Leonard Atkins, S/N 6355312, 56th Div Queens RR in Italy end of WW2

Hi All. I am trying to research my grand fathers war record. I have his war record after requesting it. His name was Leonard Atkins S/N 6355312. From his army photo he wears a Black Cat flash 56th Div and war records states Queens RR and Royal Sussex. He told me that because he could drive he was held back at some point and many of his friends were killed and wounded. He also said that he formed guard duties for those about to go on D Day. I read he was CTB for 8 day for irregular behaviour on the 6th June 45. He said he didn't fight as spent most time in the UK he also talked about being in Italy at the end of the war and that he had to recover bodies from tanks. I would love to know where in Italy? as this is not covered in the war records. I have photos of the service records if that helps. Some of the hand writing is difficult to read. Would love some help if anyone has the info and the time. Thanks Tony

 

Tony,

Welcome aboard. Please post the records and help will be along. See guidance on: How to Start a new Thread / Edit Post / Upload Image

His name and number have not appeared here before.

Please make clear what sources you have already looked at, this is often missed, and members can spend a lot of time looking for detail already known.

As the war progressed the Army had manpower problems, especially from Italy onwards and more so after Normandy, this led to units being disbanded and transfers to another unit - that probably will explain the move to the Royal Sussex.

A check found he originally was enlisted in the Royal West Kent Regiment! This was a multi-battalion unit as indicated by: Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment - Wikipedia

 

If he served in 56 Inf Div then he would have been in 169 Inf Bde which was composed of three Queen’s battalions. 2/5, 2/6 and 2/7.

There were no R Sussex battalions in 56 Inf Div.

What is the date of the photo?

Regards

Frank

 

As stated above, his number shows that he enlisted with the Royal West Kent Regiment. He transferred to the Queens Royal Regt (West Surrey) on 16.4.42 and then to the Royal Sussex on 30.3.46.

If you have his official service records I suggest that you draw up a timeline of the various units that he was with and the research diaries and histories relevant to those periods.

Second World War 1939-1945

56th (London) Infantry Division - Wikipedia