Scots Guards buried at Mo i Rana 1940 and Anzio 1944

Discussion in 'The Brigade of Guards' started by Sarah Moir Low, Dec 29, 2017.

  1. I am going to visit graves at Mo I Rana (in Norway) in May 2018 and in Anzio (in Italy) at some point 2018/2019.

    My father’s two cousins (brothers) were both in the Scots Guards and the elder, Houston McLean, was killed in Norway and his younger brother, Charles Gordon McLean, in Italy. I don’t think any family member has visited their graves. I will be pleased to lay flowers at any graves and take photographs if wished. In Mo I Rana, there are only a few graves.

    I’m new to this site so apologies if I was meant to put this message in a specific section - I hope admin will move it to the correct place. Thank you.
     
    Rich Payne and Owen like this.
  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Welcome to the forum.
    Sounds like a worthwhile plan for next year.
    Have you researched into the actions they were involved in & applied for their service records from Scots Guards RHQ ?
     
  3. Thank you. Yes, I thought it was a good plan! I have been very interested in the amazing amount of knowledge on these forums. I did try to get their service records last year - I live in Edinburgh and applied to the Castle but was told to send message to London. I have had no response, so I will try again in January.
    I have my father’s diary (he was in the Manchester Regiment) and there are several entries in May 1940 where he writes about Norway and the information from the government ... he had no idea his cousin was fighting there and I find it very poignant.
     
  4. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    Welcome to the forum.

    One of my relatives was wounded and taken POW during the Scots Guards rearguard action at Mo I Rana 15/16 May 1940.

    Steve
     
  5. Oh my! Well, Houston was killed on 19th May and I’m planning to be there on that day. I have the list of all buried at Mo I Rana and will visit every grave.
     
  6. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    CWGC have Houston as passing away 17th May 1940. From his service number he looks to be a 1934 Scots Guards enlistment. If he enlisted on the usual regular army terms of 4 years Regimental service and 8 years on the Reserve he may have been a recalled reservist in Sept 1939.

    My relative was 2695279 Devlin. He joined Sept 1935 and was initially in 2nd Scots Guards but was transferred to 1st SG - I think Right Flank Company - when 2nd SG were posted to Egypt in early 1939 as his discharge date was approaching. 2nd SG were in Palestine Sept/Dec 1936 and personnel were awarded the Palestine General Service Medal.

    Steve
     
  7. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    LSjt CG McLean was killed during the 1 SG advance towards Campoleone from Smelly Farm on the night of 29-30 Jan 44.

    1 SG were part of 24 Guards Brigade and their task, along with 1 IG on their left and 5 GREN GDS to their rear, was to secure a Line of Departure for the next Brigade to use for their attack on Campoleone which was a major road and rail centre.

    The advance was bounced by the Germans who had prior knowledge of it and the 1 IG and 1 SG casualties were horrific. In effect, the Germans were waiting for them and laid a very comprehensive trap.

    I am taking a group to Anzio on 7-10 Jun 18 if you would like to see exactly what happened.

    Regards

    Frank
     
  8. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    You'll need to send £30 for each enquiry.
    See here
    Archives | Scots Guards

    sg.JPG
     
  9. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    You may find something if interest In this topic posted by forum member DBF

    Notes by Colonel Dowler & Brigadier Gubbins, Norway, April - May 1940

    At the very end there are copies of a newspaper article from June 1940 about Scots Guards “rearguard” exploits in Norway. No place names mentioned in view of wartime censorship but it’s likely to be referring to the action at Mo I Rana/Stein.

    EDIT

    Here is the DCM citation (from another topic by Dbf (Diane) for Guardsman Bryson mentioned in the newspaper article. He was likely known to my relative who was from Workington, Cumberland.

    Gallantry Awards & Honours: SCOTS GUARDS


    Steve
     
    Last edited: Dec 30, 2017
  10. You're correct .. sorry, it was late and I was so excited to have found this site!
     
  11. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    No problem.....we’ve all been there:)

    Steve
     
    Sarah Moir Low likes this.
  12. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Just looked at my notes and papers from HQ SG & ICRC. My relative was in Left Flank Company SG and captured 17th May 1940 when they didn’t receive the order to withdraw and were surrounded.

    LF and RF SG were at Stein with Independent Companies (Commandos) with B Company SG acting as a rearguard north of Mo I Rana. Less than 500 men all told they were outnumbered by more than 3 to 1 when faced by 1,750 advancing German soldiers.

    Steve
     
  13. Well, that’s just dreadful. I’m looking at specialist booksellers to find a basic history book to start my education about the Norwegian campaign.
     
  14. Finally in Rome and off on battlefields' tour on Thursday. Will be taking as many photos as I can of Anzio cemetery where my dad's cousin is buried. I'm on a facebook group for the Manchester Regiment and had a request to photograph the grave of the only "Manchester" soldier there. Already I am feeling overwhelmed, and very emotional, as I have been reading up on the history of the fighting there and the dreadful loss of life.
     
  15. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi Sarah,

    I hope that your visit goes well. From memory is it the Italian National Day today? I remember being in Sorrento 30 years ago and watching the Italian forces speed marching in Rome.

    BTW Scots Guards Service records will be available imminently from NRS, Edinburgh per Information in below link.

    Regards

    Steve

    http://ww2talk.com/index.php?posts/774358/
     
    dbf likes this.
  16. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Sally.

    That would be Lt Fred Wallwork. He was attached to 2/7 Middlesex who were the heavy weapons Support Battalion for 1 British Infantry Division. The Manchesters also provided the Army with Support Battalions so Mr Wallwork would have been familiar with the equipment and its tactical employment in whichever Infantry Brigade he was supporting.

    We will tip our hat to him on Fri.

    Regards

    Frank
     
  17. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Sally.

    There is also Private Norman Rainger in the Beach Head Cemetery at Anzio. He is listed as 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment which is a bit odd because their were no Manchester Battalions at Anzio.

    He may well have been attached to 6 or 7 CHESHIRE who were also heavy weapon Support Battalions.

    We will tip our hat to him too so that you can get a photograph.

    Regards

    Frank
     
  18. Just to round off this thread, I am home from visiting Charlie in Anzio. Took photos for the Manchesters as well (my dads regiment, although not his company). What a trip! I cannot praise Frank and his exceptional sills highly enough. I do realise this is not a site for advertising, but if anyone wants to take a tour to Anzio please PM and I will give you his website address. I think I've got the bug now and planning more trips!

    Norway next year to visit Houston.... sadly I shall have no tour guide but have found enough information at Kew to work out his movements.

    Thank you to everyone who "chatted" to a newbie here. Very grateful and humbled by the responses.
     
  19. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    The image below is of the headstone of 278684 Lt. F. Wallwork. He was O.C. 9 Platoon 2/7 Mx `B' Support Group which was my Grandfather's platoon. He died on the 9th Feb whilst the 10 Royal Berks was being overrun. He was only 24.. Tragedy was heaped upon Mr & Mrs Wallwork, as four months later they were to lose another son in the Italian Campaign. 2008348 Lance Corporal Eric S. Wallwork of the R.E. 1065 W.T. Workshop Coy died aged 26 on the 22 June 44.

    IMG_20160526_153249 [847949].jpg
     
  20. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    I also have relatives from that neck of the woods ( the Old Man was born in Cockermouth!) Most of his Siblings still abode in Workington or the surrounding towns.

    Stu.
     

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