My Grandad was in 178th Field Regiment , Royal Artillery. His name was Percy Twigg, although he was known as Sam. He was from Crosspool in Sheffield. He enlisted in August 1941. I don't know when or where these pictures were taken but I believe they were when he was in India/Burma. I don't know who the others in the photo are so if anyone recognises them I would love to know. My Grandad is in the centre in the photo with the vehicle and back right in the group photo. Any info on anything in the photos would be much appreciated. Thanks Kate
Kate, Here's a brief summary of 178 Fd Regt travels. The nice detail is that in Grandad again 2 you can just see the head of a polar bear on his shoulder badge. That's the sign of 49 Infantry Division so the photo was taken May-Dec 1942.
Thanks. We had noticed the Polar Bear but didnt realise the significance. This is a whole part of my Grandads life that is completely unknown. He died when I was 18 and I really wish I had asked him about his experiences but when you are a teenager you aren't interested.
Hi Kate Noticed your granddad P Twigg is mentioned in the 178 war diaries. He was in hospital. I will extract the images and pos them here, shortly. Regards John
Hi Kate Noticed your granddad P Twigg is mentioned in the 178 war diaries. He was in hospital. I will extract the images and pos them here, shortly. Regards John Hi John, I suspect that would be in a field return? If so it proves the importance of copying some of the pages most people think are a waste of time. I always copy a few from each month where names are recorded-They can be a great source of info as it appears to be here. A
Hi John Just got notification today of your replys - found mention of my grandads name in the war diaires quite emotional. I have copied a summary of his war records in reply to your posting on the thread re regiment size. Many thanks for letting me know Kate
Hi Andy Thanks for the diary, i can now follow my Father in laws journey around the world, and add to all those stories he told me, before he died. Its strange how other members of the family start to get interested, once you do the leg work! Kate, the name might be Timms! I will get my wife to scan the returns, she is good at deciphering official documents. Regards John
Hi Andy Thanks for the diary, i can now follow my Father in laws journey around the world, and add to all those stories he told me, before he died. Its strange how other members of the family start to get interested, once you do the leg work! Kate, the name might be Timms! I will get my wife to scan the returns, she is good at deciphering official documents. Regards John What page/ diary (year) is it John? The image should have a unique number given it by my camera.
What page/ diary (year) is it John? The image should have a unique number given it by my camera. Hi Andy Have found Percy Twigg in the 1943 diary, so far on pages.... P2230931 33 34 35 36 The hospital was in Poona (now called Pune). It's amazing how many of the rgt. were in hospital after they arrived in India. They did two very long train rides (4 days each!). One from Bombay to Bangalore, then back from Bangalore to Poona. 900km and 800km. 122 Bty was to be self propelled using Priests 516 Bty was to have towed 25pdrs 366 (my fil's bty) was to have 3.7inch pack howitzers, designated Lty Bty. It seems that 1943 was spent doing exercises, for amphibious landings. Which they did not use in 1944! John
Thanks John. Does it mention anywhere which battery he was attached to - that isn't mentioned anywhere in his war records. Kate
Kate. 49 Infantry Division got its polar bear flash from its time in Iceland in the early part of the war. It originally had the polar bear with its head down low but the General in charge of the Division insisted that it be changed to having its head up - more aggressive and self-confident. FdeP
Hi Kate Only officers information gives you their bty. Other ranks (or's, in this case Bor's) only get there rank and army number listed. I still have to go through the 1944 diary, but don't hold your breath! Have not found any info on Enoch, my father in law. Regards John
Hi Kate Sorry not to reply sooner! On the typed lists of other ranks, there are no indications of which battery they were from. On one months returns someone has hand written in pencil, what battery they belonged to. Unfortunately they are not the month you grandfather was in hospital! John
