220 Field Ambulance Unit

Discussion in 'RAMC' started by No.4CommandoBairn, Jan 14, 2015.

  1. No.4CommandoBairn

    No.4CommandoBairn Well-Known Member

    I can't find anything about this Unit here but please direct me to any threads that I've missed.

    A friend's dad was in this Unit and, according to his Service and Pay Book, he took part in Operations Torch and Avalanche. I think this as he disembarked in Africa 11,11,42 and Italy, 9.9.43.

    Apart from sending for his Service Records - which she's keen to do - is there a way I could find out who he was attached to?.

    She has entrusted me with several items - amongst them is a list of soldiers who were in this FA Unit.

    He was awarded the Africa Star, Italy Star, War Medal and Defence Medal. He doesn't appear to have had the France/Germany Star.

    Thanking you in anticipation. :)
     
  2. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    If he was at Op AVALANCHE on 9 Sep 43, his Fd Amb could only have been with 46 BR Inf Div, 56 Br Inf Div or Layforce - the commando force allocated to screen the left flank and stop German movement towards the beachhead from Naples.

    That might narrow down your search.

    7 BR Armd Div followed up a few days later but they were not there on 9 Sep 43.

    Regards

    FdeP
     
    No.4CommandoBairn likes this.
  3. No.4CommandoBairn

    No.4CommandoBairn Well-Known Member

    Wonderful! Thank you. I had jokingly said to my pal that her dad may have been with the Commandos. :) My dad was in No.4 but volunteered to join No.2 for this one.

    Now then ... onwards ... thanks again!
     
  4. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    For my money, 220 Field Ambulance was part of 56 BR Inf Div. It recruited from Maidstone and so was very much in the 56 BR Inf Div geographical patch. The Fd Amb reduced to a single sub-unit post war and is now B (220) Medical Squadron and part of 254 Medical Regiment.

    I would suggest you get hold of the Permanent Staff Admin Officer at the Squadron on 01622 767182 or 254MED-220-PSAO@mod.uk and ask him if he knows which Div or Bde the Fd Amb supported in Italy.

    Regards

    FdeP
     
  5. No.4CommandoBairn

    No.4CommandoBairn Well-Known Member

    Consider it done. Thank you! :)
     
  6. Ben Oakley

    Ben Oakley New Member

    What is his name - My Grandfather was a Sergeant in 220 Field Ambulance - Arthur Oakley. Have recently started going through his records.
     
  7. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    From my records (WO169/8813 - 56 Div AQ War Diary) I have 56 (London) Div's field ambulances at Salerno as 167 (167 Bde), 214 (169 Bde) and 5 Lt Fd Amb (201 Gds Bde).

    Regards

    Tom
     
  8. Ben Oakley

    Ben Oakley New Member

    Thanks Tom, In his notes he says that hhe landed on Salerno at 0430 on 9/9/43 as part of 21 Beach group., and was recommended for a mention in dispatches for rescuing 3 casualties from a minefield on the beach. Have always believed that he was attached to the 56th at the time - I have his black cat cloth badges. He was in the 78th Div in North Africa - Does any of this fit with the records you have?
    Thanks again,
    Ben
     
  9. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    Hi Ben,

    I've checked the same war diary (56 Div AQ) and it confirms that 21 Beach Gp landed with 169 Inf Bde Gp (56 (Lon) Div). Oh, and just spotted mention in 56 Div Adm Order No 11 of 10 Sep 43 that MDS 220 Fd Amb is open at MR 746234.

    I hope that helps.

    Tom
     
  10. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Ben.

    I will be guiding a civilian group to Salerno next year if you are interested.

    Dates not set yet.

    Regards

    Frank
     

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