My father was an italian partisan under the command of Major Anthony John Oldham in Tuscany in 1944-1945. I have been trying to obtain a photograph of the major around this time. An article I read said he married an italian lady called Giseppina CANCHERINI. A relative of mine in italy has had no luck so far finding the marraige details or death notices. Maybe he married and died outside italy. Can anyone help?
Major A J Oldham was an Indian Army Officer serving with the 3rd Mahrata Light Infantry- he was appointed 2IC of 2 Mahratas in 1942 and taken POW at Tobruk in June 1942. He escaped from Camp 29 in Italy in September 1943, ame in contact with the Partisans and started organizing them. In Jul 1944 he came in contact with the SOE TURDUS Mission of No 1 Special Force. He was taken on by them as a BLO (British Liaison Officer) and crossed the lines to Allied territory in December 1944, he worked with No 1 Special Force until mid January 1945 settling the liquidation of his mission. The Indian Military authorities refused permission for him to remain with SOE and he was repatriated to India via the A No PW Repatriation Group. He was awarded the DSO and Italian Partisan Medal for his services to SOE and the Partisans. Sorry I have no photo of him.
Thank you for your quick response.When he was repatriated to India you mentioned the the A No Repatriation Group. Is this the proper name for this group? When servicemen were enlisted, was it normal to keep records such as date of birth, birthplace, address, next of kin, photo etc? When he was discharged, would this also be recorded. Could you suggest any of these records might be kept?
My Father was under the command of Major Anthony Oldham his name was Gino Bacci. His is brother was Comandate Formazione Bruno Bacci. i
Anthony John Oldham Spouse: Giuseppina CANCHERINI Father: Frank Machin Oldham Mother: Anne Mar Anderson Children: Sylvia A Birth: 29 Mar 1913 London, London, England Death: 5 Apr 1992 Residence: Turramurra, New South Wales, Australia Giuseppina CANCHERINI 1918– BIRTH ABOUT 1918 • Italy DEATH Unknown Daughter Sylvia A Oldham Father: Anthony John Oldham Mother: Giuseppina CANCHERINI Birth: 11 May 1946 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Death: 2017 New York, USA Residence: 1994 Long Branch, Monmouth, New Jersey, USA TD
