2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers soldiers Names

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by skimmod, Sep 23, 2010.

  1. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I don't think he was with the battalion when he died. I've just checked the units diary and they were a long way from Dieppe in Feb and March, near Roncq. There is no mention of him in Feb or March in the diary.

    I wonder if he was with a Infantry Base Depot?

    As Diane has recommended-I would apply for his service records.
     
  2. skimmod

    skimmod Senior Member

    Sorry for the slow response Peter.
    Drowning in work at the moment!
    Sjt. McCrea (according to the sketchy information I have) was part of the 2nd echelon involved in bringing supplies, equipment and replacement troops from the UK over to France.
    There was some skullduggery going on at the ports as another supply Sjt. was murdered at Le Havre only a couple of months later. I'll give the diaries a look through and see what I can dig up.
    All the best

    Iain
     
  3. TomUK

    TomUK Junior Member

    Hello folks

    Really enjoyed reading through this thread, which attracted my attention because my father was in the RSF 27/1/44 to 28/5/44. I have his Release Book listing his regiments. His previous reg. is given as the Royal Scots from 27/5/43 to 26/1/44. I know he took part in the Anzio landings and fought at Monte Casino. His transfer from RS to RSF took place during the Anzio landings which took place from 22/1/44 to 29/1/44. I am wondering why he changed regiments during this main offensive. Incidentally he was a crew member on a bren gun carrier.

    His details: PRIVATE L. M. BANCROFT - 14573506.

    Any info would be appreciated.
     
  4. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    TomUK.

    Your father may have been transferred to 2 RSF because they took a lot of casualties during the X (BR) Corps attack across the Garigliano on 17 Jan 44. They were moved into position by US duwks and conducted a beachlanding in the area of Monte d'Argento beyond the River Garigliano on the coast.

    2 RSF suffered 140 casualties as a result on the beachlanding including seven Offrs. After the beachlanding on 17-18 Jan 44, they were committed to supporting an attack on Monte Natale just north of Minturno on 29-30 Jan 44 and suffered yet more casualties so it is likely that they needed reinforcing when sent to Anzio.

    It is highly likely that he was involved in the Monte Natale attack.

    On 1 Mar 44, 5 BR Inf Div, of which 2 RSF formed part, was warned off to go to Anzio to relieve 56 BR Inf Div. He would have gone with 2 RSF from their positions on the Garigliano.

    Regards

    FdeP
     
  5. TomUK

    TomUK Junior Member

    Thanks for that Minden. Yes I suppose his transfer from the Royal Scots to the RSF on 27/1/44 would probably be as a result of those losses the RSF had previously incurred. I wonder what the Royal Scots were involved in at the time, considering they could spare men for the Anzio operation. Thanks for your input.
     
  6. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    TomUK.

    I cannot recall any RS involvement in the Italian Campaign - but I may be wrong. It is likely that he trained as a RS but was sent to Italy as a reinforcement and simply ended up in 2 RSF - because it was a Scottish Regiment.

    Many Regts pooled their training at specific Depots although I do not know if RS and RSF were in the same scheme.

    Regards

    FdeP
     
  7. sss65

    sss65 Junior Member

    Hello Iain- I have a medal belonging to J Scanlon from the 2nd battalian Royal Scots Fusiliers which was in my husband's grandfathers medals. I have found the record matching the medal which states he died 21/4 /1941 and his number was 3129211. We do not know who this person is and why the medal is in with my husbands grandfathers medals. Any ideas or clues how we can find out more info?
     
  8. skimmod

    skimmod Senior Member

    Interesting Fellow this Scanlon,

    Would your family name be McGrory by any chance? Scanlon was an assumed name! I'm thinking he was possibly on the run from something?

    Attached is his reference in the attestation books.

    It shows he joined up prior to 1934 on the 7/2/41 under Para 390(xvi) Kings regulations 1940 was discharged.

    Any body have a copy of Kings Regs from 1940?
     

    Attached Files:

  9. sss65

    sss65 Junior Member

    Wow Iain thanks for this quick response. Well the name Mcgrory is not in our tree to our knowledge- however we have lots of mysteries around the medal and Brian's grandfather. His name was Robert Smith- he assumed the name Stevens and was also raised by an "adopted" family called McPhillamy. We don't think it was his medal as he was born in 1886 in perth and so would I assume be too old by 1934 to be active? I am now going to be looking up the name McGrory to see if I can find any links.
     
  10. skimmod

    skimmod Senior Member

    No worries! always pleased that I can help. (sorry to those I can't!)

    Yes, 48 would have been very old for active service, especially at ordinary rank level.

    Good luck with the continued research and if there is any RSF assistance, just shout.

    all the best

    Iain
     
  11. sss65

    sss65 Junior Member

    No connection found yet to the family- wondered if anyone has access to any more records that could help me pindown Scanlon or McGrory?
     
  12. david dawson

    david dawson Junior Member

    my father was in royal scots fusilies ww2 not sure

    which btn

    john lyle dawson born 17th july 1910
     
  13. skimmod

    skimmod Senior Member

    Hi David,

    I have a record of a John Dawson, as a corporal in the 1st Battalion RSF.

    see attached his entry in the attestation books.

    hope this helps you start your research!

    all the best

    Iain
     

    Attached Files:

  14. Spoff

    Spoff Junior Member

    Hi.

    My Grandfather was I. Farrar (3131761) He died in 1993 when I was about 15 years old, a wonderful man who I respected and loved very much.

    He came from West Yorkshire (where I still live).

    He was one of the ones who made it back, he talked about it occasionally, but not very much, all I really learned was that he was a Bren-gunner (I didn't ask too many questions but wish I had in hindsight).

    Does anyone have any idea how I can find out more about his military history and maybe his records? I also heard you can apply to get a re-issue of medals (this would be nice if it is actually possible as my grandfathers were lost whilst he was still alive).

    Thanks.

    Paul.
     
  15. skimmod

    skimmod Senior Member

    Good Morning Paul,
    welcome to WW2 Talk and thanks for posting.

    I've been researching this action and the men (like your grandfather) for many years now. (I was 11 when mine died and he sounds very much alike)

    They never talked much about their experiences, but any information you can add to the story would be wonderful.

    Drop me a PM with your email address on and I can let you have access to my omline records.

    If you want his service record the only place to go would be:
    http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/Personnel/ServiceRecords/MakingARequestForInformationHeldOnThePersonnelRecordsOfDeceasedServicePersonnel.htm

    I'll have a look for his attestation paper work in a bit!

    all the best

    Iain
     
  16. skimmod

    skimmod Senior Member

    Here is his entry in the attestation book.

    I have collected over 150 photo's of the men who fought in this action. Do you have a photo of your grandfather to add to my gallery of fusiliers?

    thanks

    Iain
     

    Attached Files:

  17. Spoff

    Spoff Junior Member

    Wow.

    Thanks Iain, thats great, kind of emotional to see that to be honest!

    I don't have a photo unfortunately, but if I can see some from your library I would easily be able to point him out.

    Paul.
     
  18. skimmod

    skimmod Senior Member

    My pleasure Paul.
    I can tell from his number that he was one of the last batch of replacements sent out to the battalion after the battle at Arras. They suffered a few minor casualties during the withdrawal and subsequent air attacks.

    The fact that he survived and came home through Dunkirk, potentially puts him in B company. As most of A company were either wounded or killed on the 27th May, and C&D companies captured along the canal on the early hours of the 28th.

    However this might not ring tru as quite a few of B&C company escaped south, joining up with the 51st Highland division only to be captured at St. Valery.

    we may never know. Good luck getting his service record, and when you do I would very much like to read through it with you.

    all the best

    Iain
     
  19. skimmod

    skimmod Senior Member

    Here is an updated spreadsheet on the members of the Royal Scots Fusiliers during 1940.
    it covers the 1st and 2nd battalions. As well as a few attachements etc.

    hope it helps someone!

    Iain
     

    Attached Files:

  20. Spoff

    Spoff Junior Member

    Thanks Iain.

    If/ when I get hold of his service record I will forward a copy to you, I have to get a replacement a death certificate first and then apply for his record, will keep you posted.

    Paul.
     

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