- Contributed by听
- WW2_Database
- Article ID:听
- A8759000
- Contributed on:听
- 23 January 2006
Information provided by: Peter Donnelly
Part of: King's Own Royal Regiment Museum
First published: 13 January 2004
Overview
Formed in February 1940 the 7th Battalion went out to France in April 1940 in order to assist with the construction of defensive works. Following the German invasion on 10th May the battalion was ordered back to Dunkirk and the UK. On their return to the UK they were employed on anti-invasion duties whilst they awaited the expected German invasion. In June 1942 the Battalion went to Gibraltar and then onto India in March 1943, where it remained until after the war. Despite intensive training it was never to see active service.
Facts and figures
Unit name: 1st Battalion
Force: Army
Designation: Battalion
Type: Infantry
Entered service: 1677
Chronology
14 Feb 1940: Battalion formed at Dover
April 1940: 7th Battalion arrive in France
10 May 1940: German advance begins
German aircraft bomb the 7th Battalion but they receive no casualties.
26 May 1940: Battalion withdraws from Belgium
27 May 1940: Battalion under attack
The 7th Battalion come under attack from the German forces across the River Lys. The battalion are successful in shooting down an aircraft with a Bren gun and capture the pilot. The order to withdraw is later received.
29 May 1940: 7th Battalion withdraws from Dunkirk
June 1940: Home Defence begins
7th King's Own arrive at Newark in the East Midlands and begin a home defence role operating in camouflaged buses.
September 1940: Move to Northern Ireland
In the autumn of 1940 the 7th Battalion moves to Northern Ireland.
21 Jun 1942: Battalion sails for Gibraltar
The 7th Battalion sails from Greenock to re-inforce Gibraltar, they return to the UK three months later.
19 Mar 1943: 7th King's Own arrive in India
Museums and Organisations
Name: King's Own Royal Regiment Museum
Address: City Museum, Market Square, Lancaster, Lancashire
Postcode: LA1 1HT
Telephone number: 01524 64637
Email address: kingsownmuseum@iname.com
Comments: If contacting the museum by email please supply a full postal address to which a reply can be sent. If visiting the museum in person with a particular enquiry please telephone first to ensure the curator is available.
Books and Magazines
Title: The King's Own The Story of a Royal Regiment Volume Three 1914-1950
Author: Cowper, Julia M
Pub year: 1957
Description: The best single source history of the King's Own and all sub-units for World War Two. Now out of print but should be available on inter-library loan. Now available from the King's Own Museum on cd-rom. Excellent indexing and rolls of gallantry awards.
Title: Lions of England A pictorial history of the King's Own Royal Regiment, Lancaster
Author: Eastwood, Stuart A
Pub year: 1991
ISBN: 0 947971 68 8
Description: Pictorial history of the regiment with chapter covering all operations in World War Two.
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