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- 1st Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment during the Second World War -


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World War 2 Two II WW2 WWII 1939 1945

1st Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment



   1st Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment served with 12th Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division in the British Expeditionary Force and saw action in France in 1940 being evacuated from Dunkirk. They transferred to 8th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division and saw action across North Western Europe from mid 1944 until the end of the conflict.

   location map

10th Sep 1939 Equipment

12th Sep 1939 Training

14th Sep 1939 Excerise

15th Sep 1939 Exercise

16th Sep 1939 Reliefs

16th Sep 1939 Orders

19th Sep 1939 Visit

19th Sep 1939 Orders

20th Sep 1939 Orders

21st Sep 1939 Ammunition

21st Sep 1939 Advance Party

22nd Sep 1939 Road Party

22nd Sep 1939 Advance Party

23rd Sep 1939 Recce

23rd Sep 1939 Lack of Transport

24th Sep 1939 On the Move

25th Sep 1939 Billets

26th Sep 1939 Conference

26th Sep 1939 Billets

27th Sep 1939 Billets

28th Sep 1939 Reliefs

28th Sep 1939 Billets

28th Sep 1939 On the Move

29th Sep 1939 Billets

30th Sep 1939 Transport Issues

2nd Oct 1939 Orders

3rd Oct 1939 Advance Party

4th Oct 1939 Advance Parties

5th Oct 1939 Conference

5th Oct 1939 Orders

6th Oct 1939 Preparations

7th Oct 1939 Conference

8th Oct 1939 Rail Parties

9th Oct 1939 Divisional HQ

10th Oct 1939 Arrivals

11th Oct 1939 Espionage

12th Oct 1939 Recconaissance

13th Oct 1939 Reliefs

14th Oct 1939 Front Line

15th Oct 1939 Entrenching

16th Sep 1939 Orders

16th Oct 1939 Digging in

17th Oct 1939 Difficulties

18th Oct 1939 News

19th Oct 1939 Poor Weather

20th Oct 1939 Recconaissance

21st Oct 1939 Recreation

22nd Oct 1939 Recreation

23rd Oct 1939 Front Line

24th Oct 1939 Recconaissance

25th Oct 1939 Visit

26th Oct 1939 Shortages

27th Oct 1939 Conference

28th Oct 1939 Work Required

29th Oct 1939 Exercise

30th Oct 1939 Exercise

31st Oct 1939 Exercise

14th of November 1939 Cutting of Brushwood

14th of November 1939 Preparations

16th of November 1939 Preparations

17th of November 1939 Preparations

18th of November 1939 Memorandum

18th of November 1939 Machinery

20th of November 1939 Defences

21st of November 1939 Preparations

22nd of November 1939 Air raid

23rd of November 1939 Conference

24th of November 1939 Recce

26th of November 1939 Church parades

27th of November 1939 Conference

30th of November 1939 Bad weather

3rd December 1939 Air Raid Warning

13th December 1939 Exercise

14th December 1939 Exercise

15th December 1939 Exercise

21st Dec 1939 Reliefs

29th December 1939 Visits

31st of December 1939 Reliefs

31st December 1939 Recce

7th January 1940 Move

14th January 1940 Message

16th January 1940 Preparations

18th January 1940 Orders

19th January1940 Orders

19th January1940 Instructions

30th January 1940 Orders

2nd February 1940 Rail Parties

1st March 1940 Moves

1st March 1940 Instructions

1st March 1940 Orders

1st March 1940 Orders

2nd March 1940 Orders

2nd March 1940 Operational Order

5th March 1940 Conference

6th March 1940 Exercise

7th March 1940 Exercise

7th March 1940 Exercise

7th March 1940 Orders

8th March 1940 Move

10th March 1940 Training

11th March 1940 Conference

16th March 1940 3rd Division H.Q.

19th March 1940 Exercise

20th March 1940 Conference

20th March 1940 Precautions

22nd March 1940 3rd Division H.Q.

25th March 1940 Orders Amended

25th March 1940 3rd Division H.Q. Operation Instruction No 0754

25th March 1940 3rd Division H.Q. Operation Instruction No 0754

25th March 1940 Orders

25th March 1940 Orders

26th March 1940 Operational Order

28th March 1940 Conference

29th March 1940 HQ Moves

30th March 1940 Orders

30th March 1940 Exercise

30th March 1940 Orders

30th March 1940 Orders

30th March 1940 Orders

30th March 1940 Route

30th March 1940 Instructions

30th March 1940 Orders

30th March 1940 Exercise

30th March 1940 Orders

30th March 1940 Orders

31st March 1940 On the Move

1st April 1940 Orders

1st May 1940 Visit

1st May 1940 Orders

2nd May 1940 Operational Instructions

6th May 1940 Defences

7th May 1940 Training

8th May 1940 Experiments

9th May 1940 Instructions

10th May 1940 Orders

10th May 1940 Air Raids

10th May 1940 Advance

10th May 1940 3 Div Operation Order 13.

11th May 1940 Move

11th May 1940 Line Established

11th May 1940 Divisional HQ Moves

12th May 1940 Petrol

12th May 1940 In Position

12th May 1940 On the Move

13th May 1940 Movement

13th May 1940 Rumours

13th May 1940 Refugees

14th May 1940 Shelling

14th May 1940 Contact

14th May 1940 Shelling

15th May 1940 Civilians

15th May 1940 In Action

15th May 1940 Civilians Evacuated

16th May 1940 Withdrawal

16th May 1940 Fighting Withdrawal

16th May 1940 Withdrawal

17th May 1940 Withdrawal

17th May 1940 Congested Roads

17th May 1940 Withdrawal

17th May 1940 Orderrs

18th May 1940 Fighting Withdrawal

18th May 1940 Enemy Penetrate

18th May 1940 Heavy Fighting

19th May 1940 Fighting Withdrawal

19th May 1940 Withdrawal

19th May 1940 Withdrawal

20th May 1940 Fighting Withdrawal

20th May 1940 Enemy Attacks

20th May 1940 Supplies

21st May 1940 Supplies

21st May 1940 Shelling

22nd May 1940 Ammunition in Short Supply

22nd May 1940 Orders

22nd May 1940 Withdrawal

23rd May 1940 New Positions

24th May 1940 Short Rations

24th May 1940 Attack Made

25th May 1940 Cellars

26th May 1940 Divisional HQ Moves

26th May 1940 Field Ambulances Move

26th May 1940 Enemy Aircraft

25th May 1940 Rations

26th May 1940 On the Move

27th May 1940 Defensive Positions

27th May 1940 New Line Occupied

28th May 1940 Divisional HQ Moves

28th May 1940 Divisional HQ Moves

29th May 1940 Vehicles Destroyed

29th May 1940 Withdrawal

29th May 1940 In Action

30th May 1940 Delays

30th May 1940 La Panne

30th May 1940 Policy

30th May 1940 In Action  location map

31st May 1940 Embarkation  location map

31st May 1940 Air Attacks  location map

14th June 1940 Inspection

14th July 1940 Reorganisation

2nd Aug 1940 Orders

3rd Aug 1940 On the Move  location map

5th Aug 1940 Reorganisation  location map

16th Aug 1940 Exercise

22nd Aug 1940 Exercise  location map

30th Aug 1940 Exercise

12th Sep 1940 Exercise  location map

13th Sep 1940 Exercise  location map

23rd Oct 1940 Reliefs  location map

28th Apr 1942 Exercise

29th Apr 1942 Exercise

1st Jun 1944 Preparations

1st Jun 1944 Breifing

2nd Jun 1944 Preparations

3rd Jun 1944 On the Move

4th Jun 1944 On the Move

5th Jun 1944 On the Move

6th Jun 1944 In Action  location map

6th of June 1944 Landing  location map

6th Jun 1944 In Action  location map

6th Jun 1944 In Action  location map

6th Jun 1944 In Action  location map

6th Jun 1944 Landing

6th Jun 1944 Landing

6th Jun 1944 Rough Sea

6th Jun 1944 2nd Wave

9th Jun 1944 Mortar Fire

15th June 1944 Shelling

20th June 1944 Reliefs

22nd June 1944 Attack Made

23rd June 1944 In Action

26th Jun 1944 Under Fire

10th Aug 1944 Orders

11th Aug 1944 In Action

22nd Sep 1944 Advance

23rd Sep 1944 Advance

23rd Sep 1944 Defence

27th Sep 1944 Targets Engaged

27th Sep 1944 On the Move

29th Sep 1944 Moves

1st Oct 1944 In Action

3rd Oct 1944 Reliefs

8th Oct 1944 Targets Engaged

12th Oct 1944 Attack Made

12th Oct 1944 In Action

13th Oct 1944 Attack Made

14th Oct 1944 Advance Continues

15th Oct 1944 Flank Secured

17th Oct 1944 Gains

17th Oct 1944 In Action

18th Oct 1944 Defences

19th Oct 1944 Holding the Line

25th Oct 1944 Preparations


If you can provide any additional information, especially on actions and locations at specific dates, please add it here.



Those known to have served with

1st Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment

during the Second World War 1939-1945.

  • Brown James Alan. Sgt. (d.23rd June 1944)
  • Byrne John Christopher.
  • Carter Jack. Cpl.
  • Curnow Ford Beverley. Pte. (d.31st May 1940)
  • Dean Ernest. (d.14th June 1944)
  • Duffy Thomas. Pte. (d.21st July 1944)
  • Jones GW. Pte.
  • McLean William. W/Cpl
  • Petfield Malcolm. RQMS.
  • Thomas Desmond. Sgt.
  • Vickers George. Pte. (d.12th Oct 1944)
  • Watson RWA.
  • Welsh John. Pte. (d.29th June 1944)
  • Westwood Albert. Pte.

The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List

Records of 1st Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment from other sources.



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Want to know more about 1st Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment?


There are:1569 items tagged 1st Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment available in our Library

  These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War.


RWA Watson 1st Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

RWA Watson served with the 1st Btn. South Lancashire Regiment British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch.

Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project has lost touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.

Dan



Pte. GW Jones 1st Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

Pte.GW Jones served with the 1st Btn. South Lancashire Regiment British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch.

Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project has lost touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.

Dan



Ernest Dean 1st Btn South Lancashire Regiment (d.14th June 1944)

Unfortunately, I haven't found out much at all about my Uncle Ernest Dean. I know that he served with the 1st Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment in WW2 and that he died 14th of June 1944.

Sherryll Dean



Sgt. Desmond Thomas 1st Batallion South Lancashire Regiment

My Grandad, Des Thomas, joined at the age of 15 having lied about his age. He served with the 1st Battalion South Lancashire Regiment and before he died at age 92 he spoke about losing his best friend in a battle - possibly Arnhem? He also described the D Day landings.

Neil Thomas



Pte. Ford Beverley Curnow 1st Battalion South Lancashire Regiment (d.31st May 1940)

My father Ford Curnow was born 12 July 1908 and was persuaded by his mother to join the Army Reserve in the South Lancashire Regiment to "keep an eye on Wilfred", his older brother who had already joined. There is a photograph of him with the 1st Battalion, South Lancashire Regimental Band in Sonnenberg Camp, Germany dated 1929. He married my mother Evelyn Jones on 14th October 1937 and was called up for permanent service to The Prince of Wales Volunteers on 1st September 1939. He was reported Missing in Action on 31st of May 1940, subsequently reported killed in action at Dunkirk on the same date.

Family hearsay is that his brother Wilfred passed Ford who was in a foxhole with a machine gun, and told him they were falling back. Ford's response was "it's a piece of cake". Wilfred was advised that his brother was in trouble and returned to find Ford blown to pieces. Shortly afterwards, Wilfred was invalided out of the army.

Montefiore's admirable book about Dunkirk says that some units of the British army were ordered to fight to the last man to keep the corridor open to allow the British Army to retreat to the beaches - an incredible example of self-sacrifice. It would interesting to know if Ford and Wilfred were in one of those units.

Ford left 2 daughters, and now 5 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and 2 great, great grandchildren and counting. I would love to let them know the full story of Ford's heroism.

William Curnow



Pte. John Welsh 1st Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.29th June 1944)

My great uncle John Welsh was in the 1st Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment. He served during the D-day invasion and was just 22 years old. His birthday was on D-day and he survived until the 29th of June 1944 when he died from wounds. He is buried at Hermanville War Cemetery, France. I have no photos of him and no first grave marker. If anyone has any information on this soldier or a photo of him, it would be gratefully appreciated.

Glyn Welsh



John Christopher Byrne 1st Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

John Byrne served with the 1st South Lancashire Regiment and 56th Recce Regiment.

Dave Byrne



Cpl. Jack Carter 1st Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

My father in law Jack Carter was in the Assault Troops in the first wave and landed on Queen White near Caen, at 07.30 approx. on D-Day 6th June 1944. He was in charge of a mortar squad, he survived any injury up until the time a German mortar bomb landed near them and he sustained severe shrapnel damage to his back. He can remember watching the the RAF 'blanket-bombing' Caen, so it must have been after this.

After recovering from his injuries he was sent to Malta. This was with the 2nd Battalion South Lancs, as that was the unit he was with when 'demobbed' in 1946

Dave Brock



Pte. George Vickers 1st Btn. South Lancashire Regiment (d.12th Oct 1944)

George Vickers was the son of Alfred and Elizabeth Vickers of Primrose Jarrow. He served with the South Lancashire Regiment 1st Battalion, and died aged 23 in October 1944. He is buried in the Overloon War Cemetery, in Holland and is also commemorated on the WW2 Roll of Honour Plaque in the entrance of Jarrow Town Hall.

Vin Mullen



RQMS. Malcolm "Lofty" Petfield 1st Btn. South Lancashire Regiment

Malcolm Petfield "Lofty" as he was best remembered joined the ATC 1942 at 17 yr old , he trained and flew the Sopwith Camel. In his time with the unit he won the Heavyweight Boxing Championships. He left the ATC due to eye problems and joined the Navy and trained at HMS Arthur (land based training "ship"). When the call came for troops for D Day he went to the local recruiting office which was set up in a village hall in Ripon . A Yorkshire man in the South Lancs Regiment, I asked him how he became to be in a Lancashire Rgt , he told me "there was a large picture frame on the wall and I liked the badge"!!.

He did a few weeks basic training in Scotland and then onto D Day .He landed at 7.25am on the 6th June . His words : "We landed and I was that frightened I just kept running forward , where too didn't matter I just followed the lads in front" ,As it was he and some others went to the right and ended up getting split up from the rest of the Btn, the Btn made it to Hermanville by 9am ,my father and the others made it back to the Btn mid afternoon.

On the 8th June they were sent down to reinforce Pegasus bridge, spent time around the villages of Plumetot, Mathiau, Cresserons, Giselle woods skirmishing constantly with the Germans. They ended to the east of Caen at 2 chateaus named Chateau la Londe and Le La Londel, they took the first without much of a problem. The other unfortunately caused them to have massive casualties, they were brought back to Hermanville for R&R, regrouped with the East Yorkshire and returned back to the Chateau only again to suffer more heavy casualties .

After the fall of Caen he returned to England 24hrs R&R and rejoined the Btn. He went up into Holland, Venray and then onto Germany where he was part of the occupation force. During his time in Berlin he guarded Rudolph Hess and Albert Speer, during this time he went on a troop ship to Tripoli to bring back war criminals for trial at Nuremberg.

When the 1st Btn amalgamated with the 2nd Btn he ended up in Trieste as part as BETFOR , during his time at Lazarette he met a young lady in Muggia called Elvera Massari who he married and was happily married too for 54yrs up until he passed away.

My father stayed on as a Regular up until the 60's, during his time he was the undefeated Heavy Weight Boxing Champion of the British armed forces Played Rugby which we still have many trophy's and medals for his sporting activities, he served in major conflicts preceding WWII and was at one point attached to the Parachute Regt. He never spoke in detail about his time during WWII , I alway's remember him saying to me "If any man say's he wasn't frightened , he's a liar. There are not words that would even start to describe what it was really like, apart from we were frightened to death"

When I took him back to his first Normandy Anniversary (it was 45yrs later), I asked him where abouts he actually was in the battle area, he could never point to a specific area , but would say "we were some where around here, you didn't take much notice of where you were, you were concentrating on staying alive and doing what you'd been sent to do" When I took him down to Sword Beach at 7.25 on the 6th June (the time he landed), he walked away from me, and for the first time in my life I saw my father actually shed tears, this was a shock for me, because he was not normally the emotional type, or he kept it very well hidden.

Dave Petfield









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