East Kent Regt (Buffs) in Italy 1944

[The Guardroom]

Hi,
Is anyone able to help with info on the Buffs in Italy.Trying to trace 6292567 Sgt Leslie Frank Coomber who served in the Buffs (not sure what Bn).
Only location I have is a photo of him in Bari dated 9/9/1944, I think whilst on leave.

Not sure of when the Buffs went to Italy and if they had actually fought in North Africa before. Do not know Leslie's medal entitlement unfortunately.

Also know that he was in Trieste at the time of his demob in Dec 1945.

If anyone could also suggest any books that the Buffs in WW2 are covered in, I would appreciate it.

Thanks,
Alan

[Tom Canning]

The 5th Batt Buffs were a part of the 36th bde of the 78th Div( Battleaxe) which landed in North Africa as part of 1st Army in Nov '42 - they landed - variously in Italy around the 9th at Reggio followed by the main party at or near Termoli /Bari around the 22nd September'43 with 8th Army - capturing the Foggia Airfields soon afterwards. They were involved in many Battles around the Sangro River area before being sent over to the central sector and becoming involved in the Kiwis third battle of Cassino - and the fourth battle as well as the drive through the Liri valley.
After Rome in June '44 they went up the Eastern side of the Appenines with US 5th Army and took part in the battlee of Lago Trasemino before heading for Egypt for rest and refit. Returning to take part in the Gothic Line battles - the Winter Line on the Senio and final breakout in the spring through the Argenta gap to finish up at Trieste before heading for the Occupation of Austria where they were based in Vienna !
The 36th were known as the "fire brigade" as they always seemed to be in the thick of it - somehow - we sometimes thought they just stirred it up !

[Tom Canning]

Guardroom -
Should also mention that the 36th Bde of 78th Div had the 6th West Kents and the 8th Argyll and sufferin Highlanders - and with those two alongside - you were bound to be involved in lots of fights !

[Ron Goldstein]

Originally Posted by The Guardroom

Hi,
If anyone could also suggest any books that the Buffs in WW2 are covered in, I would appreciate it.
Thanks,
Alan

Hi Alan
See if you can get your local library to get hold of a copy of "The Campaign in Italy" 1943-1945 by Eric Linklater.
There is a fair amount of direct references to the 5th Battalion of the Buffs (Royal East Kent)
(Two pages attached as an example)
Ron

[The Guardroom]

Thanks Ron and Tom for the replies.
I have another photo of Sgt Coomber which seems to have been taken infront of the Lido in Venice 1945, but on it is written '1st Buffs C.M.F.'

Not sure what the CMF means or what the 1st Buffs were doing in North Italy or infact if he was a member of that Battalion instead of the 5th as you mention ?




Rgds,
Alan

[Owen]

CMF = Central Mediterranean Force.

1st Buffs in Italy in 56th Div.
Order of Battle • 56th Infantry Division

9 Apr 1945

24th Guards Brigade
- 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards
- 1st Battalion, Scots Guards
- 1st Battalion, The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)

They replaced 5th Bn Gren Gds when 5GG were sent home in March '45.

A story of a 1st Buffs chap here.
BBC - WW2 People's War - Action on Lake Comacchio, 13 April 1945