My father was a radio operator in the Second World War with the 6 th Cheshire's the " cheshire cats" he served in Egypt and Italy and I think also in Austria.Is there anybody who could help me find out where they were exactly and maybe some dates? My father died a long time ago and never spoke of his time in the army. I have heard that he joined the Territorials before the war so he would be with his friends. He lived in HeatonMersey nr Stockport and his name was Charles John William Tustin. I'm afraid that's all the info I have. Thank you Janet.
Here is a brief summary of the service of the 6th Cheshire Regiment 6th Battalion, The Cheshire Regiment M-G (T.A.) HQ West Lancashire Area, Western Command – 3 September 1939 to April 1940 The battalion was re-raised at Stockport, Cheadle and Hyde from the 7th Battalion on March 31st, 1939 (FOC June 1st, 1939). It was embodied after its first camp in September 1939, when it returned to Stockport. ‘B’ and ‘C’ Companies did guard duties at Birkenhead docks. It remained in the Stockport area until April 1940 HQ West Riding Area, Northern Command – April 1940 to October 1940 In April 1940 it moved to Sheffield on anti-parachute duties. After it moved to the Lincolnshire coast in June 1940 for two months of coast defence. 44th (Home Counties) Infantry Division – Attached - October 1940 to 11 November 1941 In October 1940, it joined the 44th (Home Counties) Infantry Division in Kent and, except for a short concentration in Canterbury, the battalion served on coast defence on the beaches of Kent. 44th (Home Counties) Infantry Division – 11 November 1941 to 24 November 1942 In February 1942, the 1st/8th Middlesex Regiment replaced the battalion at Minster as the 43rd Division replaced the 44th in the left center position of XII Corps. In April 1942, the battalion concentrated at Caterham to mobilize and embarked at Liverpool on May 29th, 1942 with the division. It arrived in Egypt on July 23rd, 1942. After training, the battalion moved into the Alamein Line on August 13th, 1942 and remained in the line through October 4th, 1942, fighting at the battle of Alam el Halfa. The division was then relieved by the 50th (Northumbrian) Division to rest and returned to the line for the battle of El Alamein from October 23rd to November 3rd, 1942. HQ British Troops in Egypt – 24 November 1942 to 12 January 1943 It left the division on November 24th, 1942 and remained in Egypt until early January 1943. 56th (London) Infantry Division – 12 January 1943 to 31 August 1945 The battalion then moved to Kirkuk, Iraq and came under the 56th (London) Infantry Division on January 12th, 1943. On March 19th, 1943, the battalion left Kirkuk for a few days of training at Gaza, Palestine. This was followed by a move to Tunisia with the division. It reached Enfidaville on April 22nd, 1943 and served in the battle of Enfidaville. Following the battle, the battalion spent the next month in battlefield cleanup and then withdrew to Libya on May 26th to train for the invasion of Italy. The battalion embarked at Tripoli on the 1st and 6th of September 1943 and landed at Salerno on September 9th, 1943. For the landing, ‘C’ Company was with the 167th Brigade, ‘B’ Company was with the 169th Brigade, ‘D’ Company was with the 201st Guards Brigade and the Battalion HQ and ‘A’ Company served under the divisional HQ. From September 10th to 20th, 1943, the battalion helped hold the bridgehead and then advanced to the Volturno River with the division. It crossed the Volturno on October 17th and advanced up Route 7 to Teano and Roccamonfina. It supported the division in the attack on Montanaro, Monte Camino and in the advance to the Garigliano. It crossed the Garigliano on January 17th, 1944 and held the bridgehead through the night of the 12th/13th of February. The division was then moved into the Anzio bridgehead and the battalion supported it there from February 14th until relieved by the 7th Battalion on March 13th. On March 14th, it embarked at Anzio for Naples. On arrival it moved to Altamura and embarked at Taranto for Port Said, Egypt. It arrived on April 3rd and moved to Tahag Camp in early April 1944 to rest and refit. After three months at Beni Yusef Camp, the battalion handed over its equipment to the 7th Battalion and moved to Amiriya Camp. It embarked on July 13th, 1944 and arrived back at Taranto on July 16th, 1944. The division then moved to Tivoli and the battalion was located at Assisi. By stages, the division moved to Urbino and began the Gothic Line battle on September 1st. Through the 10th of September the battalion supported the division in the Gothic Line at Montefiore, Gemmano, and River Conca. It then fought from September 10th to 21st at Fabbri, Sensoli, R. Marano and Molzzano, Falciano, Cerino, R. Ausa and R. Marrecchia. After a brief rest, it was again in action at Santarcangelo, Savignano, Castelvecchio, R. Rubicone and R. Fiumicino. As operations slowed during the winter, the battalion supported the division at Faenza, R. Lamone, R. Senio and Granarola from November 1944 until March 1945. It served as infantry from December 27th, 1944 until early January 1945. A period of static warfare existed from January 12th to March 15th, 1945. The final offensive began on April 5th, 1945 on R. Reno and Lake Commachio. It was involved in operations at Portomaggiore, Gambulaga, Copparo, R. Po, Sagrodo and Fogliano on R. Isenzo. After the war in Italy was over the battalion moved to Trieste, Udire and then Rome before disbanding in April 1946.
Muffin It should be pointed out that the Cheshires were a machine gun Regiment whose Battalions such as the 6th were in support of the front line infantry and thus the various companies were spread throughout an Infantry Battalion/ Brigade for close support... One of their worst battles was at Gemmano with the 56th Div - try Googgling for "The Battle of Gemmano - gives you an idea how tough it was.... Cheers
I’m trying to find any info on my father Charles John William Tustin who joined the 6th Cheshires in 1939,he lived in HeatonMersey and was 1st in the Territorials….he was a radio operator and served in the Middle East and Italy…he would never talk about his time in the army and died without telling anything any help would be appreciated I don’t have his service number unfortunately…..
Moved your latest post to your original thread from 2013. Some background info on 6th Cheshires here. The Cheshire Regiment - The Vickers Machine Gun
Send off for his service records: Get a copy of military service records: Apply for the records of someone who's deceased - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) You do NOT need any military information and you can apply as next of kin.
Janet. If you would like to see what your father endured in 6 CHESHIRES when they supported 56 Infantry Division during their time - firstly on the enormous crossing of the Garigliano operation in Jan 44 and secondly their time in the beachhead at Anzio, I am guiding a group to both these places on 14-17 May 23. 6 CHESHIRES provided the Vickers Medium Machine Gun and 4.2 inch mortar support the Division’s three Infantry Brigades. Regards Frank
Hello Frank,thank you so much for answering my post,unfortunately ill health prevents me from going far from home these days….but I am very curious about my dad’s time in the army as he was according to others very different after he came back …..as I was born in 1953 I never knew him any different. No one now is alive to tell me much…. Janet
My grandfather served with 6th Cheshires from 1940 - 1945. What sort of information are you looking for? Although I'd recommend following Tony's advice and getting his service records first.
