My father, Cyril John Clifford and 2 of his brothers served in the army in WWII. Dad and his half brother in R.E. Dad was on the Reserves following service with South Wales Borderers from 1927. He was called back to service as soon as War broke out in 1939 and he transferred from SWB 31st Oct 1939 to R.E. This was at his mother's request, to look after his younger brother, Leonard Gordon Jones. Dad was in BEF and they were still in France when route to Dunkirk was closed. Many died trying to get home but he made it eventually and counted himself very fortunate as many others didn't make it. His brother, Ronald William Clifford was in the Royal Army Motor Transport Corp and was evacuated from Dunkirk. Not sure where Dad was after getting back from France but he embarked for North Africa in 1943 and from there to Sicily, and on to Italy, including the Anzio Landings. He and his brother saw lots of action and very fierce fighting, as did thousands of others of course. The three brothers met up in Italy and I have photos of them together in Rimini and elsewhere. Fortunately all three brothers survived. I and some others wouldn't be here otherwise. I've sent for Dad's service records but they'll take a while yet. I have his Paybook, well 2 Paybooks actually, as his kit was captured in 1944, (including his diary, which I also have but because of the capture it only covers January to part way through March) - Dad and another soldier had been sent to recce ahead after the capture of a German position but it was retaken before they returned and they were both posted as missing. My mother was informed and a very anxious time followed at home. I'm not sure what happened next but I do know it took 2 years for Dad's kit to be returned to him. Perhaps it was held prisoner. Dad told me mainly funny stories about the war but a few that were anything but. I wish I'd paid more attention and asked lots of questions. A better memory would help too. I have quite a few documents and photos from Dad's service in WWII and the photos include others he served with, although I only know a few names. I will post some when I can. I've got side effects from 2nd Covid-19 vaccine and will have to stop for now. Still better than getting Covid. If anyone knows anything about 102 Field Company, I'd be very interested.
Hi, Welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about your ongoing Covid issues. You speak about your fathers kit “being captured” in Italy and you infer he was reported missing. I’ve never heard of a man’s kit “being captured” and returned to him at the end of the war. Do you mean that your father was captured in Italy and was a Prisoner of War until the end of the war? I have looked for a C J Clifford Royal Engineers being reported Missing/POW in the official casualty lists and drawn a blank. I’m attaching a screen shot list of the C Cliffords listed in the official casualty lists from Findmypast in case you can identify your father by his army service number. Steve
Helen, Welcome to the forum, I can add a little on 102 Field Company RE. 102 Army Field Company RE took part in the initial assault at Salerno in September 1943 as part of No 3 Beach Group which supported 56th (London) Division. When the Germans counter-attacked and overran some of the 56th Division units, I think 102 Field Company was moved up into the front line for a few days until further reinforcements arrived and they could go back to their normal role. Good luck with your research, if I come across any more details I'll post them up here. Regards Tom
Hi From a RE order of Battle I found on the internet a while back. 102nd (London) Army Tps Coy RE SR (London District); 3 Sep 1939: Bethnal Green (GHQ). Embodied 3 Sep 1939 and redesignated 102nd (London) Army Field Coy RE Assigned I Corps by 1940. Relieved ca. Jul 1943, becoming 102nd (London) Field Coy RE; landed in Sicily Jul 1943; served in Italy from 1943, with V Corps 1944; and with 1210th GHQTRE. Disbanded Sep 1945+. No luck when searching British Army, Royal Engineers 1900-1949 on FMP. Hope this helps Gus
At Salerno 102 Army Field Company were attached as infantry to 9th Battalion Royal Fusiliers from the 15th - 16th September and then with 44 Recce Regiment to the 18th when they reverted to 10 Corps command.
Thank you Tom. Anything that adds to the very little I have is very welcome and appreciated. Best Regards Helen
That's great info. Thank you so much. I need to come back to this when my mind is clearer and I'm not hampered by brain fog. I hope it won't be long. Helen
Hi Steve Dad wasn't a POW but there's some things, on the information on the recently added records that I don't understand. Not just there either. However, I think I was unclear before as I should have said that I think other soldiers were probably captured and Dad's kit was taken along with them and theirs. I only have my somewhat patch memory of what I was told but my older sister was told the same, or something very similar. Unfortunately my other sister and my brother, died some years ago and there's no-one else left to ask. There are 2 Paybooks and his diary does finish abruptly. When I'm better than now, I will see if there's anything helpful in what's been passed down. I need to go through it all anyway and extrapolate as much as I can and add to my family history records. Thank you for looking into things, it's much appreciated. Just remembered that the records I found online recently, had been listed for C T Clifford, understandably as the J is written as a T. His Army # is 3907166 and his DOB is incorrect in the records but only because Dad lied about his age when he enlisted in 1927. Apologies and going to stop as wandering from whatever point I was trying to make and far too foggy brained. I'll try and do better anon. Helen
Just added it in a different reply. Here it is again: 3907166 shown for C T Clifford but is C J. DOB 22 8 1909 (he lied about his age so he could enlist when he was 17) Enlisted in SWB 17.11.1927 I realized his Service Number might help, just a few minutes or so, ago. Thanks Tony.
Hi Now we have his number, I found his RE service record on FMP 42 Fd Coy from OOB I mentioned earlier. 42nd Field Coy RE Regular; 3 Sep 1939: The Delta, Egypt. Mobilized 3 Sep 1939 in Egypt. Moved to Mersa Matruh Mar 1940 and formed part of garrison there. Arrived in Crete 6 Nov 1940 (with 14th Infantry Brigade); came under HQ Creforce 31 Jan 1941. Bulk lost in fighting in Crete 1 Jun 1941. Later reformed, and at Aleppo, Syria by Mar 1942 when relieved. With Eighth Army in Jun 1943. Assigned 56th (London) Infantry Division 9 Jul 1943; relieved 3 Jan 1944. Served in Italy 1943-45 (with 23rd Armoured Brigade Group; X Corps in early 1944; later LofC and Army Troops; V Corps and 2nd Commando Brigade from ca. Apr 1945). Disbanded Sep 1945+. You really need his full service record to sort all this out. Hope this helps Gus Gus
