I am once again trying to find out more about the friends of Lt Beadle who he used to meet in North London before the war. Having to some degree found out what happened to the Glider Pilot Sgt Merlin Wickes I am now looking for: 25th May 1943 Tunisia. Two nights ago, who should turn up but Bert Webster Captain RA, fresh from hard fighting in the forefront of his brigade. (including the NZ’s left hook) all the way from Mareth to Tunis. He’s just the same, though he has “desert eye” and plenty of tough experiences to harden up his personality and conversation. Having chatted hard for an hour, our ways parted once again. I think I told you briefly in an airgraph that Bert Webster found me before I found him. He walked into the Mess one night just as we were having supper and made us feel very new boys for an hour with his tales of the desert and his many battles. It was a lucky chance that brought him for he was only passing by on the way from sight-seeing at Tunis to a new rest area. Captain Bert Webster RA was in an Anti Tank Regiment they never met again but he does not appear in the CWGC lists so I assume that he survived.
The Anti Tank units seem a little complex 57 A/T, 67 A/T possibly others. Where did he go after Tunisia obviously with the 8th Army but did they stay in Italy or go back to the UK for NW Europe.
I wonder if this might be him. Captain (Temporary Major) Bertram Webster RA 151383 The Military Cross https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36850/supplement/5850/data.pdf I wonder if his citation might help to confirm if it is the same man. i.e. an Anti Tank unit. The reference to Renfrew seems a bit odd.
Recommendation for Award for Webster, Bertram Rank: Captain Service No: ... | The National Archives Regiment: 227 Anti-Tank Battery Royal Artillery 227 were in 57 (East Surrey) Anti-Tank Regiment RA(TA) - The Royal Artillery 1939-45
Thanks Owen At least I know that he survived the war. *Major Bertram Webster MC 227 Bty 57 (East Surrey) Anti-Tank Regiment RA(TA). He was Commanding *227 Battery Anti Tank armed with 4.2 inch Mortars*. Inland Italy was not exactly tank country. Mortars were more effective weapons in the hills. Which was why the 67th Field which Lt Beadle was in, fired at Upper Register at Monte Grande for Counter Mortar Fire and Crest Clearance to disrupt enemy supplies on the blind side of the mountains. From 18th January Major Webster set the highest example of bravery and leadership to his Battery of 4.2 inch Mortars at the first crossing of the Garigliano river and again at Minturno and Trimonsuoli. Spending many days and weeks in his forward OP's under heavy Mortar and Artillery fire. He did much to strengthen the offensive spirit of the Brigade Group. Dated May 1944. * see Temporary Ranks Emergency Commissions thread * * fao Derek Barton potential update
Thanks for that, 57 A-T's page updated. Many Anti-Tank and Light Anti-Aircraft units employed mortars (both 3 & 4.2 inch) in Italy. If any one has any information on any of these that I can add to my site I would be most grateful.