Hi all,
I'm trying to research my Grandfather's wartime records, we have applied to the MoD for these, but with my past experiences of them we could be waiting awhile! His name was Dermot Whelan (christened Jeremiah Dermot Whelan), born 21/08/18.
I know the outline of his career, he served in Palestine during the Arab revolt of 36-39 where he was a Lance Corporal, before being part of the BEF in 1940 (I think the 5th Skins were used as a recce battalion), he was injured in the leg at Dunkirk and luckily evacuated. There are now 2 trails, one story is that he was in the second wave at Dieppe, which was called back after the first had been decimated, the other is that he saw action in the desert, although I'm inclined to discount this as there are no records pointing to The Skins being present with the 8th Army.
I believe the 5th landed about a month after D-Day and we know his tank was blown up in the fighting around Caen (Operation Goodwood possibly?). My Grandad and one other of his crew survived, The War Office told my Nan that he was Missing presumed Dead, before he turned up in a hospital in The North of Engalnd witha severe head wound! He was asked to stay on after the war but went back to working with horses. We have a picture of him with a serjeant's chevrons.
Any help would be appreciated
Charlie
