Hampshire Regiment arm of service

I was called up at 20, after a Medical at Knowles Road in Aldershot I had to report to The Hampshire Regiment at Parkhurst on the Isle of Wight.
I arrived at Newport , Isle of Wight by train from Ryde and Hampshire N.C.O.’s were calling out “CONSCRIPTS THIS WAY”.
We were bundled into Army trucks and driven to Parkhurst Barracks next to the Prison, here we were given a light lunch then paraded, to be given our Army number and all the ‘do’s and don’ts’ about the Barracks.
The first day was like home, the Cooks had whites on with long hats and there were tablecloths with cutlery and plates laid out on all the tables, But oh! The next day, ‘Rough and Ready’, the Cooks were plain order and tables were bare boards with no cutlery, Plates were replaced by tins and I forgot to say instead of four Menu’s to choose from there was only one ... “Take it or leave it”.
The second day, we were issued with most of our kit and what laughs, when we tried things on or put it together there was always the Sergeants and Corporals gloating, “Get a grip of yourself Son, can’t you see it goes like this?”, we didn’t know but neither did they at the start of their Army time, but you couldn’t ‘talk over the stripes on their arm’.
The Parade ground Drill started in a couple of days with Drill Sergeant Batchelor , there were about 24 men to a Platoon. Then other things were Field Training, Rifle Range and P.T. All these things were cramped into eight weeks, then you went up a notch to a more senior Platoon while others came in and started where you came in. Another eight weeks, and if suitable, sent to the main Regiment.
After arriving at Wincanton in Somerset I was to the Pioneer Platoon H.Q. 2/4th Hampshire Regiment and stayed there until February 1946 (Demob), mind you a few faces changed in those years, Officers, other Ranks etc. After the War there were only four of us originals of 1940.
After arriving at Wincanton in Somerset I was sent to the Pioneer Platoon H.Q. 2/4th Hampshire Regiment and stayed there until February 1946 (Demob), mind you a few faces changed in those years, Officers, other Ranks etc. After the War there were only four of us originals of 1940.
I travelled quite a bit, Hitchen , Milsted, Broadstairs, St Nicholas-on-Wade, Buckhurst Hill and Shorncliffe. That concludes my War days at home.
More to follow ... when we set sail from Gourock in Scotland on 7th Jan 1943 the boat being an ex Argentine meat carrier ‘The Orbita’.
In the photo my Dad, Phil is in the middle row, third from left. In the back row far left is Wilf Dixon, the ex Arsenal Footballer.
In the second photo taken at Wincanton, my Dad is middle, front.

 

Drew ... My brother knows exactly where the house is along the A31 near Farnham, we'll see the occupants to try and get a photo as it is now.

regards,

Brian.

 

right chaps thanx again your knowlege is remarkable!!!

i thought AMGOT was (Allied Military Government for Occupied Territories)

this is what i have been goin of its alot :
[FONT=&quot]The 2/4th Battalion.[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Details taken from "The Royal Hampshire Regiment 1918 - 1954" by David Scott Daniell.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]After the fall of Tunis the 2/4th Battalion was split into two to form two Defence Units of two Beach Groups.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]10th July 1943 the 20th Beach Group (“A” and “B” companies) invaded Sicily as part of “Operation Husky”. The role of the Beach Group was to land supplies until a harbour could be captured. On 12 July 20th Beach group moved inland, behind the advancing infantry, but by 22nd July the half-Battalion was in the line, capturing Mount Scalpello. On 4th August the half-Battalion moved to Catania, where they remained on garrison duty.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]9th September 1943 the 21st Beach Group (“C” and “D” companies) invaded Salerno. The assault went in at dawn against stiff opposition, and rather than take its allotted role the half-Battalion was moved straight into the line. However there was little action until 13th September when the half-Battalion was attacked by armoured half-tracks. This happened again on 15th September when ‘D’ company was over-run. However, the half-tracks didn’t assault ‘D’ company as such, they ran over the slit trenches until picked off by 6pdr anti-tank guns. On 17th September the half-Battalion was moved back into Reserve, and by 23rd September they were back on the beaches unloading cargo.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]18th November 1943 the two halves of the 2/4th Battalion were re-united at Portecagnano near Naples. However, there was no immediate employment, and orders were received to send cadres to the three battalions in the Hampshire Brigade (this was rescinded after protests). However, 6 Officers and 77 Other Ranks were posted away to form the “2/4th Hampshire Training Centre”, 3 Officers and 188 Other Ranks were assigned to ‘porter-age duties’ and another detachment of 50 men was assigned to help the Provost Corps with traffic duties.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]29th February 1944 the 2/4th Battalion was back in the line in Italy, near Garigliano, as part of 28th Infantry Brigade, in 4th Division. This was the same ground where the Hampshire Brigade had suffered through the Italian winter. The battalion was relieved for short periods on a regular basis before returning to the line.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]11th May 1944 the 2/4th Battalion assisted the other two battalions of their brigade to cross the River Rapido as part of the assault on Casino. The river and bank were under intense enemy fire, and the river so swift that swimmers from 2/4th had to cross with lines to enable the boats to get across. Troops got across the river but could make little headway against the storm of machine gun fire. The 2/4th could not get across to join their fellow battalions, and so on 12th May they came under command of 12th Infantry Brigade and crossed via a bridge on 13th May. Supported by 17th/21st Lancers and their Sherman tanks, the2/4th Battalion attacked along the river, taking 200 prisoners. On 14th May, back in 28th Brigade, the 2/4th attempted to cross the River Pioppeta . The bridge for tanks sunk in the mud, and the Battalion lost 100 casualties in two minutes. The 2/4th waded the river, but in spite of heavy casualties and fierce resistance, the advance continued. During this advance, Captain Wakeford won the Victoria Cross. By 6.30pm all objectives had been captured, and the 2/4th reorganised on a three-company basis. On 16th May the battalion was relieved. Two days later, Cassino was captured by the Polish Corps.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]22nd June 1944 the 2/4th battalion was back in the line near the village of Villastrada, between Lake Chiusi and Lake Trasimeno to north of Rome. On 24th June a major attack was launched on that section fo the Trasimene Line by 2 Somerset Light Infantry supported by the tanks of 12 Canadian Armoured Regiment. 2/4 Hants were to follow on, but their entry into battle was delayed until the next day. Having passed through the village of Vaiano, which they found unoccupied, an attack was launched on a ridge being held by the German 1st Parachute Division. Although "C" Company established a foothold on the ridge, occupying a farmhouse, that night a fierce German counter-attack was made by the Germans, who over-ran the company headquarters. Fighting was close and confused, and the company ran low on ammunition. It was forced back to literally the last ditch, but hung on. At dawn the next day, 26 June, the Battalion counter-attacked and managed to recapture their previous positions; the Germans were withdrawing to the Arezzo Line. The 2/4th Battalion followed up, coming into action again on 21st July. Supported by the North Irish Horse, a steady advance was made. The battalion was then taken out of the line again – some platoons were down to ten men each with no officer.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]28th July 1944 the 2/4th attacked Santa Lucia, a small but fierce battle which was captured on 30th July. The enemy then withdrew, and the 2/4th moved up to the River Arno. On 10th August the Battalion was withdrawn.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]15th September 1944 the 2/4th began its assault on the Gothic Line, attacking across the River Marano and capturing Casa Bagli. All the first day objectives were achieved, and the 2/4th defended them on 16th September against German counter-attacks. On 17th September the battalion captured Cerasola, and were relieved the following day. The battalion then moved north behind the army’s advance, arriving in time to stand by to support the Hampshire Brigade’s assault on Forli during November. During 22nd November the 2/4th attacked and captured a bridgehead over the River Cosina against heavy shelling, and this was the battalion’s last action in Italy.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]11th December 1944 the 2/4th Battalion was flown to Greece in the bomb-bays of Wellington and Liberator bombers in response to the outbreak of the Greek Civil War, arriving 12th December. The E.L.A.S. army, armed and trained by the British, was trying to overthrow the Greek Government. On arrival, the Battalion was split up, primarily defending the airfield, then clearing E.L.A.S. forces from Athens. This did involve some fighting, and the 2/4th Battalion lost 3 men killed. The 2/4th Battalion then settled down to peace-keeping duties.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]6th May 1945 the4 2/4th was moved to Crete to take charge of the Germans, who had surrendered, and they ended the war there.[/FONT]
Hi yogib
I am particularly interested in the following information you submitted namely -"The battalion then moved north behind the army’s advance, arriving in time to stand by to support the Hampshire Brigade’s assault on Forli during November. During 22nd November the 2/4th attacked and captured a bridgehead over the River Cosina against heavy shelling, and this was the battalion’s last action in Italy."
As well at this being the Hampshire's last action it was also the DLI 16th Batallion's when on 23rd November , my uncle Pte Alex Mutter was killed as they crossed the Cosina River and took the small hamlet of CORLA. Sadly there is no modern map that records this location
I was hoping you may have more information from your research that would identify where this may have been. It is a long shot , but later this year I am visiting my uncle's grave in Cesena but the visit will also involve a visit to the Cosina river south of the SS9 trunk road where Corla was situated . Thank you Niddry