56th Reconnaissance Corps

Great photo alang66. Have you any more photos of 56 recce-there are a few members on here with 56 recce interest-including me! Oh and welcome.

Lesley
Thanks for the welcome. I meant to make an introduction in the correct place but I'm only really interested in my father's regiment.
I do have some more but not like the full B Squadron shot.

This was my father looking rather young so I'm assuming it's 1941 when he was 19 years old.

This one is a later one. I would imagine this could be near the end of the war

This is of one of my dad's platoon wearing arab headgear but I cannot remember his name and my father's no longer with us.

The man above found a Leica camera in a toilet while on leave somewhere and they took numerous photographs while they were out and about.
I have numerous pics of my father with the truck he drove and some of his platoon. I need to find those out to scan in.
My father was given a booklet called Finito at the end of the Italian campaign which I scanned in too. It isn't complete I'm afraid.
http://www.jennings-assets.com/Finito.pdf

I notice you're from East Yorkshire? My father had a close friend while in 56 Recce from Hull who I encouraged him to look up when I was at college there. Sure enough, he still lived on the same street and they exchanged christmas cards up until my fathers death. He was called Laurie Ward.

 

Hello alang66. Great photos of your dad. My dad was Ernest Illingworth and was from Bradford, West Yorkshire. He was only 19 when he joined up also; he was in C squadron, 56 Recce. Have a look at my albums on my profile. Any photos of anything 56 recce are always welcome here no matter how insignificant you think they might be-some members are still looking for photos of their relatives.

Lesley

 

Welcome to the forum, thanks for sharing your photos


Cheers
Paul

 

Hi new to this site, finding out through your forums where my grandad was during war he never spoke about it wonder if anyone knows of LT QM HARRY FRANCIS WAITE 56th Recce he was wounded in Sicilly and wouldn't leave his post for a day date was 11th Oct 1944 can't find out exactly where or what happened he was mentioned in dispatches is all i know be grateful for any info bit about him in enemy behind book thats all

 

Hi and welcome foffiesgirl. Has anyone in your family got your grandad's army records? If so post them here-I am sure someone will be able to help. Lots of 56 recce members here.

Lesley

 

Found a mention of F Waite, Lieut and Q.M. on war diary for 56 recce 25/3/44 on the nominal roll of officers. If I find any more mention of him, will let you know. Someone else may come along with more information quicker than me I guess!

Lesley

 

Hi foffiesgirl.
Found mention of your grandad:-
Supplement to London Gazette 28/4/1944, page 1987:-
Regular Army-emergency commissions.
Recce Corps: War subs, R.S.M. HARRY FRANCIS WAITE (316905) to be LT (Qr-Mr) 25/1/1944

 

Welcome to the forum foffiesgirl. Do you have any photos of your Grandad?


Cheers
Paul

 

Thanks to Drew for copying this War Diary. I have found my fathers name (Mitchell T H)and No ([FONT=&quot]1873128)[/FONT], albeit the initial is wrong but the Regl No is correct. He is ordered to attend a D & M course on 15 Sep 1942 at 0900.

Cheers
Paul

 

Hey, my grandad was in the 56th. Sadly, he's no longer with us, and i want to get the regiment logo tatooed on my shoulder in his memory. I've tried to find out for a long time what it is, but keep getting an american regiments symbol by accident. Can someone please tell me what the logo is for the english 56th?

 

Hello and welcome KrisO'd. My avatar is the Recce badge my dad would have worn. He was in the 56 Recce regiment. The 56th was the reconnaissance unit for the 78th Infantry Division (also known as the Battleaxe Division) and served in Tunisia, Sicily and Italy. Have you got your grandad's service records or any details you can post, ie his name and number and any photos you would like to share? There are a few 56 Recce's on here. There are some veterans on here who will be along shortly to help you more.

Lesley

 

KrisO'd 56 Recce originally was with 56 Div whose Div Symbol is a Black Cat they transferred to 78 Div for Operation Torch whose Div symbol is a Battleaxe.


Cheers
Paul

 

Hi Guys, I think I may have some treats in store.

Unfortunately last Saturday my old mum died. While going through her flat I came across much Recce gear including photographs from Italy. Also an original map of Cassino!

I will start scanning tomorrow and hope that some of you will recognise faces.

Bless em all.

Trev

 

Trev welcome to the forum. It will be great to see some more 56 Recce photos.

Cheers
Paul

 

Well, I am assured that this was taken in Rome. Be interested if anyone recognises a familiar face.

 

Hello Trev and welcome. I'm so sorry for the loss of your mum.

Thanks for posting photo-unfortunately my dad's not in it! Please post any more photos you may have as there are a few recce's on here very interested!

Lesley

 

Welcome Trevor, Not only can I confirm that it was taken in Rome but it was taken in July 1944 outside the Victor Emmanuel Monument. Perhaps I may be even able to tell you who took it - this is my father and you will see that it was taken in exactly the same position!



My Dad, Gilbert F Anthony, was 56th Recce, 15 Troop, C Squadron so there is a possibility these lads were as well. What were they doing seeing the sights of Rome? The following is from Dad's memoirs:-

"....one of my most memorable days of the war and one that I will always remember happened in July 1944, the Division was relieved at Lake Trasimeno, the Regiment was ordered to Tivoli, a suburb of Rome. I found myself in the advance party and while waiting for the regiment to arrive I managed to scrounge a lift to Rome.
I managed to visit a number of Roman remains including the Colosseum, the highlight was a surprise visit to the Vatican. I had spent sometime in St Peters and decided to stroll across the square to take a closer look, when, to my surprise, I was approached by a Sergeant of one of the regiments of 38 Brigade - I had met him in Sicily and he invited me to join him that afternoon to visit the Vatican. Naturally I could not refuse and spent a most interesting time being taken around some of the magnificent rooms and halls, including the Sistine chapel. The climax came when we were ushered into the Audition Hall to hear an address and blessing from Pope Pius XII. Certainly a most inspiring afternoon, I still have a small medallion and picture of the Pope".

It may be possible to link some of the faces with those in other 56 Recce photos I have posted.

Small world !!

Regards
Tony

 

Tony, only one word 'Incredible'.

Dad used to say he met the Pope, so it must all be around the same date.

Take a look at this. You must be able to see Dad, as I think everyone can.

By the way I have a copy of Finito The Po Valley Campaign. Shall I scan it all and put it up here?

Also Austria 'A Soldiers Guide' should I do likewise?

Regards to all of you.

Trev

 

Hi Trev
Well I've just had a big shock-my dad is on the large group photo. He is on 2nd row from bottom, 9th from left. Ernest Illingworth, 15 troop, C squadron. I presume this was taken in Rome? Many, many thanks for posting, I cannot thank you enough! Please post any more photos or info-would like to see them.

Lesley

 

Lesley I am so pleased, I have emailed you.

Here are a few more, mainly of my Dad. I hope you find them 'interesting'.

One is from a newspaper, can you guess which?

Trev