In september 4th, 1945, a recruiting office opened in Vesterport, Copenhagen. Outside were a long queue of about a thousand young Danes, between 18 & 32. The war with Germany was over, as with Japan. The Danes were applying for enlistment in the british army, with the object of making it possible to demobilize british soldiers earlier than the postwar duites in the Empire otherwise would allow. This was the result of an offer by the Danes, followed by a formal request from the british government.
More than 20.000 danes asked for application forms, more than half sent them in. Less than 2500 applications were approved. They came to serve in India, Palestine, Kenya, Sudan, Suez, Italy, Greece, Libya, The Gold Coast, Bermuda and other places the army sent them. They served in about 72 different locations, spread over 42 regiments. Among them The Buffs, Gloucesters, Paras, Bedfords & Herts, Lancashire Fusiliers, RA, AS& H, KSLI, SWB, RASC, Seaforths, Inniskillings, West Kents. Some never came home, their service ended by accidents or hostile attacks. They undertook to serve for three years, and the transports began in the winter of 1945/46 (Train from Denmark to the Hook of Holland, then ferry to the UK).
Their service numbers seems to be in the bracket 14194900 – 14197400.
Bech
First name(s)/Initials: Niels Edmund
Service number: 14194990 / P/383537
Rank: Bombardier + Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Additional info: Cadet to be 2nd Lt., 20th Sept. 1947
14194990 Niels Edmund BECH (383537)
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/38114/supplements/5186
2nd Lt N E. BECH (383537) to be Lt, 2th Sept 1948.
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/38409/supplements/5096
Lt. N. E. BECH (383537) relinquishes his commn., 16th Feb. 1949, and is granted the hon. rank of Lt.
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/38538/supplements/811
Decorations/Campaign medals: General Service Medal 1945-48 with Palestine 1945-48 clasp
Source(s): GSM 1918-62 Palestine 1945-48 medal roll + London Gazette
Bech
First name(s)/Initials: Erik
Service number: 14194967
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment/Service: Royal East Kent Regiment
Additional info: Born: 13.09.1925. Served Far East, Hong Kong and Singapore. Discharged18.5.1948.
Photo #2: From left: 14196261 Thomas P. Sørensen, 14194967 Erik Bech, 14196138 Henning F. Hansen and 14195909 Poul Bærentsen.
Force served: United Kingdom
Source(s): Ex-Army 45 + HISAM + L. H. B. Thomsen
Photo #1:
Photo #2:
Beichler
First name(s)/Initials: Bendt Børge
Service number: 14195901
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
Unit(s)/Ship: 5 Platoon, D Company
Additional info: Born 16.12.1921. Discharged 12.4.1948
Force served: United Kingdom
Source(s): Army Book 258 - Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery + Ex-Army 45
Photo #1:
Bencke
First name(s)/Initials: E.
Service number: 14195533
Rank: Gunner
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit(s)/Ship: 87th Airborne Field Regiment
Decorations/Campaign medals: General Service Medal 1918-62 with Palestine 1945-48 clasp
Source(s): GSM 1918-62 Palestine 1945-48 medal roll
Bendixen
First name(s)/Initials: B.
Service number: 14195282
Rank: Paid Lance Bombardier
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Decorations/Campaign medals: General Service Medal 1918-62 with Palestine 1945-48 clasp
Source(s): GSM 1918-62 Palestine 1945-48 medal roll
Bengsten
First name(s)/Initials: R. G. P.
Service number: 14197036
Rank: Gunner
Regiment/Service: Army Air Corps
Unit(s)/Ship: Attached 33rd Airborne Light Regiment
Additional info: Served in Palestine 23.05.1947 - 31.03.1948
Decorations/Campaign medals: General Service Medal 1918-62 with Palestine 1945-48 clasp
Source(s): GSM 1918-62 Palestine 1945-48 medal roll
Bengtsen
First name(s)/Initials: Bent Karl
Service number: 14195971
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
Unit(s)/Ship: 5 Platoon, D Company
Additional info: Discharged 6.6.1948
Force served: United Kingdom
Source(s): Army Book 258 - Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery
Photo #1:
Benkjer
First name(s)/Initials: V. W.
Service number: T/14196498
Regiment/Service: Royal Army Service Corps
Force served: United Kingdom
Source(s): Tom Benkjer (Son)