Pow In Italy

[Owen]

but the Scots fusiliers were - in fact some of them were floating off shore in a barge when a submarine popped up alongside and a voice asked " who are you" - and on answering the "RSF's " - the voice then said " never heard of you " - and submerged once more !

Tom, That was the 17th Bde's landing in support of the Garigliano crossing in Jan 44 not Anzio.
They had their PIAT trained on the sub just in case.

PS see post #10 I edited in some info.

[Tom Canning]

Owen - quite right it was the Gari crossing - going from memory there -the 1st and 5th however were part of Truscott's V1 corps duing the breakout towards what should have been East to Valmontone -the Brit 1st and 5th Divs were directed to the North on the coast as from the 23rd May - so it is entirely possible that Roxy's grandfather was captured on the 29th - as much of V1 corps turned left towards Rome allowing the German tenth army to escape

[Tom Canning]

Roxy -
Further to the 17th Bde and the RSF's actions at Anzio - they would have been in the area of Adrea or in between the Moletta River and the Incastro Rivers close to the highway leading to Albano on or about the 29th may '44
here is a map of the area - if I can manage it .....
http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/anzio/map4.JPG

[Roxy]

So, in 1939 he was in 2 QOCH. In 1944 he was captured (at Anzio, in RSF). However, whilst scrutinising the 79th News at Fort George, I can find no indication that he left the Camerons (as L/Cpl) to join RSF (as Pte). Then, 2 RSF were at Anzio in May 44 and 2 QOCH were 'down the road' at Cassino.

Intriguing!

Roxy

[Tom Canning]

Roxy -
well not too intriquing as by May '44 - the 2nd Camerons in 11th Bde of 4th Indian Div had finished their two battle stints at Cassino in Feb- March and were resting and re-fitting ready -probably around the Campobasso area - for their next stint at the Trasimino Line above Rome later in June - the whole of 8th Army - less the Kiwi's and 4th Indian had moved over to the Cassino sector for the final push through the Liri valley and the Hitler/Gustav lines -where the Canadians - 6th Armoured and 78th with 4th British Divs and 8th Indian took the lead - his transfer to RSF will be noted on his service record if you can find his next of kin to satisfy the Records Office.
Good luck

[Tom Canning]

Roxy -
now I am intriqued - in fact you could be termed a "next of kin" being a grandaughter- all you would need therefore would be his service number to satisfy the Record Office in Glasgow - sooooo - did the POW list in mentioning his name as being with RSF - give you by any chance his service number ??? most likely they did !
Cheers

[Roxy]

Tom,

Ta. I have his service number - it is a Cameron number. The POW list mentioned that he was with the RSF. ICRC indicate that he was captured at Anzio. Seems to me to indicate that he was probably with 2 RSF and the Camerons did not list why he transfered due to some nefarious reason (or a paper shortage during WW2!) or I have yet to find it.

Were 2nd Camerons with the BEF? I recall reading somewhere that 2 Camerons were (temporarily) disbanded after Dunkirk then reformed. Perhaps grandad became a fusilier about that time.

I still have an aunty who would be legally NOK, so I will have to pay up or get in touch with her to get his military record.

I'll keep you informed - hopefully without the 2 year wait next time!

Roxy.

PS It's MR Roxy! No offence taken.

[Tom Canning]

OOOPs - sorry Mr Roxy......
No the 2nd Cams were not at the BEF - if so they would have been 'in the bag" at St Valery along with all the 51st...which was re constituted in time for El Alamein final battle and onwards to Berlin !
They were in Egypt and the desert in '39 -and went into the "bag" on June 22nd along with 33,000 others at Tobruk after the Gazala gallop back to first Alamein - then the 4th Batt were re constituted as 2nd batt - rejoining 4th Indian Div for Tunisia and on to Italy / Greece et al ...see this short version of their capture - like typical Camerons !

2nd Battalion The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, 1939-1945

[Roxy]

Tom,

Thanks again. I'll try to find out - from the 79th News - details of 2 Camerons departure to the ME. I might get some details regarding grandad Roxburgh (or not - which might be just as useful) there.

Roxy

[Roxy]

Just in case anyone is interested, here's what I know of my grandad's military career

Thomas McQ Roxburgh 2926293

August 17, 1927 Enlisted in Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
December 8, 1927 Received 2nd Class Certificate of Education at Inverness
January 16, 1932 Appointed L/Cpl (Unpaid) HQ Coy, 2 QOCH
December 31, 1932 Appointed L/Cpl HQ Coy, 2 QOCH
April - October, 1934 Transfered to Army Reserve under para 369(i) KR's 1928
April 13, 1939 Rejoined the Colours
April 13, 1939 Appointed L/Cpl (Unpaid), 1 QOCH
April 29, 1939 Re-engaged to undertake 21 years service
May 29, 1944 Captured at Anzio, probably whilst serving with 2 RSF
June 20, 1944 Prisoner of War in German hands present in Reserve-Lazarett Rottenmunster (POW Number 18637)
October 10, 1944 ICRC receive list confirming place of detention
August 1, 1944 Transferred from Stalag VB (Villingen near Ludswigburg) to Stalag VIIA (Moosburg)
August 28, 1944 ICRC receive list confirming place of detention
April 29, 1945 Stalag VIIA (Moosburg, Germany) liberated by US Army

I'll post more if/when I discover it.

Roxy