173497 William Harkins McBETH, MiD, 1 SAS: POW, E&E

Discussion in 'Special Forces' started by dbf, Mar 30, 2020.

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  1. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Army Number: 173497
    Rank: Private
    Name: William Harkins McBETH, MiD
    Unit: No 3 Troop Special Raiding Squadron, 1 Special Air Service, 1 Parachute Regiment


    London Gazette : 20 September 1945
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37274/supplement/4685/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field: —
    Army Air Corps.
    173497 Pte. H. W. MCBETH [see LG entry below]

    London Gazette : 23 January 1947
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37861/page/445/data.pdf
    ERRATA.
    The London Gazette (No. 37274), of 20th September, 1945.
    For 173497 Pte. H. W. McBETH, A.A.C., Substitute 173497 Pte. W. H. McBETH, A.A.C.
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2020
    dbf, Mar 30, 2020
    #1
  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Last edited: Jun 12, 2020
    dbf, Mar 30, 2020
    #2
  3. Mcbeth

    Mcbeth Member

    Can I ask who posted this and why?
     
    Mcbeth, Aug 22, 2020
    #3
  4. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    dbf, Aug 22, 2020
    #4
  5. Mcbeth

    Mcbeth Member

    Hi sorry it’s just this is my grandad who I’ve recently started trying to find information on
     
    Mcbeth, Aug 22, 2020
    #5
  6. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    I guessed you might be related by your Username.

    How far have you got with your research? Has anyone in the family applied for copy of his service records?
     
    dbf, Aug 22, 2020
    #6
  7. Mcbeth

    Mcbeth Member

    I’ve sent away for his military records so waiting to hear back. He died in the seventies so we don’t have much information apart from what my dad was told which wasn’t much. We only have a few photos from family weddings. We don’t know what happened to his medals or beret.
     
    Mcbeth, Aug 22, 2020
    #7
    dbf likes this.
  8. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Casualty List No. 1292 Dated 16 November 1943
    Expeditionary Forces / Italy
    Missing believed POW
    Royal Army service Corps
    T 173497 McBETH Dvr WH, Commando, date of casualty 4.10.43

    Casualty List No.1508 Dated 26 July 1944
    Previously reported POW now reported not POW
     
    Tony56, Aug 22, 2020
    #8
    dbf likes this.
  9. Mcbeth

    Mcbeth Member

    Hi thank you. I’m new to this are these reports I can look at?
     
    Mcbeth, Aug 22, 2020
    #9
  10. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    You can - but they are just lists and do not provide any additional information.
    McBeth.jpg
     
    Tony56, Aug 22, 2020
    #10
  11. Mcbeth

    Mcbeth Member

    Hi thank you. I’m new to this are these reports I can look at?
     
    Mcbeth, Aug 22, 2020
    #11
  12. Mcbeth

    Mcbeth Member

    Ok thanks
     
    Mcbeth, Aug 22, 2020
    #12
  13. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Tony56, Aug 22, 2020
    #13
    Mcbeth likes this.
  14. travers1940

    travers1940 Well-Known Member

    There are not always medals to locate, as soldiers were expected to apply for their own WW2 medals & campaign stars, and some did not apply for various reasons.
     
    travers1940, Aug 22, 2020
    #14
  15. Mcbeth

    Mcbeth Member

    Ok thanks. My dad seemed to think he had them but doesn’t know what happened to them. Hopefully his service records can shed some light on whether he did or not.
     
    Mcbeth, Aug 22, 2020
    #15
  16. vitellino

    vitellino Senior Member

    There is an E & E Report in th NA. I have sent the details to McBeth by PM.
     
    vitellino, Aug 23, 2020
    #16
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  17. Mcbeth

    Mcbeth Member

    This report is really interesting. I tried to find the escape reports of the others he mentioned in his but couldn’t. I thought they maybe would have mentioned him in theirs too. The part at the end worries me a bit also as said he was interrogated? Did this happen with all
    Escapees?
     
    Mcbeth, Aug 23, 2020
    #17
  18. cheekyphil

    cheekyphil Junior Member

    cheekyphil, May 24, 2023
    #18
    dbf likes this.
  19. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    dbf, Oct 13, 2023
    #19
    Mcbeth, vitellino and JimHerriot like this.

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