5th Bn Northamptonshire Regiment

Discussion in 'Italy' started by karen glasper, Jun 24, 2012.

  1. karen glasper

    karen glasper Junior Member

    Could anyone help me with some information on the Northamptonshire Reg 5th Battalion. They served in WW 2 in Sicily in and around 1943. My great, uncle was killed in Dec 1943 and he his buried at Saracuse War Cemetery.

    Many thanks!
     
  2. PeterG

    PeterG Senior Member

    Hi Karen,

    5th Northhamptons were in the 11th Infantry Brigade, part of 78th Infantry Division. They were in Sicily from 25.7. 43 to 21.9.43 and then in mainland Italy from 22.9.43.
     
  3. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    Here is a brief summary of the service of the 5th Northamptons:


    5th (Huntingdonshire) Battalion, The Northamptonshire Regiment (T.A.)

    143rd Infantry Brigade – 3 September 1939 to 29 January 1940
    The battalion was embodied on September 2nd, 1939 at Peterborough. The battalion HQ and HQ Company was located at St. Peter’s College, Peterborough having handed over the Drill Hall to the Royal Artillery. ‘A’ Company was at Ramsay St. Mary, ‘B’ Company at Oundle, ‘C’ Company at Huntingdon and ‘D’ Company at St. Neats. The brigade left for France on January 11th and arrived on the 12th.

    11th Infantry Brigade – 29 January 1940 to 31 August 1945
    The brigade served in France and Belgium until it was withdrawn at Dunkirk on June 1st, 1940. It returned to England the following day and remained in the United Kingdom until October 15th, 1942 when it was sent by sea for service in North Africa. It landed in North Africa on November 8th, 1942 and served there until July 22nd, 1943. It arrived in Sicily on July 25th and served in the Sicilian campaign until September 21st, 1943. The brigade then landed in Italy on the 22nd and fought in the Italian campaign until July 17th, 1944. It moved to Egypt arriving on July 23rd to rest and refit. It remained in Egypt until September 9th, 1944. It returned by sea to Italy on September 16th and served in Italy until May 8th, 1945. It crossed into Austria on that date and was there for the rest of the war.
     
  4. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Karen, can you provide a name and / or an exact date of death ? I'll have a look at what the regimental history says they were doing around that time.
     
  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Moved posts to own thread re 5th Bn from one about the 2nd Bn.
    :)
     
  6. ropey

    ropey Member

    They were up in the mountains inland from Orsogna for much of Dec '43. They had handed over to the Canadians on Dec 7th but then came back into the line further inland to relieve 5th Div.

    So why buried at Syracuse? Was there a GH in Sicily still?
     
  7. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    Sorry for this slight reading, but some of it might aid Karen's research - if she wishes to come back to confirm details with the forum.

    According to CWGC, 28 men from the Northampton Regiment are buried at Syracuse, 27 of whom were killed in the middle of July 1943, and this suggests that these men were with 2 Northampton within 17 Brigade (British 5th Div). 23 men from the Northampton Regiment are buried at Catania, all from July and August 1943, which suggests that they had served with both 2 Northampton, and 5 Northampton (within 11 Brigade as mentioned).

    One Northampton Regiment man, Private Riley, is buried at Syracuse dated Dec 1943. The CWGC state that he served with 5th Battalion

    Both the battalions of the Northampton Regiment left for Italy in late Sept so the Dec 1943 date of death of Private Riley suggests something else was going on - death from wounds suffered months earlier, but as mentioned there may also be questions over that ?

    Hopefully Karen is able to work through this and gain additional details on the circumstances of her great uncle's death - and if it is indeed Private Riley.

    best,
     
  8. karen glasper

    karen glasper Junior Member

    Hi Rich, wrote to you last week regarding my great uncle Private Jedediah Riley. Could you please let me know if you received the info I sent you. Kind regards, Karen.
     
  9. Gouldy

    Gouldy Junior Member

    Hi Karen

    I am also trying to find out similar info on my relative (another thread on here)

    My relative was in the same Northants regt , B company

    he was killed on 23/4/45
     
  10. Kenneth J Fish

    Kenneth J Fish Junior Member

    Karen In one of the replies to your original query it was mentioned that the 5th Battalion return from Dunkirk and remained in England until 1942 when they embarked for North Africa. Can anyone tell me what the 5th were doing for 181 days in England before embarking?
     
  11. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    Here is an excerpt from the Regimental History by Jerviois on the period that the 5th Northamptons spent in England and Scotland:
     

    Attached Files:

  12. Kenneth J Fish

    Kenneth J Fish Junior Member

    Here is a brief summary of the service of the 5th Northamptons:


    5th (Huntingdonshire) Battalion, The Northamptonshire Regiment (T.A.)

    143rd Infantry Brigade – 3 September 1939 to 29 January 1940
    The battalion was embodied on September 2nd, 1939 at Peterborough. The battalion HQ and HQ Company was located at St. Peter’s College, Peterborough having handed over the Drill Hall to the Royal Artillery. ‘A’ Company was at Ramsay St. Mary, ‘B’ Company at Oundle, ‘C’ Company at Huntingdon and ‘D’ Company at St. Neats. The brigade left for France on January 11th and arrived on the 12th.

    11th Infantry Brigade – 29 January 1940 to 31 August 1945
    The brigade served in France and Belgium until it was withdrawn at Dunkirk on June 1st, 1940. It returned to England the following day and remained in the United Kingdom until October 15th, 1942 when it was sent by sea for service in North Africa. It landed in North Africa on November 8th, 1942 and served there until July 22nd, 1943. It arrived in Sicily on July 25th and served in the Sicilian campaign until September 21st, 1943. The brigade then landed in Italy on the 22nd and fought in the Italian campaign until July 17th, 1944. It moved to Egypt arriving on July 23rd to rest and refit. It remained in Egypt until September 9th, 1944. It returned by sea to Italy on September 16th and served in Italy until May 8th, 1945. It crossed into Austria on that date and was there for the rest of the war.
    dryan67.

    dryan 67 mentioned a northamptonshire regimental history by jerviois can I have the full name and publisher please so that I may obtain a copy.

    Thank-you Kenneth J Fish
     
  13. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    dryan67.

    dryan 67 mentioned a northamptonshire regimental history by jerviois can I have the full name and publisher please so that I may obtain a copy.

    Thank-you Kenneth J Fish
    A quick Google gives this,

    Title The History of the Northamptonshire Regiment, 1934-1948
    Author Wiltrid John Jervois
    Publisher Watson, 1953
    Length 448 pages

    120 quid here.
    Jervois W J Brigadier, The History Of The Northamptonshire Regiment 1934 1948

    Jervois W. J. Brigadier: The History Of The Northamptonshire Regiment: 1934-1948 , The Regimental History Commitee 1953

    1st edition. A SCARCE title. Illustrated, maps including fold-out, appendices,448pp. In original black binding with gilt wording on spine and regimental badge on front cover. (Book ref. 1300) £120.00
     
  14. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Kenneth.

    If you think that £120 is a bit steep, tell me which pages/period/dates you want and I will photocopy them for you.

    Regards

    FdeP
     
  15. Kenneth J Fish

    Kenneth J Fish Junior Member

    Kenneth.

    If you think that £120 is a bit steep, tell me which pages/period/dates you want and I will photocopy them for you.

    Regards

    FdeP

    Period March 1940 to Decembert embarkation 1942. Your offer is much appreciated, I will try to aquire the book, any idea where from?

    Kind Regards

    Ken
     
  16. Kenneth J Fish

    Kenneth J Fish Junior Member

    Period March 1940 to Decembert embarkation 1942. Your offer is much appreciated, I will try to aquire the book, any idea where from?

    Kind Regards

    Ken


    My sincere apologies DRYAN67 has already sent details of the training period, but I will still try top obtain the book, maybe Father Christmas will be kind!

    Ken
     
  17. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Ken.

    Rare as hens' teeth.

    I will sort the pages that you need.

    Regards

    FdeP
     
  18. Kenneth J Fish

    Kenneth J Fish Junior Member

    Ken.

    Rare as hens' teeth.

    I will sort the pages that you need.

    Regards

    FdeP

    Hi Minden, I have located and just bought The rRegimental History from Amazon via Claremont Books and Prints. Second hand but am informed excellant condition. £152.50. delivered.

    Kind Regards Ken Fish:)
     
  19. BeckyWright1

    BeckyWright1 New Member

    Sorry for commenting all these years later.
    My grandad was in this regiment, his name was Bernard Wright and his service number was 14611188.
    I'm trying to find out more about his time in the regiment and the timeline of events or even a diary type entry from someone who was there at the time. I've noticed the book mentioned above but at this time I can't afford anything like that which is such a shame.

    I'm just wondering if anyone has any spare time to direct me to where I can find out more about his service between 1943 - 1944 as these were the only times he'd never speak about.

    Best Regards,
    Becky
     
  20. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Becky.

    5 NORTHANTS were one of the three infantry battalions in 11 Infantry Brigade who were part of 78 Infantry Division.

    My interest as a battlefield guide at Cassino starts with them arriving in Mar 44 and taking over Snakeshead Ridge and the lower slopes of Monastery Hill around the Castle from 4 Indian Division at the end of the Third Battle of Cassino.

    For the Fourth Battle of Cassino in May 44, they were the follow on force that passed over the bridges laid by 4 Infantry Division and took up the lead into the Liri Valley below Monastery Hill. From here, they pushed on to Aquino where they stalled on the Hitler Line and the Canadians were then committed to take up the lead.

    They next appear in the story at the Trasimeno Line in Jun 44 and, for my interest, they are a key player in the Apr 45 Final Offensive when they break through the Argenta Gap to reach the River Po.

    Hope that helps give a flavour of what your grandfather got up to.

    Regards

    Frank
     

Share This Page