Hello I am trying to find out about my fathers time in the Royal Sussex regiment he was posted to North Africa on th 8/12/1942 until 10/05/1946 to the Allied Forces HQ which I assume was the North Africa / Mediterranean posting. What I am trying to find out is how he entered Italy as there was a couple of ways he could. He was at Caserta palace and General Maitland Wilson was the supreme commander and he was at the battle of Casino. I also have a photo of him serving King George V1 and General Wilson in 1944, I also have a photo of the luncheon with Gen de Gaul and General Wilson in Algiers 1943 which would be before he went to Italy. When he was in Africa he was at the allied forces hq. I assume in Algiers. He was discharged on the 16/081946. I have tried various web sites but they don’t give the specific route that was taken. Look forward to any help or information. Thanks Stan Hesmer.
Welcome to the forum Re the route he took forum members will try to advise if the info is available. War diaries are helpful from Kew. A few members offer a copy service for a fee. If you havent already apply for his service records Keep it simple Apply for his service records date of birth and death cert required You can apply for death cert from here https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/ link to service records a bit of a wait but worth it Request records of deceased service personnel
Stan. Your father may well have been at Cassino but I strongly suspect only as a visitor accompanying a senior officer. Regards Frank
Hi Frank no he was not a visitor he was definitely fighting at the battle of casino under Gen. Maitland Wilson and was in Caserta
Stan. General Wilson was the Supreme Commander. He may have visited Cassino to speak to other senior commanders but he would not have got involved in any of the fighting. He would not have released your father to join a battalion and join in any attacks. Regards Frank
If you posted them on here it might help forum members to assist you further. One of the members who replied on this thread is an expert in this theatre of war.
Stan, Welcome aboard. There is plenty of knowledge and expertise here. It is vital you add in a post his full name, Date of Birth, Service Number and if known their unit. Members can check their resources and do some online research. Others may be looking now and in the future for them; we regularly have people join who have found a post or thread about a relative. It might be worth checking if there is a local newspaper article about him. Most public libraries have access to the British Newspaper Archive when in the library, not online. It helps to add a ‘tag’ when you create a thread, only you can do this. It is for the formation / corps involved or a theme like intelligence. Searching tags can identify threads, otherwise it takes a bit longer. I know there is a current, long thread on the 1st Battalion: 1st Bn Royal Sussex Regiment Some help via PM next; which is a now four pg. PDF. Also available on: WW2 Soldier Research - Tips and Links for New Researchers (update)
Here's a thread with instructions on how to add images. How to Start a new Thread / Edit Post / Upload Image
Stan, just to confirm: Was your father serving with the Sussex Regiment until his transfer to Allied Forces HQ on 10/05/1946 - OR - was your father transferred to Allied Forces HQ on the 08/12/1942 and served with them until 10/05/1946. Cheers
Thank you for your advice, my father is Richard S Hesmer his service number is 6401010 Royal sussex enlisted in Eastbourne in 1939 dob 11/07/1920. I will copy his service record an upload it.
