Hi all. I have been trying to work out my grandads service records. It looks like he served over two years abroad Leaving the uk on 23/4/43 arriving in Africa from 1/5/43 till leaving for the uk on 27/6/45. I can’t see any mention of Italy in his records apart from the star. I do have a photo of him with the 8th Indian badge and his B103 mentions the word India but I am struggling with the hand writing. From researching online they were in Italy at the time. He served in the royal artillery 52nd field unit. I have including the page of his record and the photo with the Indian badge. I hope someone can help me. Thanks. Gary
8th Indian Division landed in Italy at Taranto on 19th September 1943. They missed ''19th'' out on here but have checked in my own copy on my bookshelf. The Tiger Triumphs. The Story of Three Great Divisions in Italy. 1946.Chapters 1-3. He was posted to 52 Field Regiment RA on 2/11/43 according to your records. They had been in Italy since Sept as mentioned.
Gary. As I read it, he joined 52 Fd Regt RA on 2 Nov 43 and served with them before being hospitalised. He was posted back to 52 Fd Regt RA on 25 Apr 44. 52 Fd Regt RA landed in Italy on 24 Sep 43 under command 8 Indian Division - the Regt was one of three artillery regiments who were in direct support of 8 Indian Division throughout their time in Italy. This meant that they were administered by the Div and the Div gave them their orders through the Artillery chief in the Div HQ - the Commander Royal Artillery. So if he was with 52 Fd Regt RA on 24 Apr 44 onwards then that would place him in support of 8 Indian Division at the Fourth Battle of Monte Cassino which started on 11 May 44. Regards Frank
Well definitely Italy. (The records had my father in North Africa for over 2 years when he was in Italy!) Your GF was in 50 General Hospital 13/6/43. Try Scarlet finders here to find where that was- Hospitals WW2 - Scarlet Finders No 2 Corps? Reinforcement Unit x iv list 28/6/43 X lists (Service Records) Then No 1 Advance Reinforcement Camp in Foggia 1/11/43 Then 52 Field Regiment 2/11/43 Hope that helps along with the other excellent details from members above. Lesley
Thank you all for your very helpful and quick answers. I am just glad to be learning where he served etc. Before I started tracing this side of my family I dident even know he served during ww2 let alone go abroad
