4192316 Edward Edwards 2RWF/Madagascar

[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.

Roy

[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 1^st 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 10^th May to 2^nd 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 6^th 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!