2nd Bn The XX |
3653039 Fus Wilfred Croughton |
1939-40 France.
On the 3rd September 1939 the 2nd Bn The XXth The Lancashire Fusiliers received orders to mobilize as part of 11 Infantry Brigade which was in 4 Division, 2 Corp of the (BEF) British Expedition Force. The Bn moved from Colchester to Aldershot ,having sent all it's vehicles to Newport Monmouthshire for shipment overseas. The Bn moved to Southampton on the 1st October 1939. On the 2nd October 1939 the Bn embarked on the SS Duke of York and sailed for Cherbourg in France. They then went by train to Graz where they stayed for 7 days before moving to Meurchin and then marching 2 miles into Wingles, led by the Drums Platoon playing. The Bn stayed in Wingles for approx 3 weeks and then moved to Tourcoing on the 30th October 1939. They were involved in defence digging and training until the night of the 19th March 1940 when they had their first engagement with the enemy. A fighting patrol of the 2nd LFs met a similar patrol of Germans and killed five and captured one of the enemy. Captain J F M Hudson was awarded the MC for this action, Fusilier Worsley was awarded the MM. These were the first Army awards for gallantry to be won in WW2. On the 14th May 1940 the 2nd Bn moved into Brussels Belgium by motor transport. Sent in by Barbara Manton |