British Army BEF Officer Peter Hadley

Discussion in '1940' started by Drew5233, Oct 21, 2010.

  1. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Anyone know what Battalion he was in ?
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I can't find a mention in the LG of a comission or promotions etc.

    The reason I'm asking is I purchased a little 150 page book today by the above called -Third class to Dunkirk;: A worm's-eye view of the B.E.F., 1940 that was published in 1944.

    As ever curiosity got the better of me just to have a quick flick through and I noticed there is no synopsis which intrigued me more so at least find out what Bn he was in and I can't seem to find any mention of his unit by name. Even the units Orbats officers are listed by nickname rather than rank and full name. I did begin to think it was a fiction book but that doesn't seem to be the case as the author says its about his time in France in the foreword.

    I'm now wondering if the detail was deliberately omitted due to security reasons?

    Two copies available on Abe-As you can see it wasn't cheap for 150 pages:
    Third class to Dunkirk - AbeBooks

    Any help appreciated,

    A curious Andy
     
  3. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

    Hi Drew,
    I have `A Thousand Miles to Freedom` the story of Jack Horsman`s (Military Medal)escape in 1940 published in 1942 it has a note which states all proper names which may give a clue to those who aided in the escape/story have been made ficticious or transposed to protect their identities perhaps its a similar situation to your publication?
    The identity of the author is correct though but other names may have been changed.2nd Lieutenant Peter Hadley, 4th Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment if it helps the National Archives have a copy on file (I think1)
     
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  4. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

  5. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    It must be an Infantry Battalion as it has the following at the beginning:

    The CO

    Digger Second in Command

    Eggie Adjutant

    Don Intelligence Officer

    Freddie MO

    Headquarters Company

    Lyn Signals Officer

    Pat Carrier Officer

    Peter Transport Officer

    A Company

    Christopher
    Jack

    B Company

    Francis
    Cecil
    Alan I No.10 Platoon
    The Author No.11 Platoon
    Alan II No.12 Platoon

    C Company

    John

    D Company

    Gerry


    Safe to say they were an Infantry Battalion I think.

    I'm getting a bit anoyed as I'm reading too many bits - They deployed to France on April 8th.
     
  6. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    I think that Verrieres' 4th Royal Sussex officer is probably your man.

    44th (Home Counties) Division were posted to France in April 1940.

    4th Sussex were part of 133 Brigade.

    If you get the war diary then it should be possible to link the nicknames to the records.
     
  7. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    On further inspection (I've put it away now) it appears to be his diary with detailed daily entries. On the 21st they were on the Escaut being supported by MG's from the Middlesex Bn.
     
  8. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Cheers all 4th Bn Royal Sussex going on the list.
     
  9. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

  10. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    This is the entry from the Sussex archive relating to the 4th Battalion war diary for the period - So was the CO Whistler and was Major Ashworth 'Digger' ?


    "Enclosed: (i) 1939. Ordnance Survey Maps of north-west Europe. Scale 1:250,000 (8 sheets); and (ii) 28-29 May 1940. Copies of War Messages from Lieutenant-Colonel L. G. Whistler and Major J. B. Ashworth, 4th Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment, to 133rd Infantry Brigade. (3 docs.)"

    Let us know when you find out !
     
  11. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Well done Jim and thanks as ever Rich.

    [​IMG]
     
  12. Markyboy

    Markyboy Member

    Ten years late to the party, but I'm half way through this book having picked it up very cheaply on ebay (£5 delivered). I was looking for an RAF book with a similar title, but I'm glad I stumbled on this as it's been enjoyable so far.
     
  13. bear.cub

    bear.cub Active Member

    Verrieres, I hope your still in this forum. I an retracing Jack’s route across the Pyrenees, from Jack’s book would you be able to describe his character?
     
  14. bear.cub

    bear.cub Active Member

    Markyboy, please tell me you still have a copy of Jack’s book, I’d like to exchange on his character.
     
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  15. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    bear.cub,

    Alas Verrieres has not been aboard since August 2014. Markyboy is still active, so a PM to him should work.
     
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  16. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Verrieres no longer posts but current forum member Kyle seems to have informal contact. A PM may be worthwhile.
     
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  17. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad


    Spot on Rich! I have his email it used to be on his website, it has been removed now and contact is now through the website itself.
    I contacted him and advised him of` bear cubs` request on `Jack Horsman` `character` to which he answered :-
    Kyle
     
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  18. Markyboy

    Markyboy Member

    Hi, just logged on. I still have a copy of Third Class to Dunkirk on my shelf. Happy to part with it if you're interested?
     
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  19. bear.cub

    bear.cub Active Member

    I am retracing Jack’s escape/evasion route from France to Spain to walk it, I have his MI9 report, I’ve made a reasonable stab at the route. The book may add more about the route and give more about his character, I want to understand the man, motivation, etc. when I do walks such as this it adds meaning and I lay a poppy to commemorate these brave men. I’ve retraced and walked numerous routes across the Pyrenees. The DLI Association highlighted a book called Cpl Jack by David Scott which has just arrived in the post, it adds more but it would be awesome to view the book that Jack wrote. Cheers, BC
     

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