14655382 Private Cyril Edwin BUXTON, 1st Bn The Loyal Regiment: 25/08/1944

Any further information please on Belper soldier Private 14655382 Cyril Edwin Buxton 1st Battalion The Loyal Regiment. Killed in action in Italy 80 years ago today on Friday 25th August 1944 aged 22.

 

Nowt online about him sadly, though not unusual.

Based on Wiki he was with the 1st Battalion, the only unit to fight in Italy. See: Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) - Wikipedia Confirmed
by: https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2613829/cyril-edwin-buxton/

They had approx. a dozen dead that day. He and others were buried elsewhere and concentrated @ Florence in February 1945.

The Service Number issued refers to the General Service Corps, the initial assessment and training unit for all entrants after a review. Unsure of when the started. From: https://www.corpsofmilitarypolice.org/tools/armynumber?query=14655382

 

From A History of the 67th Field Regiment







This Artillery Regiment was firing in support of the Loyals
Can explain this if you need to know more to understand this action.
Several members hold copies of the Loyals War Diaries They were part of
2nd infantry Brigade 1st Infantry Division.
(Have contacted one of them)


Fiesole 1974


Fiesole from Florence
(The Apennines in the background)

Map of the area
Google Maps

Note Comment in War Diary 26th Aug regarding previous days heavy casualties.

"A History" by Peter Mennell is often slightly out regarding dates. PM was Adjutant at the time. He wrote "A History" in 1946.
Captain Dolman was The FOO (Forward Observation Officer) directing the gunfire from below the hill with the 2nd North Staffs advancing on the left flank of the Loyal's roughly where the 1974 photo was taken by myself.

 

Regarding David's comment #2 re initial burial, most casualties were taken to Arrow Route Cemetery, a few miles south of Fiesole.
https://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-...metery-details/2036800/florence-war-cemetery/
After the war, 83 graves were moved into the cemetery from nearby Arrow Route Cemetery, when it proved impossible to acquire the site in perpetuity.
Arrow Route Cemetery Florence Italy

 

Thank you all so much for this fantastic information.
Regards Richard.

 

Chris, Aka Uncle Target has mentioned dates are slightly out. Not only that, but Corps are out too.. 5th Army,18th Corps should read 5th Army,13th Corps. See page [ ? ] of A History of the 67th Field Regiment in his post 3. The books I'm going to show are: HISTORY of the FIRST DIVISION Florence to Monte Grande August 1944-January 1945, a book on The Loyal Regiment & last of all the war diaries.1 Loyals had a bad day on the 25 August, 1944 has can be read losing one or two. Will probably show a couple of days beforehand re-garding the two histories & the diary. The Divisional History gives a good build-up to the 25th, and who was doing what, where & when.










What is not mentioned on 6 this page is 'F' Squadron, ('F' Recce Squadron) a unique unit composed of Italian parachutists, the unit itself was not a permanent part of the Italian Army. It was raised in December, 1943, with the assistance of the Italian General Staff, specially for employment under British command. For the greater part of its existence it formed part of the British 13th Corps. These couple of opening lines are from the FORWARD by Lieut,-General Sir Sidney Kirkman, K.B.E., C.B., M.C. G.O.C. of the 13th Corps. Taken from the book 'F' SQUADRON by Carlo Bonciani, First published in 1947. Not read this book properly yet. See page 12 of the divisional history. Some historians/authors on the forum may not think much of this small unit, but Kirkman thinks much of the (120!)

The good old 8 Indian Division on the left flank of 1 Division. They would play a major part in supporting the latter a fews months later.

My understanding on page 12 is: 13-23 Aug. The regrouping entailed 1 Division and 8 Ind Division changing places, the former​

taking the city of Florence and the sector to the West, ( 1KDG 1 King's Dragoon Guards?) coming under command. I think that's correct? From my own point of view for what it's worth, I think we was robbed when 18 Brigade was given back to 1 British Armoured Division. We lost a fine experienced Brigade that was 24 Guards Brigade in the Anzio Campaign because there was [nothing left of them,] replaced by the 18 Brigade who was just has experienced & then given 66 Brigade. Is that a dig/complaint of the latter? Sort of. Not much experience is all I'm saying.


Notice page 13 (The clearing of Florence.)

The enemy's decision to abandon Florence had probably been influenced by the following considerations:- probably more of (a) &​

(b) from my own thoughts. Typical Boche being wise in using less troops, armour & more importantly food. Feeding the 50,00000000 means none for the obvious.




That it's for the time being. If I can add anymore regarding the divisional history, then I will. Just need to read the Loyals war diary again has parts are in hand writing. Appx's not.

Regards,
Stu.

 

Thank you so much!
Regards Richard.

 

From Ancestry casualty list killed in action.


Wounded in action list.

 

Hi Richard,

If possuble, could you please show this chaps Service Records? Hope that is okay wirh yourself? Is it a family member?

I've much time for the Loyal Regiment. No probs if you would rather not?

Edit: probaly may well have info which German Division 2 Infantry Brigade came up against.

Thanks..
R,
Stu.

 

Here is part two of the I Loyals showing the war diaries along with two maps & the Appx's which are Patrol Reports & are more legible. One of the maps is at the end of the diaries for the month of August,Town Plan of Florence (Firenze). Both maps are detailed & most useful. In this map I've highlighted in red the Campo di Marte railway station, along with two grid squares side-by-side of which I will come back to in time. I'm also working on the other map that was used FIRENZE 1.50,000, ITALY of which I'll show later when showing the pages of the Regimental History. In the latter on page 239-240 Dean has a problem with Brigadier C.E.A. Firth, commanding 2 Infantry Brigade or, should I say 6 Gordons, even though he do's not mention them. After reading the diaries of them I'm leaning to agree with him. In the fog-of-war & all that. A cock-up which has probably cost the lives of many when it did not need to happen. The Division was not in a rush.

Edit. Problems with my server/ laptop in showing many files. Will come back later in my next post.

Regards,
Stu.

 

Carrying on from my last post. Here are the war diaries from the 15-31 Aug, plus the two maps. Will show the Patrol Reports in another post seeing has there are so many. Been looking at the diaries of the 2 North Staff, 6 Gordons & some of 66 Infantry Brigade. Not much seems to be going on regards the other two battalions of 2 Inf Bde, not the same for some of 66 Inf Bde. May be a baptism of fire. Not quite a walk- in- the- park! Kicking-off from the 15 Aug has the Loyals crossed the River Arno. I do like these maps. If the NCO's & ORs got lost with these then I give up. Some may (will have in the dark) while on patrol. Before I forget, I've highlighted the Mugnone Canal.










Can't see the above Appx at the moment of which there are one or two.



Clock the POW of 4 Fallschirmjáger Division. The 2 North Staffs would take some more on the 22 August the other Division of the rearguard would be the 869 Grenadier Regiment of the 356 Grenadier Division. Captured by the 1 Loyals on the 25 Aug.

2 North Staffs 20 August (see Town map of Florence) for map reference. Carriers advanced to 796707 & 788708 see grid 7970 & 7870 where they contacted the enemy. A Coy moved to II PELLEGRINO (see same map).

San Domenico above.



2 North Staffs 22 Aug see same town map. Shells in Bn area. 2 prisoners taken by A Coy, ll Bn Sturm Regt, 4 Para Div. Bn HQ patrol composed of snipers, Int (Intelligence Section) AND 1 COOK probably to make a cup of tea whilst out on patrol under command of Lt. Bolongaro advanced to 788708 but no contact was made.
6 Gordons 24 August: Enemy considered to have withdrawn in the REFEDI area (not clocked where that is has yet). Patrols moved up into the area during the afternoon & [found no opposition.] "C" Coy preparing to move fwd if withdrawal is confirmed. Need to look at there Op Inst to see if it can give me a MR No for Refedi.

See the FIRENZE map scale 1.50,000 for the MRs below. The info that follows may be interesting, and of use regarding our chap.See the 27 Aug.







Will probably show the remaining pages from the Divisional History till the end of the month when done with Loyals.

Regards,
Stu.

 

Rifredi.
Google Maps

The Gordons were advancing north up the valley following the line of the Via Bolognese to Bologna.
To their right was 2nd North Staffs, Loyals and 66 Inf Brigade Brigade.

Note: La Pietra (NY University) where 67 FR Survey Jeep went up on a mine killing 3 Officers and the Bdr Driver 2/9/44.
446 Bty Had their OP Party with 2 NS providing Artillery Support. 266 Bty were with 6th Gordons and 265 Bty with the Loyals.

This changed circa 4th Sept when Mark Clarke moved the American Forces to the right to outflank the heavily defended Futah Pass.

Should be on maps in 1st Div History Book.

 

Rifredi. No wonder I can't find it. The area of the station. Taken over from the Loyals. They were near there on the 15 Aug.

Thanks.
Regards,
Stu.

 

Thank you all for all this fabulous information.
Regards Richard.

 

It's not often that I doff my cap to a officer when It comes to war diaries (well, british anyway) but, I do this chap. 162489. Lt. T/Capt. Hawkins, E.W. Adjutant. A splendid chap who well & truly pulled his finger out, got off his backside and did his job. Unlike so many who did not. Quite a few Patrol Reports. F. Recce attached. Also, clock some partisans at times. Get your specs on, a cup of tea and a comfy chair. This chap got a typewriter the following month, they might have half-inched it or, got it off the partisans? More to follow.



Regards,
Stu.

 

Stu.

Patrol Reports come under the responsibilities of the Battalion's Intelligence Officer rather than the Adjutant.

Regards

Frank

 

They have similar handwriting. Have a look at the war diaries. Is there anything to say the Adjutant did not do the Patrol Reports? I think he did both. Could be wrong of course. Has the I.O. don both I ask? Who evers done them, they are bloody good is what I say. I'm saying it's Hawkins. Will show a diary for the 31 Aug along with a Patrol Report for same date. People can then make up there minds. Showing the Town Map of Florence again with another MR for the date of 28.08.44. See Patrol Report I've highlighted in red. Shows the area that some bodies was found that was killed on the 25.08. In the area of 4 Coy, 1 Herts of 66 Infantry Brigade.

This is getting on my nerves. Wrong key pressed again. Thumbnails are useless, they should be banned. Not going to edit this post has it would take far too long. Will carry on in next post. It's taken at least a hour to upload these files. They are worth showing. The forums layout is not easy when posting many files in any thread. Move on Stu.

Regards,
Stu.

 

Stu,
You could check this against the War Diary Return of Officers List and the IO reports therein.
Lot less work.

Frank is usually right in things Military.
Nuff said stepping back now!

 

He's normally correct, but he's one for holding up his hand's if not being a former officer, & a Lt.Col (Retd.) at that. If I'm wrong then has the norm I will also do the same. I think I'm correct. BTW. I'm loving this thread.

It's worth the time. Step back all you wish. No probs at all. The R.O. Officers is slightly not the norm. Will show in time.

P.S. the 2IC was a former 2/7Mx chap.

Regards,
Stu.

 

Deleted spoils the thread might post later.