Army DEMS mystery
 

Dear All,
I've found two Glosters who were both killed on the same day, 14/03/1941. The CWGC states "DEMS personnel".
5187924 Pte Ernest Hale
5187992 Pte William Worby
I've read enough to understand that Royal Artillery personnel, more often than not AA trained, were DEMS, but I'm not understanding why my two Glosters could be DEMS personnel. I see the two Regimental numbers are very close.
Has anyone got any ideas please?
Thanks,
Ken

Did the Glosters have a territorial or other battalion that re roled from Yeomanry- Cavalry 1938 is as an A.A unit ?

Did the Glosters have a territorial or other battalion that re roled from Yeomanry- Cavalry 1938 as an A.A unit ?

Michael,
The old 4th Glosters became the 66th Searchlight Regt, RA in 1938, and the old 11th Glosters became 118th L AA Regt, RA, but not until February 1942, so too late.
Are you thinking the two lads went (volunteered/posted) from the 66th to DEMS?
I'm confused because if that was the case surely they would be Gunners and not Privates, and they would be RA and not Glosters?
Any thoughts?
Ken

HI there just thinking out loud never a good thing after a bottle of wine.....

They may have volunteered for DEMS duty and kept their Glosters ID etc as attached personal ?? Just a thought.
Jerry.

Jerry, that may well be correct. I've looked at the Memorial and most of the Army DEMS personnel commemorated are Maritime Artillery, as we would expect, but some others are definitely Infantry too. It's got me scratching my head though!