6th Bn. R.W.F. Normandy, June/July 1944

[DJulesW]

Hello all, I am trying to help a family to follow in the steps of their Father/Grandfather who was KiA 19th August, 1944 whilst serving with the 6th Bn.
We believe they were in the Falaise Gap at the time and certainly he is buried at Banneville-La-Campagne.

Incredibly it seems his Service Records can only be accessed by payment of a fee.

Any useful tips on info. sources appreciated

[Baconwallah]

I think our fellow forum member Swiper will be able to help. He is not here very often, but you can contact him through http://www.jonathanhware.com/contact.html

His website is well worth a study.

John

[Drew5233]

Service records cost £30 to the NoK unless either the service person or partner apply, then they are free. If you want to do any serious research then they are essential to build any sort of picture of his service. Amongst other things they will tell you all the units he served with and when. Many soldiers were posted to several different units throughout the war. As an example one of my partners grandfathers served with 4 different infantry units during WW2, we/they had always assumed he was with just one unit until he was wounded.

Regarding what the above chap was doing leading up to his death I would look at this unit war diary at the National Archives in London:

WO 171/1390 6 Royal Welch Fusiliers 1944 Jan-Dec

I would also check the missing men file as it may document his death by a witness(s) accounts.

WO 361/611 North West Europe: Royal Welch Fusiliers; missing personnel

Cheers
Andy

[ap1]

Or use the RWF Museum's Research Service, currently located at: http://www.bodelwyddan-castle.co.uk/?page_id=1302

This is a chargeable service, but they have access to the War Diary and other sources.

[DJulesW]

Thanks to all for the replies. Plenty to go at, will keep you informed.

[Swiper]

Been lending a hand with this.

It seems the Paybook is in their possession as that should answer a few of my questions, got all the 6 Bn material here so certainly can advise sites - when I know at what point he joined 6 RWF.

Key thing - as always - is knowing the ground!

But yes I flick on and off, always best to harass me through my email to get a response.

[DJulesW]

Anyone able to tell us the title/publisher/isbn of the small 6th Bn. History book.
Better still have one near to us at Ruthin

P.S. Thanks Swiper, scanning Paybook tonight.

[Swiper]

There is no ISBN or publisher as I recall for that matter. The title is 'A Short History of the 6th (Carnavon and Anglesey) Battalion The Royal Welch Fusiliers. It was a privately printed job of I believe 300 copies or so.

I have two copies, one belonged to the Bn MO who was the only officer to go from Normandy to the Baltic, and his diary for 45. It doesn't come up for sale much, but I could make you a digitised copy of mine if that'd be of use? Its also far more common than 'The Seventh' - and 4 RWF has no known history.

[Baconwallah]

Swiper, if you digitise your 6th Bn history, please also put a copy in the Vault.

John

[Swiper]

Will do, 7 Bn, 6 Bn and Red Dragon are 'all on the cards' when I get some time.

[DJulesW]

Very kind offer Swiper. Thank you. Will message you later if/when I've had sight of the Paybook.

[jungle1810]

Hello,
The following names were men K I A from the 6th Batt buried in Banneville -La - Campagne War Cemetery Calvados.
Adlam Fus 4193971 21st July 1944 age 25 County Durham
Anthony Fus 4195460 19th August 1944 age 24 Holyhead
Arnold Fus 4204435 25th July 1944 age 31
Bennett L/Cpl 4198087 19th of August 1944 Cheshire
Biggs Fus 4202249 17th August 1944 age 29 Hereford.
Cubis Fus 4203029 1`7th July 1944 age 30
Dolben Fus 14224027 16 July 1944 Ruthin.
Howe Fus 420605617th of July age 22 Derbyshire
Howells Cpl 4201963 19th August 1944 age 30 Swansea
Jones 4199424 19th August 1944 age 27 Denbigh
Kahn Lt 294456 19th August 1944 age 37 The Hague Holland.
Manders Cpl 4200113 30th August 1944 Erith Kent.
Scott Sjt 4200031 17th July 1944 age 27 Newcastle on Tyne
Sommerville Fus 1501047 16th July 1944 age 26 County Antrim
Stallard Fus 5124242 19th August 1944 Newport
Turner L/cpl 4199604 17th July age 34 .
Williams Fus 4200191 17th July 1944 age 27 County Antrim.
Williams Fus 4188471 17th July 1944 age 33 Llandudno Junction
Wolfe Fus 4200323 17th July 1944 age 27 Saltney Birmingham
I also have a book about the Anglesey and Caernarfon Volunteer Corps By Bryn Owen but this deals with the formation of this body of men and starts from 1762 to 1908 so it is a different book from the one mentioned in an earlier thread. The above names come from the W W 2 casualties list of the R W F and are all about the same period of time and are all 6th battalion men K i A
Regards R B D aka jungle1810.

[DJulesW]

Thanks R B D. The info. we need is out there but getting sight/hands on is proving trickier than we thought. J

[jungle1810]

Hello DJules W
I have just had a quick shufti at my copy of "Who was Who "Covering deaths of R W F men. It is broken down to 3 categories, an updated alphabetical list of R W F entries from 1897 to 1995. R W F entries by volume with dates of birth death and service. A copy of the Volume 1x entries. But nothing to help in the way of your search

[Drew5233]

Just as a quick heads up and drop me a message if you are interested or anyone else for that matter. If anyone orders a Infantry or Armoured war diary at 10p per page from me I'll copy the missing men file covering the same period for free.

So order this: WO 171/1390 6 Royal Welch Fusiliers 1944 Jan.- Dec.

and get this free: WO 361/611 North West Europe: Royal Welch Fusiliers; missing personnel

Cheers
Andy

[ap1]

I'll take that Andy, pm me the details please.

[DJulesW]

Drew5233, Andy, many thanks for the kind offer. Have sent a message.

Still can't get sight of the "Short History". Very frustrating. Best regards. Jules.

[DJulesW]

Thanks to very positive support the required info. is now with the family on tour at Normandy.
They express sincere appreciation to all concerned.