Harris, Cpl H 5951873. Stalag 11A in early 1945, German POW Number 139873.

Hilliard, L/Cpl Walter Harry, 5951618. Died 29/4/41, serving with the Durham Light Infantry, battalion not specified by CWGC, aged 28. Son of Walter Harry and Rose Hilliard, of St Albans; husband of Maria Theresa Hilliard, of St. Albans. St Albans (Hatfield Road) Cemetery, Sec J, Row Z, Grave 39.

Hood, Sgt James MM 5951812. Originally from Scotland. Captured Sedjenane 17/2/43. MM for escaping from a train bound from Italy to Germany. See this page of the site http://powbooks.atspace.co.uk/page29.html

James, CSM Wyndham 'Jimmy' 5950427. Signal Platoon Sgt in 1940-41. D Coy CQMS in 1942-43. A CSM at Salerno.

Kerry, Pte C L, 5955138, DLI. B Coy, Major Keith Hilllas's batman, captured Sedjenane. Stalag 4D/Z, POW No 247120 in early 1945.

Lewindon, Sgt John MM 5951827. With the Battalion through to disbandment, originally HQ Company clerk. Later Platoon Sgt in D Company.

Lucas, Sgt J 5950412, 183 Field Ambulance in 4/43. With Battalion at disbandment.

Mattin, CSM Arthur, MM, 5947792 Died: 4 September 1944, C Company CSM in 1943-44.

May, CSM Anthony, 5946226. Awarded US Silver Star for actions in Italy.

Pte Bill Pinn, Despatch Rider, Signal Platoon, HQ Coy.

Pte Reggie Potton, transferred as part of a draft to a DLI Battalion in the desert in 1942.

Cpl Frank Reynolds, Signal Platoon 1940-46.

Skellington, L/Cpl John William 5951620 Died: 1 March 1943.

Smith, Sgt G F, 5946083, Captured with DLI, ex Beds and Herts, probably 16th DLI at capture. Stalag 4B, POW 225831. Possibly on 1942 16 DLI Sgts photograph?

Smith, Pte A G 5951901, Stalag 11A in early 1945, German POW Number 142035.

Sgt Stern ('Stern by name, stern by nature!'). Trained the Battalion in 1940-41, did not go abroad.

Walker, Sgt Victor 5951745, 183 Field Ambulance in 4/43. D Coy Platoon Sgt in 1940-45.

The 16th DLI supplied several reinforcement drafts to the other DLI battalions fighting in the Western Desert in 1942, therefore it is highly likely that the following DLI men who began their Army life with the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment were also with 16 DLI in 1940-42 prior to being posted abroad. Further details on these men most welcome:

Brydges, Cpl Stanley Lawter, MM, 5953442. From Whitwell, Herts. Military Medal for actions with with 8 DLI. LG 31/8/44.

MacGregor, Alexander Donald, 5954436. Died 27/6/42, serving with 9 DLI, aged 25. Son of Samuel E and E E Macgregor, of North Finchley, Middlesex. Alamein Memorial, Egypt, Column 69. Originally enlisted Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment.

Snowdon, Pte Robert, 5957027. Died 17/7/43, serving with 8 DLI, aged 27. Son of Thomas Henry and Hannah Snowdon; husband of Winifred Constance Snowdon, of Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. Catania War Cemetery, Sicily, III C 11.

Turner, Pte Herbert Frank, 5955902. Died 17/7/43, serving with 8 DLI, aged 29. Son of Herbert and Florence May Turner, of Knebworth, Hertfordshire; husband of Margaretta Ayre Turner. Catania War Cemetery, Sicily, III B 9.

Young, Pte Arthur, 5957646. Died 27/7/42, serving with 6 DLI. No CWGC age or Next of Kin details. Born Hertfordshire, enlisted Hertfordshire. El Alamein War Cemetery, XXIV B 5. Dod 10/7/42 on DCL; 7/42 on 1947 Army Roll.

16 DLI D Coy Colour Sgt ‘Jimmy’ James also remembers an ex-Beds and Herts Sgt Deacon, who was with the 16 DLI in 1940-41, who was later commissioned and who was killed in action in Sicily in 1943. This can only be;

Deacon, Captain Wilfred George, Personal Number 195189. Served as an NCO with the 16 DLI from its formation in 1940. Army Number to find. Originally enlisted Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment. Commissioned as a 2nd Lt, LG 29/7/41:

http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35230/supplements/4342

Captain Deacon died serving with 9 DLI, on 17/7/43. He was the son of Frederick and Alice Deacon and the husband of Annie Deacon, of Buxton, Derbyshire. He is buried in Catania War Cemetery, Sicily, grave reference III C 9.

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