Cpl. James Robert (Jim) Speight

Hello,

I am looking for any information on my dad -Cpl. James Robert (Jim) Speight- other than the what I have already found on this forum.

He served with No. 6 Commando until he was captured (in North Africa ?) and spent some time as a POW in Halle, Germany

Regards
Robert Speight

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 20/06/2019 20:16:53

Hi Robert

Thank you for the image of your father which I have added to our gallery. If you provide his date of birth and death I will add those to it and update our Obituary listing.

http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/6/James+Robert+Speight+6+Cdo.jpg.html.

Unfortunately I have no other information but I hope others may find details especially relating to his capture.

You can view our section on Service Record applications here:

http://www.commandoveterans.org/ServiceRecords

Yorkshire Post 3 May 1945.png

4537686 Lance Corporal James Robert SPEIGHT Royal Armoured Corps & 6 Commando
16th August 1919 - 1972 Leeds
Prior to volunteering for the Commandos, your father enlisted in the West Yorkshire Regiment as a Territorial. He served with the 7th (Leeds Rifles) Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. In June 1939, a cadre from the Battalion were converted to an armoured role and formed the 51st (Leeds Rifles) Royal Tank Regiment.

Lance Corporal Speight was serving with 6 Commando when he was captured in Tunisia on the 26th February 1943 during the battle for Steamroller Farm.

http://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/6-commando-the-battle-for-steamroller-farm.20589/

He was held at Stalag IVD/Z P.o.w no. 226386

On April 13th 1945, your father and two other men from Leeds escaped from a working party during an air raid, eventually running into an American patrol. This was reported in the Yorkshire Post 3rd May 1945

Good luck with your research
Guy

Excellent information from your research Guy.

Hello Guy,
Thank you for the information, it will certainly help me with my research.
Having lived in Germany for the last 30 years I have always wanted to find out more about his time in Halle. It would seem that the village mentioned in the newspaper report is Niemberg,close to 06188 Landsberg.
Best Regards
Robert Speight