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1st Battalion, The Dorset Regiment
In 1939 The lst Battalion of the Dorset’s were sent to Malta to garrison the strategically important island in the middle of Rommel's Africa Corps supply route. Along with the 2nd Devon’s they endured the bombing by the Luftwaffe on the besiged island and shared the suffering of the Maltese people, until the Allies gained superiority in the Mediterranean in 1943.
When the Allies invaded Sicily in July 1943, The Dorset’s alonside The Devon's took part in their first amphibious assault landing. A second landing followed this on the mainland of Italy at 'Porto Venere' on 8th September 1943. The stay in Italy was to be short lived, the two battalions were brought home, thier experience of assault landings was to spearhead the D-Day invasion of France as part of the 50th Division. Having landed slightly to the east of their objective at Le Hamel, on a beach that was still under enemy fire, they made thier way inland and by night fall were in and around the village of Ryes. The Dorset’s then advanced towards Bayeux.
The lst Dorset’s also took part in the battles fought around Tilly, Hottot and the Falaise Pocket. The 43rd Wessex Division carried out an assault river crossing of the Seine and by quickly advanced across Northern Franch. The lst Dorset’s and 2nd Devon’s fought their last battle together at Aam, Holland.
In 1958 The Dorset Regiment amalgamated with The Devonshire Regiment to become the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment
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List of those who served with 1st Battalion, The Dorset Regiment during The Second World War
- Cpl. Barnes 1st Btn. Read his Story.
- Pte. Robert William Clarabut 1st Btn (d.6th Jul 1943) Read his Story.
- Crookes 1st Btn. Read his Story.
Cpl. Barnes 1st Btn. Dorset Regiment
I am sorry to say that my father passed away 10 years ago and, like many of his generation, did not talk about what he went through, except in the company of, “Those who were there.” I do know that he was on Malta during the siege and was part of the 1st Battalion. It was given the title, “1st Malta Brigade” along with, "2nd Devons" and, "1st Hampshires"., and as such my father wore the Maltese cross on one sleeve, below any other brigade insignia. For most of the rest of the war that was 50th Division, (231st Infantry Brigade). The Dorset Regiment, (Malta Brigade), took part in the landings in Sicily, Italy and D Day, and was involved right through to “the Island”, before the battalion was returned to England as a training battalion.
The preface of the Dorset book, “Three Assault Landings”, pays tribute to all “footsloggers” with the verse by "A. P Herbert"
New men, new weapons, bear the brunt;
New slogans gild the ancient game
The infantry are still in front
And mud and dust are much the same
Hail, humble footman, poised to fly
Across the West, or any, wall
Proud, plodding, peerless P.B.I.
The foulest, finest job of all!
Amazing how nothing has changed in 60 odd years
Cpl. Barnes, Dorset Regiment, revisits Normandy 50 years after D-Day.
Crookes 1st Btn. Dorset Regiment
My grandfather served in the Dorsetshire Regiment in the 1930s and again in WW2. I have a nice named group photo of "A" Company, No.2 Platoon, 1st Battalion The Dorsetshire Regiment taken in India in 1933. Although strictly speaking, not wartime, I'm sure many of these young men (like my grandfather) saw service in WW2. I am happy to send copies to any relatives of the men in the photo. They are: Ptes Gibbs, Higman, O'Dare, Hennessy, Pengelly, Fuguill, Gillard, Vaughan, Allen, Jayes, Siggins, Male, Bennett, Lofting, Kimber, Marsh, Lee, Mogg, Dobbs, Rawles, White(my great uncle), Wharton, Harlow, Mills, Coombes, Fotherby, McDermott, Griffiths, Ratchford, LCs Hutchings, Crookes(my grandfather), Paine, Blake, Sgt.Mills and 2/Lt Warden. Unfortunately there are no initials listed.
Pte. Robert William Clarabut 1st Btn Dorsetshire Regiment (d.6th Jul 1943)
My Grans brother died in the war, aged 21. His name was Robert W Clarabut, I'd like to find out more about him, is anyone still alive today who knows of him?
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