Info please - 'Jack' John Robert Starbuck (4867171) 78th Div.

Discussion in 'User Introductions' started by Roger Starbuck, Oct 3, 2023.

Tags:
Page 3 of 3
  1. Roger Starbuck

    Roger Starbuck Member


    Forgive my ignorance, but I can't see how my dad's 49 shoulder badge (picture attached) leads you to the 214 Field Coy conclusion? If you are right, and I'm sure you are, that helps me a lot to narrow down his unit. Thank you.
     

    Attached Files:

    Roger Starbuck, Oct 9, 2023
    #41
  2. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    In post #4 Owen referred to this book by Osprey Publishing
    British Battle Insignia 2 1939 45 Men at Arms No 187 by Mike Chappell
    He added the illustration from it as an attachment.
    Its relatively inexpensive available on line on line from used book sellers.

    Osprey Publishing - Wikipedia
     
    Last edited: Oct 9, 2023
    Uncle Target, Oct 9, 2023
    #42
    Roger Starbuck likes this.
  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Look at the chart I posted.
    Link > Infantry Division Vehicle Markings

    Look for 49 on a blue square.
    That denotes the Senior Field Company RE in any Infantry Division.
    Look at an order of battle for 78th Div.
    Link > 78th Infantry Division (United Kingdom) - Wikipedia
    The senior Field Coy RE in 78th Div was 214 Fd Coy RE.

    Do you have the 78th Div history , Algiers to Austria by Cyril Ray ?


    As a Divisional Signaller he may have been with Div HQ or sent to any unit in the Division that needed a trained signaller.
    You have that shoulder slide but he may not have been with them long .
     
    Owen, Oct 10, 2023
    #43
    Uncle Target likes this.
  4. Roger Starbuck

    Roger Starbuck Member

    OK, that's clear, thank you.

    My sister has my dad's copy of Cyril Ray's book which she is posting to me and I'm currently reading Ken Ford's book Battleaxe Division.
     
    Roger Starbuck, Oct 10, 2023
    #44
    Owen and Uncle Target like this.
  5. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    Just bought Cyril Ray's Book.
    78 Div were often fighting alongside 1st Div. with a few diversions along the way.
    It seems they both used the same training areas and tactics in Scotland before they left for N. Africa.

    I'm intrigued as to why 1st Div were sent to Monte Grande
    when "the best mountain warfare division in the British Eighth Army"
    already in the area and part of XIII Corps, were not.

    Don't think that will be in the book but someone on the forum might tell me.
     
    Uncle Target, Oct 10, 2023
    #45
    Mark Surridge likes this.
  6. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    1 Inf Div went because they were on the left flank of XIII (BR) Corps at the time and therefore the nearest to Monte Grande.

    Regards

    Frank
     
    minden1759, Oct 10, 2023
    #46
    Mark Surridge likes this.
Page 3 of 3

Share This Page