Hello! Im trying to work out my Grandfathers journey with the 1st Battalion Royal Hampshires. I know that he trained at Parkhurst (Albany barracks) on the Isle of wight on 5th Jan 1940 According to a newspaper clipping : Private Jarrett went to Egypt in August and took part in General Wavell's first middle East "push" and then transferred to Malta. He remained throughout the assault and then was attached to the forces which carried out the invasion of Sciliy and a battle in the vicinity of Mount Etna. He was then again with the Eight Army when the landing of the Calabrian Coast of italy was carried out." Questions I have are How long was training. I thought it was 6 weeks. Where would he have been before Egypt in august? Where would he had landed in Egypt and what was middle east 'push'? is this documented? Did this unit also go to Palestine? Where the 1st battalion part of Operation Baytown in the Calabrian Coast? Any other helpful articles or info would be amazing! Thanks! Stephen ?
Have you got this book ? ROYAL HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT. 1918-1954 - Naval & Military Press In WW2 they were The Hampshire Regiment. They became " Royal " Postwar.
Looked at what previous posts there on the 1st Hampshires and one thread shows they landed on D-Day. See: Gold Beach (JIG), Tides, Beach & H-Hour and Lt Jack Lauder's Platoon of A Company 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment on D-Day. If you use the search function just with Hampshires there are multiple threads. I have not overlooked that some divisions in the Middle East / Italy were transferred to the UK for D-Day. There are also multiple threads on Operation Baytown here and a very small number on Albany Barracks. Then to: Royal Hampshire Regiment - Wikipedia and it describes the route of the 1st quite well. See also: 231st Brigade (United Kingdom) - Wikipedia Note this: That could explain his movements after this second return to the UK, assuming he was not badly wounded. Skimming through Wiki for the other battalions abroad there is no mention of Palestine; at times formations were rotated through Palestine for R&R and reforming etc so I would not dismiss being there.
welcome to the forum apply for his service records link here Get a copy of military service records date of birth and death cert required plus £30 there is a bit of a wait at the moment. you wont find his records on the internet
Thanks! I know that he was Marksman in the Hampshires, went back to the UK and married my Grandmother October 1943. But he didnt go to D-Day. The family story goes that he and a friend couldn't get on a boat, were told to wait for the next one but then decided to leave. I believe he was placed in 'The glass house' for a certain period of time and then rejoined the war...but I can't be certain. Apparently the boat he was meant to be on, was sunk...but again not sure how true that is, so trying to piece it all together.
you are not alone in having all the family stories to work through so dont worry Records will help clear up his service for you they are important ,otherwise you could go around in circles regards Clive
Ste jar, Regarding the pre-D-Day episode: It might be worth checking the CWGC website for pre-D-Day deaths for the 1st Hampshires. The Hampshires Depot was Peninsula Barracks, Winchester, but in September 1939 it moved to Albany Barracks. Hidden within this long history: Page 2 – Memorial At Peninsula
So piecing together I suspect... and let me know if this feels inaccurate... 1st battalion - Hampshires Albany Barracks 1940 - Jan 1940 - 16 week training April 1940 - August 1940 - ? August 1940 - Mearsa Matruh. Egypt. 21 feb 1941 - 1942 Siege of Malta (some family stories about this and the lack of food) Left Malta on 30th March 1943, April 1943 - Landed in Alexandria Egypt where they started to train for the assault landing of Sicily (Operation Husky) 28th June 1943 - the battalion embarked on the SS Otranto at Suez 10thy July 1943 - Sicily Mount Etna 3rd September - Operation Baytown - Calabtian coast. Back in UK to marry Grandmother 22nd October 1943. Rest unknown as he never talked about the war, just a little here and there (how i know about Malta, burried by a tank somewhere and dug out by friends....looking forward to get that service record.
do you have his marriage cert assume you have this The Siege of Malta 1941 - 1942 - The Royal Hampshire Regiment Museum
Another book that might be worth reading. Malta Strikes Back : The Story of 231 Infantry Brigade with Foreword by Major-Gemeral R E Urquhart, C.B., D.S.O., From the library of Major-General Urquhart with his ownership inscription by Major R T Gilchrist: Good Hardcover (1945) | Provan Books