RWF - Normandy Information

[NRJ260599]

Hi,

I am hoping some of you maybe able to assist me with obtaining information on the RWF involvement during the Normandy landings in 1944. A group of friends and I are travelling to Normandy in June this year and as one of our group's Father served with the RWF during the landings we are keen to visit the beache(s) where they landed and also cemeteries where the fallen have been laid to rest.
We are really limited on the information we have other than due to heavy casualties during the landings the Fusiliers joined The Borders who themselves then suffered so the Fusiliers then were assigned to the Highland Light Infantry. We believe my friends Dad landed at Arromanches and his name is David George Matthews.

Any information that can be provided would be greatly appreciated and will help towards planning our trip in June?

[Swiper]

Do you have any more specific information?

Not least as 53rd Division did not arrive until later on, around 22 - 26 June, was he a Reinforcement?

If you wanted I could offer you a tailor made guided tour over the RWF's areas in Normandy, subject to cost! However even to give general pointers I'd need to know who he served with, when etc.

Key cemetery for 53rd Division is Brouay where most of the dead were interred, with a number going to Bayeux.

[ap1]

A warm welcome Nick,

I think he was 4th, 6th or 7th Bn as part of 158(RWF) Inf Brigade, because of your comments about the HLI/Borderers. The RWF landed on about the 25th June, possibly on Gold Beach(but Swiper will correct me).

If I was doing the trip without a guide I would be heading to the outskirts of Caen and onto Evrecy along with the Cemetery at Brouay. There is a monument to 158(RWF) Inf Bde outside of the Evrecy village. Like the Mametz Wood Memorial(WW1) it's a reverential site to anyone connected to our regiment.

The mention of the HLI and Borderers fits in the overall story, although with time Davids account has probably got mixed slightly. 158 Inf Bde was an RWF infantry brigade, with 3 x TA battalions(4th, 6th and 7th Bn's) all recruited within Wales(Mainly the North and Mid). The casualty rates for the Battle of Evrecy was so high, that it meant almost over night, large areas of rural north and mid wales suffered devastating losses, well out of proportion to their population levels. After the battle was over the decision was taken to split the RWF brigade with other units, so that never again would that situation born by 3 local units directly impact on the morale at home. The HLI was one of the battalions that fought alongside 158 Bde and was later mixed with RWF Bns.

Bearing in mind the family link to our regiment. The Forum will give you free access to the War Diaries of the 4th, 7th and 158 Bde, covering the landings in June, until the end of July 44.(normally we ask for a small donation). These were transcribed by Swiper and make fascinating reading. I would recommend in particular the 7th Bn's as the detail of each days events is pretty amazing. You can then follow their journey from landing through to Evrecy. They are located within "The Vault" the link is on the top nav bar.

Books: Something inexpensive, but written by a Fusilier. "A Cry from the Heart" by John Ottewell RWF; the authors account of his war from Normandy through to Holland. A small circulation paperback, with narrative, poems and some maps. An ideal companion for a group of friends, trundling across Northern France following the regiment battles. It's only about £5, but well worth it and you will certainly be able to follow their advance:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cry-Heart-John-Ottewell/dp/B0028IL66O/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1425473999&sr=1-1

Finally if you are in a position to take up Swiper on his offer, he is the acknowledged expert on the 53rd Div.

Keep us posted.

[NRJ260599]

Unfortunately the information we have is extremely limited.
It is thought he landed on D-Day+1 and that it was at Arromanches but this could be completely wronge

[Drew5233]

If you are unsure of his unit and assuming he survived the war and wasn't taken prisoner the only real way forward to learn more would be to apply for a copy of his service records from the MoD. It's unlikely you would receive them before your trip though.

https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records

[ap1]

Unfortunately the information we have is extremely limited.
It is thought he landed on D-Day+1 and that it was at Arromanches but this could be completely wrong

What other small bits of info do you have Nick. It might seem insignificant, but could provide a clue to his unit.

[NRJ260599]

I think the information provided is as good as its going to get unfortunately but I have asked my pal to do some more digging with his family to see if they know anymore. I have suggested to him to send off for his Dad's service record but as mentioned it would be extremely unlikely we'd get that in time for our trip in June.

[ap1]

I think you would struggle without the service number, but he might get lucky. I think you could receive it before June. They seem to be a lot quicker now. Can you let me know his DOB please.

[Baconwallah]

Only two David Matthews in the Enlistment Register:

4207291 Matthews David, 70th (Home Defence) Bn, enlisted 18/11/1940, transferred to Mil Police 09/01/1942

4209533 Matthews David Phillip, 7th Bn, enlisted 09/04/19140, left Regt 08/02/1945

Not much help, I'm afraid.

John

[ap1]

Yea, I was thinking John, with the DOB I could quickly discount those two, on my next visit to the archive.

[NRJ260599]

His service number 14623488.
Joined RWF 15/7/1943
Joined Lancashire Fusiliers 14/7/1944 to 25/8/1944 when he then joined Highland Light Infantry

[Drew5233]

Only one Lancs Fusiliers in NWE in 1944:

WO 171/1329 2/5 Lancashire Fusiliers 1944 Jan-Aug

However there are potentially 6 different Highland Infantry battalions that he could have gone to in 1944

[ap1]

Heres a potential clue. 2/5th Lancs. They landed a day or two after the RWF, but were then disbanded in the August:

http://www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/gallerynew/2-5LFreformed1939/2-5LFNormandy.htm

http://rwf-forum.co.uk/vBulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=3738&stc=1

[NRJ260599]

Does anyone know the name of the cemetery where the majority of the fallen RWF are buried?