New member in search of info on Anzio

Discussion in 'User Introductions' started by Brendan Grant, May 15, 2018.

  1. Brendan Grant

    Brendan Grant Member

    Only just joined today so really not sure how this all works
    Im after info on Anzio regarding the 1st battalion and any info in particular on my dad Thomas joseph Grant
    Im visiting Anzio in June on a pilgramage in honour of my dad and would welcome any must see info and advice
    Brendan Grant
     
  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Welcome to the forum and good luck with your research.

    1st Battalion - which regiment would that be?
     
  3. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

  4. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Brendan.

    You have a choice of 1st Battalions at Anzio.

    1st Battalion Green Howards
    1st Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    1st Battalion The Loyal Regiment
    1st Battalion Irish Guards
    1st Battalion Scots Guards
    1st Battalion King's Own Shropshire Light Infantry
    1st Battalion London Scottish
    1st Battalion Yorks & Lancs Regiment
    1st Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
    1st Battalion London Irish Rifles
    1st Battalion Buffs

    I am guiding a group at Anzio 7-10 Jun 18 if these dates fit your plan.

    Regards

    Frank
     
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  5. Brendan Grant

    Brendan Grant Member

    Sorry to all who replied i forgot to put Irish Guards!
     
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  6. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

  7. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Brendan.

    I have loads of information. Any idea what you would like to know?

    If you can get a copy, the Regimental History of the Irish Guards relies heavily on the diaries of Major John Kennedy who commanded No 3 Coy. He was horse racing mad but also liked killing Germans. Some of the maps in the History will help you get your head around what happened to 1 IG.

    In summary, they were very badly knocked about in Jan-Feb 44 at Anzio and,once withdrawn from the beachhead, were never reconstituted in Italy. The remaining men were dispersed to the other Irish Guards battalions. Most went to 3 IG.

    Regards

    Frank
     
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  8. Brendan Grant

    Brendan Grant Member

    Going to rome(staying in anzio 2 nights 13/14)on 12th june 5 of us
    Wanted to retrace a few steps etc and really keen to know were the st patricks day parade venue was and pay a visit
    Appreciate any help
     
  9. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    War Diary: 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS, September 1939 - July 1944

    1944 March 17
    ST. PATRICK’s DAY.
    The parade was held under ideal conditions and in the attractive setting of the square of MASSA LUBENSE.
    The Commander-in-Chief, General The Honourable Sir Harold ALEXANDER presented the shamrock which had arrived - only just in time by air.
    Immediately after the presentation General ALEXANDER decorated several Officers and men of the Battalion and Brigade with awards earned on the ANZIO Bridgehead.
    The parade concluded with a March Past and High Mass in the Church of Our Lady.

    see arches & steps -
    HD Stock Video Footage - General Alexander celebrates St. Patrick's Day with the Irish Guards at Cassino front in Italy during World War II.
    Screen Shot 2018-05-15 at 22.45.12.png

    https://www.google.com/maps/@40.6117945,14.3435067,3a,75y,6.02h,101.25t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s10x8_tkGq2KEQgM0XqkZ7g!2e0!6s//geo0.ggpht.com/cbk?panoid=10x8_tkGq2KEQgM0XqkZ7g&output=thumbnail&cb_client=maps_sv.tactile.gps&thumb=2&w=203&h=100&yaw=99.119774&pitch=0&thumbfov=100!7i13312!8i6656

    Largo Vescovado, Massa Lubrense
    Screen Shot 2018-05-15 at 22.43.34.png
     
    Last edited: May 15, 2018
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  10. Brendan Grant

    Brendan Grant Member

    Frank that is brilliant thanks!
    If you know of any other key landmarks can you let me know
    Thanks to everyone for quick responses
     
  11. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    It wasn't Frank who posted the location of the St Patrick's Parade :)

    Welcome to the forum.
    Lucky you going to Anzio, it's almost 10 years since my only trip there.
     
  12. Brendan Grant

    Brendan Grant Member

    Sorry my mistake!
     
  13. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Brendan.

    The St Patrick's Day site is right down on the Sorrento Peninsula to the south of Naples. When 24 Guards Brigade were pulled out of Anzio and replaced by 18 Infantry Brigade, this is where 1 IG, 1 SG and 5 GREN GDS went for R&R.

    Regards

    Frank
     
  14. Brendan Grant

    Brendan Grant Member

    Thanks Frank is the 24 guards brigade part of 1st battalion?
     
  15. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Brendan.

    No, it is the other way around. Three Battalions make a Brigade - in this case 1 IG, 1 SG and 5 GREN GDS made up 24 Guards Brigade.

    Three Brigades make a Division - in this case at Anzio 2 Infantry Brigade, 3 Infantry Brigade and 24 Guards Brigade made up 1 British Infantry Division.

    Three Divisions make a Corps - in this case at Anzio 1 British Infantry Division, 3 US Infantry Division and 45 US Infantry Division made up IV (US) Corps.

    Within 1 IG, there were four Rifle Companies - No 1, No 2, No 3 and No 4, a Support Company of heavy weapons like mortars and anti-tank guns and a Headquarters Company with roles that administered the battalion - storemen, chefs, signallers, clerks.

    Regards

    Frank
     
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  16. Brendan Grant

    Brendan Grant Member

    Thanks Frank it great info but wasted on me as i still dont understand it all
    All i know is he was in the 1st battalion
    This is a photo of his timescales the dates seem to compare exact to what ive seen in the war diarys
    Can you throw any light on what all the writing says ?
     

    Attached Files:

  17. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Really hard to read but I can see that on 23.8.44 he was posted to the 3rd Battalion , Irish Guards.

    They were in North West Europe with Guards Armoured Division.
    dbf's Dad was with them .
     
  18. Brendan Grant

    Brendan Grant Member

    Yes i know that he was run over by a tank while asleep in the woods(an american was driving around for some reason in the middle of the night) a day before they were about to take another bridge just outside brussels on 9th sept 1944
    He had to have his leg amputated below his left knee
    Was wondering what all the lettering meant on left hand side?
     
  19. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Brendan.

    I would recommend, for your own education, that you join one of my battlefield studies to Anzio. It will all make so much more sense to you.

    Regards

    Frank
     
  20. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Army Casualty List via FindmyPast:

    First name(s)
    T
    Last name Grant
    Year 1944
    Service number 2723014
    Rank as transcribed Gdsm
    Regiment Irish Guards
    Theatre of war North West Europe
    Archive reference WO 417/82

    Wounded 9th September 1944, the same day as my father's good friend Bill Allister.
    Screen Shot 2018-05-17 at 22.07.52.png


    According to IG Association Journal: by 1949 he was a member of the Liverpool Sub-Branch, served from 8 Sep 1941 to 2 Oct 1947, and died in 1988 aged 66.
     
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