4192316 Edward Edwards 2RWF/Madagascar

[Philip Edwards]

I have recently retired from the coal industry after 42 years and being a Wrexham lad born and bred have relations that have served with the Royal Welch 1st and 2nd battalions . My Dad was in the Madagascar campaign and his best man was killed in the Arakan Burma campaign in the 2nd battalion, my uncle was the youngest Sergeant major in the 1st battalion he told me about the battle that turned the Japanese at Imphal and Kohima, how they fought hand to hand, I would like to know more about my father's war as he was unable to talk about it ,I'm trying to find out his service number.

[ap1]

Hi Phil,

Welcome. What was your Dads name/DOB etc?

[Philip Edwards]

Dad's name Edward Edwards Nick name twilight first language Welsh, born in 7 Owens Street rhosllanerugog, I'll have to ask around about his DOB. But I think it's 1921 I think he ended up being discharged through mental health before the Batt went to Burma

[ap1]

Did he have a middle name Phil?

[Baconwallah]

Looking at the enlistment register I think he may have been Edward Edwards 4205016, enlisted 17/07/1940, discharged 02/12/1940. Others with the same name were either old soldiers from the previous war or were transferred to the Artillery or Engineers.

John

[Philip Edwards]

Update. I'm waiting for the registry office to send me a copy of my father's birth certificate know the month and the year September 1916, I have a photograph of him with my mother and eldest sister about 1940 before redeployment to Galashiels were my brother was born I remember my mother telling me there was no married quarters and they had to get digs and when they said they were Welsh they had no problems but made it quite clear they didn't want English, they then were deployed to Cromer, before being posted overseas.

[Philip Edwards]

Hi, thank you for your reply John I know he was in Madagascar in 1941 talking to my elder sister he was discharged after a time from the glasshouse from a local camp in Marford and my mother was told by the MO he would never be the same again and had mental issues for the rest of his life.
Looking at the enlistment register I think he may have been Edward Edwards 4205016, enlisted 17/07/1940, discharged 02/12/1940. Others with the same name were either old soldiers from the previous war or were transferred to the Artillery or Engineers.

John

[welchboy]

Invasion of Madagascar, initial operation to capture the port of Diego Suarez was named as " Operation Ironclad ", took place on 5th May 1942,. Subsequent operations to secure the entire island was named "Operation Stream Line Jane" and commenced on the 10th September, 1942.

Part of initial invasion force which landed via amphibious landing near Diego Suarez on the 5th May was the 29th Independant Infantry Brigade, which included 2nd Battalion, R.W.F.

The combined operations lasted from 5/5/1942 to 6/11/1942.

[Baconwallah]

I know he was in Madagascar in 1941

That rules out the man I suggested and leaves only one candidate.

Edward Edwards 4192316, enlisted07/02/1935, left the Regt 11/06/1944, reason not stated.

John

[ap1]

4192316 Edward Edward's born 20/9/1916. Discharged under:KR390 XV1

Note the Madagascar landings occurred in 1942, not 1941, the 2nd Bn sailed from the Clyde in April 1942.

Out of interest, who was your uncle at Kohima?

Thanks

[ap1]

His enlistment entry:

https://rwf-forum.co.uk/vBulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=6063&stc=1

[Philip Edwards]

My uncle's name was Diwyn Parry originally from Brymbo, sorry typo on battle of Madagascar 1942«-

[Philip Edwards]

Thats really interesting it's sounds like it, Thank you very much John much appreciated, I'll keep you posted on how I get on .Phil.

[Philip Edwards]

I can't see his name in the book, but thank you Very much. Phil8

[Philip Edwards]

I can't see his name in the book, but thank you Very much. Phil8

[Philip Edwards]

Anybody know what KR390xv1.

[ap1]

Apologies Phil, updated, please look again.

[Philip Edwards]

Just downloaded the MOD forms to obtain his records, I think when my uncle died Dilwyn Parry he had a guard of honour from the Regiment (1stBattalion RWF) But I didn't attend just Info passed down.

[Baconwallah]

Anybody know what KR390xv1.

From Hansard (1943):
A soldier who has been found physically unfit by a medical board is discharged from Army service under King's Regulations, 1940, paragraph 390 (xvi) as "ceasing to fulfil Army physical requirements."


John

[Philip Edwards]

Thanks again John, I knew he wasn't well when he was discharged he had many problems and was frequently in and out of the North Wales Hospital Denbigh, I don't what detail will be in his record but we shall find out.Phil.

[Philip Edwards]

I noticed on the book when my father signed on that was originally for 7years 6 months was that the shortest period in those days.

[Baconwallah]

He enlisted for "seven and five", seven years with the Colours and five years with the Reserve.

John

[Philip Edwards]

Cheers. John

[Philip Edwards]

I've been trying to find out a bit more about George Cecil Derbyshire who was my mother and father's best man a big friend of theirs who they named me after, from Llandudno (remembered on the roll of honour on the memorial) I have a picture of his grave in Digboi cemetery in India my mother would go to the memorial when she could and I took over when she passed does anyone know any more about him I have his service number.

[Philip Edwards]

I'm not sure but I think he was killed in the Arakan but I'm sure if he died of an action or a disease as I think there was a hospital in Digboi, his service number 4199293 died on 19/ 12/ 1944.

[ap1]

Listed as "Died" so probably illness, he was serving with the 2nd Battalion in Burma. Another guy from that unit a Fusilier Collins is also listed as "Died", a few days earlier on the 16th.

[Baconwallah]

I've been trying to find out a bit more about George Cecil Derbyshire who was my mother and father's best man a big friend of theirs who they named me after, from Llandudno (remembered on the roll of honour on the memorial) I have a picture of his grave in Digboi cemetery in India my mother would go to the memorial when she could and I took over when she passed does anyone know any more about him I have his service number.

George Cecil Derbyshire 4199293, enlisted 15/03/1940, died 19/12/1944, age 23. Son of George Haworth Derbyshire and Ada May Derbyshire, of Llandudno, Caernarvonshire.

That´s all I could find,

John

[Philip Edwards]

Thank you.John

[roy dadge]

Re: 4199293 Derbyshire C






Hi,

I am not sure if it helps but at the time of awarding the Burma Star to the 2nd Battalion in April 1944 C. Derbyshire was recorded as being Headquarters Company.

Roy

[Philip Edwards]

Thank you Roy, any info about Cecil would be great as I think he was there only child .

[Philip Edwards]

Anybody know about the 2nd Batt being in Crowbourgh near Royal tunbridge wells 1940

[Philip Edwards]

After watching The Darkest Hour I know now why the 2Batt where in Kent(Crowborough) in 1940, after Dunkirk they were there ready for the invasion.

[Philip Edwards]

Just received acknowledgement of my request for my dad's service records from Glasgow, it said that the payment and application had been accepted and would be processed as soon as possible, but due to high volume this could take a

[Philip Edwards]

Hi, Roy not sure if Ive posted this to you! I am not sure what Headquarters company means not being in the services.

[roy dadge]

Hi Phillip,

I am not expert in army organisation but this may help. The RWF battalion was made up of A, B, C, D and Headquarters companies each commanded by a Captain. I have attached an aerogram sent from South Africa in October in 1942 showing that at that time my father Frank was a sergeant in Headquarters company.

I have also attached part of the Burma Star list of Headquarters Company for May 1994 including C. Derbyshire.


I hope this helps.

https://rwf-forum.co.uk/vBulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=6117&stc=1

Roy https://rwf-forum.co.uk/vBulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=6116&stc=1

[roy dadge]

Anybody know about the 2nd Batt being in Crowbourgh near Royal tunbridge wells 1940

Hi Phillip,

The following is taken from the Royal Welch Fusiliers 2nd Battalion war diaries, and provides an idea of the day to day activities of the battalion.

19/10/1940 A football match was organised with the RAF at the Horsham Football Ground. The Royal Welch Fusiliers won an exciting game won 6 goals to 2 goals. A rugby match was also held with Christ Hospital, Horsham. The RWF lost 19 points to 6 points.
26/10/1940 A return football match was played against the Newfoundland Heavy Artillery Regiment on the Horsham Football ground. The Royal Welch fusiliers won 3 – 2.
27/10/1940 A Church Parade was held at Bolney Parish Church.
31/10/1940 A concert was given by the YMCA at the Rawson Institute Bolney at 19.45 hours. It was attended by all ranks from Headquarters Company from both Wykehurst Park and Calwood Park.
11/11/1940 A court of inquiry was convened into the death of Fusilier Williams. The court president Major Vyvyan.
13/11/1940 Exactly a year after visiting the 1st Battalion in France, HRH Duke of Gloucester visited with the Battalion and after lunch with the officers inspected the forward posts, held by “D” Company.
14/11/1940 Corporal F. Dadge attended an Anti-Gas and PAD Course at the Eastern Command Weapons Training School. Francis obtained a pass certificate designated as “Good”.
15/11/1940 16.25 A German plane was shot down in the Battalions area and an airman captured.
Name: GEFR Rudolf Miese
Born: 11/1/1920 at Witten RUHR
He was detained at the Cottage Hospital Littlehampton under military guard.
16/11/1940 A court of inquiry was convened into the loss by “C” Company of a pair of binoculars.
A rugby match was held between the Battalion and the Old Ovarians at the Tarring Rugby Ground, Castle Road, Ferring. The Battalion won 17 to 0 points.
17/11/1940 A Church Parade held at the Baptist Church, Station Road, Angmering.
18/11/1940 captain M.G. Harrison posted to “D” Company.
20/11/1940 “C“ Company discovered a 18 foot long and 2.5 foot wide Sea Plane float.
21/11/1940 “A” & “D” Company’s exchange with “B” & “C” Company’s to take over the coastal defences.
22/11/1940 An air raid carried out by the Germans at 22.30hrs. Bombs fell at No 11 Brookside Avenue Rustington, Rustington Overflow Cemetery and Mills Nursery Rustington.
25/11/1940 Cinema show given by the YMCA at Angmering Village Hall.
26/11/1942 Concert arranged by the RA at Angmering Village Hall.
27/11/1942 The Battalion played the Royal Artillery Football Team at the Littlehampton football ground. The Royal Welch Fusiliers won 2- 1.
“D” Company played Headquarters Company football beating them by two goals to one.
14.30hrs German plane was seen being chased by 3 Hurricanes over “A” Company positions.
3/11/1940 Notice received from the Police in Bolney that a parachutist had dropped in the Bletchingley area in Buckinghamshire. All ranks from “B”, “C” and “D” Companies attended a church parade at 09.35hrs at Horsham Parish Church.
5/11/1940 All day was spent packing to take up coastal position from the East Lancashire Battalion.
A lecture was given by the Brigade Commander at the List Institute, Montague Street, Worthing, Sussex, on the BEF Northern Front 10th May to 2nd June1940.
6/11/1940 The Battalion moved to its new area between Littlehampton and Worthing. “C” and “D” Company’s passed their starting line at 08.45hrs.
The Battalion moved on November 6th to a new area between Littlehampton and Worthing, with Battalion Headquarters at Angmering, where it took over a coastal position from the East Lancashire Regiment. There had been warnings earlier in the summer of spies landing from the sea, and this may have accounted for the deep interest shown by “C” Company in a flat-bottomed, wooded boat of unusual construction which was dragged ashore and evidently been in the water a long time. The “boat” was later identified as a seaplane float.
Haversack rations were issued and hot meals served to all ranks at the Angmering Village Hall at 16.30hrs.

Kind regards

Roy

[Keith Jones 989]

Excellent read!