I have been provided with my Grandfather's World War 2 service record. His details are as follows: 2620708 Guardsman Henry George Blyth. He went on to serve with the Grenadier Guards but I do not know which Battalion. He was enlisted into the Army in July 1940 at Norwich in Norfolk and on 1 August 1940 he joined the Guards Depot at Chelsea Barracks, London. The Army Form B200B There are several different letters listed in the column labelled 'Unit'. The first letter is the letter 'D' which he joined and was posted to in August 1940. I assume that the 'D' just means Depot. On the 27 Sept 1940, his record shows that he was transferred to something with the initials 'T.B or possibly the 'B' could be the number 13. What does this code represent? He was transferred again on 18 July 1941 to something with the initials 'H.B' or because of the poor writing it might be 4.B. Again what do these initials or numbers represent. I have scanned a copy of the record. My Grandfather remained on duty in the UK until 19 June 1944 when he was sent to North West Europe. If anybody could provide me with some information about the Unit details it would be much appreciated. Thank you very much. John Blyth
Hi I'll add your grandfather's name to the roll soon, thanks for posting. The page is very scant indeed, is this all you were provided with by RHQ Wellington Barracks? As you have the date of 19th June for embarkation to Normandy, is there another sheet with more details? T.B. refers to Training Battalion and H.B. to Holding Battalion. Roughly, when a man joined the Guards he was sent to the Guards Depot to be squadded for his basic training. Once he passed out - there'd be a photo taken of the squad - he would be sent to the Training Battalion to learn more drill, more about weapons, do more P.T., go on exercises, etc, etc. When he'd reached the required standard for active service he'd be transferred to the Holding battalion, kept fit and ready until such time as he was needed as a reinforcement. That's the theory anyway. Do you have any idea if he served as infantry, or in tanks? Do you have any patches from his uniform, like the Guards Armoured Division Eye? Any clue in possessions handed down, photos with names, locations?
Hi Thank you for the interest you have shown. I have what I believe is all of the information provided by RHQ Wellington Barracks. It is quite interesting because what I have read about the Guards suggests that their Division did not leave for Normandy until 26 June 1944. The information that I have been provided with suggests that my grandfather was shot by a sniper on 11 August 1944. On 13 August 1944 he was returned to the UK. The injury led to his discharge from the Guards because the wound led to the amputation of the lower part of his right arm. It would suggest that he was probably in an infantry role. It would appear the Grenadier Guards were involved in Operation Bluecoat which finished on or about 6 August 1944 and then what followed was the fighting around Villers-Bocage until 15 August 1944. My grandfather was injured before this battle was over. Do you know if the Grenadiers were concentrated in this area? Thank you. John Blyth
Hi My Grandfather Henry George Blyth served with the Grenadier Guards during World War 2. His Regimental Number was 2620708. He enlisted into the Grenadiers in July 1940 and was originally sent to the Depot at Chelsea Barracks in London. His Army record which I have already acquired shows that he was transferred to a Training Battalion in September 1940 and then to a Holding Battalion in July 1941. He remained in the UK until the 19 June 1944 when he went to Normandy. The records do not show what happened between him being transferred to the Holding Battalion and being sent to Normandy. I do not know which Battalion he served with and whether or not he was sent to Normandy as a foot soldier or whether he was with an armoured Battalion. I know the Grenadiers had 3 armoured Battalions. He was injured on 11 August 1944 and the injury led to his return to the UK on 13 August 1944. Does anyone know how I could find out which Battalion he served with. Your help would be appreciated. Thank you. John Blyth
The Guards regiments embarked on various dates for Normandy; some battalion advance parties were sent ahead to help organise for the main groups coming later; also infantry parties were often separated from their vehicle parties for the trip across the Channel. The 1st (Motor) bn GG, and the 2nd (Armoured) GG using Shermans, were in 5th Guards Armd Brigade and part of the Guards Armoured Division; the 4th Tank Bn which used Churchill tanks was part of the 6th Guards Tank Brigade. I'm presuming that someone in your family applied for copies previously but I'd suggest you contact GG RHQ at Wellington Barracks and ask them to check his records. There really should be more to them than that one page... date posted to battalion, embarkation dates, etc. Scroll through an example here of the detail in a Guardsman's service from 1940 onwards http://www.ww2guards.com/ww2guards/Photos/Pages/1929-1956_ARTHUR_ANDREW_TABS_MAHONEY,_2ARMD_%26_1BN.html#59 If you believe he wasn't tank crew then it's probable he was in the 1st Bn. On the 11th August the Grenadier Group was involved in an offensive action around Viessoux and the Vire-Vassy road.
Hi John, can you post scanned copies of his records please? Hope you find some answers to your questions. Regards - Maria
Merged threads as they both relate to the same person & duplicate threads can lead to duplication of effort by members .
