Only just joined today so really not sure how this all works Im after info on Anzio regarding the 1st battalion and any info in particular on my dad Thomas joseph Grant Im visiting Anzio in June on a pilgramage in honour of my dad and would welcome any must see info and advice Brendan Grant
welcome to the forum If British then you need to apply for his service records Get a copy of military service records
Brendan. You have a choice of 1st Battalions at Anzio. 1st Battalion Green Howards 1st Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment 1st Battalion The Loyal Regiment 1st Battalion Irish Guards 1st Battalion Scots Guards 1st Battalion King's Own Shropshire Light Infantry 1st Battalion London Scottish 1st Battalion Yorks & Lancs Regiment 1st Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 1st Battalion London Irish Rifles 1st Battalion Buffs I am guiding a group at Anzio 7-10 Jun 18 if these dates fit your plan. Regards Frank
Brendan. I have loads of information. Any idea what you would like to know? If you can get a copy, the Regimental History of the Irish Guards relies heavily on the diaries of Major John Kennedy who commanded No 3 Coy. He was horse racing mad but also liked killing Germans. Some of the maps in the History will help you get your head around what happened to 1 IG. In summary, they were very badly knocked about in Jan-Feb 44 at Anzio and,once withdrawn from the beachhead, were never reconstituted in Italy. The remaining men were dispersed to the other Irish Guards battalions. Most went to 3 IG. Regards Frank
Going to rome(staying in anzio 2 nights 13/14)on 12th june 5 of us Wanted to retrace a few steps etc and really keen to know were the st patricks day parade venue was and pay a visit Appreciate any help
War Diary: 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS, September 1939 - July 1944 1944 March 17 ST. PATRICK’s DAY. The parade was held under ideal conditions and in the attractive setting of the square of MASSA LUBENSE. The Commander-in-Chief, General The Honourable Sir Harold ALEXANDER presented the shamrock which had arrived - only just in time by air. Immediately after the presentation General ALEXANDER decorated several Officers and men of the Battalion and Brigade with awards earned on the ANZIO Bridgehead. The parade concluded with a March Past and High Mass in the Church of Our Lady. see arches & steps - HD Stock Video Footage - General Alexander celebrates St. Patrick's Day with the Irish Guards at Cassino front in Italy during World War II. https://www.google.com/maps/@40.6117945,14.3435067,3a,75y,6.02h,101.25t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s10x8_tkGq2KEQgM0XqkZ7g!2e0!6s//geo0.ggpht.com/cbk?panoid=10x8_tkGq2KEQgM0XqkZ7g&output=thumbnail&cb_client=maps_sv.tactile.gps&thumb=2&w=203&h=100&yaw=99.119774&pitch=0&thumbfov=100!7i13312!8i6656 Largo Vescovado, Massa Lubrense
Frank that is brilliant thanks! If you know of any other key landmarks can you let me know Thanks to everyone for quick responses
It wasn't Frank who posted the location of the St Patrick's Parade Welcome to the forum. Lucky you going to Anzio, it's almost 10 years since my only trip there.
Brendan. The St Patrick's Day site is right down on the Sorrento Peninsula to the south of Naples. When 24 Guards Brigade were pulled out of Anzio and replaced by 18 Infantry Brigade, this is where 1 IG, 1 SG and 5 GREN GDS went for R&R. Regards Frank
Brendan. No, it is the other way around. Three Battalions make a Brigade - in this case 1 IG, 1 SG and 5 GREN GDS made up 24 Guards Brigade. Three Brigades make a Division - in this case at Anzio 2 Infantry Brigade, 3 Infantry Brigade and 24 Guards Brigade made up 1 British Infantry Division. Three Divisions make a Corps - in this case at Anzio 1 British Infantry Division, 3 US Infantry Division and 45 US Infantry Division made up IV (US) Corps. Within 1 IG, there were four Rifle Companies - No 1, No 2, No 3 and No 4, a Support Company of heavy weapons like mortars and anti-tank guns and a Headquarters Company with roles that administered the battalion - storemen, chefs, signallers, clerks. Regards Frank
Thanks Frank it great info but wasted on me as i still dont understand it all All i know is he was in the 1st battalion This is a photo of his timescales the dates seem to compare exact to what ive seen in the war diarys Can you throw any light on what all the writing says ?
Really hard to read but I can see that on 23.8.44 he was posted to the 3rd Battalion , Irish Guards. They were in North West Europe with Guards Armoured Division. dbf's Dad was with them .
Yes i know that he was run over by a tank while asleep in the woods(an american was driving around for some reason in the middle of the night) a day before they were about to take another bridge just outside brussels on 9th sept 1944 He had to have his leg amputated below his left knee Was wondering what all the lettering meant on left hand side?
Brendan. I would recommend, for your own education, that you join one of my battlefield studies to Anzio. It will all make so much more sense to you. Regards Frank
Army Casualty List via FindmyPast: First name(s) T Last name Grant Year 1944 Service number 2723014 Rank as transcribed Gdsm Regiment Irish Guards Theatre of war North West Europe Archive reference WO 417/82 Wounded 9th September 1944, the same day as my father's good friend Bill Allister. According to IG Association Journal: by 1949 he was a member of the Liverpool Sub-Branch, served from 8 Sep 1941 to 2 Oct 1947, and died in 1988 aged 66.