4201861 Fusilier Ronald James BECKERS

[TRAV 24]

One of the women in work, a distant relative, has brought me in a Telegram i think "Army form B,10-81A/3" informing her mother that her father/husband

It is from "INFANTRY" Records Office
SHREWSBURY
23 FEBRUARY 1945

RJ Beckers of the Royal Welch Fusiliers in place deleted(xxxxxxxx) in Western Europe (2nd time) on 16th February 1945 "The nature of the wound is""GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE RIGHT THIGH AND LEFT ANKLE""I am to express to you the sympathy and regret of the Army Council

The form is signed by a Lt Col OIC of Records

The Army number might wrong as it is folded through

I will scan and try to upload the form as soon as possible

Any further information on Ronalds service would be appreciated as per the norm he did not speak of his experiances

Thanks in advance Brian

[Aled Roberts]

Hi Brian

As a starter for ten, I can confirm that the number is correct. He attested on the 30th May 1940 and looks to have served with the 8th Bn. He left the regiment 31st January 1946.

[ap1]

8th Bn? What type of unit was that guys?

[TRAV 24]

Please see attached form/telegram.

[LarsA]

8th is a TA battalion 1929-44 according to Riley/Glover. 16/2/1945 sounds like the Reichswald Forest, so probably 53rd Division in Northern Europe.
/Lars

On this day 7th RWF was attacking german Paratroops at Asperden with heavy casualties.

[ap1]

I thought the Infantry fighting element from the Royal Welch in NW Europe was the 4th, 6th and 7th Bn. I wonder if it was a unit that was re-roled. Any mention in Red Dragon? Its certainly not appeared on here before?

[LarsA]

It only appeared in a overwiew of all RWF battalions, but it looked like home duties only, no mention of re roling, I think he was 7th bn for Northwest Europe.
/Lars

[TRAV 24]

If the 8th Battalion was a T.A. Unit what areas would they have recruited from Ronald being a Swansea man?

[LarsA]

I think it had the same area as 4th battalion, Denbighshire. It seems that 8, 9 & 10th were the second line territorials. 9th affiliated with the 6th & 10th with the 7th, before 10th becoming 6th Parachute (RWF) battalion. 8th & 9th became training battalions after 1942, before that all three were in 115th Brigade, with mostly coastal duties in Sussex. This info from "That astonishing Infantry" by Glover & Riley
/Lars

[jungle1810]

Hello,
During ww 2 the RWF had 13 infantry Battalions, 12 Home Guard units (Badged RWF) 4 ack ack units numbered as RA units with RWF in brackets. One infantry Battalion was formed into a Parachute regiment, Possibly the 10th Battalion and officially numbered the 6th RWF para Battalion. When the Para's came in to being (the red berets) members were given the option of going to the red berets or being RTU'd
RBD

[TRAV 24]

Have been talking to Sue again and i mentioned he might be entitled to some medals,she asked her mother who said that he was entitled to but never claimed them as the children were all small/young no one seems to remember any,just wondering what he would be entitled to and how would you go about claiming them Thanks in advance Brian