|
|
|
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
|
On our 12th Anniversary we would like to thank all those who have contributed to this project.
Research your own Family History.
|
June 2011 - Please note we currently have a large backlog of submitted material, our volunteers are working through this as quickly as possible and all names, stories and photos will be added to the site.
|
|
We are aware of the issue with missing images, this is due to the redesign of the website, images will reappear as soon as the new version of the page is completed, thank you for your patience.
We are now on Facebook. Like this page to receive our updates.
If you have a general question please post it on our Facebook page.
|
If you have any unwanted
photographs, documents or items from the First or Second World War, please do not destroy them.
The Wartime Memories Project will give them a good home and ensure that they are used for educational purposes.
World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great
|
|
|
|
List of those who served with 1st Battalion, The Dorset Regiment during The Second World War
Select a story link or scoll down to browse those stories hosted on this website
|
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? |
Pte. Edward George Broom 1st Btn Dorset Regiment (d.11th Jun 1944) Hello I am looking for any information on my Uncle Edward Broom who was in the First Battlion the Dorset Regiment. He died in the fighting for Tilly Sur Seulles on the 11th June 1944. He joined the army in the 30s and spent time in the Kyber Pass and India.During the war he was in Malta.
I would like to talk to anyone who may haved served with him, or anyone whose relatives my have known him.I hope someone can help. Many thanks
|
2nd Lt. Peter Ernest Dale 1st Battalion Dorset Regiment (d.12th July 1941) My Uncle 2nd Lieutenant Peter Ernset Hay Dale of 1st Battalion Dorsets, born Kampala, died on his 21st Birthday during the seige in 1941 as a result of being shot up by the Luftwaffe
|
Captain (Chaplain) Robert Watt 1st Dorsets My father, Rev Robert Watt was the Chaplain on D day to the 1st Dorsets landing on Gold Beach.
He was born in Helensburgh on 5th Jan 1917. He was a member of the Helenburgh Amateur Swimming Club which stood him in good stead when his landing craft was hit as it approached the beaches.
When asked later if there were any atheists aboard his landing craft he said certainly not on that day!
The funniest story Dad told me was when he went out to do a burial and he slipped and fell into the grave. His sergeant laughed and told him that he better get out and don't lose the Union flag!
Dad told me of another time when he "captured" some Germans. He was out on a burial patrol when he was suddenly surrounded by 40-50 Germans. Dad thought, "oh no that is me captured" He went up to the German officer but before he could surrender the German surrended his soldiers to Dad! The padre then marched them back to base!
Dad went on to be part of the team who liberated Brussels. He ended up in Luneburg. After Germany he served in India and in the early 50's in Malaya with the Cameronians. In 1952 he left the Army and was a Church of Scotland Parish Minister in Fife, then Perthshire and finally in Aberdeen. Dad died in Bannockburn Hospital on Boxing Day 2008.
As his son I am proud of him and all his fellow soldiers who helped liberate Europe on 6th June 1944. I was in the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service in the Cold War Years and I proudly wear my medal with those that Dad and others so gallantly earned all these years ago. |
L/Cpl. William Bert Lewington 1st Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment My Dad's name was William Bert Lewington, he was captured at Dresden and marched to Stalag XII-A where he was a prisoner of war until march 1944. I don't know a lot about his life as a prisoner as like many of our hero's they didn't want to talk about it. As he was a cook he was sent to either Berge-Belsen or Auschwitz to help feed the interns of the camps. I remember him saying he lived on potato soup and had a very bad case of dysentery when he was released. As he was an enlisted soldier firstly in the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment prior to being captured, on re-joining the army he was transferred into the 1st battalion of the Dorsets.
Like many others it did effect their life after the war. I was 11 years old when he died so I would really like to find out more about his life in the army. If any one could help me in this quest I would be grateful. |
Can you help us to add to our records?
The names and stories on this website have been submitted by their relatives and friends. If your relations are not listed please add their names so that others can read about them
Did you or your relatives live through the Second World War? Do you have any photos, newspaper clippings, postcards or letters from that period? Have you researched the names on your local or war memorial?
Were you or your relative evacuated? Did an air raid affect your area?
If so please let us know.
Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice.
Celebrate your own Family History
Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Secomd World War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc.
Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages.
|
|
