Albert  Edward Burnikell - Essex Regiment WW2

Riffel Brigade 

 

Battalions of The Essex Regimented Parachute 

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1st Battalion:

The Battalion  served in the Sudan, Iraz, Syria, at Tobruk and in Assam and Burma.

November 1941 & 1944: The most striking episodes being the epic struggle for Ed Duda during the successful break-out from Tobruk and the expeditions as "Chindits" behind the Japanese lines in Assam and Burma

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2nd Battalion:

June  6th 1944: They again landed on French soil -  Operation Overlord the D - DAY campaign in North-West Europe and fought through without respite - May, 1945: To the final surrender of Germany

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Albert signed up early in 1938 before conscription and joined the 1st Battalion  Essex Regiment Rifle Brigade , and before long found himself in the "thick of it" at Tobruk  he was a crack shot a" marksman"-  and he quickly became noted, by being mentioned in despatches, and being awarded the Africa Star, as a consequence he quickly rose to the rank of sergeant.

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He  led his platoon was involved in many conflicts and saw action at the Battle of El Alemain as part of Monty's 8th Army  and played his part in the final defeat of Rommel in Africa, a pivotal piece of the 1939-45  conflict. 

 

Greatly loved by his men and his family he served his country, in a quiet and very earnest way , Despite being wounded and convalescing at home in 1942-43  for a short time; typical of the man, he resigned up for a second time and re joined his regiment - this time 2nd battalion and was involved in the Normandy landing in 1944 and the final push into Europe.

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After the Army, Albert returned to being what he loved most - being a LONDONER - and Driving his black cab, in and out of the tiny streets-  he knew London like the back of his hand and lived in York St W1.

 

His local was the Harcourt Arms ( it's still there today )  and his most famous fare were Judy Garland  and  a young Bing Crosby some of you may well have to look them up on google , but back then - they were a very  big deal at the time  !! 

                           

 

We chose Albert as our Elite bannerman for our  Service Group 

for four very good reasons

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He led, his own Unique highly trained Elite Service Team.

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He was very knowledgeable knew a whole lot more than he ever let on.

 

His life was selfless and his life centred around service

for his country and for others.

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And he also just happens to be

the grandad and great grandad of the service team that looks after you today.

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Other actions of Alberts Regiment in WW2 - Essex Regimented parachute troops respectively.

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2nd Battalion:
September 1939: Battalion moved to France.
May 1940: They took part in the retreat and withdrawal from Dunkirk.
June 1944: They again landed on D Day and fought through without respite.
May, 1945: To the final surrender of Germany

1/4th (TA) Battalion:
The Battalion gave distinguished service in North Africa, Italy and Greece. They took part in the Battle of El Alamein and in the final battles which led to the surrender of the Axis forces in Africa. In Italy the Battalion played a crucial role in the Battle of Monte Cassino.

1/5th Essex (TA) Battalion:
1943-44: The Battalion was involved in some of the worse fighting in the Italian Campaign at the crossing of the Trigno and Sangro Rivers. It was involved in the final stages of the fighting in North-West Germany.

The 2/5th Essex (TA) Battalion:
July 1942: The Battalion was overwhelmed at Deir-El-Shein but all ranks have the satisfaction of knowing that the delay their resistance caused Rommel's Africa Korps was an essential factor in gaining time for the withdrawing Eight Army to reorganize and stand on the Alamein Line.

8th, 9th and 10th Essex Battalions:
They were raised during wartime were converted to armoured, artillery units.

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Our eternal thanks go to Albert and all veterans who served in 1939 -1945.  

 

We will remember them all.