World War Two 1939 – 1945

In 1936, before the outbreak of war, the 4^th Battalion were converted to Royal Artillery, 1/4^th and 2/4^th becoming 58^th and 68^th Anti-Tank Regiment RA (4^th and 2/4th DWR) respectively. The 5^th Battalion were converted to a searchlight battalion, Royal Engineers and subsequently in 1944 to the Royal Artillery as 43^rd Searchlight Regiment RA. The 8^th Battalion were reformed in 1940 and in 1941 was converted to 145^th Regiment Royal Armoured Corps. The 9^th and 10^th Battalions were also re-raised in 1940. The 9^th becoming 146^th Regiment Royal Armoured Corps, taking part in the Arakan offensive in Burma and serving in Sumatra following the Japanese surrender. The Territorial infantry battalions; 1/6^th, 2/6^th, 1/7^th and 2/7^th all saw distinguished action throughout the duration of the war.

1^st Battalion.

In September 1939 on declaration of war against Germany and her allies, the 1^st Battalion were immediately sent to France with the BEF, subsequently becoming involved in the Dunkirk evacuations. During this operation 1 DWR formed part of the rearguard thus covering the embarkation of the remainder of the British troops before eventually returning to England themselves.

In late 1942 the 1^st Bn joined the 1^st Army in Tunisia and fought with distinction at Banana Ridge, supported by tanks from the newly established 8 DWR (RAC). At the assault of Djebel Bou Aoukaz a short time later 1 DWR suffered 114 casualties (31 killed), with 8 DWR also suffering similar losses. The next operation was the capturing of Pantellaria, a small Italian held island to the south of Malta.

After a period of in theatre training, the 1^st Bn moved to Italy in December 1943 in preparations for the key landings behind enemy lines in January the following year. The Battalion landed at Anzio on the 23^rd of that month, having a hard time holding the beachhead and resisting persistent German counter attacks. The battle lasted until late May, and the Dukes suffered heavily, loosing 39 Officers and 921 other ranks (making up almost 11% of the total casualties inflicted on the entire 1^st Division).

Whilst the 1^st Bn was in preparation for the Anzio offensive, Lieutenant Henry Valerian George Wellesley, the 6^th Duke of Wellington was unfortunately killed in action on 16^th September 1943 serving with 1/4^th DWR (RA), (a conversion of the old 4^th Battalion) while attached to 2 Commando for the landings at Salerno.

1 DWR remained in Italy for most of the remainder of the war, fighting with particular merit at Monte Ceco in October 1944, where Private Richard Burton won the Victoria Cross. As a result of their hearty service in Italy, the Regiment were chosen to represent the British Army at the parade in Rome, marching past General Mark Clark with much aplomb. Early in 1945 the 1^st Battalion were moved to Palestine and were in Haifa as the war ended.

2^nd Battalion.

For the first half of the war 2 DWR remained in Peshawar, India. They were however rapidly deployed in February 1942 to Rangoon, Burma to face the ever-encroaching Japanese Army. Soon after landing they were sent forward to join the 17^th Indian Division. Here the Battalion had to defend a bridge across the Sittang river that formed the last natural obstacle protecting Rangoon from the advancing Japanese. The one remaining bridge at Mokpalin was eventually blown to avoid it falling in to the hands of the enemy, leaving much of the Division, including a majority of 2 DWR on the wrong side of the river. In the fighting that surrounded the Mokpalin Bridge the Battalion suffered over 100 fatalities, including the Commanding Officer who was killed after successfully swimming the 800m wide river.

On reaching the other side, 2 DWR took part in the infamous 700-mile withdrawal to Imphal, finally reaching their destination on 22^nd May 1942. In Imphal the Battalion were temporarily re-rolled into a mechanised Battalion before, in 1944 being assigned to the 23^rd Brigade - Wingate’s “Chindits” in 1944. The Bn formed two divisions, apply names the 33^rd and 76^th, each of around 400 plus. From April until July 1944 the 2^nd Battalion fought in the dense jungle of the Naga Hills successfully carrying out their task of severing the Japanese lines of communications. This success however was at the expense of almost half of the Battalion who were badly hit not only by enemy action, but also by disease and malnutrition, a sitiation made worse by the adverse conditions they were forced to operate in. 

Represented in all the major theatres during the war apart form the Middle East and Pacific, the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment were awarded 23 Battle Honours – 10 of which were added to the Colours – for their service during the Second World War. Two Victoria Crosses were won by members of the Regiment for their conspicuous bravery, their citations can be found below.

5891907 Private Richard BURTON, 1^st Battalion.

In Italy on 08^th October 1944 two companies of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment moved forward to take a strongly held feature 760 metres high. The capture of this feature was vital at this stage of the operation, as it dominated all the ground on the main axis of advance.

The assaulting troops made good progress to within twenty yards of the crest, when they came under withering fire from Spandaus on the crest. Private Burton rushed forward and engaging the first Spandau’s position with his Tommy gun, killed the crew of three.

When the assault was again held up by murderous fire from more machine guns, Private Burton, again showing complete disregard for his own safety, dashed forward toward the first machine-gun, using his Tommy-gun until his ammunition was exhausted. He then picked up a Bren gun and, firing from the hip, succeeded in killing or wounding the crews of the two machine-guns. Thanks to his outstanding courage the Company was then able to consolidate on the forward slope of the feature.

Private Burton’s magnificent gallantry and total disregard of his own safety during many hours of fierce fighting in mud and continuous rain were an inspiration to all his comrades. (London Gazette, 04^th January 1945)

4624899 Corporal (Acting Sergeant) Hanson Victor TURNER. Joined the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in 1940, earned the posthumous award while serving with the 1^st Battalion The West Yorkshire Regiment.

In Burma, at Ningthoukong, soon after midnight of 6^th /7^th June 1944 an attack was made by a strong force of Japanese. Three out of four light machine-guns in Sergeant Turner’s platoon were destroyed and the platoon forced to give ground. Sergeant Turner, with coolness and fine leadership, at once reorganised his party and withdrew 40 yards.

When it was clear that the enemy were attempting to outflank the position, Sergeant Turner at once, boldly and fearlessly, went forward from his position alone, armed with all the hand grenades he could carry, and went into attack against the enemy single-handed. He used his weapons with devastating effect and when his supply was exhausted he went back for more and returned to the offensive again. During all this time the enemy were keeping up intense small arms and grenade fire.

Sergeant Turner in all made five journeys to obtain further supplies of grenade and it was on this sixth occasion still single-handed, while throwing a grenade among a party of the enemy, that he was killed. He displayed outstanding valour and had not the slightest thought for his own safety. He died on the battlefield in a spirit of supreme self-sacrifice. (London Gazette, 17^th August 1944)