Northamptonshire Regiment

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by Dave Pen, Sep 17, 2012.

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  1. Dave Pen

    Dave Pen Junior Member

    My father was in the Northants Regt in the final battle for Monte Cassino. I have a copy of his military service record, but was wondering whether anyone has a copy of the Regimental War Diary for 1943-44, or knows where I can see a copy? Many thanks.
    Dave
     
    Dave Pen, Sep 17, 2012
    #1
  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    I'm assuming you're refering to the 5th Bn who were in 78 Div at Cassino?

    Here's their reference numbers from the National Archives catalogue.

    WO 166/4478 [​IMG]INFANTRY: 5 Northamptonshire Regiment. 1939 Sept.- 1941 Dec.
    WO 166/8819 [​IMG]5 Northamptonshire Regiment 1942 Jan.-Sept.
    WO 167/797 [​IMG]5 Northamptonshire Regiment 1940 Jan.-Mar., May, June
    WO 169/10271 [​IMG]5 Northamptonshire Regiment 1943 July- Dec.
    WO 170/1446 [​IMG]5 Northamptonshire Regiment 1944 Jan.- Dec.
    WO 170/8028 [​IMG]5 Northamptonshire Regiment 1946 Jan.- June
    WO 170/5051 [​IMG]5 Northamptonshire Regiment 1945 Jan.- Dec.
    WO 175/517 [​IMG]5 Northamptonshire Regiment 1942 Oct.- 1943 June
     
    Owen, Sep 17, 2012
    #2
  3. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Dave.

    I have a copy of the Regimental History. If you send me a PM with your email address I will happily scan in the pages that you want covering 5 NORTHANTS at Monte Cassino.

    Regards

    FdeP
     
    minden1759, Sep 17, 2012
    #3
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  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Chatting with Dave on his profile.
    Turns out his Dad was with 2nd Bn.

    According to his service record he embarked on 12 Nov '43 and disembarked on 27 Nov. On 29 Dec he was 'taken on strength' with 2nd Bn. The Anzio landings started on 22 Jan '44, so I don't know whether he was part of that offensive.
     
    Owen, Sep 17, 2012
    #4
  5. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Dave,

    Hello and welcome to the forum.

    There are quite a few members with interests in the Italian campaign.

    Regards
    Tom
     
    Smudger Jnr, Sep 17, 2012
    #5
  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    WO 166/4474 [​IMG]INFANTRY: 2 Northamptonshire Regiment. 1939 Sept.- Oct., 1940 July - 1941 Dec.
    WO 166/8817 [​IMG]2 Northamptonshire Regiment 1942 Jan.-Mar.
    WO 167/796 [​IMG]2 Northamptonshire Regiment 1939 Oct.-1940 June
    WO 169/5045 [​IMG]2 Northamptonshire Regiment 1942 Dec.
    WO 169/10270 [​IMG]2 Northamptonshire Regiment 1943 Jan.- Dec.
    WO 169/16305 [​IMG]2 Northamptonshire Regiment 1944 Aug.- Dec.
    WO 170/1445 [​IMG]2 Northamptonshire Regiment 1944 Jan.- July
    WO 170/5050 [​IMG]2 Northamptonshire Regiment 1945 Jan.- Feb.
    WO 171/5249 [​IMG]2 Northamptonshire Regiment 1945 Mar-Dec
    WO 174/32 [​IMG]2 Northamptonshire Regiment 1942 Mar-July
    WO 171/9263 [​IMG]2 Northamptons 1946 Jan.- June
     
    Owen, Sep 17, 2012
    #6
  7. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    2 Northamptonshire Regiment formed part of 17 Brigade in 5 Infantry Division - on the western end of the Garigliano River crossings during January 1944.

    I would suspect that Frank can provide the necessary..
     
    bexley84, Sep 17, 2012
    #7
  8. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hello Dave and welcome to the forum-Give me a shout if you want any of those diaries copying.

    Good luck with your research
    Andy
     
    Drew5233, Sep 17, 2012
    #8
  9. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Dave.

    I have loads of stuff on 2 NORTHANTS.

    Regards

    FdeP
     
    minden1759, Sep 17, 2012
    #9
  10. Roddy1011

    Roddy1011 Senior Member

    Dave.

    I have loads of stuff on 2 NORTHANTS.

    Regards

    FdeP
    Minden -

    Do you have any details of Carrier census numbers ?

    Roddy
     
    Roddy1011, Sep 17, 2012
    #10
  11. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    2nd Northamptons didn't take part in the initial Anzio landings but went in around 10th March to relieve 2/7 Queens and 10 Royal Berks. They remained there until the break-out.

    The 'History of the 58th' published in 1947 states the following :-

    "27th December saw the arrival of a hundred reinforcements straight from England. These were quickly absorbed by rifle companies, and by the year end, the Battalion was almost at full strength".

    On 4th January, the Battalion moved with some secrecy and fictitious markings to join the Fifth Army prior to the Garrigliano crossing.

    If your father was one of the rifle company reinforcements then he was thrown into the thick of it very quickly.

    As has been alluded to, the Battalion war diaries are in the National Archive at Kew. They are free to view but there is a limit to what can be read in a day, even if you're close enough to visit. Perhaps the best option is to use the services of someone such as Drew who can copy the relevant diaries for you which you can then read at your leisure.

    Published accounts include the 'History of the 58th' mentioned above which just covers the 2nd Battalion (the old 58th of Foot) and Jervois' 'History of the Northamptonshire Regt. 1934 - 1948' which includes all battalions and may give you more information about his UK service.

    However both these books, in common with most of the more or less contemporary accounts, have attained a 'collectors' value and to my knowledge have not been reprinted.
     
    Rich Payne, Sep 17, 2012
    #11
  12. RosyRedd

    RosyRedd Senior Member

    The two relevant pages from the 1943 diary as promised:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    RosyRedd, Sep 17, 2012
    #12
  13. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Roddy.

    You have lost me. What is a Carrier census number?

    Regards

    FdeP
     
    minden1759, Sep 18, 2012
    #13
  14. Leicester

    Leicester Junior Member

    I have a letter written by 5890365 Cpl Alf Wilmot of the 2nd Northamptons, addressed to my Grandpa, dated 11th April 1944. I have scanned it and tried to upload it on here, but it is over 2mb. I think you would find it very interesting. Do you have any other ideas of how I can get it to you?
     
    Leicester, Sep 18, 2012
    #14
  15. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Leicester.

    Most kind. I will PM you with my email address. Send it to me and I will reduce the filer size and I will return it to you.

    Regards

    Frank
     
    minden1759, Sep 18, 2012
    #15
  16. Leicester

    Leicester Junior Member

    Thank you Frank
     
    Leicester, Sep 18, 2012
    #16
  17. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    AB64, Sep 18, 2012
    #17
  18. chrisgrove

    chrisgrove Senior Member

    Roddy.

    You have lost me. What is a Carrier census number?

    Regards

    FdeP

    The (military) registration number on a carrier ?

    Chris
     
    chrisgrove, Sep 18, 2012
    #18
  19. Dave Evans

    Dave Evans New Member

    Hi, i am a new member of this forum, both my Grandfather and my Uncle were with the Northamptonshire Regiment in World War Two. My grandfether was a WO2 and my Uncle was a Royal Fusiliers officer on attachment. I would be greatful if anyone has any details of their service with the Regiment. I'm afraid i don't know if they were with the 2nd or the 5th Battalion. My Grandfathers name was Frank Rudd, and my Uncles name was Sam Morgan. Thanks for any help you are able to give.
     
    Dave Evans, Jun 6, 2013
    #19
  20. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Dave.

    If you were able to pin down which Battalion these chaps were on, it would be so much easier to pin down what happened to them.

    Regards

    FdeP
     
    minden1759, Jun 6, 2013
    #20
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