1st Bn KOYLI

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by mike d, Apr 20, 2021.

  1. mike d

    mike d Member

    Just wondering if anyone has any leads on any books or other resources written about or by members of the 1st Battalion Koyli. I'm particularly interested in anything during the Sicily and Italian campaigns. I already have the book my grandfather wrote and also the British 5th Division by George Aris.

    Thanks in adv
     
  2. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Tony56 likes this.
  3. Robert Brewer

    Robert Brewer Member

    I've just completed a biography of my father (just for the family but quite detailed) who transferred from the Rifle Brigade to 1Koyli in January '44 and served with them as a private and then NCO at the Garigliano and Anzio, and in all other places until mid'46 when he transferred to the Control Commission. In researching the work, I went through most of the available sources including of course the War Diaries. You'd be very welcome to a soft copy if you're still interested in the subject.
     
    mike d, CL1, Chris C and 2 others like this.
  4. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Robert.

    May I read your father’s biography?

    Regards

    Frank
     
  5. Robert Brewer

    Robert Brewer Member

    Hello Frank, yes you're welcome. I'm new to this site so don't know the protocol for communicating individually - can you advise? Robert
     
  6. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Robert.

    Click on Minden1759 and you will see an option to Start a Conversation. Click that.

    Regards

    Frank
     
  7. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    No he won't , he has only made 2 posts.
    He needs to make 5 to do that.
     
  8. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Set Robert to fully registered.
    Ought to have PM rights now.
     
  9. mike d

    mike d Member

    That would be fantastic, I would love to read through your biography! Thank you
     
  10. Wobbler

    Wobbler Well-Known Member

    View attachment 331251
    I believe my grandfather would likely have supported your father in action - he was a Gunner in 368 Bty, 92nd Field Regiment RA, part of 15th Brigade along with 1 KOYLI, of course.

    058EFACA-D7EB-46C1-9BB0-2682935117BE.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2022
    Soldeed77 likes this.
  11. Robert Brewer

    Robert Brewer Member

    Thanks for this - I hadn't researched artillery support, so this is interesting. My father used to quote the joke about artillery in Italy ("When the British fired, the Germans ducked; when the Germans fired, the British and Yanks ducked; and when the Americans fired, everyone ducked!") Though much joked about, apparently American artillery fire was sometimes notoriously inaccurate, and I read somewhere that historians have put this down to the different command and control system used by the Americans, which allowed fire decisions to be taken at a lower level of command. I've no idea how true this is, though it sounds plausible.
     
    Wobbler likes this.
  12. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Robert.

    I will explain the use of artillery when we go to Anzio in May 23.

    Regards

    Frank
     

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