New member seeking info on Sospan

Thank you I have never seen these before very interesting reading,are these diaries on line or have you have to purchase them

 

Hi I will get the details off my dad also he does say there are some photos so I may post them on here.last year I went to the museum in Brecon very interesting indeed there are some items from the Welch regiment besides other things.

 

My Father was from Swansea and served as an NCO in 'B' Company 4th Welch Battalion. He always spoke of a Captain Maloney when the Battalion was in Antwerp. Yet a can find no info on this man.

 

I've just looked at a few of the battalions Officer Field Returns for 1944 and he's not listed being with this battalion.

 

That's very strange. I have an original GSGS map of Antwerp that my Dad brought back and it actually has the signature of Captain Maloney on it, amongst various cigarette burns marking.. This is where we are..This is where they are kind of stuff. Then again Officers were brought in from all over the place. He may have even been Canloan. I guess i'll never know:-(

Thankyou for checking for me

 

Not Canloan, stanbyabeds; see link: http://war-experience.org/canloan-listing/

Don't give up your search...

 

Canloan officers are listed on the field returns. To make things a bit easier for me. When was he at Antwerp?

 

Sorry, i'm of no use really. As with most veterans he rarely spoke about the war. He use to talk about being in Antwerp during the V2 attacks, and then fighting in Holland for s'Hertogenbosch. This is when he used to mention this Captain Maloney, then he'd mention other names of close friends lost in action.

 

I thought i'd post this picture of my Dad's chums from 'B' Company 4th Welch incase it may have faces others will recognise.

Cheers

Gaz

 

Can I ask how you know he was 4 Welch Regiment with this officer? I've searched through 4 Welch Regiment and 4 Royal Welch Fusiliers and the captain isn't mentioned in either diary.

Do you have a copy of his service records?

 

I have no clue if the officer was 4th Welch. My Dad always spoke about him being a good officer. Maybe he was from a completely different brigade... division... anyone's guess i suppose. I don't have my Dad's service record, i could never afford it. After my Dad died my elder Brothers pounced on his military memorabilia like vultures and i was left with very little.

I do appreciate you taking the time to look for me, Thankyou.

 

Wonderful photograph, uniform would date it as 1939 - 1940.

Unfortunate that the others took everything, I'll see what comes up - but can't promise anything, always hit and miss with these things.

 

Never say never, they only cost £30 and even if you saved a £1 a week you'd still get them before the end of the year.

So how do you know he was 4 Welch Regiment for the duration of the war?

 

I've never thought of it that way. As long as the wife doesn't find out or it could take ten years

As for him being with 4th Welch for the duration. I guess i've never questioned it. I have his Welch cap badge, photos, his sleeve insignia, including the sospan badge. My Mum still has letters he wrote to her. I clearly remember him in the 60's doing the gardening with his battledress jacket on.

I know men were moved to other regiments etc. This happened to my Uncle. He started off with the Essex Regiment. Then got moved to the Royal Berkshires. Landed at Juno beach with the Canadians. Then later due to heavy casualties was transfered to 5th Wiltshires. He remained with these until mortally wounded at Mont Pincon.

 

I can't help but think with this officer not being listed in the battalion war diaries he was from another unit inc your father.

If your mother (his wife) is still alive then the service records are free if you apply for them in her name. Fill the forms in and just get your mother to sign the consent form.

 

My father, from ( Halfway) Llanelli, was with the 4th Welch, trained in Banbridge and Ross on Wye before leaving for France from hearne bay. I have a photo of his company which I will copy and attach to this site just in case someone can give me more information. My father didn't talk about the war. His name is Hubert Thomas. My grandmother received a telegram to say that he was missing action but he was actually suffering with shell shock and being nursed by nuns in a convent in France. He "recovered" to return to his company and continue fighting. He died in 1987. How do I attach a photo?

 

Hi June not sure if I have contacted you before but my grandad served with the 4th welch b company I would love to look at the photo you have i wonder if my grandad is in there please get in touch regards Andrew

 

Hi iam wondering have you any photos of your dad with the 4th welch b company by any chance my grandad served with them also regards Andrew

 

Dave B......I just came across this long buried thread and notice you have a word doc of the Burma operations from Nov 1944 onwards.

I'd be very interested to read that document to find out the actions of my great uncle Major A.H.F Newman who commanded C squadron of the 150th RAC tank regiment on the drive South to Mandalay.

Best regards and Happy New Year

Paul