大象传媒

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

Overview

The 8th Battalion was one of four newly formed battalions of the King's Own in February 1940. In April 1940 they joined the British Expeditionary Force in France and Belgium with the aim of assisting in the construction of defensive works. Following the German invasion on 10th May 1940 the 8th Battalion made their way back to Dunkirk and were evacuated to the UK. On their return they were employed on anti-invasion duties in the South West of England and in October 1940 part of the battalion was snet to the Scilly Isles. In July 1941 the battalion had moved to Scotland, from where they set sail for Malta. En route, on 23rd July 1941, HMS Manchester, carrying the majority of the Battalion, was torpedoed and had to limp back to Gibraltar. The Battalion finally arrived in Malta on board other ships on 2nd August, and remained on the island until November 1943. The battalion's main role being to provide the defence for the various airfields, however they were also required to assist with the unloading of the supplies ships which made it to Malta. Battalion Headquarters was based at Ta Salvatur. In November 1943 the Battalion left Malta and moved to Palestine and absorbed the remaining handful of men of the 1st Battalion King's Own who had suffered heavily when the Germans had attacked the Greek Island of Leros. In January 1944 the 8th Battalion re-titled as the 1st Battalion with the permission of the Colonel of the Regiment - and they joined the 10th Indian Division in Italy for the remainder of the war.

Facts and figures

Unit name: 1st Battalion
Force: Army
Designation: Battalion
Type: Infantry
Entered service: 1678

Chronology

30 Jan 1944: 8th and 1st Battalions Merge

The 8th Battalion had arrived in Palestine after leaving Malta. After the disaster at Leros only about 58 members of the 1st Battalion King's Own made their way back to Palestine. It was decided that they would joined with the 8th Battalion. It was decided to merge the 1st Battalion with the 8th - and reform a new 1st Battalion. This took place, with the permission of the Colonel of the Regiment - on 30th January 1944. The new battalion remained part of the 25th Infantry Brigade of the 10th Indian Division.

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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