I.m trying to find any information about my uncle I never knew. William John Richard Jones. From Snailbeach Shropshire. Service no.4920188 a Trooper in Reccie Corp. 4 regiement Corp. R.A.C ? Died 6th may 1943 and lying in Massicault. I was born 1950 so never knew him, I was put in to care mid 50.s and know very little of my family. As im visiting Tunisia I will visit his grave . my father served thought the war im told, but I never knew him, and never had a inkling to. I would be please to take snaps of markers for any one, time permitting.....and my mob scooter lasting out
Hello and welcome For info :http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2196494/JONES,%20WILLIAM%20JOHN%20RICHARD
Hi, Thanks. yes this is the only info I know,all his other brothers n sister, including my mother have all passed on. so no info from them. hopefully someone might give me a little.
I am sure other members will be able to give further info regarding his movements on the date of his death. I am just looking through my books now. Have you any photos at all of him? Lesley
From the book "Only the Enemy in Front" by Richard Doherty 4 Recce formed in January 1941. Under Lt Colonel PGC Preston, of the Lincolns, the regiment had embarked on the Nea Hellas at the King George V Dock in Glasgow to sail for Tunisia. The convoy left Britain on 16 March 1943 and, at sea, the regiment learned of its destination-part of the convoy was bound for India, the remainder for Algeria. On 23 March the convoy was attacked by German aircraft and the Windsor Castle, alongside Nea Hellas, was hit by two torpedos. The scarred convoy arrived in Algiers shortly afterwards and at the beginning of April (1943) the regiment moved into Tunisia, travelling 400 miles in three days. more here: The battle at Peter's Corner continued throughout the 30th (April) and 4 Recce waited for the word to move forward to Tunis; in the meantime patrols continued. By 4 May a new divisional plan of action was being worked out and B Squadron was withdrawn from the south flank which became part of 78th Division's area. The regimental role was to protect 4th Division's right flank while 10 and 12 Brigades attacked their objectives in four phases; C Squadron was first of all to seize Point 141 and hold the line of high ground running north and south of it while B passed through to take Point 155 and push patrols out to Frendj and Point 116. At 9.50pm on 5 May, 4th Division's artillery began a twenty-minute bombardment. At zero hour, 3.00am the next day, a two-hour bombardment began and C Squadron, followed by B, moved up for the attack. By 5.15am, C Squadron had reach Hammeda but was heavily mortared. The troop which had gone north to Point 131 had captured it but the bulk of the squadron was under heavy fire from Hammeda and from south of the Tunis road; the squadron leader, Major Mike Burke, was killed and the forward link destroyed. As a result there was confusion and the squadron became scattered. As all but two officers had been wounded the confusion was exacerbated and the squadron had to abandon Hammeda. Major J.D.C. Churchill took over C Squadron and concentrated its troops while B Squadron attacked Point 141 from the north. B Squadron took its objective but could not go on to attack Point 155 as Allied tanks had passed through the regiment and a tank battle was in progress along its front. The squadron eventually took Point 155 at 10.30am but could advance no further due to German tanks south of the Tunis road. By the end of the day the regiment had achieved its objectives and had taken a large number of German prisoners, mostly from 115 Panzer Grenadier Regiment but also from 190 Recce Unit which was fighting as infantry; it seemed that the lot of recce men was similar in both armies. The regiment's losses had been: dead, one officer and eight OR's; wounded, six officers and thirty-seven OR's; missing, one OR: all but one of C Squadron's officers had been wounded. These losses were added to those in April which had been ten dead, eight wounded and seven missing-all from A Squadron. Unfortunately it looks like your Uncle was really in the thick of it during April and the 6th May 1943 Hope the above helps Lesley
I have added 4 RECCE to thread title to attract the attention of those who maybe able to help further.
Pelicantravel, Hello and welcome to the forum. My late father was a 4th Reconnaissance Corps member, but did not get to North Africa as he was injured by a phospherous grenade in Overseas Training and when recovered went directly to Italy. The war Diaries that were copied by a good friend on this forum are available by searching this forum. However there are only two years from Jan 1944 to 1946. http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/24853-4th-reconnaissance-regiment-war-diaries/ The book previously mentioned, Only the Enemy in Front is a great book, but there is also a book about the 4th Division in general. The Fourth Division, 1939 -1945 by Hugh Williamson, which I can recommend. Regards Tom
Lesley, I did not realize it was selling at that price. My copy was a Christmas present from Her Indoors a few years ago! together with Only the Enemy in Front. Lucky old me. Regards Tom
Welcome to the forum. Great to have another Recce on board. When I asked about photos on your introduction I did not know that your Uncle was one that I do have. I have posted a pic of your Uncles grave along with his 2 mates that he rests with. Below is my list of the ones I still would like to recieve. MASSICAULT WAR CEMETERY 1st Regt Reconnaissance Corps Trooper DOUGLAS CLEMENTS VI. C. 2. Trooper HARRY CUMBERWORTH I. B. 5. Lance Serjeant RONALD FREEMAN CUTLER IV. L. 20. Lance Serjeant GEORGE EDWARD GLOVER V. C. 1. Trooper LEONARD JOSELYN MAY III. H. 3. Trooper WILFRED CHARLES ORME V. K. 20 Trooper HENRY CHARLES SAYER III. H. 2 Lance Serjeant SELWYN TRENGROVE SYMMS V. C. 4. Trooper MERVYN THOMPSON V. C. 3. Lieutenant ROBERT ANDREW YOUNG V. G. 19 Trooper HAROLD ALFRED FOSTER IV. K. 4. 4th Regt Reconnaissance Corps Corporal KENNETH BERRY V. E. 2. Major MICHAEL ANTONY THOMAS BURKE I. N. 16. Lance Corporal BENJAMIN HOPKINS V. M. 7. Corporal HAROLD GEORGE MOORE IV. K. 3 Trooper SIDNEY WILLIAM PAUL II. J. 20 Trooper ALAN EWART WOOD IV. K. 2 56th Regt Reconnaissance Corps Trooper ALLAN BROWN V. K. 15 Trooper ALFRED ERNEST CASWELL Joint grave IV. D. 3-4. Serjeant GEORGE EDWARD CHILLMAN Joint grave IV. D. 3-4 Corporal ARTHUR DENNIS EGGLESHAW IV.D.2 Trooper ROY DOUGLAS FRASER Joint grave IV. M. 6-7 Chaplain 4th Class The Rev. PHILIP STAPLETON HORDERN IV. M. 2. Trooper CECIL PODMORE 1. A. 16 Trooper ANDREW REID I. B. 6. Trooper SIDNEY TAYLOR V. M. 20. Trooper WILLIAM REES THOMAS IV. M. 8 Trooper WILLIAM WOOD Joint grave IV. M. 6-7. Trooper KENNETH LUTHER WATKISS II. J. 7. Cheers Paul
Thanks for pictures their a great help, looks a well kept cemetery. We are going October so I will put these names in row order and take as many snaps as we can. I have visited many war graves through out france ect, and laid flowers and taken snaps for relativies . This was done for British Legion. I will have to make sure my scoot is fully charged.
These are the names of the other men killed on the same day as your uncle Corporal KENNETH BERRY 10600836 Who died age 20 on 06 May 1943 Son of Frank Burton Berry and Alice Maud Berry, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire. MASSICAULT WAR CEMETERY V. E. 2. Serjeant CYRIL FREDERICK BROUGHTON 5886089 Who died age 30 on 06 May 1943 Son of Mr. and Mrs. F. G. Broughton; husband of M. A. M. Broughton, of Peterborough, Northamptonshire. MASSICAULT WAR CEMETERY I. N. 17. Serjeant HENRY ELWYN BROWN 5439164- Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry Who died age 24 on 06 May 1943 Son of Robert Brown, and of Matilda P. Brown, of Hillingdon, Middlesex. MASSICAULT WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave I. N. 18. Major MICHAEL ANTONY THOMAS BURKE Mentioned in Despatches 95638, Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment attd. 4th Regt., Reconnaissance Corps Who died age 23 on 06 May 1943 KIA Son of Thomas Henry and Marie Valerie Burke, of Guildford, Surrey; husband of Peggy Kathleen Capel Burke (nee Slaughter), of Sandown, Isle of Wight. MASSICAULT WAR CEMETERY I. N. 16. Lance Corporal BENJAMIN HOPKINS 3452221 Who died age 23 on 06 May 1943 Son of Benjamin and Ruth Hopkins; husband of Nancy Hopkins, of New Milton, Hampshire. MASSICAULT WAR CEMETERY V. M. 7. Trooper JOHN HENRY JENKINS 6103404 Who died age 28 on 06 May 1943 Son of Richard and Florence Jenkins; husband of Phyllis Annie Jenkins, of Ruardean, Gloucestershire. MASSICAULT WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave.I. N. 18. Trooper WILLIAM JOHN RICHARD JONES 4920188 Who died age 23 on 06 May 1943 Son of William and Evelyn Maud Jones; husband of Beatrice Rosalind Jones, of Tamworth, Staffordshire. MASSICAULT WAR CEMETERY Coll. grave I. N. 18. Trooper SIDNEY WILLIAM PAUL 2573024 Who died age 22 on 06 May 1943 Son of Albert George and Emily Paul, of Ashingdon, Essex. MASSICAULT WAR CEMETERY II. J. 20. Cheers Paul
Pelican Travel You will probably know that at that time a joint task force of 1st Army of - 21st and 25th Tank bdes - 6th Armoured Div - 4th Div with 78th Div on the left flank and 8th Army of 7th Armoured - 4th Indian Div along with 201 Guards bde with 1st Armoured on the right flank started out from Medjez el bab in the drive to capture Tunis and Cap Bon by the 12th May and ending the North African campaign- with the surrender of 250,000 Axis prisoners Cheers
Two more men died on the 06 May 1943 and are resting in Medjez el Bab Cemetery Corporal JACK BALL 6144578 Who died age 24 on 06 May 1943 Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Ball, of New Malden, Surrey. MEDJEZ-EL-BAB WAR CEMETERY 3. B. 8. Trooper ERIC J COLLINS 4807221 Who died age 29 on 06 May 1943 Husband of Edna Mary Collins, of Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. MEDJEZ-EL-BAB WAR CEMETERY 2. G. 8. Cheers Paul
Thanks Paul, I,ve learnt more in the last few days then I have in the last 10 years. thanks to you any other that have replied. I will pay back by visiting as many as I can the day I visit.
Pelicantravel That is a lovely offer to photograph the graves for Paul. I am sure he will appreciate your time and effort. Hope you have a lovely trip, October will come round soon enough Lesley
Well Lesley, It,s the least I can do. I have always had great respect for our fallen heroes. I hold no religious views (I had enough of that when I was in care, one way or another) But The War Grave Cemeteries Have a great feeling of peace I have nothing else to offer,no war stories ect.......just respect.
