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Hi Andrew,

Thanks for the information.

I have seen a map of the embarkation area with C16 & C17, slightly to the north of the M27, and C18, grouped with C19-C21, closer to Basset on the outskirts of Southampton. I'm curious why they were using Hursley as the postal address but I believe it was the Divisional HQ so that might explain things.

I'd be very interested to hear any other information you find.

Thanks again
Dave

I'm going to guess that if he was in the Devonshire Regiment he was in the 2nd Battalion. Does that make any sense?

The 2nd Btn Devonshire Rgt. along with 1st Btn Hampshires and 1st Btn Dorsets made up the 231st Brigade of the 50th (Northumbrian) Division (don't ask me why Hants, Dorset & Devon = Northumbria !!!!)

So him being stationed in Hursley would be entirely logical. The units moved around quite a bit but most of the 50th was around the Hursley to Romsey area in the lead-up to the landing on Gold Beach on D-Day. If you have his regimental details that would help confirm, or completely trash, the theory.

If you have any recollections or info on his time in Hursley (however small)  I'd be very interested as I'm working on an update to the history of the estate.

Glad it was of some use.

Cheers
Dave

Hi Bulsara,

OK can you give me a little information about your father and his unit?

In 1943-44 much of southern England was used for what were sometimes called "Sausage camps", Camps designed to accommodate the troops assembling in Britain for the planned invasion of Europe, D-Day.

The estate of Hursley Park was an ideal location for 2 of these camps: C-12 and C-13 as the proximity to Southampton and the dense tree cover met many of the prime considerations. Just outside the estate in Ampfield and towards Romsey the roads were lined with troops.

The two camps at Hursley were used in 1944 by the 50th (Northumbrian) Division of the British Army (who landed on Gold Beach on D-Day) and consisted of a mixture of huts and tentage (a throw back to the tents of 1914 that had also filled the park). Some were in the north around Merdon Castle. Others to the west in what is called the Waterloo plantation

Unlike many other camps in the parks of Stately Houses in the area the troops did not occupy Hursley House, this had already been requisitioned by the Ministry for Aircraft production in 1940 and was where Spitfire design was carried out after the Woolston factory of Supermarine was bombed out.

Very little evidence remains of the camp today, a few building footings amongst the trees and a few names carved on the tree trunks. There are a few photographs and accounts of the camp that have survived, but for most Hursley was just a stopping point to refuel and prepare for loading at Southampton. After D-Day a steady stream of (primarily) US troops passed through the camp and on to Normandy.


I'd be interested to hear about your father's time there and which unit he was with etc.

I hope the above helps.

All the best
Dave