5th battallion Devonshire regt early ww2

Hi

I'm wanting to know if anyone has any knowledge of the actions or whereabouts of the 5h batt Devonshire regt from the outbreak of ww2 until July 1940. My great uncle served with the unit until 2/7/40 when he was killed onboard the SS Arandora Star when it was sunk by a german U boat. He was part of the military guard onboard transporting internees to Canada.

I'd really like to know what he did prior to being killed. I've searched the internet but can only find info on 1st, 2nd & 12th batt Devonshires.

Any help appreciated

Thanks

 

Hi,

If you can ever get up to the National Archives then there is a War Diary for the 5 Devons under this reference number:

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/details?Uri=C790258

Such an incident should have been recorded I would think.

 

Actually, better than that, there is this file:

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/s/res?_q=wo361%2F4&_sd=&_ed=

Should give you a lot more.

 

Hi, thanks both for replying and providing the information it was very useful. I really want to know aswell what action if any the 5th Devons saw leading upto the incident ie if they were involved in the battle of france/Dunkirk etc.

I've searched & searched online but cannot find this info.

I read somewhere that the Devon's were evacuated at Dunkirk but dont know which battallions.

Cheers

 

No info on which batts were on board but some background on the Arandora Star http://www.uboat.net/allies/merchants/ships/406.html


edited to add
On checking out his site http://www.mayopeacepark.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=172:arandora-star-sinking-&catid=1:articles-and-stories&Itemid=73 there are casualties mentioned from the Devonshire Regiment and all of them appear to be from the 7th Battalion

edited to add
http://www.devonheritage.org/Places/East%20Ogwell/EastOgwell-TheWarMemorials.htm
ROY JAMES SKERRETT
Corporal in the Devonshire Regiment. Died Tuesday 2 July 1940 aged 20. Buried Brookwood Memorial, Surrey.

5619117 Corporal Skerrett of the 7th Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment, was born in the December Quarter of 1919. He was a member of the Military Guard on board the Arandora Star's final and fatal voyage. To read about this terrible incident go to

www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/94/a2618994.shtml

 

In addition to the above re Arandora Star, on checking the regiment site http://www.devonheritage.org/Nonplace/DevonReg/MenoftheDevonshireRegimentwhodiedinthe2ndWorldWar.htm

Those on the site that died 02 July 1940 total 9 in number - 1 was 4th Batt, 7 were in 7th Batt and 1 is unkown

TD

 

Hi
View attachment Alfie memorial.pdf
According to the CWGC they have him down as 5th Batt Devonshires. See cert attached.

Unfortunately I don't have his service records his record is available on the forces war records site but I'm not a member, anyone who is and wouldn't mind looking for me please feel free.

I contacted the CWGC about a known grave if his body was found but it seems it was never recovered.

It would put me at great ease to finally see a list or document with his name on mentioned as a casualty of the SS Arandora, I've been looking for months online to find such a document but had no joy, the last hope I have is the National archives but even that's not guaranteed.

Cheers

Phil

 

If you PM me the details I will look it up for you

TD

Edit:
Sorry forgot to look at your attachment.

Forces War Records show:

First Name: Alfred Henry Initials: A H Surname: Beer DOB: Circa 1917 Age: 23 Birth County: Cornwall. Nationality: British Resided County: Cornwall. Date of Death: 02/07/1940 Information: Parents: Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Beer, of Gunnislake, Cornwall. Rank: Private Service Number: 5624085

Battalion: 5th Battalion Commemorated: Britain Place of Death: At Sea
However as has been found in the past, some of the web sites such as Forces War Records will only copy the same information from a recognised source such as CWGC.
Your best bet would be to obtain his service records - link - https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records#how-to-apply-for-service-personnel-records these will tell you what you need to know.

TD

 

Hi TD thanks for replying, what details do you need and how do I PM you, new to this site.

thanks

 

Christ TD I thought forces war records would give more info than that, it looks like the info on FWR has been lifted straight from the CWGC doesn't it.

It will be difficult getting his service rec from the MOD, I've no birth cert, and i'm not even certain who is next surviving NOK is as he wasn't married or had kids when he died?

 

TD from FWR does it show his medal entitlement?

 

Hi beerie

According to FWR he was entitled to 39-45 War Medal and 39-45 Star (as he died in service) but this should be verified by official sources, and via his service record.

You could either obtain his records from the link above as a 'General Enquirer' or as 'Next of Kin', including a covering letter and perhaps something to show a family tree connection could support your application. I don't think a birth cert is required (it is obtainable via Ancestry.co.uk) as you already have his name, and importantly his service number.

TD

 

Owen - thanks for the clarification on that I was not sure

TD

 

Thanks guys I will fill send off for them, I suppose I could send a copy of the CWGC memorial as proof of death in service

Cheers

 

beerie89,

Several people I know have used the CWGC as proof of death, should be no problem.

 

Here you go beerie, happy Xmas:

 

Wow thanks bamboo that is very kind of you to do that for me, I cannot wait to show the family although its grim but at least we can see it in black & white now.

I wonder what the dates mean written in pen or pencil next to the name?

I've added a couple of pics his medal box and and a memorial on my dining room wall to him, his original medals, photo taken in 1939 I believe (only one we have) and the cwgc memorial.

Thanks very much mate

Phil