfortunately.
     
  11. GeorgyB

    GeorgyB Active Member

    My father-in-law was an artist. This is one of his recollections of that time.
    IMG_4779.JPEG
     
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  12. Ingo

    Ingo Member

    I slightly have to correct previous situation map, as following link shows the correct naming of the peaks: txu-pclmaps-oclc-6540922-bou-arada-34.jpg (5728×3985)

    First map: "The Mediterranean and Middle East. Volume IV: The Destruction of the Axis Forces in Africa"; by Major-General I.S.O. Playfair, Published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London.
    16th Light Durham Infantry: (Attack on Sidi Barko/285)
    1/4 Hamps (Attack on Argoup Melhalla/303, Roman Ruins)
    2/4 Hamps (Attack on Seba Argout/341)
    5 Hamps (Attack on Brer Rabbit)
     

    Attached Files:

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