99th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, R.A. (T.A.)

Thanks Charles. I’m sorry that you lost your dad when you were so young.
My wife’s father was in 329 battery (I think). It sounds like you have some very interesting first hand information. Do the diaries say much about Monte Cassino?

 

I don’t know if you have read this, Al, but your grandad “Ernie Hacker” is mentioned in this account of the action on Lake Comacchio by the 1st Buffs on 13 April 1945.

BBC - WW2 People's War - Action on Lake Comacchio, 13 April 1945

I must thank Owen for pointing me towards that item when I saw his link on another thread on The Buffs. I was perusing some Buffs threads as I have just this week discovered a cousin I never knew I had, 6099827 Lance Corporal George James Gatty, 1st Battalion, The Buffs, who was killed in action on that day.

 

Thanks Jonathan. Yes my Dad was there too, bringing up the 'bombs' as he called them for others to put in place or fire. There isn't a great deal of info, this is the sort of thing:

"13th May 1944
Our platoon is going up tonight, the offensive is going ok. But we are meeting strong opposition.
Our bridgeheads over the Garigliano are ok. Tanks have got over. We moved into our position at 2130.
We are 3000yds from the monastery. The wagons came back to CHQ.
14th May 1944
6 lorries are taking 1500 bombs up to the front tonight, I am one of them.
Very hot today. A Lightning crashed on the mountain near us, the pilot baled out. Plenty of gunfire."

If you would like a list of places they passed through or stayed at from Sicily, I can put them on here or pm you (if that is available). I am currently as far as Perugia in June 1944. Bearing in mind my Dad suffered bouts of malaria and was taken to hospital acouple of times.

 

I suspect my cousin George (see above) was also in the 99th LAA, his enlistment roll for the West Surreys suggests this.



Currently, however, I do not know much more about his service, which Battery etc, as I have only just this week “found” him. Something I fully intend to correct.

 

Thanks to Gus, I now know he was in 328 Battery.

 

You’re welcome.

 

Thank you Ernie Hacker for your service!

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.

 

Well said, Mark, well said.