Stalag XXB - POW G.W.Sibthorpe - Any info appreciated.

Many Thanks for the info 4/7 RDG.

Thanks Andy here is the info the ICRC supplied, hope this can help narrow it down.

6th Queens Royal Reg, captured 21.05.1940 Belgium transfered to Stalag XXA on the 29.06.1940.

Jo

 

Hi Jo,

There was no such battalion in France/Belgium during 1940 from what I can work out. Could it be one of these:

6 Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment

1/6 Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)

2/6 Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)

Cheers
Andy

 

The battalion numbering may be a source of confusion - apparently pre-war part-time Territorial Army battalions of regiments (in this case the 6th Queen's Royal Regiment/ West Surrey) were split in two, had additional manpower added to construct two full battalions and designated (for example) 1st/6th QRR and 2nd/6th QRR.

Often this led to equipment shortages in one or both battalions.

Hugh Seebag-Montefiore mentions an action by 1st/6th Queen's Royal Regiment at Elsegem on the river Escaut, three miles south-west of Oudenarde on 20 May; they repulsed a German attack that day but were forced to retire on 21 May after suffering around 400 casualties (killed, wounded, missing). The remnant were then joined to 1/5 Queen's.

 

Andy,

TBH I have no idea, all it says is 6th Queens Royal although saying that My GGF was in Queens own west kent so it is more than poss that my gf was too.

This info is from his Soldiers service & paybook. Sadly it does not state his battallion but it does hold some other ref's and I wondered if they would help in the search.

So here goes:

On the top l/hand corner handwriting is QRR/3462 (I assume the QRR is Queens Royal but do the numbers have any relevance?)

The ref stamped in the book is L.27 AB636300.

It tells us he was discharged on 7/4/1946

It also has Service with colours (What does this mean?) 6yrs 224days
Service Class W (T) reserve Nil
Total Service 6yrs 305days

Curious to know how his total service is more that service with colours??

Here's hoping that someone out there understands this as I am completely lost.

Thanks again to you both for your info.

 

Service with the colours would indicate that he was a pre-war regular - they signed on for a fixed period 'with the colours' (ie with the battalion and originally with it's flag (colours) but this was no longer actual by the 1930s). and a further period of reserve service.

The three odd months difference may have been leave after his release.

What was his service number ?

 

I'm not an expert on service records but service with colours refers to time spent with the Queens Royal Regiment. I suspect the extra 80 odd days are when he joined up with the Army and went through basic before being posted - I'm guessing though.

Can you scan and post the page on here that states his unit?

Looking at what you've posted so far I think it will be one of these:

1/6 Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)

2/6 Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)


Cheers
Andy

 

Hi Rich - service no was 6091573. Thx for the info.

Andy, I'll have to wait til mon to scan it. I thought when I finally knew his Bat this was going to get easier lol

 

Definitely the Queen's Royal Regiment then (The West Surreys or 'Mutton Lancers')

He seems to have been a regular posted to a territorial battalion to spread the experience around a little.

 

So were the 6th Queen royal in belgium in may 1940? How would I find this out ?

 

So were the 6th Queen royal in belgium in may 1940? How would I find this out ?

That's what we're working on !

2/6th as part of 12th (Eastern) Division were not so unless he was serving elsewhere, they are unlikely.

1/6th however (part of 44th Divison) were involved in a terrific scrap close to Peteghem on the Escault river (Schelde) on the 20th / 21st May.

It is highly likely that he was captured during this action.

 

That's the one i mentioned in post #6 . . .

 

4/7 RDG yes I looked it up on google. Thank you.

Rich I get more confused with every question I ask haha.

I'm just thankful that you guys know what your talking about.

 

Just been looking at 12 Div (2/6th QRR) history for May and they were in the area of Abbeville and Doullens on the 20th and were on the River Bresle at Gamaches on the 21st so although not 100% in my mind it points towards the 1/6th Battalion.

 

I've just checked some books and I've got quite a bit of info on what 44 Division was doing on the Escaut between the 18th and 22nd May including a map showing where the 1/6th Queens Royal Regiment was whilst defending part of the Escaut. I'll try and post it on here tomorrow for you.

Andy

 

Thank you so much that would be great.

 

Thank you Owen.

 

From Philson's BEF Orbat

 

Thx Andy, that was very interesting, seems like it was hard fought for little gain in ground.

At least now we have a real idea of where he was and what was happening.

Will pass on all this info to my mum.

Thx again J.