5th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment

Good afternoon, I would appreciate any info relating to the following Widnes Casualty who served with the South lanc's and then 5th Battalion East Yorks.

Private Paul Lynan
3660365, 5th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment
Died aged 22 between 28th & 29th June 1942.
Buried at El Alamein War Cemetery.

Paul Lynan joined the South Lancashire Regiment in 1940, and after a period of training he went overseas, and served with the 8th Army at Tobruk.

I believe that he was originally posted as missing, as news of his death was not recieved until February 1944.

Phil

Hello Phil,

I have nothing specific on Private Paul Lynan, but it is likley he was killed in offensive action trying to severe the lines of communication of the Africa Korps south of Mersa Matruh on the 28 June or the ill-fated break out from Mersa to Fuka on the 29 June 1942; Fuka was already in the hands of the enemy.

Best,

Steve.

 

Hi Steve,

Once again many thanks.

Have received my copy of the 5th Battalion's History. Better than any novel ! Together with this book and transcripts of the War Diaries I am looking forward to discovering my fathers life until his capture. Then,at some time in the future, I intend to research his life as a POW.

Cheers

Bill

 

Hi Steve,

Once again many thanks.

Have received my copy of the 5th Battalion's History. Better than any novel ! Together with this book and transcripts of the War Diaries I am looking forward to discovering my fathers life until his capture. Then,at some time in the future, I intend to research his life as a POW.

Cheers

Bill

Hello Bill,

Happy reading; I really enjoyed the 5th Bn history. If you still have any questions after you've done your reading/research just get in touch again; and if I can help I will!

Best,

Steve.

 

Hello,
This was my regiment, any questions, just ask.
regards,
alan

 

Hello,
This was my regiment, any questions, just ask.
regards,
alan

Hello
New member/old vet. EYR 5th, will check out your site.
thanks

Welcome to the forum Alan.

There are a lot of people currently interested in the 5EYR and I am sure that, given you are a veteran, your assistance with their queries would be much appreciated.

In which action were you taken prisoner?

Best,

Steve.

 

Hi Steve, ive come across another 5th east lancs man in my local roh, although he was with the pioneed corps when he died.

He was captured in NA, and eventually escaped.

McCarthy, Thomas, Private, 5th Btn East Yorkshire Regiment, 3660252

Do you have any info

Phil

 

Hi, we are researching the personal diary kept by Alex Mackenzie, adj 50 Div Signals Jan-April 1942. (See Signals Area of Forum)

An entry on 5 February 1942 -
“Basil being stung for defending Birtles of the East Yorks who is charged with manslaughter - looks like being a forlorn hope - the mans a B.F. and apparently hasn’t a leg to stand on.”
Other information I have found so far;
Entry in General Staff War Diary at El Adem 3 March 1942 , “G.C.M. Capt. H.L. Birtles, E. Yorks.”
However London Gazette has following post-war entries: 3 October 1950, awarded Territorial Efficiency Decoration and 1st Clasp. Friday 14 November 1952 E. Yorks – Short Service Commission “Capt H.L. Birtles (92239) T.D. to be Major w.e.f. 29 August 1952” Final entry dated 8 February 1957 he is listed as on Emp List 4 and “...relinquishes his comn on completion of service 3 February 1957 and is granted the honorary rank of Major”
Any details of what he did and what happened to him.
I, like Drew have wasted time at Kew trying to find a logical way to find cases in the Court Martial Register.
Any help would be appreciated.
Mel

 

Hi Steve, ive come across another 5th east lancs man in my local roh, although he was with the pioneed corps when he died.

He was captured in NA, and eventually escaped.

McCarthy, Thomas, Private, 5th Btn East Yorkshire Regiment, 3660252

Do you have any info

Phil

I have nothing on Thomas McCarthy, Phil. As you are no doubt aware, his service number is from the South Lancashire Regiment block.

I note that there is also a photograph of his headstone on photobucket.

His service records are probably the best bet!

Best,

Steve.

 

Hi, we are researching the personal diary kept by Alex Mackenzie, adj 50 Div Signals Jan-April 1942. (See Signals Area of Forum)

An entry on 5 February 1942 -
“Basil being stung for defending Birtles of the East Yorks who is charged with manslaughter - looks like being a forlorn hope - the mans a B.F. and apparently hasn’t a leg to stand on.”
Other information I have found so far;
Entry in General Staff War Diary at El Adem 3 March 1942 , “G.C.M. Capt. H.L. Birtles, E. Yorks.”
However London Gazette has following post-war entries: 3 October 1950, awarded Territorial Efficiency Decoration and 1st Clasp. Friday 14 November 1952 E. Yorks – Short Service Commission “Capt H.L. Birtles (92239) T.D. to be Major w.e.f. 29 August 1952” Final entry dated 8 February 1957 he is listed as on Emp List 4 and “...relinquishes his comn on completion of service 3 February 1957 and is granted the honorary rank of Major”
Any details of what he did and what happened to him.
I, like Drew have wasted time at Kew trying to find a logical way to find cases in the Court Martial Register.
Any help would be appreciated.
Mel


Hello Mel,

Found another two references to Major HL Birtles TD, with same service number:

1) Supplement to the London Gazette, 20 March 1917; East Yorks Regt - promotion from Lieutenant to T/Major - link: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37909/supplements/1318/page.pdf

2) Supplement to the London Gazette, 23 April 1968; T&AVR - Confirmed Major, with seniority 13 September 1965 - link: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/44570/supplements/4640/page.pdf

For someone who had been a BF and charged with manslaughter, he had an exceedingly long Army career.

I found nothing about the actual charge...

Best,

Steve.

 

Hello Mel,

Found another two references to Major HL Birtles TD, with same service number:

1) Supplement to the London Gazette, 20 March 1917; East Yorks Regt - promotion from Lieutenant to T/Major - link: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37909/supplements/1318/page.pdf

2) Supplement to the London Gazette, 23 April 1968; T&AVR - Confirmed Major, with seniority 13 September 1965 - link: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/44570/supplements/4640/page.pdf

For someone who had been a BF and charged with manslaughter, he had an exceedingly long Army career.

I found nothing about the actual charge...

Best,

Steve.
Thanks for that, all adds to the picture.

Anyone with anything more?

Mel

 

Hi, a very interesting thread, I am also trying to find out where and when this soldier was captured: 4343506 WO Cl 3 (PSM) G andrews East Yorks, a territorial soldier, his POW number is 127738 which may indicate a North Africa date of capture. I would be grateful if you could check the book(s) mentioned earlier and see if his name pops up?
many thanks,
Rick

 

Hi, a very interesting thread, I am also trying to find out where and when this soldier was captured: 4343506 WO Cl 3 (PSM) G andrews East Yorks, a territorial soldier, his POW number is 127738 which may indicate a North Africa date of capture. I would be grateful if you could check the book(s) mentioned earlier and see if his name pops up?
many thanks,
Rick

Nothing in the 5th Battalion history, Rick. Do yo know if he was 4th or 5th Battalion?

Best,

Steve.

 

And a tip of the hat to an old Snapper from a 50th Div historian. Welcome, Alan.

 

Hi Steve,
I can now confirm he was with the 4th Bn as per below link...

The East Yorkshire Regiment : Heores Page

Cheers,
Rick

 

Had a look through the National Archives and Ancestry and can't see anything for a Private George Elliott, 5342187, "C" Coy, 5th East Yorks, 36 R.H.U. B.L.H. He's mentioned in a letter sent to my father by a Belgian lady in 1944 reminding him to keep in touch with George. George was in the "clink" when she wrote. Does anybody know if George survived the War?

 

Had a look through the National Archives and Ancestry and can't see anything for a Private George Elliott, 5342187, "C" Coy, 5th East Yorks, 36 R.H.U. B.L.H. He's mentioned in a letter sent to my father by a Belgian lady in 1944 reminding him to keep in touch with George. George was in the "clink" when she wrote. Does anybody know if George survived the War?

Hello Maria,

He is not listed on the CWGC as 'killed' and therefore it looks like he survived!

Best,

Steve.

 

Hi Steve,
I can now confirm he was with the 4th Bn as per below link...

The East Yorkshire Regiment : Heores Page

Cheers,
Rick

Nothing specific to WO G Andrews, Rick. However, the 4th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment, as part of the 150th Infantry Brigade, was overrun on 1 June 1942 and went into suspended animiation i.e. ceased to be on the nominal role for the duration of WWII.

The 150th Infantry Brigade occupied one of the 'Boxes' in the Gazala defences, the 4th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment defences covering the Trigh el Abd. Following very heavy fighting over 6 days, with their small arms ammunition virtually exhausted and with no effective artillery, anti-tank or tank protectection remaining intact, the Brigade Box was completely surrounded and islotaed by the Axis forces. The Brigade was overrun and those that had not been killed were taken prisoner. Very few escaped and those that did were afterwards absorbed as replacements in the 5th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment.

The 150th Infantry Brigade were at the front from just after 25 January 1942 until being overrun on 1 June 1942 and he must have been taken prisoner during this time. Although not certain, it is likely that he was taken prisoner at Gazala.

Best,

Steve.

 

Many thanks for the infomation Steve, i thinks it's a fair assumption to say he was captured then. I am hoping he filled out a POW questionaire when he was liberated, which if he did, would confirm it.. will keep you posted,
cheers,
Rick

 

Many thanks for the infomation Steve, i thinks it's a fair assumption to say he was captured then. I am hoping he filled out a POW questionaire when he was liberated, which if he did, would confirm it.. will keep you posted,
cheers,
Rick

Hello Rick,

The British did a lot of patrolling in 'no man's land' and the 50 Div had involvement in quite a few Jock columns, so it is always possible he was taken POW earlier... but Gazala is more likley!

I look forward to finding out the answer...

Best,

Steve.

 

Thanks again Steve. I'm glad it looks like George made it home. I hope for his sake he did.