235367 Sergeant Henry George Maycock

C Coy 2nd Bn Royal Welch Fusiliers

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Henry at the age of 17 years enlisted into the Welsh Regiment at Barry, Glamorgan as a Territorial. war. Following the start of the war and on being mobilised he joined the The Welsh Regiment as a Sergeant Instructor and taught at various base depot training establishments until his transfer to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was given the number 235367 and entered the French / Flanders Theatre of War in June 1917.

Henry George Maycock was born in Chiswick, London on 13 June 1893, one of eight children, five boys and three girls. His father Thomas died sometime between the 1891 and 1901. After the death of the father the family moved from Chiswick to Barry Docks taking up residence at No 7 Thompson Street. Henry soon settled down in Barry and found employment as a butcher’s assistant.

In 1910, at seventeen years of age, he joined the Welsh Territorials and was called up on mobilisation in August 1914. He was transferred to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and was for some time a Sergeant-Instructor in Scotland, Hartlepool and Durham.

Henry served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from June, 1917, and was killed in action on 26th September 1917 in the fighting for Bourlon Wood. The extract below is from the war diaries of the 2nd Bn RWF and covers the period 26th Sep 1917.

11.45 on a two Company frontage, with one company in support and one company in reserve. Casualties by Machine Gun and Shell Fire – slight.

12 noon. Front line moved off followed by support company. Two Companies failed to keep connection owing to left front company and extended in front of CARLISLE FARM. Two platoons in reserve company were in rear and occupied gun emplacements and pill-boxes. Casualties about 120 including Major R.A. Poore, D.S.O., Adjutant, three Company Commanders and three subalterns.

At dusk the front companies fell back in conjunction with the Australians, who like themselves had exhausted all their Small Arms Ammunition. This necessitated a second reorganisation. Twice before midnight an S.O.S. barrage was put down but no infantry attack developed on this Battalion front.

Casualties: - Killed. Major R.A. Poore D.S.O. (Royal Wilts Yeomanry attached 2nd R.W.F.), A/Captain and Adjutant J.C. Mann M.C., A/Captain E. Coster M.C., 2nd Lieutenant R.A.Casson., 2nd Lieutenant E.F.C. Colquhoun., 2nd Lieutenant H. LI Evans., 2nd Lieutenant I Williams. Killed; - 31 Other Ranks. Wounded: - 121 Other Ranks.

Bourlon Wood on the Western Front was the scene of fierce back-and-forth fighting between the British and the Germans, with British gains on at least one occasion thrown away by lack of proper follow-up. The Wood formed the left flank of the massive British tank attack at Cambrai, the first of its kind, on November 20, 1917.

Sgt Henry George Maycock was buried where he fell. He is honoured and remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

Panel 63 - 65

 

1066 LANCE CORPORAL WILLIAM COX
D Coy. 1st/6th Bn. The Royal Welsh Fusiliers

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William Cox was born in Marylebone, London to John & Lena Cox in 1890.
By 1911, the Cox family had left London and moved to 30 Albert St, Upper Bangor, North Wales. The father was employed as a railway bridge painter and William a railway masons’ labourer.

William served with the 1/6th Bn (Carnarvonshire & Anglesey) RWF. These were a part of the 1st North Wales Infantry Brigade, 1st Welsh Division.
Having moved from Conway to Northampton in late 1914, the 1/6th Battalion prepared for going overseas. On the 9th of July 1915, they alongside the 1/5th Bn, headed for Gallipoli via Lemnos and Imbros.

At 6am on 9 August 1915 the men of the 6th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers landed on “C” Beach, Purnam/Kuchuk Kemikli, the south west point of Suvla Bay, Gallipoli (a number of the men remarked that Sulva Bay looked much like Penmaenmawr Bay). They bivouacked overnight to the west of Lala Baba. They were issued with 200 rounds per man and 1 day’s rations.

At 3am on the 10 August they were given hot tea and at 4.30am then moved forward to engage the enemy. The 158th North Wales Brigade, which was composed of the 5th and 6th Bns. (included in this was a company made up mostly of Penmaenmawr quarrymen) plus men of the 7th Bn RWF along with men of the Middlesex Regt. They crossed the Salt Lake and advanced in an easterly direction in open formation. They then headed in a south easterly direction for Scimitar Hill which lies between the Salt Lake and the Anafarta Ridge. At 10am there was a note to the commander of the 6th RWF to bring up men to rush Scimitar Hill. By11am they were in an assault position about 200 yards away in oak scrub. At noon the 5th RWF charged up the hill 200 yards in advance of the 159th’s trenches, while the 6th reinforced them. They encountered tenacious Turkish shrapnel and machine gun fire, in the taking of the hill Lt Colonel Basil Philips of the 5th was hit in the neck and died instantly.

Following very hard fighting they had by the end of the day suffered heavy casualties. The company of men that had worked together at the Pen slate quarry no longer existed.

By the 15th they were in the fire trenches having had very little or no respite since their landing. They were relieved by the 2nd Royal Fusiliers on the 22nd of August 1915.

During ardous13 days of fighting, Lcpl William Cox was wounded. He was taken aboard the Hospital Ship Nerassa, where sadly, he died from his wounds on the 21st August 1915. William was 25 years old.

He is remembered at the Helles memorial and also is named on a plaque to men who died from the Bangor Railway. The plaque once hung in the Bangor Railway Institute prior to its demolition. It was then moved to St David’s Church, Glanadda and upon the closure of the church, it was moved to Bangor Railway Station.

February 2022 - 2LT JOHN WILLIAM - ELLIS

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November 2021 - Two Royal Welch Warriors

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Milwr y Mis

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14448971 Fusilier Norbert Müller - 6th Bn The Royal Welch Fusiliers

Norman Miller stands with his rifle and helmet while serving with the Royal Welch Fusiliers. (Copyright: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum)

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Centenary of Private Francis Harold Quinn’s death

- BY GAVIN WOOD

On the 27th April 1920 a telegram arrived at 66 Southbank Street, Leek addressed to Arthur and Mary Quinn – something that any parent with children in the armed forces dreads. Their son, Frank, had been fatally wounded by a revolver bullet on the 26th April and had died the next morning. The telegram was followed by a hand-delivered letter saying the same. Frank was the brother of my maternal great-grandmother, Aileen Quinn. One hundred years on, we remember him.

Francis (Frank) Harold Quinn enlisted 12 October 1915 as a “Boy Soldier” at the age of 14. His first duties after completing military school, 26 April 1919, were with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, Wrexham, where his father had also served. On 27 September 1919 and now 18 years old, Frank joined the 2nd Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers (2RWF) who were based at the New Barracks Limerick (now called Sarsfield Barracks).
After the end of the First World War, the 2nd Battalion remained in France until the end of May 1919 when they returned to Wrexham. Orders were then received to re-form in Ireland. Limerick was a key social, political and military battleground during the Irish War of Independence (1919–1921) between the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the British Army (including the RWF) and the quasi-military Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC). Limerick was declared a Special Military Area on 9th April 1919 with military control of the city. The 2nd Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers were deployed to Limerick on 7 August 1919 to support the RIC and absorbing the 3rd Battalion, RWF, which had been in Limerick since 1917.
Seven months into Frank’s posting, April 1920, there was a resurgence of rioting in Limerick. On the particular night of 26th April, the atmosphere in the town was one of unrest. Reports reached the barracks that night of soldiers being “knocked about” and “arguing taking place”. Frank was off duty and in town at the Limerick Protestant Young Men's Association (LPYMA) at 97 O’Connell Street. The Limerick Chronicle – a staunch unionist paper with protestant leanings reported it as the YMCA.

Frank left the club around 9pm and headed back to the barracks along the main O’Connell Avenue with fellow fusilier, Private Roberts and at least two others. As they reached the corner of Wolfe-Tone Street they encountered off-duty soldiers. Something was brewing and they stayed closed in support. They continued to walk south-west along O’Connell Avenue towards Punch’s corner. The guards advised that they “don’t stray too far’.
Along that stretch of road they encountered civilians, one of whom was armed with a revolver that was pointing out of his coat breast pocket. “The man looked serious”, according to Private Roberts in a subsequent military enquiry.

At about 10.15pm a row started between civilians and soldiers near the corner of O’Connell Avenue and Wolfe Tone street – the row escalated and turned for the worse. The civilians started to show aggression and threw “stones and big bricks”. Exactly how the row started is unclear. Frank and his friends joined to support his fellow soldiers, although they were not armed himself.

The soldiers pursued the civilians back down O’Connell Avenue towards town and the statue in The Crescent. Continuing his subsequent eye-witness statement, Roberts said, someone in the crowd “flung a smoke bomb” back at the soldiers. He then heard the crack of three gunshots ring out. That was around 10.36pm.

About 20 yards up the road Roberts saw a soldier being taken into a private house; he did not know at the time that it was his friend Frank Quinn – they had lost each other during the unrest. Frank had been fatally shot in the head by “person unknown” with a revolver. Less than three hours later, at 1.20 am on Apr 27, he died in the Military Hospital, Limerick.

The shooting of Frank Quinn led to renewed rioting in the town. The crowds increased in size to over 200 civilians. Around 50 on-duty soldiers eventually managed to control the situation and clear the streets. There were no arrests that night.

The next day, the remains of the late Private Frank Quinn were removed from the New Barracks and taken to the railway station and on to Wrexham, where the internment take place. The route taken by the cortege included O’Connell Avenue where he was shot. As the cortege passed along to the station people on the pavements respectfully saluted the remains, and at the entrance to the terminus the band played the funeral march, Beethoven, and the Last Post was sounded.

His funeral took place in Wrexham, Denbighshire on Friday 7th May. The coffin, which rested on a gun carriage, was covered with the Union Jack, and the late soldier's cap and belt were placed in the casket, as well as several wreaths. Preceding the carriage was a party of military who carried reversed arms and the Band of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. Immediately after the carriage Franks parents, Arthur and Mary, drove in a closed carriage, after which walked another detachment of soldiers carrying rifles at the slope. These were followed by a party of Royal Irish Constabulary under District Inspector Marrinan, the rear being brought up by a small party of military with fixed bayonets. The firing party shot three volleys over the grave in Wrexham Cemetery.

In the Catholic Church of St Mary, Compton, Leek, there is a plaque commemorating Frank Quinn. Rest in peace Great-Uncle Frank.

Lest we forget.

Gavin Wood

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The Military Service of Brigadier Sir Richard Gambier-Parry KCMG

- By David King & Mark Lubienski

Richard Gambier-Parry [RGP] was knighted in 1956 (his KCMG raising him from the CMG received in 1945) for his service as Director of Communications at HMGCC [Her Majesty’s Government Communications Centre] Hanslope Park. He had served at Hanslope in WW2 in RSS [the Radio Security Service], going on to Whaddon Hall to provide communications for MI6 as Controller Special Communications [CSC] and Head of Section VIII. On the payroll of MI6 he reached the rank of Brigadier. After WW2 he held the honorary rank of Brigadier in the Royal Welch Fusiliers [RWF] and the appointment of Honorary Colonel in the Royal Signals TA - and had also been in the RAF as a Flight Lieutenant. All this takes a bit of unravelling and it’s a colourful story.

RGP was an Etonian but, according to Hugh Trevor-Roper, “with qualities more often associated with Harrow than Eton: a robust and genial extrovert, jovial, flamboyant and somewhat loud in voice and tastes”. RGP was of that generation whose age was such – he was born in 1894 – that they served in both wars. The “family regiment” was the RWF in which his Uncle Ernest had served. Elder brother Michael joined, winning an MC in WW1, and following transfer to RTR commanding 2nd Armoured Division as a major general in North Africa. It is of passing interest to intelligence researchers that Michael’s daughter Gill married Bill Williams, Head of Intelligence to Monty, and of passing interest to musicologists that RGP was a relative of, and had a close resemblance to, Sir Hubert Parry of Jerusalem and I Was Glad fame.

 

1RWF officers at Laventie: Gambier-Parry 3rd from L

 

 

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5956878 L/Sgt Leslie RH Fulton MM – 6th Bn The Royal Welch Fusiliers

Born in 1915, 5956878 Cpl Leslie Reginald Henry Fulton had a very tough upbringing in the East End of London, having been taken away from his mother after the Great War, when his father decided he couldn’t keep him. Leslie was eventually adopted, nevertheless he showed remarkable resilience by attaining a place at a grammar school – an achievement he was not allowed to take up.

 

At the onset of WW2, Leslie joined the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment in August 1940 just a month after his wife May had given birth to his daughter Patricia (He already had a son John and seven years later would have another daughter Carol).

In August 1944, the 6th Bn The Royal Welch Fusiliers (6 RWF), who were fighting in the North West Europe Campaign received a number of drafts of men from other units, in order to replace those men killed or wounded, Leslie was one of those drafted into 6 RWF. The Battalion, who had landed on Gold Beach on the 25th June, was fighting through the Normandy bocage and had lost over 100 men killed, in addition to the many wounded.

Two months on, we would find Leslie Fulton fighting in the Netherlands. The Allies, though failing to cross the Rhine at Arnhem in September 1944, had at least extended their right flank to protect against German counter attacks on the British 21st Army Group. They were now attacking the Scheldt Estuary to open the Port of Antwerp. The Battle of Scheldt would eventually open the port, thus solving the Allied supply problems. Meanwhile the German 15th Army were trying to escape through a bottle neck in North Zeeland to retreat back to Germany across the Rivers Maas and Rhine. In their way, contesting the village of Hintham, North of S’Hertogenbosch, was the 6 RWF containing the then Fusilier Leslie Fulton and his highly unreliable, single shot PIAT (Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank) Gun.

His subsequent citation for an action on the 23/24th October 1944 reads:

‘During the night attack by 6 RWF on Hintham, S’Hertogenbosch, Holland on 23/24 Oct 44, Fusilier Fulton was manning a PIAT. Fierce hand-to-hand fighting broke out with strong German forces who were trying to break out through A Company’s position. During this fighting an enemy infantry gun opened fire on the house occupied by Company HQ and secured two direct hits at almost point-blank range. This very dangerous situation was restored by Fusilier Fulton who, with great courage, left his trench under heavy fire and with his PIAT dispersed the gun crew single handed, killing and wounding several of them. This display of initiative and daring in a highly dangerous situation undoubtedly contributed greatly to the success of the defence. Throughout the whole of a night and morning of fierce hand-to-hand fighting Fusilier Fulton displayed the highest qualities of bravery and devotion to duty and by his example inspired his comrades to resist the enemy’s most strenuous efforts to overwhelm A Company and so break out’

His soldiering ability was quickly recognised, and by the end of the war he was a Sergeant.

The recommendation for Leslie’s gallantry award was confirmed and counter-signed by Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery. It was approved on the 26 Nov 1944 and an announcement published in the London Gazette on the 1st March 1945. On the day of the announcement 6 RWF, along with 4th & 7th RWF were taking part in the Capture of Weeze.

 

Field Marshall Montgomery presented Cpl Leslie Fulton with his Military Medal at a Ceremony held at the Opera House, Dusseldorf on the 3rd August 1945. His Battalion was in attendance.

 

 

Leslie Fulton survived the war, but did not return home until 1946, serving in the 6 RWF Officers Mess, Düsseldorf for his final year as the Mess Sergeant. By the time he was demobbed he had only met his daughter Patricia on three occasions since her birth! A butcher by trade he went on to become President of the Meat Traders Association, a feat his very sporty family was always highly thankful for!
In addition to his three children, he had seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Leslie Fulton MM died of cancer in 1980 at the age of 65.

This article has been co-produced with Leslie Fulton’s Grandson and Author; Stuart Thresher.

 

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4206553 Fusilier Arthur Charity RWF – No 6 Commando

KIA D-Day 6th June 1944

4206553 Fusilier Arthur Charity, enlisted into the Royal Welch Fusiliers on the 9th October 1940. After training he then served with No.4 Troop of No.6 Commando from October 1942 and then with the Medical Section of HQ Troop of No.6 Commando from at least 30th August 1943. Arthur was reported as being “Killed in Action” on 6th June 1944, he was aged 24 years, a married man with a child.

Arthur was battle-hardened veteran, with many commando operations under his belt. He had been previously reported wounded in North Africa (Tunisa) on the 26 February 1943, when his unit was involved in bitter fighting against two battalions of German parachute infantry. On that day his commando unit lost over 40% of its total strength.

 

Arthur landed on Sword Beach (Sector “Queen Red”) on D-Day 6th June 1944 at 0840hrs with No 6 Commando. They then advanced to positions at LE PLEIN, en route assaulting a German battery, taking 16 prisoners and killing 24 of the enemy. Their total casualties for that first day were reported as 4 x Killed and 28 x Wounded.

 

Later IWM film-footage shot in July 1944, shows Arthur’s grave, marked with a simple wooden cross on the roadside near Pegasus Bridge, along with three other fallen British soldiers.

He was the son of Arthur and Sarah Charity; and married to Joan Charity and father of Keith Charity, of Hove, Sussex. Arthur was permanently laid to rest in La Delivrande War Cemetery (Douvres, Calvados, France). Grave V.C.3. The inscription on his headstone, topped with an RWF capbadge reads:

‘With tender thoughts and deep regrets. We loved you & never forget. Wife Joan and Son Keith.’

Arthur is the only RWF listed casualty for D-Day.

With grateful thanks and acknowledgement to:-

www.commandoveterans.org
www.6commando.com

 

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(This obituary appeared in the Summer Edition 2010 of the Regimental Magazine of The Royal Welsh)

Pioneer Sergeant Major William Street, BEM (Strasse)

(10th February 1922–28th January 2011)

Bill was born and went to school in Brynmawr, and joined the army, very appropriately, on ‘Fireworks Day’ 1940 aged 18. His first posting was to 7 RWF, which was part of the Northern Ireland garrison at the time. In March 1942 he joined 4RWF in 158 Brigade. For the next two years they trained intensively for battle throughout UK. Then on 25th June 1944 Bill, a Fusilier in the Assault Pioneer Platoon, sailed aboard the liberty ship “Cotton Mather” for Normandy. There were forty-nine other ships in the convoy escorted by destroyers and corvettes, with US fighter planes providing air cover. What excitement for a young man of twenty-two. As soon as they landed they were in the thick of it, and Bill as an assault pioneer would have been in constant danger, clearing mines, crossing water obstacles, and so on. He took part in the bocage battles of Normandy, the canal actions in the Low Countries, the capture of S’Hertogenbosch, the Ardennes, weeks fighting in the dark Reichswald Forest, the savage Rhineland battles, and at last, now a Lance Corporal, celebrated victory in Hamburg. Someone described him as “prodding for mines all the way from Normandy to the North Sea”. But who among us ever heard Bill speaking, far less bragging, about these exploits?

On the way he lost many friends and he never forgot them. On subsequent pilgrimages to the battlefields, and notably to Evrecy, he visited their graves. There he prayed openly; he talked to them: “I have come to visit you, Jack, one day I will join you, but I’m in no hurry”.

In 1946, on disbandment of 4RWF, Bill transferred to the 1st Battalion. In 1951 he was a Corporal Storeman in D Company in Wavell Barracks, Berlin and later that year the Battalion was posted to the West Indies. Bill was promoted to become the Pioneer Sergeant and would henceforth lead the Battalion on parade and ceremonial occasions and was, uniquely, entitled to wear a beard. From then he sported the magnificent red beard, which became famous throughout the Army.

 

The Caribbean was followed by Chiseldon in 1954, Dortmund a year later and Berlin in 1956 then it was 1958 when the Battalion moved to Cyprus at the height of the EOKA campaign. One of our tasks in Cyprus was to search for and destroy caches of EOKA terrorist weapons. The destruction of them fell to Bill and his team. The actual use of explosives was almost exclusively done by him personally.

On the constructive side he also achieved an enormous amount. In Cyprus the Battalion was dispersed in small and inadequate camps. Bill and his small team made an immense difference to improving conditions. Cookhouses were built, water piped in from local sources, electricity was installed and amenities improved in every way. He built a chapel at Aghirda Camp, and a new office for the CO. All this was done with limited materials but with great initiative and resourcefulness. He would look at the problem, stroke his beard with that quizzical look in his eye and then achieve miracles. This was repeated wherever the Battalion was posted across the globe: - Germany, Cyprus again, Hong Kong and Northern Ireland. He must have built dozens of magnificent Sergeants Mess bars which he then enjoyed patronising. 1966 saw 1RWF back in Cyprus, this time with the UN Peacekeeping Force. Once again he distinguished himself improving inadequate facilities. After this tour he was awarded the British Empire Medal for his many achievements. Typically, he was quite embarrassed and shy about it.

Every man’s career must eventually some to an end. Bill’s service was extended almost a record number of times but eventually he had to retire. He for ever remained a stalwart of his branch of the Comrades Association and attended their meeting in Brecon on the Tuesday before he died. He was at Comrades weekends in Wrexham without fail every September, and he was taken happily to Chester for the Queen’s visit to the Regiment last year.

He was a man who by nature of his ceremonial duties met many VIPs and VVIPs, from the Queen downwards. His great courtesy and charm never failed to impress. At the same time, if one of his pioneers had a personal problem, they could always count on Bill for sympathy, support and very real help. His simple but steadfast faith was put into practice through his compassionate personal relationship with all who knew him.

 

Bill’s funeral was held at Brynmawr on Thursday 17th February 2011. Many old friends, Officers and Comrades attended his funeral. Major General RM Llewellyn gave the eulogy and at the farewell drinks Lt Colonel MA Lloyd, as Chairman of the Comrades Association read out a farewell message from our Colonel in Chief, HM The Queen who expressed her sorrow at our loss.

Jesus said: “In so far as you have done it for the least of these brothers of mine, you have done it for me. Enter now the kingdom which has been prepared for you since the foundation of the world”. We can be sure that Bill is now at peace with his comrades in that eternal kingdom.

The last word comes from Tony Corbett who wrote: “And Peter said: ‘Lord, I have found a good man to repair the gate”.

God bless you, Old comrade.

 

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2734649 Cpl E.P. (Ted) Jones MM.

Edward Pryce (Ted) Jones MM was born at Tybrith Farm, at Cloddiau, Welshpool, in 1919. Ted joined the army in the late 1930’s, initially enlisting into the Welsh Guards. He was mobilised with the 7th Battalion, RWF at the outbreak of WW2 in Sept 1939 and then with all the other 18-20yr olds from his unit, transferred to the 10th Battalion RWF, which was stationed at Beaumaris, on the island of Anglesey, North Wales. Early in 1940, the Battalion was posted to Plymouth, Devon. Ted had volunteered for “Special Duties” with 9 Independent Company, which was to be the forerunner of the Commando and Special Forces units.

On June 14th 1940, he joined 11 Independent Company, who had been ordered to plan the first ever commando-style raid against the Germans, now holding the French coast in force. The raid was codenamed “Operation Collar” and personally sanctioned by the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. Ted and his comrades, under the command of Major Ronnie Tod, commenced ten days of intensive training, including watermanship, boats, street fighting, and use of the Thompson Sub-Machine Gun, a skill that Ted was to use to great effect nearly five years later!

Ten days later, on the evening of the 24 June 1940 at Dover, Ted and 114 other men climbed into four RAF search and rescue patrol craft and crossed the English Channel to attack 4 objectives, one target per boat. The aim of the mission was to kill or capture the enemy and obtain intelligence. We think Ted’s objective was Stella Plage. The staff officer who conceived the raid, Lt Colonel Dudley Clarke, accompanied Ted’s troop in their boat, as an observer. He would later become the Allies acknowledged expert on Deception Warfare.

Ted’s group reached the French coast at about midnight. They were unlucky to land as the German sentries patrolled past. Ted can recall the sentries cocking their rifles. The raiding party opened fire and killed them, which then resulted in a further firefight with a larger German force. During the gun battle their boat had withdrew to mid-channel. Ted and his comrades were then stranded in the dunes behind the beach for over an hour, hiding from the German forces, before their boat finally returned closer to the beach. They were eventually forced to dump their kit and swam out to the craft, then being successfully extracted back to Dover. The only British casualty was the observer and planner Lt Col Dudley Clarke, who suffered a flesh wound from a German bullet.

The operation, in which the soldiers had received only minimal training, had mixed success, but it crucially convinced Churchill that Commando units, with intensive training and good equipment could be highly effective against the enemy. Within 12 months Commando units were actively taking the fight to the enemy.

Following the raid the Ministry of Information released press statement:

“Naval and military raiders, in cooperation with the RAF, carried out successful reconnaissance’s of the enemy coastline: landings were effected at a number of points and contacts made with German troops. Casualties were inflicted on the enemy, but no British casualties occurred, and much useful information was obtained”

After the raid, Ted transferred to the 2nd Battalion RWF, part of 29 Independent Brigade, who were undergoing intensive training in Scotland, based around amphibious operations. On the 24th March 1942, Ted and his comrades aboard HMS Karanja, set sail from the River Clyde in a large shipping convoy, heading to South Africa. After stopping for supplies, they proceeded to the island of Madagascar. Held by the Vichy French, and with its deep-water harbour, it was considered by Allied planners to be vulnerable to Japanese occupation, and the Allies therefore needed to seize it. It took four-months of hard fighting against the Vichy French who were supported by colonial troops and the French Foreign Legion to capture it. Ted, a big strong farmer, armed with a Bren Gun, was in the thick of the fighting throughout, and can recall escorting his Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Stockwell and Brigadier Festing, the Brigade Commander, as they entered the Governor-Generals Residence at Antisarane on the morning of the 7th May, later witnessing the surrender of the garrison to Brigadier Festing.

Ted also witnessed the successful Japanese midget submarine attack against HMS Ramillies and the oil tanker British Loyalty on the 29th May 1942, in the harbour of Diego Suaraz, in which the warship was severely damaged and the tanker sunk. The island was fully under British control by September 1942. Although British casualties were relatively light, many of the men involved in the invasion, including Ted, suffered from malaria, and it took 2 RWF several months to recover its full fighting strength.

Teds next exploits took him to Burma and the Arakan, where he was to spend the next two years fighting the Japanese. Initially in the Mayu hill range of the Arakan, later in Northern Burma, as part of the 145-mile advance along Railway Corridor, heading south from Myitkyina to Katha.

2 RWF excelled at small-scale engagements against the enemy, and were more than a match for their Japanese opponents. Living and fighting in the dense jungle became their way of life, and Ted as a country boy, was more than able to cope with this incredibly harsh environment. He was by now a Cpl and in command of an eight to ten man section. His undoubted leadership skills were put to the test on the morning of the 11th January 1945, as he patrolled with his Section near to the banks of the Irrawaddy. Below is the subsequent Citation for his bravery, for which he was awarded the Military Medal.

“On the 11th Jan 45, Cpl Jones was one of the Section Commanders of a Fighting Patrol which was sent forward from Shadaw to contact an enemy position on the track North of Myega.

As his section was advancing along the track it came under heavy fire from Jap LMG’s and rifleman in bunkers on either side of the track. Cpl Jones immediately rushed one of the bunkers by himself, and killed both occupants with his T.S.M.G. (Thompson Sub-Machine Gun). He then led his Section onto some foxholes where he himself killed four Japs with his T.S.M.G and Grenades.

Cpl Jones’ gallantry could not have been surpassed, and his dash and inspiring leadership under fire was an example to the whole platoon.

The detailed and accurate information brought back by this NCO was of such value that a further plan was made that ensured the success of the next operation.

Signed by
Lt Col Ll Gwydr-Jones. 30th Jan 1945”

 

Cpl E.P. Jones MM, India 1945.

Ted can recall the incident clearly. He actually spotted the enemy ambush postion, just a few meters ahead as he patrolled, and had the strength of character to continue past the enemys muzzles, that he could see poking out of the undergrowth, Once immediatley past, he took a few steps into the jungle foliage, putting himself behind the enemy postion and fired a long burst into the rear of the Japanese bunker, followed by grenades. After a brief firefight and much confusion amongst his men, he collected his section; and moved about 60 metres away in order to regroup. He was then ordered by his commander to return to the bunker and hold the position. As he did this task, he caught the enemy hurridly trying to collect their dead from the bunker. Ted initiated a further firefight, again causing multiple enemy casualties!

Ted did not return home to his family in Welshpool until 1946, where he married and raised a family on his small farm. Like millions of other men of his generation, putting his experiences behind him and concentrating on living a good and productive life.

Today, Ted is still active in his local RWF Comrades Branch, attending lots of engagements throughout the year. In 2018 he took part in Weshpool Town’s commemorations of the Great War, he also attended the Burma Star National AGM at the National Arboretum, and the Welshpool RWF Comrades Xmas Lunch in December, this is just a few of the many events and functions he’s involved in. He also meets up with fellow Veteran, Jack Ellis MBE, who served with the 6th (Royal Welch) Para Battalion, every week at a local community centre in the town.

In December 2018, Ted celebrated his 99th Birthday. We believe he’s the only Second World War RWF Veteran, in receipt of a gallantry award still alive. It’s the hugely courageous actions of Ted and many other Royal Welchmen in the Second World War, who by their actions wrote another chapter in the long distinguished history of the Royal Welch Fusiliers.

 

Ted with Comrades and friends at the Roayl Welsh Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum.

 

Ted and fellow Comrade Mr Colin Rogers view “The Wall” at the National Arboretum, Staffordshire.

 

Pictured at the RWF Comrades Assocation Annual Reunion.
Wrexham September 2017.

 

Cyfieithiad yma yn fuan...

Frederick Edward Sheady

The full story of Fred Sheady was unknown in the UK until 2016. Until then British records show him as “Killed Whilst Escaping,” with no known grave. We gratefully acknowledge the help and assistance provided by Mr Marcin Grybos and our Polish friends who worked tirelessly with us to help piece together this sad but amazing story of determination and human spirit.

4189938 Fusilier Frederick Edward SHEADY. 1RWF

22 April 1933. 4189938 Frederick Edward Sheady attested into the Royal Welch Fusiliers, joining the 2nd Battalion on their Foreign Service tour. Fred was from Flint, North Wales.

 

December 1938. Fred returns to the UK as his military service starts to draw to a close, and he’s posted to 1RWF, based in the UK. In Sept 1939 at the onset of WW2, 1RWF is deployed to France as part of the BEF. Fred goes with them. By now he’s a married man of only eight days, with a family home at Prince of Wales Avenue, Flint.

16 May 1940. 1RWF come under sustained German attacks whilst defending the River Dyle at Ottenbourg on the French/Belgian border. At 2200hrs following the collapse of French Forces further along their line, they are ordered to withdraw. A few days later Fred is reported missing, later he’s reported “Wounded” and confirmed to be a Prisoner of War. He was being held at Larmsdorf, Southern Poland, within Stalag VIIIB. His allocated Prisoner of War number: 16929.

Over the next two years, Fred, makes at least seven attempts to escape from the camp, his Polish companions later confirm his prime motivation was to get back to his family in Flint.

7 Sept 1942. A group of twelve POW’s including Fred managed to escape from a workcamp. Literally minutes before the attempt, Fred partners up with a member of the RAF of Polish/Jewish extraction, they escape together. This airman spoke fluent Polish and had family near Krakow. Fred’s name later appears on a German Police “Wanted” poster. We know the Jewish airman was captured four months later, and then escaped again, this time making a homerun back to the UK.

The picture now gets murky and we temporarily lose track of Fred’s movements.
November 1942. Polish documents record that he was hiding in Krakow, in the care of the Polish Partisans (AK). The Gestapo is closing in on him; they have already caught a doctor who had been hiding Fred. His continued presence in Krakow was putting the local resistance network at risk, so the local partisan commander ordered that Fred was to be moved to Bystrzyca Szymbarska, to the house of a female partisan Stanislowa Groblewska (Codename: Joanna). She uses a horse-drawn wagon to make the journey (150kms), as the trains are considered too risky. Fred pretends to be mute and has documents to suggest he is John Cislaka. He now has the partisan codename: “Alliant”

9 November 1942. Stanislowa and Fred arrive at her home in Bystrzyca. He spends Christmas with her and her family, hiding in the attic room.

The Groblewska House today. The attic room can be seen.

28 February 1943. The Gestapo is now looking with suspicion at the Groblewska family, Fred is quickly moved to a partisan hideout, deep in the woods in the Gorlich District. He now gaining the trust of his fellow partisans and beginning to speak polish.

10 March 1943. Fred is killed at the village of Stróże, being summarily shot by German Railway Police as he attempted to surrender. Fred’s group had arrived at a house in the village the day before they were due to purchase ammunition. However a local man had informed on their operation. The Germans surrounded the house, and then using grenades, launched their raid. Only a couple of the partisans were armed, and of the six men, two managed to escape, the remaining four, including Fred, were killed inside or in the vicinity of the house.

We know that Fred initially escaped from the house, but still weak from years of captivity, no exercise and a poor diet, he was quickly chased down by the German Police, he then attempted to surrender and was killed on the spot.

The German unit then burned the house to the ground. One of the escapees, the group leader, Franciszek Paszek (Codename: Kmicic) hid in a nearby farm shed and later escaped during the night by climbing through the shingle roof. His testimony was recorded in a Polish book about the Partisans, published after the war, and also in the biography of Stanislawa Groblewska, with whom he spoke with a day or so later.
On the 12 March, Groblewska wrote in her diary "The bodies of the partisans were buried in one grave .., Fred Sheady from Flint in Wales who was buried in a cemetery in Stróże will remain with us forever” She also added in her diary on March the 12, 1944 the memories of "Kmicic" who survived and she concluded: " All the partisans were buried in a cemetery in Stróże "

The other partisans killed and buried with Fusilier Fred Sheady were:
Dywan Stanislaw
Jozef Majocha
Zygmunt Tulecki
A short while later the Partisans delivered their justice. The collaborator who informed the Germans of the Stróże partisan operation to purchase ammunition, was tried by the Polish Underground State, found guilty of treason, and was subsequently executed by the Partisans. Then a few weeks after Fred was killed, an escaped Canadian Flying Officer Hubert Brooks, and his British Co-Pilot, who were involved with a nearby partisan group, attacked the German Railway Police, herding a number of them into a room and shooting them dead.
Immediately the war, during the Stalinist purges, the Polish Partisans (AK) were treated as a threat to the State, imprisoned and often killed. The local government therefore ordered the bodies of the men to be exhumed and reburied outside of the district. Sadly, we have not been able to locate the final resting place of Fusilier Fred Sheady and his fellow partisans. The villagers at Stróże erected a memorial to the four men at the location of their original gravesite. This is now the focus of their remembrance.

Peter Sheady at the Stróże Memorial 2018

Recently Peter Sheady a member of the present-day family travelled to Poland, met and thanked our Polish researchers and laid a Royal Welch Fusilier wreath at the memorial in the village of Stróże.

Not Forgotten.

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