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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: yekepa on Thursday 12 June 14 17:35 BST (UK)
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Harold Edward Hughes 5770692 Pvt Royal Norfolk Reg died 25th May 1940 named on Dunkirk Memorial. Also have his next of kin details.
To avoid repeating what I already have this is the only information I have on him.
Looking for where the Royal Norfolks were on 25th May 1940 when he was killed. Or any other info.
Many thanks
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Hi yekepa,
The date is right at the beginning of the evacuation of the British army from Dunkirk, which took place from 27th May to 4th June 1940. It is possible that he was involved in operations to support/facilitate the evacuations as his date of death was only a couple of days prior to the evacuations beginning.
Here is his CWGC record, apologies if you already have this: http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2502055/HUGHES,%20HAROLD%20EDWARD
Here is another link this time to some info about the 2nd battalion of the Royal Norfolk's that Hughes was in: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Norfolk_Regiment
The above link is to a wikipedia entry for the Royal Norfolk's & starts more or less immediately under the 'Second World War' heading.
Hope this helps.
Kind regards
David
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Hi yekepa,
A couple more links re Royal Norfolk Regiment 2nd Battalion at the end of May 1940: http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Regiments/RoyalNorfolkMassacreWordlWar2.html
Second Link: http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Overseas/leparadis.html
Hope these are of some help:
Kind regards
David
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Hi yekepa,
A little more info, that might help in pinning things down as regards detail. I have by the following link been able to determine what brigade & division the 2nd Battalion The Royal Norfolk's were a part of: http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-NWE-Flanders/UK-NWE-Flanders-I.html
This may help having a better idea, as regards the bigger picture in terms of finding details.
Part way down under the heading 'III Corps' commanded by Lieutenant-General Sir R.F. Adam Bt, then under 'Divisional Troops' they are under 2nd Division, at this time commanded by Major-General N.M.S Irwin (from 20th May 1940). Within the above division they were a part of 4th Brigade under Brigadier E. G. Warren who commanded three battalions including 2nd Battalion, the Royal Norfolk Regiment. So basically that's III Corps, 2nd Division, 4th Brigade.
I can also confirm that the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Norfolk Regiment were a part of what was known as the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) & were indeed involved in operations to hold the Germans back in the run up to the Dunkirk Evacuations.
There is also a book about the 2nd Battalion, The Norfolk Regiment, that looks to be most interesting, possibly published in 2011. A link to it here: http://dalyhistory.wordpress.com/2011/06/06/the-2nd-norfolk-regiment-from-le-paradis-to-kohima-by-peter-hart/
The above link will at least give you the title & authors name, I am not sure about availability unfortunately. Although the title of the book suggests that it starts from the events at Le Paradis, the write up clearly shows that it includes earlier detail re the battalion.
Hope this helps.
Kind regards
David
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David
Thank you so much for all info I will follow up
Y
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Hi,
There may be some war diaries at the National Archives, but having looked on the online catalogue, I am not certain. The hierarchies of Corps/Divisions & Brigades etc, makes it a little confusing! ;D
If I come up with anything regarding War Diaries or anything else useful, I'll let you know.
Kind regards
David
Ps, the 2nd Division may well be the 2nd (Infantry) Division.
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David JP
Thanks for all information, I have just received the book you gae me a link to. It did show a lot of what I was looking for.
Thanks again
Y
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Hi yekepa,
You're very welcome, glad to be able to help.
Kind regards
David
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You may find enquiries into his Death at Kew in File WO 361/38.
As he is name is on the Dunkirk Memorial it is quite likely that there is some form of mention regarding his death.
Sometime details of any action at the time is given.
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From 2 Norfolks War Diary
https://imageshack.com/i/exi37Ad1j
https://imageshack.com/i/p1khCPFhj
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Drew5233
What a lovely surprise to get this. Am I correct in presuming the Batallion referred to is the 2nd?
Many many thanks
Y.
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Yes it is the 2nd Battalion, Norfolk Regiments war diary. I also have a copy of the missing men file for the Norfolks that were in France during 1940.
Cheers
Andy