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Thanks Sue, that is a most useful suggestion.
Best wishes,
Ian
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Sue
There are War Diaries for the battalion at the National Archives which will give a day-by-day account of what they were involved in and where
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Hi George I requested my dads military records, they came back in 10 days. There was quite a lot of information and it has helped a lot. Thanks Sue :-)
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Susan - click on Ian's name and send him a private message as he might not be still monitoring this old post. GR will then send him an email to the email addy he left on file with them.
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Hi Ian
My father was in the 2/4th Hampshire regiment. He also spoke very little about his time in the army. Just before xmas I asked him which countries he had been in during the war. He reeled off exactly where he started and finished. I was going to get a map so that he could plot his route. Unfortunately he passed away very unexpectedly on 14th January before I got around to buying the map.
I have photographs with place and dates that he sent to my mum, I`m trying to figure out from them and the Wiki article where he was.
I have one photo of the regiment that might be of interest to you.
I will ask mum to request his army records.
Sue
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Why dont you apply for his service records,
Please note these records are not online and still held by the MOD,so no where in the public domain
However just to say there is a charge of £30-00 + and could take as long as 9 months to get them,Have a look though this link it explains how, and who can apply.
http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/army.html
George
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Thank you so much Catherine.
The information is most helpful to my family.
Best wishes,
Ian
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Hope this may be of interest.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Hampshire_Regiment
The 2/4th battalion
The 2/4th Battalion.[6]
10 July 1943 the 20th Beach Group (“A” and “B” companies) invaded Sicily as part of “Operation Husky”. The role of the Beach Group was to land supplies until a harbour could be captured. On 12 July, 20 Beach Group moved inland, behind the advancing infantry, but by 22 July the half-battalion was in the line, capturing Mount Scalpello. On 4 August the half-battalion moved to Catania, where they remained on garrison duty.
9 September 1943 the 21st Beach Group (“C” and “D” companies) invaded Salerno. The assault went in at dawn against stiff opposition, and rather than take its allotted role the half-battalion was moved straight into the line. However there was little action until 13 September when the half-battalion was attacked by armoured half-tracks. This happened again on 15 September when ‘D’ company was overrun. However, the half-tracks didn’t assault ‘D’ company as such, they ran over the slit trenches until picked off by 6pdr anti-tank guns. On 17 September the half-battalion was moved back into Reserve, and by 23 September they were back on the beaches unloading cargo.
18 November 1943 the two halves of the 2/4th Battalion were re-united at Portecagnano near Naples. However, there was no immediate employment, and orders were received to send cadres to the three battalions in the Hampshire Brigade (this was rescinded after protests). However, six officers and 77 other ranks were posted away to form the “2/4th Hampshire Training Centre”, three officers and 188 other ranks were assigned to ‘porterage duties’ and another detachment of 50 men was assigned to help the Provost Corps with traffic duties.
29 February 1944 the 2/4th Battalion was back in the line in Italy, near Garigliano, as part of 28th Infantry Brigade, in 4th Division. This was the same ground where the Hampshire Brigade had suffered through the Italian winter. The battalion was relieved for short periods on a regular basis before returning to the line.
11 May 1944 the 2/4th Battalion assisted the other two battalions of their brigade to cross the River Rapido as part of the assault on Monte Cassino. The river and bank were under intense enemy fire, and the river so swift that swimmers from 2/4th had to cross with lines to enable the boats to get across. Troops got across the river but could make little headway against the storm of machine gun fire. The 2/4th could not get across to join their fellow battalions, and so on 12 May they came under command of 12th Infantry Brigade and crossed via a bridge on 13 May. Supported by 17th/21st Lancers and their Sherman tanks, the 2/4th Battalion attacked along the river, taking 200 prisoners. On 14 May, back in 28th Brigade, the 2/4th attempted to cross the River Pioppeta . The bridge for tanks sunk in the mud, and the Battalion took 100 casualties in two minutes. The 2/4th waded the river, but in spite of heavy casualties and fierce resistance, the advance continued. During this advance, Captain Wakeford won the Victoria Cross. By 6.30pm all objectives had been captured, and the 2/4th reorganised on a three-company basis. On 16 May the battalion was relieved. Two days later, Cassino was captured by the Polish Corps.
22 June 1944 the 2/4th battalion was back in the line near the village of Villastrada, between Lake Chiusi and Lake Trasimeno to north of Rome. On 24 June a major attack was launched on that section of the Trasimene Line by 2 Somerset Light Infantry supported by the tanks of 12 Canadian Armoured Regiment. 2/4 Hants were to follow on, but their entry into battle was delayed until the next day. Having passed through the village of Vaiano, which they found unoccupied, an attack was launched on a ridge being held by the German 1st Parachute Division. Although "C" Company established a foothold on the ridge, occupying a farmhouse, that night a fierce German counter-attack was made by the Germans, who overran the company headquarters. Fighting was close and confused, and the company ran low on ammunition. It was forced back to literally the last ditch, but hung on. At dawn the next day, 26 June, the battalion counter-attacked and managed to recapture their previous positions; the Germans were withdrawing to the Arezzo Line. The 2/4th Battalion followed up, coming into action again on 21 July. Supported by the North Irish Horse, a steady advance was made. The battalion was then taken out of the line again – some platoons were down to ten men each with no officer.
28 July 1944 the 2/4th attacked Santa Lucia, a small but fierce battle which was captured on 30 July. The enemy then withdrew, and the 2/4th moved up to the River Arno. On 10 August the battalion was withdrawn.
15 September 1944 the 2/4th began its assault on the Gothic Line, attacking across the River Marano and capturing Casa Bagli. All the first day objectives were achieved, and the 2/4th defended them on 16 September against German counter-attacks. On 17 September the battalion captured Cerasola, and were relieved the following day. The battalion then moved north behind the army’s advance, arriving in time to stand by to support the Hampshire Brigade’s assault on Forli during November. During 22 November the 2/4th attacked and captured a bridgehead over the River Cosina against heavy shelling, and this was the battalion’s last action in Italy.
11 December 1944 the 2/4th Battalion was flown to Greece in the bomb-bays of Wellington and Liberator bombers in response to the outbreak of the Greek Civil War, arriving 12 December. The E.L.A.S. army, armed and trained by the British, was trying to overthrow the Greek Government. On arrival, the Battalion was split up, primarily defending the airfield, then clearing E.L.A.S. forces from Athens. This did involve some fighting, and the 2/4th Battalion lost three men killed. The 2/4th Battalion then settled down to peace-keeping duties.
6 May 1945 the 2/4th was moved to Crete to take charge of the Germans, who had surrendered, and they ended the war there.
Found this just by googling the regiment.
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On the 14th May 1944 my father in law was wounded in action during
the battle to cross the river Piopetta in Italy. I believe this may have been
connected with the retaking of Monte Cassino, but I am not certain.
As with many who served he never spoke of his time there, and I am really seeking any family who had a member there who might have information which
would help me build up a picture. Also any regimental photos would be a bonus.
I know my chances are slim but I would be grateful for any help.
Ian
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