Researching a Casualty: 8th Bn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by Hoody321, Jan 2, 2019.

  1. Hoody321

    Hoody321 Active Member

    Hi there, I’m researching my partners great great uncle who was killed in Sicily on 1/8/43. He was serving with the 8th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland’s when he was killed. Sadly the regimental museum is currently closed for renovation. I was hoping someone on here could provide me with some information or help with where else I could go to get some. I would really like to know the movements of his unit in the days leading upto his death, any help would be greatly appreciated!
    Hoody
     
  2. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Hi Hoody

    Can you post his name and details as these will help others - thanks

    TD
     
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  3. Hoody321

    Hoody321 Active Member

    Apologies, that would’ve been a good idea to start with!
    Allan McDonald
    Service Number - 3324956
    Buried at Catania, Sicily.
     
  4. CL1

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

  5. CL1

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

    Corporal MCDONALD, ALLAN
    Service Number 3324956

    Died 01/08/1943

    Aged 30

    8th Bn.
    Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

    Son of Ewing and Sarah McDonald; husband of Elizabeth A. McDonald.


    INSCRIPTION
    GOD'S GREATEST GIFT, REMEMBRANCE

    Casualty
     
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  6. Hoody321

    Hoody321 Active Member

    Thanks for the reply CL1. I’ve found his grave etc and have sent away for his records, was just hoping to fill in the gaps that the records may have. Do you know what detail they will go into regarding his location during his time in Sicily?
    Thanks again!
     
  7. CL1

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

    Not much detail ,usually when enlisted,training ,units assigned to etc but will give an idea of his service journey
    The war diaries will give you detail of the route taken and engagements.He might be named being a casualty but this is not always the case


    regards
    Clive
     
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  8. Hoody321

    Hoody321 Active Member

    Cheers for the help Clive, fingers crossed I can get access to them soon!
    Hoody
     
  9. CL1

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

    you will also require the war diaries
    a couple of members on here will copy for a reasonable rate from the National Archives at Kew
     
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  10. Hoody321

    Hoody321 Active Member

    Appreciated, I take it they’d know where/what to look for so it’s just a case of me paying them?
    Cheers
     
  11. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Original Enlistment Highland Light Infantry

    Casualty list showing those killed with him......



    GBM_WO417_065_0433 sicily.jpg




    Kyle
     
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2019
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  12. Hoody321

    Hoody321 Active Member

    That’s rather interesting, thanks for the info Kyle! Are you able to see when he joined? I’m hoping the service record sheds some more info on him when it arrives!
    Hoody
     
  13. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    No his service number was from a block allocated to the H L I

    Kyle

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2019
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  14. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Last edited: Jan 3, 2019
  15. Hoody321

    Hoody321 Active Member

    Kyle thanks so much for that info, absolutely brilliant. I’ll now be able to show Allan’s niece his grave.
    Tony I’ll give all them a read, appreciate the links!
     
  16. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    56 Reconnaissance Regiment were also part of the 78th Infantry Division, and their war diaries are posted on this forum courtesy of RecceMitch.

    As one of the Divisional troops, 56 Recce were often attached to one of the three infantry brigades and as such their war diaries contain documents relevant to the whole division.

    For example this is a link to the 78 Div Operational Instruction of 30 July 1943, just prior to the date you are interested in.

    resized P1990871 | WW2Talk

    The documents do mention 36 Infantry Bde and also contains some maps.
     
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  17. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    IMG_2081 (2).JPG


    78th Div were attacking Centuripe on 1st August and 8 of its infantry battalions would be involved in the assault...The Irish Fusiliers and Inniskillings entered the town on the morning of 3rd August.

    8 A&SH were at map ref 646918 overnight 1st/2nd August:

    wH646918 on the coordinate translator
    "Italian Southern Italy" area.

    The picture above shows the geography of the road up from Catenanuova to Centuripe....the A & SH went to the left towards the cemetery.

    ps Ken Ford has quite a bit about the Centuripe fighting.
     
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2019
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  18. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi - I have all the 8th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders war diaries copied covering WW2. Drop me a private message if you'd like any.

    Cheers
    Andy
     
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  19. Hoody321

    Hoody321 Active Member

    Thanks for this, amazing to have so much detail. Makes it all a bit more real having locations now. I’ll certainly give his book a read.
     
  20. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Map of the period:
    Centuripe.jpg
     
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