A 16 DLI training squad at Moreton Hall Camp, Edinburgh in the late summer of 1940. Courtesy of Tom Atkinson, ex-stretcher bearer attached to B Company, who does not feature in the picture. This is the earliest group photograph so far discovered of the 16th DLI. Identifications by Syd Shutt and Jimmy James. Also special thanks to Daniel Timney for his grandmother’s identification of Pte J H Richardson.
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Back row: first from left: Jimmy Straughn (4465673), from Bishop Auckland, later B Company, POW from Sedjenane. Second from left, John Henry Richardson, 4465653, from Wallsend. Killed in an air raid on the North East while on leave, 25/4/41. Third from left, Bill Beach, from Wingate, Co Durham, later B Company, POW from Sedjenane. Sixth from left Bill Hitch, B Coy, from Wingate Co Durham, seriously wounded at Sedjenane.
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Second row: fifth from left, Sgt R Marshall, (4447090) who also features on the 1942 16 DLI Sergeants photograph and who was wounded on 22/4/43. Sixth from left, Cpl Hobbs.
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The first man left sitting on ground with his knees up later served in the Signals Platoon. Also on the original photograph its just possible to see the Beds and Herts cap badge of the L/Cpl to left of Sgt Marshall. Also note the mix of service dress (shiny buttons) and the newer battle dress which was common at this time--and also the sheathed bayonet of the man at extreme right. Further identifications requested.
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For a left side enlargement of the photograph click here.
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For a right side enlargement of the photograph click here.
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I have compiled a listing of known circa 7/40 DLI recruits arranged by Army number, which will almost certainly include many of the men above, starting on this page: http://powbooks.atspace.co.uk/page190.html
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Several 1940 16 DLI recruits were interviewed by the Imperial War Museum in the 1990s. These are the direct links to these interviews where they can be listened to on the IWM site:
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Tom Atkinson, stretcher bearer attached to B Coy, POW from 2/3/43, escaped to Allied lines after Italian Armistice of 9/43: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80016739
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Joe Drake MM, Carrier Platoon, HQ Coy, 1940-43. awarded MM for actions on 3/3/43:
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http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80024567
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Gordon Gent, MT Section, A Coy, with the Battalion through to the end of war:
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http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80017740
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Ernie Scriven, Signal Platoon, HQ Coy, 1940-45: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80024557
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Syd Shutt, B Coy, POW from 2/3/43: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80017284
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