Durham Light Infantry in Italy

Hi all,

I am trying to trace my fathers war exploits and am basically struggling, what i do know is the following, any additional information of his regiments actions would be very much appreciated.

My father was David William Rodley and i have conflicting paperwork as to his battalion (a letter to home says 14658907 Pte Rodley DLI D Coy 6 Batt No1 IRTO. CMF) and a letter informing of his injuries states he was in 1st Durham L.I. Does anyone know what all the acronyms are?
He went to Italy with BNAF on 02/05/44 and was injured and taken to a hospital on 24/07/44. I have a letter from '92 British General Hospital C.M.F' dated 15/08/44 saying he was improving, where was this hospital?Does anyone know where he would have been during his time in Italy and even better, where his battalion would have been at the time he was injured.
Hoping someone can help me.
David Rodley (son)

 

Hi
Your father was in D Comnpany 6 Battalion DLI, No1 Not sure of IRTO CMF is Central Mederteraian Force, BNAF is British North Africa(n) Force, He may have been in Bari or at Casserta (My father spent time there) One of the DLI members will fill in the gaps for you as to locations etc, and hopefully the more knowledgable members will help with the acronyms.
Oldman

 

Thanks Oldman, thats a good start. I know my dad was only in Italy, but maybe the 6th kept the BNAF for a while after Africa. I think you are correct about CMF
Dave

 

HI
Just looked through my info and found the following 92 British General Hospital
was actually in Naples frm Late 43 through to the end of the war.
Find an Order of battle web site and lokk to see where the 6th Bn DLI were. and attched to which infantry brigade.
CMF is Central Mederterainian Force my father fought with Royal Engineers through Italy to Austria its on his correspondence

Oldman

 

That is very interesting Owen. The paper which says he was in 1st DLI was Army Form B 104-80 informing someone that my dad was seriously ill at 866 Field Dressing Station suffering shrapnel wounds on 24th July 1944. My father has paased away now but he did tell me of being in hospital with Gurkhas, and that they were given fruit from their leaders which the Gurkha would share with Allies but not Germans in the hospital. I will look into the info you have given me, i am most grateful.
Dave

 

I am printing out a large piece of the book now. Excellent if i have found where he was, google earth next. if its not IRTO then it could be IRTD, it is on a letter in my dads handwriting written on 11-07-1944 and saying the war will soon be over now that the invasion has started.
Dave

 

Welcome to the forum

Cheers
Paul

 

I only have the one photo of my dad in uniform, which i dont seem to be able to insert here, photo is on my pc it does not have a URL?
Thanks for the welcome and All the best to you for 2010. I will make it my avatar, dad is the one on the right, i dunno who the other guy is. Photo possibly taken prior to going to Italy.
Dave

 

Glad you made it here from ww2f.

 

I have added the photo of my dad as my profile picture, i assume you can see that?
Thanks for all your continued help, thanks for the welcomes, and All the best for 2010 to you all.
Dave

 

Yep cheers Paul, there does seem to be more DLI/British on here than WW2f.

 

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Just checking if photo upload has worked.

 

Hi,
Welcome to the forum! 1973 ?A great year unless you were a Leeds fan. 1st DLI were almost wiped out on Kos in 1943 only some 60 men managed to escape.October 1943 the remnants of the 1st DLI were at the Infantry Base Depot at Geneifa battalion strength was nine officers and one hundred and twenty other ranks,their numbers being boosted by those 1st DLI men who had remained on Malta..The battalion hoped it would be going home either to refit or disbandment but it was pointed out that there were over a thousand Durham Light Infantry extra regimentally employed throughout the middle east alone although some due to wounds were of low medical catagory others were destined to rejoin 6th 8th and 9th DLI .Older members of the battalion were due for repatriation ( more experienced NCO`s were taken home in preperation for D-Day to bolster 50Div) On 21st November the battalion strength was 16 officers and just over 100 other ranks,1st DLI were now stationed at Mena near Cairo.Four officers and one hundred and fifty nine other ranks joined from 17th DLI in England the base camps were scoured and DLI men were diverted to 1st DLI(wonder if they got any of the Salerno so called `Mutineers`).March 1944 saw the battalion up to strength once more, men from all types of regiments and establishments joined 1st DLI but still over a third of the men were original Durham Light Infantrymen.Initially it was planned to send 1st DLI to Khartoum as a garrison battalion but this was rejected.Prior to moving to Italy the battalion had to disarm and Police the Greek Brigade who had mutinied.Back to Egypt briefly then on to Italy landing at Taranto on 4th May 1944..As stated 6th DLI did not serve in Italy (Just Sicily) but if your Dad was wounded perhaps he was one of those brought in to bring 1st DLI up to strength?

Verrieres



Just noticed your dad left `D` Company 6th DLI for 1st DLI my uncle went the other way leaving `C` Company 1st DLI to join `D` Company 6th DLI in preparation for D-Day..I do not know if you are aware but `D` Company (along with the majority of the DLI in 1944) suffered very heavy casualties especially at Verrieres during June 1944.

 

Verrieres
Many thanks for your post very informative and interesting
Oldman

 

Thanks Verrieres, 1973 was indeed a great year
I believe my dad only ever fought in England, he was shipped straight there as far as i know, but you have so much useful information. I need to discover how he seemed to change battalion, but it does seem he was in a difficult fight while in Italy, and must have been at or near the front line. He never did speak about his exploits, apart from funny events, such as pelting stones at Italian troops while they were travelling in cattle trucks to the front. He did speak of meeting Gurkhas and had a huge respect for them. He also would not let a word be said against Indian people, maybe stemming from fighting alongside them. I suppose i am one of those that wished i had started my research earlier, before dad pased away.
I am very grateful for all the continued information i am receiving on here, it is prving eye opening.
Dave

 

Hi Dave,
When your dad was wounded The 1st DLI are reported to have started three months of hard foot slogging which was described as unspectacular but hard with mounting casualty lists.On 2nd July the 1st DLI were I believe at the Cardinals Palace near San Giovanni at the end of their three month trek/slog they faced the Gothic Line.The `New` 1st DLI were posted alongside 4/10 Baluch Reg and 2/4th Gurkhas(10th Indian Div) in June 1944 they were I recall in the Tiber Valley east of Lake Trasimene.The first action of the `New` battalion was a few miles North of Perugia.On 10th July against a feature known as`Wop`(North of Trestina).On the 16th July it took Monte Cedrone and was involved in similar operations in the Tiber Valley and on the Pratomagno until the first week in October (If I remembered that correctly I can have a look through some papers and see if I can find some more detailed stuff beyond October 1944 concerning 1st DLI.If anyones got an interest?)



Verrieres