Robert Greener initially served in the Territorial Army with 9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry from the 29th May 1931 (19 years old) to 28th May 1935. Service number was 4449106 achieving the rank of Lance Corporal. Description at the time was: 19 years 9 months, 5ft 10 ins, 160 lbs., 34-inch chest expanding to 36, fresh complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair, Roman Catholic residing at 17 Ravenside Terrace, Chopwell with his parents. He left the TAs when his service period had expired.
Then on 7th April 1936 he re-enlisted into the same Battalion (A Company) as a Private. Description at the time was 24 years and 7 months, 5 feet 10.5 inches tall, weight 168 lbs., (12 stones), 40-inch chest expanding to 43, fresh complexion, light brown hair, religion Roman Catholic. At the time Robert was working as a Coal Miner, residing at 14 Ward Avenue Highfield Rowlands Gill with his wife Iris.
Between 7th April 1936 and 31st August 1939 Robert was stationed on home soil somewhere in Britain (3 years 147 days) rising to the rank of Sergeant. Shortly after 13th June 1939, whilst in the rank of Lance Corporal serving in A Company, 9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, he was awarded a Gold Medal for being a crack shot Marksman on the Lewis Gun. From 1st September 1939 to 27th January 1940 he was embodied into the Army (no doubt for further training).
Then on 28th of January 1940 he was mobilised to France traveling on the SS Prague arriving in Cherbourg at 0830 hours on 29th of January 1940. The 6th, 8th and 9th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry seeing action in the Arras, France area. The 6th and 8th Battalions were used in the Counter Attack of Arras (to hold back the Germans advance) with the 9th Battalion held in reserve. Due to the lack of heavy artillery the actual counter attack failed but they were successful in gaining sufficient time, which was vital to aid in the evacuation at Dunkirk (delaying the Germans). Robert was eventually evacuated at the fall of France (Dunkirk) on 3rd June 1940.
While I cannot confirm the following details, it is very probable that the 9th Battalion was made up of between 600 to 800 men divided into 3 companies A, B and C, each having about 200 to 260 men, the Companies then split into platoons. My father was in A company in charge of a platoon of about 15 to 20 men (each platoon was led by a Lieutenant and 2 Sergeants).
His service during the war left a great and lasting mark on Robert. During the evacuation of Dunkirk his colleague, and best friend, had half his body blown away. Robert held him in his arms (on the beach) until he passed away. It appears Robert never mentally fully recovered from this experience.
During his time in France he contracted double-pneumonia which left him with a weak heart and respiratory problems. Although he remained in the Army (on home soil) from June 1940 to 15th of November 1940 he was, due to his illness, eventually discharged as being Permanently unfit for any form of military service.
Robert was awarded the 1939-45 Star and the 1939-45 War Medals.
