The Royal Norfolk Regiment History and Photographs
1930
The Norfolk Regiment at Aldershot Command Searchlight Tattoo in 1930 - Photograph courtesy of Sylvia Cripps.
1934
Members of the Royal Norfolk Regiment at Charlton Park, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, in 1934.
1938
The Royal Norfolk Regiment at Britannia Barracks in Norwich in 1938. It is likely that this is the Second Battalion which was sent to France - Photograph courtesy of Ralston Ryder. We have also split the photograph into two separate sections below to improve clarity.
1939 - Oxney Camp
The photographs above and below from two separate collections were taken of the 2nd Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment at Oxney Camp in September 1939.
Sylvia Cripps from Norwich was able to identify some of the soldiers in the photograph above.
Sidney Slaughter came from Ludham and lived in a cottage opposite the village church. He never married but survived the war. Sidney saw action at Le Paradis and was evacuated from Dunkirk. He also took part in the Burma campaign and died after collapsing at a Norwich City football match.
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John Simpson came from Norfolk and also survived the war after being evacuated from Dunkirk.
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History
The Regiment was known as the Royal Norfolk Regiment for only 24 years. Initially, regiments were known by the name of their colonel, then in 1747 a numbering system was introduced and this regiment became the 9th Foot.
The first link to Norfolk was made just under 100 years after the regiment was formed and became The 9th (East Norfolk) Regiment. In 1881 all numbered infantry regiments were given stronger geographical links and a fixed regimental depot. Thus the regiment became 'The Norfolk Regiment' and Britannia Barracks were built in Norwich as headquarters for recruiting, training and accommodation for the soldiers.
The early incarnation of the Norfolks ran through a number of names including: Colonel Henry Cornwall's Regiment of Foot, Colonel Oliver Nicholas' Regiment of Foot, Colonel Thomas Cunningham's Regiment of Foot, Colonel William Steuart's Regiment of Foot, Colonel James Campbell's Regiment of Foot, Lord Cathcart's Regiment of Foot, Colonel James Otway's Regiment of Foot, Colonel Richard Kane's Regiment of Foot, Colonel William Hargrave's Regiment of Foot, Colonel George Reade's Regiment of Foot, 9th Foot, 9th East Norfolk Regiment (1782), the Norfolk Regiment (1881), the Royal Norfolk Regiment (1935).
The Norfolks then became the 1st East Anglian Regiment in 1959 on the amalgamation with the Suffolk Regiment and subsequently the Royal Anglian Regiment.
At the outbreak of the Second World War the 1st Battalion was in India. The Battalion was brought back to England in 1940 and allotted to home defence.
The 2nd Battalion and 7th (Territorial) Battalion arrived in France at the beginning of the War as part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). The 2nd Battalion later served in Burma. The other three territorial battalions, the 4th, 5th and 6th were sent to the Far East.
Three additional battalions were formed in 1939, the 8/30th, 9th and 70th (Young Soldiers) Battalions. The first two were initially made up of 1914-18 veterans. The 30th Battalion served for a short period in North Africa and then, from the end of 1942 to January 1946, in Sicily and Italy on garrison and guard duties.
As the German Army swept through Belgium and Northern France, a massive naval operation was launched in May, 1940, to bring home the British Expeditionary Force. At Dunkirk about 338,000 troops were taken off the beaches.
The 2nd Battalion was part of the force whose task was to delay the German advance while the evacuation took place. It suffered very heavy losses and many men were taken prisoner. The 2nd Battalion had been a thousand strong but only 139 officers and men returned from Dunkirk.
January 1940 brought two notable operations for the Norfolks.
A patrol consisting of three men led by Lieutenant Patrick Everitt penetrated through the enemy front and across the border into Germany, being the first time a British patrol had crossed the frontier during the war. It returned safely with much valuable information.
During the night of the 3rd/4th, the 2nd Battalion was stationed on the extreme left of the Maginot Line and had to carry out a number of patrols around a railway station at Waldwisse. It was extremely cold and snowy. Captain Peter Barclay and Lance Corporal M. H. Davis extended their patrol to a railway bridge. They drew enemy fire thus revealing the German positions. After a sharp exchange of grenade and small arms fire they managed to withdraw without injury. Capt Barclay and L/Cpl Davis received the Military Cross and Military Medal respectively.
Origins of The 2nd Battalion the Royal Norfolk Regiment (brief history to 1945)
Prior to 1799 the Regiment had only one battalion. This became three in 1799 as a larger force was needed to combat the strength of France.
The Peninsular War
In May 1809, the 2nd Battalion was forcing the French to withdraw from Portugal although it didn’t appear to play a significant role.
In July 1809, a company of the Battalion assisted with the defence of Gibraltar whilst the rest of the Battalion was sent to Malaga to relieve Cadiz returning to Gibraltar the next month to be reinforced as flank companies to again try and relieve Cadiz.
The flank companies returned to re-join the Battalion in Gibraltar where it remained before returning to England in 1812 until being disbanded in 1815.
The Ionian Islands
By 1857, at the start of the Indian Mutiny the 9th of foot became a two-battalion Regiment - the 2nd Battalion had, over 50 years, disbanded and re-generated itself several times subject to the needs of the British Army.
In 1857 2nd Battalion (bolstered by officers from 1st Battalion) arrived in Corfu and was stationed on specific Greek Islands before these Islands were formally transferred to Greece.
China and Japan
In 1864, 2nd Battalion left for Gibraltar where it became under orders for China (Hong Kong). Here it remained until 1866 when it received further orders to proceed to Yokohama, Japan spending two years of uneasy peace on Embassy protection duties, finally returning to England in 1871.
India, Burma and the 2nd Afghan War
In 1874, 2nd Battalion was sent to India where, in 1875, it was garrisoned at Rawal Pindi. The Battalion would remain there for three years where it was engaged in operations against the Afridis Tribe.
Between 1878 – 1880, the Battalion was involved in the Second Afghan War until a peace was declared, whereupon the battalion headed back to India where it remained until 1888. It was sent to Burma in operations against tribesmen before moving back to India then finally back to England in 1890.
1881 9th Foot and 9th East Norfolk Regiment finally became the Norfolk Regiment.
South Africa (The 2nd Boer War 1899 - 1902)
1896/97 A small detachment of 2nd Battalion was to serve as mounted infantry in South Africa.
The rest of the Battalion was sent to Ireland.
1900 - 2nd Battalion was engaged in the South Africa (Boer) War joining the mounted infantry above. Entrusted with the occupation of Pretoria, the Battalion was also engaged in guerrilla warfare with the Boers until 1902. In 1903, the Battalion returned to England.
In 1904, 2nd Battalion returned to South Africa and transferred to Gibraltar in 1908, embarking to India 1911 and remained there until 1914.
First World War 1914-18
1914 - 2nd Battalion headed for Bombay then to the Persian Gulf and Palestine as part of the Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force. After an unconditional surrender at the Kuts Garrison in 1916, those who were recovered during the 146-day siege joined forces with the 2nd Dorset Battalion to become known as the Norsets which remained in the front line until sent down to join a new provisional battalion at Basra which became reconstituted to the 2nd Battalion continuing the battle against the Turks. The Battalion occupied Baghdad in 1917 then carrying out patrol and garrison duties from Bakubah and were at Imam Abbas when the Armistice was announced.
Inter-War Years
2nd Battalion served on the Northwest Frontier between 1920-21. In 1922 they were involved in locating the remains of comrades who had fallen fighting against the Turks during the First World War. In 1923 they were rushed to Baghdad believing a Turkish attack was imminent. This did not materialise and in 1924 the Battalion returned to England where they remined for 13 years before being posted to Gibraltar in 1937.
Second World War
In 1939, 2nd Battalion became part of the British Expeditionary Force (B.E.F.) finally stationed on the Saar Front close to the Maginot Line.
1940 the Battalion advanced to the defence line along the River Dyle. With the rapid German advance, the Battalion retreated forming lines of resistance at the Rivers Dendre, Escaut and finally La Bassee Canal before a last stand at Le Paradis where, upon surrender, they were subject to a massacre inflicted by the Waffen SS.
What remained of 2nd Battalion found its way back to England where they regrouped and in 1942 were sent to India involved in security operations and training. In 1944, it was sent as part of Operation Strident to relieve Kohima before advancing into Burma and was assisting the Indian Corp in the liberation of Malaya when the Japanese surrendered.
The Regiment was known as the Royal Norfolk Regiment for only 24 years. Initially, regiments were known by the name of their colonel, then in 1747 a numbering system was introduced and this regiment became the 9th Foot.
The first link to Norfolk was made just under 100 years after the regiment was formed and became The 9th (East Norfolk) Regiment. In 1881 all numbered infantry regiments were given stronger geographical links and a fixed regimental depot. Thus the regiment became 'The Norfolk Regiment' and Britannia Barracks were built in Norwich as headquarters for recruiting, training and accommodation for the soldiers.
The early incarnation of the Norfolks ran through a number of names including: Colonel Henry Cornwall's Regiment of Foot, Colonel Oliver Nicholas' Regiment of Foot, Colonel Thomas Cunningham's Regiment of Foot, Colonel William Steuart's Regiment of Foot, Colonel James Campbell's Regiment of Foot, Lord Cathcart's Regiment of Foot, Colonel James Otway's Regiment of Foot, Colonel Richard Kane's Regiment of Foot, Colonel William Hargrave's Regiment of Foot, Colonel George Reade's Regiment of Foot, 9th Foot, 9th East Norfolk Regiment (1782), the Norfolk Regiment (1881), the Royal Norfolk Regiment (1935).
The Norfolks then became the 1st East Anglian Regiment in 1959 on the amalgamation with the Suffolk Regiment and subsequently the Royal Anglian Regiment.
At the outbreak of the Second World War the 1st Battalion was in India. The Battalion was brought back to England in 1940 and allotted to home defence.
The 2nd Battalion and 7th (Territorial) Battalion arrived in France at the beginning of the War as part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). The 2nd Battalion later served in Burma. The other three territorial battalions, the 4th, 5th and 6th were sent to the Far East.
Three additional battalions were formed in 1939, the 8/30th, 9th and 70th (Young Soldiers) Battalions. The first two were initially made up of 1914-18 veterans. The 30th Battalion served for a short period in North Africa and then, from the end of 1942 to January 1946, in Sicily and Italy on garrison and guard duties.
As the German Army swept through Belgium and Northern France, a massive naval operation was launched in May, 1940, to bring home the British Expeditionary Force. At Dunkirk about 338,000 troops were taken off the beaches.
The 2nd Battalion was part of the force whose task was to delay the German advance while the evacuation took place. It suffered very heavy losses and many men were taken prisoner. The 2nd Battalion had been a thousand strong but only 139 officers and men returned from Dunkirk.
January 1940 brought two notable operations for the Norfolks.
A patrol consisting of three men led by Lieutenant Patrick Everitt penetrated through the enemy front and across the border into Germany, being the first time a British patrol had crossed the frontier during the war. It returned safely with much valuable information.
During the night of the 3rd/4th, the 2nd Battalion was stationed on the extreme left of the Maginot Line and had to carry out a number of patrols around a railway station at Waldwisse. It was extremely cold and snowy. Captain Peter Barclay and Lance Corporal M. H. Davis extended their patrol to a railway bridge. They drew enemy fire thus revealing the German positions. After a sharp exchange of grenade and small arms fire they managed to withdraw without injury. Capt Barclay and L/Cpl Davis received the Military Cross and Military Medal respectively.
Origins of The 2nd Battalion the Royal Norfolk Regiment (brief history to 1945)
Prior to 1799 the Regiment had only one battalion. This became three in 1799 as a larger force was needed to combat the strength of France.
The Peninsular War
In May 1809, the 2nd Battalion was forcing the French to withdraw from Portugal although it didn’t appear to play a significant role.
In July 1809, a company of the Battalion assisted with the defence of Gibraltar whilst the rest of the Battalion was sent to Malaga to relieve Cadiz returning to Gibraltar the next month to be reinforced as flank companies to again try and relieve Cadiz.
The flank companies returned to re-join the Battalion in Gibraltar where it remained before returning to England in 1812 until being disbanded in 1815.
The Ionian Islands
By 1857, at the start of the Indian Mutiny the 9th of foot became a two-battalion Regiment - the 2nd Battalion had, over 50 years, disbanded and re-generated itself several times subject to the needs of the British Army.
In 1857 2nd Battalion (bolstered by officers from 1st Battalion) arrived in Corfu and was stationed on specific Greek Islands before these Islands were formally transferred to Greece.
China and Japan
In 1864, 2nd Battalion left for Gibraltar where it became under orders for China (Hong Kong). Here it remained until 1866 when it received further orders to proceed to Yokohama, Japan spending two years of uneasy peace on Embassy protection duties, finally returning to England in 1871.
India, Burma and the 2nd Afghan War
In 1874, 2nd Battalion was sent to India where, in 1875, it was garrisoned at Rawal Pindi. The Battalion would remain there for three years where it was engaged in operations against the Afridis Tribe.
Between 1878 – 1880, the Battalion was involved in the Second Afghan War until a peace was declared, whereupon the battalion headed back to India where it remained until 1888. It was sent to Burma in operations against tribesmen before moving back to India then finally back to England in 1890.
1881 9th Foot and 9th East Norfolk Regiment finally became the Norfolk Regiment.
South Africa (The 2nd Boer War 1899 - 1902)
1896/97 A small detachment of 2nd Battalion was to serve as mounted infantry in South Africa.
The rest of the Battalion was sent to Ireland.
1900 - 2nd Battalion was engaged in the South Africa (Boer) War joining the mounted infantry above. Entrusted with the occupation of Pretoria, the Battalion was also engaged in guerrilla warfare with the Boers until 1902. In 1903, the Battalion returned to England.
In 1904, 2nd Battalion returned to South Africa and transferred to Gibraltar in 1908, embarking to India 1911 and remained there until 1914.
First World War 1914-18
1914 - 2nd Battalion headed for Bombay then to the Persian Gulf and Palestine as part of the Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force. After an unconditional surrender at the Kuts Garrison in 1916, those who were recovered during the 146-day siege joined forces with the 2nd Dorset Battalion to become known as the Norsets which remained in the front line until sent down to join a new provisional battalion at Basra which became reconstituted to the 2nd Battalion continuing the battle against the Turks. The Battalion occupied Baghdad in 1917 then carrying out patrol and garrison duties from Bakubah and were at Imam Abbas when the Armistice was announced.
Inter-War Years
2nd Battalion served on the Northwest Frontier between 1920-21. In 1922 they were involved in locating the remains of comrades who had fallen fighting against the Turks during the First World War. In 1923 they were rushed to Baghdad believing a Turkish attack was imminent. This did not materialise and in 1924 the Battalion returned to England where they remined for 13 years before being posted to Gibraltar in 1937.
Second World War
In 1939, 2nd Battalion became part of the British Expeditionary Force (B.E.F.) finally stationed on the Saar Front close to the Maginot Line.
1940 the Battalion advanced to the defence line along the River Dyle. With the rapid German advance, the Battalion retreated forming lines of resistance at the Rivers Dendre, Escaut and finally La Bassee Canal before a last stand at Le Paradis where, upon surrender, they were subject to a massacre inflicted by the Waffen SS.
What remained of 2nd Battalion found its way back to England where they regrouped and in 1942 were sent to India involved in security operations and training. In 1944, it was sent as part of Operation Strident to relieve Kohima before advancing into Burma and was assisting the Indian Corp in the liberation of Malaya when the Japanese surrendered.
The Massacre
The following members of the Norfolk Regiment are amongst those whose lives were lost in the massacre at Le Paradis. Most of the soldiers has his own page on this site which can be accessed by clicking on the links.
Please note: Various web sites and other sources list different names. One of the witnesses Bill O'Callaghan stated in his cross examination at the trial of Fritz Knoechlein that "we were all marched down into a field behind this barn; we were searched and some of our identity discs were torn off us." You can read the full transcript by clicking here.
There seems to be no definitive list of those massacred with many identification tags taken or lost as illustrated above.
The list below is correct to our knowledge but may be changed and added to as we receive additional information. Sadly some of those below to our knowledge have no named grave.
The following have been re-buried in Le Paradis Churchyard.
Pte Thomas William Allen
Pte Douglas Harry Auker
Pte Albert Edward Balls
Pte Frederick Arthur Walter Barber
Pte George William Barrett
Pte Frederick Arthur Bradley
Pte Robert Norval Brash
Pte George Ephraim Bromley
Pte Philip Brooks
Second Lt John Bertram Buchanan
Pte Frank Leonard Chevis
Warrant Officer Victor John Chipp
Pte Frederick Clear
Pte Charles William Clilverd
Pte Walter Leonard Cracknell
Sgt William Robert Curson
Pte Harold Denham
Pte William Benjamin Downing
Pte Joseph Ferguson
Pte Arthur Charles William Gallin
Pte Frank Robert Gray
Pte Lionel Charles Greengrass
Pte Henry Robert Hansen
Pte F. Heddon
Pte Charles Richard High
Corporal Amos Hornby
Warrant Officer William Clifford Ireland
Pte John Spencer Lee
Cpl William George Loane
Pte Charles Ernest Marshall
Pte Michael McQueeney
Pte Arthur Edward Moss
Pte James Henry Frederick Needham
Pte Leslie George Nichols
Drummer Claude Oberia Nightingale
Lance Corporal Ernest Alfred Paget
Drummer Thomas George Reeves Parker
Pte Raymond Arthur Pigg
Pte Arthur Benjamin Preston
Cpl Horatio Herbert Pretty
Pte Richard William Priest
Pte John William Raybould
Pte Harold Reade
Major Lisle Charles Dudley Ryder
Second Lt Philip Jim Kaye Slater
Pte Sidney Arthur Smaller
Pte William George Thomas Ernest Smith
Pte Harry John Soanes
Lance Corporal Alex Henry Spooner
Pte James Tough
Pte Alfred Frederick Ward
Cpl Thomas James Warren
Pte John Edward White
Pte Ronald Cuthbert Whiteley
Platoon Serjeant Major Jack Robert Whitlam
Drummer George Edward Woodhouse
Lance Corporal George Albert Yaxley
PLEASE NOTE: We are compiling a list of the last movements of some of the Second Battalion Royal Norfolk names that appear on the Dunkirk Memorial to the Missing. You can view this by clicking here.
Local French people tended the mass grave in front of the barn of Creton Farm until exhumation and re-burial in separate graves in Le Paradis Churchyard in May, 1942. These were later marked with Commonwealth War Graves headstones. Private Bert Pooley's ashes were interred in front of the "cross of sacrifice" in the churchyard. Bert died at the age of 69 and his last wish was for his ashes to be interred in Le Paradis alongside his fallen comrades. This wish was carried out on June 7th, 1982.
Bill O'Callaghan's ashes are interred at Norwich St. Faith Crematorium. Bill died in November, 1975, aged 61.
To see the names of some of the soldiers from other regiments who also perished at the massacre please click here.
Below is an extract from the war diary of the Royal Norfolk Regiment which shows quite clearly that there was no knowledge at the time that a massacre had taken place. The extracts have been kindly supplied by Iain Laird who has his own web site that covers the massacre and which can be accessed by clicking here.
To read an article by historian John Head on the movements of the Royal Norfolk Regiment in the days leading up to the massacre click here.
To read about Private David Alfred Kay who was the first Royal Norfolk soldier to be killed in extraordinary circumstances click here.
The following members of the Norfolk Regiment are amongst those whose lives were lost in the massacre at Le Paradis. Most of the soldiers has his own page on this site which can be accessed by clicking on the links.
Please note: Various web sites and other sources list different names. One of the witnesses Bill O'Callaghan stated in his cross examination at the trial of Fritz Knoechlein that "we were all marched down into a field behind this barn; we were searched and some of our identity discs were torn off us." You can read the full transcript by clicking here.
There seems to be no definitive list of those massacred with many identification tags taken or lost as illustrated above.
The list below is correct to our knowledge but may be changed and added to as we receive additional information. Sadly some of those below to our knowledge have no named grave.
The following have been re-buried in Le Paradis Churchyard.
Pte Thomas William Allen
Pte Douglas Harry Auker
Pte Albert Edward Balls
Pte Frederick Arthur Walter Barber
Pte George William Barrett
Pte Frederick Arthur Bradley
Pte Robert Norval Brash
Pte George Ephraim Bromley
Pte Philip Brooks
Second Lt John Bertram Buchanan
Pte Frank Leonard Chevis
Warrant Officer Victor John Chipp
Pte Frederick Clear
Pte Charles William Clilverd
Pte Walter Leonard Cracknell
Sgt William Robert Curson
Pte Harold Denham
Pte William Benjamin Downing
Pte Joseph Ferguson
Pte Arthur Charles William Gallin
Pte Frank Robert Gray
Pte Lionel Charles Greengrass
Pte Henry Robert Hansen
Pte F. Heddon
Pte Charles Richard High
Corporal Amos Hornby
Warrant Officer William Clifford Ireland
Pte John Spencer Lee
Cpl William George Loane
Pte Charles Ernest Marshall
Pte Michael McQueeney
Pte Arthur Edward Moss
Pte James Henry Frederick Needham
Pte Leslie George Nichols
Drummer Claude Oberia Nightingale
Lance Corporal Ernest Alfred Paget
Drummer Thomas George Reeves Parker
Pte Raymond Arthur Pigg
Pte Arthur Benjamin Preston
Cpl Horatio Herbert Pretty
Pte Richard William Priest
Pte John William Raybould
Pte Harold Reade
Major Lisle Charles Dudley Ryder
Second Lt Philip Jim Kaye Slater
Pte Sidney Arthur Smaller
Pte William George Thomas Ernest Smith
Pte Harry John Soanes
Lance Corporal Alex Henry Spooner
Pte James Tough
Pte Alfred Frederick Ward
Cpl Thomas James Warren
Pte John Edward White
Pte Ronald Cuthbert Whiteley
Platoon Serjeant Major Jack Robert Whitlam
Drummer George Edward Woodhouse
Lance Corporal George Albert Yaxley
PLEASE NOTE: We are compiling a list of the last movements of some of the Second Battalion Royal Norfolk names that appear on the Dunkirk Memorial to the Missing. You can view this by clicking here.
Local French people tended the mass grave in front of the barn of Creton Farm until exhumation and re-burial in separate graves in Le Paradis Churchyard in May, 1942. These were later marked with Commonwealth War Graves headstones. Private Bert Pooley's ashes were interred in front of the "cross of sacrifice" in the churchyard. Bert died at the age of 69 and his last wish was for his ashes to be interred in Le Paradis alongside his fallen comrades. This wish was carried out on June 7th, 1982.
Bill O'Callaghan's ashes are interred at Norwich St. Faith Crematorium. Bill died in November, 1975, aged 61.
To see the names of some of the soldiers from other regiments who also perished at the massacre please click here.
Below is an extract from the war diary of the Royal Norfolk Regiment which shows quite clearly that there was no knowledge at the time that a massacre had taken place. The extracts have been kindly supplied by Iain Laird who has his own web site that covers the massacre and which can be accessed by clicking here.
To read an article by historian John Head on the movements of the Royal Norfolk Regiment in the days leading up to the massacre click here.
To read about Private David Alfred Kay who was the first Royal Norfolk soldier to be killed in extraordinary circumstances click here.