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Information provided by: Peter Donnelly
Part of: King's Own Royal Regiment Museum
First published: 13 January 2004

Overview

Formed in February 1940 the 6th Battalion went to France with the aim of assisting with the construction of defence works for the British Expeditionary Force. They joined the BEF in April 1940. Following the German invasion on 10th May the 6th Battalion, poorly equipped as an infantry battalion, was ordered to make their way back to Dunkirk. On the way they fought a determined rearguard action at Merville. On their return to the UK they were employed on anti-invasion duties. The 6th Battalion remained in the UK until they were disbanded in July 1944.

Facts and figures

Unit name: 1st Battalion
Force: Army
Designation: Battalion
Type: Infantry
Entered service: 1675

Chronology

February 1940: 6th Battalion Formed

26 Apr 1940: Battalion arrive in France

The 6th Battalion King's Own arrive in France and within days move to Templeuve and start work on defensive works

10 May 1940: German attack and advance begins

28 May 1940: Battalion withdraws to Meteren

27 May 1940: Battalion at Merville and engage German forces

29 May 1940: Withdraw from Dunkirk

The majority of the 6th Battalion have withdrawn to Dunkirk and embark on SS Prague and arrived in Folkestone at 2pm.

June 1940: Home Defence begins

The 6th Battalion move to South Devon in a Home Defence role and later move to Yorkshire. The battalion are mobile operating in camouflaged buses.

July 1941: Switch from beach to aerodrome defence

June 1944: Battalion disbands

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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