Le Bon Repos - 1/5th Welch 21st July 1944

Discussion in '53rd (Welsh) Division' started by Ashley_Stewart, Jul 18, 2023.

  1. Hi all,

    New here and looking for information about the fighting at Le Bon Repos. My great uncle Hugh Eynon Evans was a private who was KIA at this point. Unfortunately his remains were never recovered, but he is commemorated by the CWGC at the Bayeux Memorial.

    Just trying to find out more about his unit in general, the fight at Le Bon Repos and the whether it is possible to obtain a roll call as I have no idea which company he was in.

    Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks,

    Ashley
     
  2. Aljones

    Aljones Junior Member

    Hi Ashley I can help you a bit. the 4th Welch were there on 1st July 1944.I have been to Le Bon Repos - it is a small French village but the main issue was Hill 112 which the scene of hard fighting with other British regiments. The village of Maizet was liberated the 4th Welch and there is is a memorial there with Welsh flags etc. Remember War Diaries do not usually contain the names of individuals and even KIA will only be grouped together. eg '4 OR (other ranks) KIA'. However if you go on the Commonwealth War Graves and find the exact date when Hugh Evans was killed you can then see the War Diary for that date. I have the War Diaries for the 4th Welch and they are published on this site.
     
    Ashley_Stewart likes this.
  3. atlp

    atlp Junior Member

    Hi Ashley,
    Your great uncle was In A company 1/5th. Welch regiment. Unfortunately he was killed on 21st. July during an attach by the 10th. SS Panzer Division who overrun A company with the loss of 118 men , 51 dead, 67 captured. Of the captured 13 were sent to a hospital in Rennes. The US army liberated them. Much more information is available on this battle.
     
    Ashley_Stewart likes this.
  4. Hi both,

    thank you so much for the input. I have requested his service records but as always it’s taking forever to hear back.

    Atlp, where would I be able to find further information. I have been in contact with Jonathan ware who seems to have done a lot of research in regards to this battle.
     
  5. atlp

    atlp Junior Member

    Hi Ashley,
    My father was in 1/5th. Welch and was one of 4 who survived Le Bon Repos. My father was a in charge of company A transport and he would go down at night to supply A company who were dug in. My father and I returned to Normandy on many occasions especially to Le Bon Repos. I have also supplied Jonathan Ware with much information because my father was able to show me the various locations of 1/5th. Welch in France , Belgium Holland and Germany. My father eventually ended in Hamburg at end of the war. If you want to contact me directly I can supply information on 1/5th. up to Le Bon Repos. There will be very little service information as very little was recorded.
    Regards
    atlp
     
    Ashley_Stewart likes this.
  6. Blimey…that’s a turn up for the books. I would be delighted if you wanted to chat further. Am I best to use the private message facility on here?
     
  7. atlp

    atlp Junior Member

    Hi Ashley,
    You can use this facility or advise me of your email so that I can expand.
     
    Ashley_Stewart likes this.

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