Can anyone help me? 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment

Discussion in 'Italy' started by Natasha, Mar 28, 2007.

  1. Natasha

    Natasha Junior Member

    iam reseaching my great uncles history in the involvement with the Cassino battle in 1044 and would like to trace his actions and contributions to the balltle, so far i know he served with the 2nd battalion Northamptonshire regiment, and his name is on the Cassino Memorial in Itlay, but i cannot establish which sector this regiment was involved in. did the regiment become part of a division if so what division could this have been?
    Please if anyone can shead some light i would be very greatfull

    Natasha
     
  2. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    iam reseaching my great uncles history in the involvement with the Cassino battle in 1044 and would like to trace his actions and contributions to the balltle, so far i know he served with the 2nd battalion Northamptonshire regiment, and his name is on the Cassino Memorial in Itlay, but i cannot establish which sector this regiment was involved in. did the regiment become part of a division if so what division could this have been?
    Please if anyone can shead some light i would be very greatfull

    Natasha

    Welcome Natasha,

    I am sure someone will be able to assist and I am sure you meant to type 1944.

    Please post you great uncles full name if possible.
     
  3. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Hi Natasha

    I'm sure that you will get help on this site in your research but to increase your chances I'm going to suggest another site also.
    Try the BBC Message Board at:
    BBC - MESSAGE BOARDS - History - WW2 People's War
    and start your message by addressing it to Trooper Tom Canning who you will find is quite an expert in these matters.
    Although I was at Cassino myself (as a wireless-op) it is Tom who has a much broader knowledge of all the units involved and I am sure he will try to help.
    Best of luck in your research
    Ron
     
  4. PeterG

    PeterG Senior Member

    Natasha

    The 2nd Battalion Northhamptonshire Regiment wasn't at Cassino. Throughout WW2 they were in 17th Infantry Brigade, in the 5th Infantry Division, part of X Corps. From 17 January to 31 January 1944 they were in action at the Garigliano Crossing. On 22 January, part of the 17th Infantry Brigade was moved to Anzio where they were in action until 22 May, then from that date to 4 June they moved on and entered Rome.

    Mathew Parker in his excellent book Monte Cassino (Appendix 2, Orders of Battle) lists the 17th Brigade (2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers, 2nd Northhamptonshire Regt, 6th Seaforth Highlanders) in the Battle order of the First Battle of Montecassino, but they were involved in bitter fighting on the Garigliano River rather than on the mountain. If he fell on the Garigliano this would account for his inclusion on the Cassino War Memorial which bears 4,266 Commonwealth servicemens' names.

    The quickest way to find out which unit your great-uncle was in and where he fell is to enter his name here :: CWGC :: at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.

    Kind regards,
    Peter
     
  5. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Natasha, My late Grandfather was RSM with 2nd Northamptons during the Italian campaign and the family has both of the published Battalion histories as well as a general 5 Div one. Unfortunately, I don't have them to hand at the moment.

    One of the books has a "Roll of Honour" What was his name ?

    You might find the "D-Day Dodgers" forum useful as they have connections with the Northampton's museum and have a project to record veteran's stories so are in contact with a number of them.

    http://www.d-daydodgers.com/intropage.htm

    The fighting at Anzio and on the Garigliano was extremely heavy and casualties were high.

    Good luck with your research. Don't hesitate to ask if you get down to specifics.

    Rich.
     
  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Hello Natasha
    A break down of 5th Division here.
    5th Division
     
  7. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Two photos from IWM of 2nd Bn from 1943.
    [​IMG]

    Description: Reggio, 3 September 1943 (Operation Baytown): View of invasion preparations at the quay-side in Catania, Sicily. Troops from C Company, 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment wait to embark on the landing craft moored at the quayside.

    [​IMG]
    Description: Troops from 'C' Company, 2nd Northamptonshire Regiment wait to go aboard landing craft at Catania, Sicily, 2 September 1943.


    For some general views of the Garilgliano area visit here, IWM Collections Online: Search Photographs Archive
    and in the subject box key in Garigliano, there are some amazing photos there.
     
  8. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Attached Files:

  9. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Another map from same book.
    2nd Northants would have had almost same journey as the 2nd Wilts.
     

    Attached Files:

  10. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    In case he was killed at Anzio here is another map from same book.
    Excuse the colouring in of the sea. I've had it since I was younger.
     

    Attached Files:

  11. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Have you contacted the Regimental Museum?

    Army Museums Ogilby Trust

    Northamptonshire Regiment and Northamptonshire Yeomanry Collections
    Abington Museum,
    Abington Park,
    Northampton,
    NN1 4LW

    Tel: 01604 838110
     
  12. Natasha

    Natasha Junior Member

    Thank you all for your responces! its very reassuring that people are so willing to help!
    His name was Frank Taylor private 14415187 dead: 30th April 1944 19yrs, for those who have asked.
    it is perticulary nice to hear from peole who actually fought in the same battle!
    i have a picture of him coming to me soon which i will post.
    Please forgive me this is the first time i have used any sort of forum so it may take me a while to become aquanted with the formats!
    thankyou all again.
     
  13. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Natasha,
    He would have died at ANZIO with that date.
    Glad to help.

    I see there is another Frank Taylor died Anzio with 2 Northants.
    CWGC :: Casualty Details

    This one is yours though.
    CWGC :: Casualty Details

    They died a day apart.Both aged 19. Very sad.


    In War Diary for 2nd Wilts it says for 30/4 & 1/5 that it was quiet for the Wilts but the 2nd Northamptons were holding the area of "The Fortress" and their forward company was driven out and four counter-attacks failed to retake the position.
     
  14. Natasha

    Natasha Junior Member

    Thank you Owen

    I have managed to trace down his memorial location yesterday, the information you have gave is great and is what i have been looking for, i came to and end when i couldn't locate the role of the 2nd Ba. in the battle but thanks to this site and your information this is now becoming clearer! :)
     
  15. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    A great book to give you an insight to life at Anzio is
    The Fortress by Raleigh Trevelyan.
    He was in The Green Howards, another 5th Division Unit.
     
  16. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Just have to post these photo of 5th Division soldiers at Anzio as they are so good.
    Notice the Div sign the "Y" on top of their sleeve.
    Not the Northamptons same Division.
    [​IMG]

    A patrol of the 2nd RoyalInniskilling Fusiliers at Anzio, 20-21 March 1944. The men are lightly equipped, and wear cap comforters and crepe soled patrol boots.


    [​IMG]

    While a piper plays, a special rum ration is issued to men of the 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers to mark St Patrick's Day in the Anzio bridgehead, 17 March 1944.
     
  17. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  18. Natasha

    Natasha Junior Member

    Owen D
    You mentioned the 'war diary' is this something that is avalibal online? and do you know where i may find out more about the 'fortress' area?
    thankyou
     
  19. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Hi Natasha

    When you have got a good deal further with your research you might like to consider a trip to the British Cemetery at Cassino.

    I made the pilgrimage myself back in May 2005 and wrote about it on the BBC WW2 Archives: BBC - WW2 People's War - Return to Cassino

    Regards

    Ron
     
  20. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Natasha, just keep asking the questions ! War Diaries are not on line and will require a trip to the National Archive. The Diaries, and the published histories rarely mention individual "Other Ranks" by name unless they were involved in a notable action.

    These are a few pictures from the Divisional History.

    Just to show that they didn't loose their sense of humour despite the horrors of Anzio:-

    [​IMG]

    and a frontspiece showing the various units which formed part of Fifth Division.

    [​IMG]

    Once again the 5 Div "Y" is visible.

    Rich.
     

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