I'm trying to piece together my grandfathers WW11 story. He was in the 2nd Devonshires and have been trying to find if there was a war diary or any other source of imformation on day to day action. Can anyone help me.
Hi, here's the two diaries covering when they arrived in France to the end of the war: WO 171/1278 2 Devonshire Regiment 1944 Jan.- Dec. WO 171/5171 2 Devonshire Regiment 1945 Jan.- Dec. Cheers Andy
Welcome to the form rd350lc. You may find these threads of interest: 1. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/user-introductions/39547-xxxxxx-forum.html 2. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/remembering-today/36189-6th-june-1944-private-burnard-john-stone-14625051-2nd-bn.html 3. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/unit-documents/34838-war-diary-2nd-battalion-dorsetshire-regt-june-1944-a.html#post387928 The last one is the War Diary for the 2nd Bn Devonshire Regt (not the Dorsets) for June 1944 only. I trust that this gives you a starting point. Best, Steve.
Many thanks for your help Andy. Am I right in thinking that these will cover day to day combat in detail. Also is it possible to find out how much it would cost to get these diaries? Many thanks Simon
Welcome to the form rd350lc. You may find these threads of interest: 1. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/user-introductions/39547-xxxxxx-forum.html 2. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/remembering-today/36189-6th-june-1944-private-burnard-john-stone-14625051-2nd-bn.html 3. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/unit-documents/34838-war-diary-2nd-battalion-dorsetshire-regt-june-1944-a.html#post387928 The last one is the War Diary for the 2nd Bn Devonshire Regt (not the Dorsets) for June 1944 only. I trust that this gives you a starting point. Best, Steve. Many thanks for your help Andy. Am I right in thinking that these will cover day to day combat in detail. Also is it possible to find out how much it would cost to get these diaries? Many thanks Simon Simon - If you click on Item 3 mentioned by Steve Mac, this will give you an idea of the level of information you will get from that unit's war diary. I did not copy any appendicies. Regards - Rob
Many thanks for your help Andy. Am I right in thinking that these will cover day to day combat in detail. Also is it possible to find out how much it would cost to get these diaries? Many thanks Simon Have a look in this thread mate: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/sale-trade/33777-anyone-require-files-national-archives.html If the first post doesn't answer all of your questions just drop me a Private Message (I have a sale on this month to). Cheers Andy
Hi Andy Am I right in thinking you can get me copies of these war diaries shown below? Simon WO 171/1278 2 Devonshire Regiment 1944 Jan.- Dec. WO 171/5171 2 Devonshire Regiment 1945 Jan.- Dec. Cheers Andy[/QUOTE]
DDay landings, any information on my fathers platoon would be very much appreciated. Welcome to the forum Trevsy. It is unlikely that you will be able to find information at platoon level, although with it being the Carrier 'Platoon' it may get mentions. The 'bigger picture' is certainly available. Is there anything in particular that you want to know about the 2nd Devons Carrier Platoon on D-Day? Best, Steve.
DDay landings, any information on my fathers platoon would be very much appreciated. Hi and welcome - Ref your Q see my posts above except for the Sale. It finished 7 days ago. Cheers Andy
Thanks Steve I have read the history of the Devons and they are mentioned, but would really like to find out more and try and match up Dads memories with original reports etc, best regards Trev
Thanks Steve I have read the history of the Devons and they are mentioned, but would really like to find out more and try and match up Dads memories with original reports etc, best regards Trev War Diaries
Try the Bloody Eleventh vol III by W.J.P.Aggett available from the Keep museum, page378 starts with their landing on gold beach and mentions the planned Battalions movements on a company level. Page384 onwards states what actually happend and where they went, although it also has mentions of the 12th battalion slotted in these chapters, a very informative book.
Steve posted three links the third is supposed to be the war diary for the 2nd Battalion Devons but page 1 clearly states that is for the 6th Battalion Green Howards, who were in the same Division but a different Brigade and therefor in a different area
I strongly recommend Tim Saunders' book, GOLD Beach, Jig Sector and West in the Leo Cooper Battleground Europe series. It gives a good, detailed account of the actions of 231st Brigade on D-Day, including of course the 2nd Devons. An officer of the battalion, David Holdsworth, wrote a fine memoir of the campaign called 'One Day I'll Tell You.' Jeremy Taylor's The Devons (1951) is also worth looking at.
Tim Saunders book Gold Beach, Jig Sector and West is available from the Regimental museum at Dorchester £12 plus p&p keepmilitarymuseum. i think i will try and get a copy of David Holdsworth book
My partner's father Lieut Ted Foy. Of the 2nd Devonshire Regiment was captured on Gold Beach and spent the rest of the war as a pow. She and I am going to visit Gold beach in Sept 2014 and I'm trying to see if we can get any further information on his capture. It is referred to in an unpublished manuscript by CAR Nevill. She has her fathers service record, at least as much as they would give her but lacking in any detail. Any suggestions as to where we might get further information would be appreciated.
Hi, The units war diary may hold some clues for you, officers can be quite well documented. WO 171/1278 2 Devonshire Regiment 1944 Jan.- Dec. I have an offer on at the moment where if you order the war diary from me I'll check for, and copy, if one exists, his PoW Liberation Report. I can also copy the missing men file for the battalion but I have never seen a investigation into a missing officer in one. Cheers Andy
