Family Soldiers: 1/4th Essex (WW2) & 25 Field Regiment R.A.(Post-War)

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by Charley Fortnum, Mar 21, 2015.

  1. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Post-War Essex Regiment Christmas Card. Looks nice? Just sold for £28! (and not to me).

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  2. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    19.10.39.
    Private Everett's first night in the army
    :

    72 Army class recruits arrive by bus from Reception Centre at Chelmsford. 32 at 13.30 hrs and 40 at 17.30 hrs. They consist of 18 Tradesman and 54 Duty men and look to be a good type of a fair height and build. Stationed at The Wake Arms, Epping. Served with a hot meal in the evening. All but a few have civilian respirators with them. They are to be divided into squads of 12 each commanded by a good N.C.O. Clothing and equipment available for them at the moment is scarce.

    Arrangement for Drums to beat Retreat in Epping, High Street, washed out by the rain which has been falling almost continually for 5 (five) days.

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  3. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

  4. Pattib

    Pattib New Member

    I have a letter sent by Padre Robin Woods to my mother after my father, Lt Alan Lloyd Hagger was injured in Italy in October 1944. I have been trying to find out where the Essex regiment was at that time.
     
    Charley Fortnum likes this.
  5. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    a) I'd love to see that letter if the content is not too personal.
    b) That name is not ringing a bell with me, but I will go and check for it now. Do you know for certain he was with 1/4th Essex?
    c) I'll message you.

    Thank you for posting on this thread.
     
  6. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles


    My memory clearly isn't what it was!

    256447: HAGGER, A.L. - Gunshot Wound To Ankle/Knee [Date: 19/10/44]--which seems to be a mistake, likely not a gunshot wound--see below.

    Joined 1/4 Essex 16/4/44 - at J.COLLI [GR: 305051] along with 2 other officers and 63 other ranks.

    The General Picture (Courtesy of dryan67)

    Under 18th Infantry Brigade (8 October 1944 to 5 November 1944):

    The battalion joined the 18th Infantry Brigade on October 8th and remained under it during the advance north until November 5th. On November 4th, the battalion left Arezzo from Rimini.

    18/10/44 / 18:00 hrs:
    Lieutenant Hagger of A-Company was leading a 'fighting patrol' to reconnoitre the route from LINARO to CASALE (GR: 4771) and attempt to capture a prisoner of war. A-Coy was at this time commanded by Captain P. Webster.

    The patrol successfully reached its destination but found no enemy.

    On their return, however, they left the main track after 50 yds and entered a minefield.

    There were 9 casualties, one being Private Hanford, who lost an arm but was saved by a blood transfusion from the medical officer, Captain R.J.N. Pellow MC.

    Lieutenant Hagger and 4 ORs were evacuated from the minefield under a red cross flag by 0730 hrs, but the evacuation was not complete until 1130 hrs.

    The official history has only slight detail here:

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    Lieutenant Hagger in Sept '44:
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    Last edited: Nov 8, 2020
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  7. Pattib

    Pattib New Member

    Thank you for that information. That’s definitely a photo of my dad! He didn’t like talking about the war. He said he was in Naples when Vesuvius erupted, mentioned Monte Cassino, then said he had been injured- his knee blown apart which was pieced back together(so he said). He was in hospital in Rome & that’s the time he spoke most of, all the bits before Rome he said he would tell me once & never talk about it again! After he recovered he was made captain & was sent to Austria, to a prisoner of war camp for German prisoners.
     
  8. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    I've just sent you an audio interview with a man in your father's patrol who witnessed his wounding.
    It's good to have it first-hand, and he does add some extra detail.
     
  9. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    With apologies for probably the most trivial addition to this thread.

    Matchbox labels of Indian Divisions existed.

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    The telephone code confirms that these were from Ramsey in Cambridgeshire, but I don't have a date--probably post-war.
     
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  10. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    I have the willpower of butter on a warm day whenever rare or unique items come along.

    Accordingly, I couldn't resist this printing block. Needs a bit of cleaning, but it looks to be nicely engraved.

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    Carly Nicholls likes this.
  11. Thank you for posting these photos and comments. Robert James Woodwards was my great uncle, I’d love to know more about him and the campaigns he fought in. I’m looking up my family history online as there’s no oral history or many alive to remember. I do recall my grandmother saying it was too upsetting for her family to talk about and that was that. I had no idea he died in Italy. Any further info on James or his comrades greatfully received x
     
  12. I’m new to this site and not sure I commented in the correct box!
    Thank you for posting these photos and comments. Robert James Woodwards was my great uncle, I’d love to know more about him and the campaigns he fought in. I’m looking up my family history online as there’s no oral history or many alive to remember. I do recall my grandmother saying it was too upsetting for her family to talk about and that was that. I had no idea he died in Italy. Any further info on James or his comrades greatfully received x
     
    Charley Fortnum likes this.
  13. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Welcome Carly

    In the Army casualty lists 6013461 WOODWARDS Pte RJ was reported 'missing' between 16 - 20 March 1944, he was later reported 'Presumed Killed in Action' 20 March 1944.

    Casualty Details | CWGC
     
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  14. Thank you so much for that Information, also looking at the memorial pictures posted here, I’m assuming his body was never found. Would it be possible to find out where he was fighting when he killed, or do you think this will be the only records of him?
     
  15. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    The CWFC Grave Registration document states that he was Mentioned in Despatches, these awards are normally recorded in the London Gazette but I have been unable to locate that using his service number.

    PRIVATE
    ROBERT JAMES WOODWARDS
    Service Number: 6013461
    Essex Regiment
    1/4th Bn.
    Died 20 March 1944
    Age 25 years old
    Buried or commemorated at
    CASSINO MEMORIAL
    Panel 8.
    Italy
    Country of Service
    United Kingdom
    Awards
    Mentioned in Despatches
    Additional Info
    Son of Robert Henry and Amy Woodwards, of Witham, Essex.
     

  16. ❤️thank you X I’ll keep trying to look that up hopefully it’s recorded somewhere. Im interested to know more about his regiment In this battle in general now too.
     
  17. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Charley Fortnum is the resident expert and I am sure there is information around here on the units actions for that period, worth having a hunt around for the diaries or other accounts. You can use the search box, top right or one of the 'Tags' at the top of the post.

    If you want his full history then there is only one place to go:
    Get a copy of military service records

    Unfortunately there is a long wait, perhaps around 12 months, but you will get his full service history if that is of interest.
     
  18. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

  19. Thank you for the hints on how to navigate the site! Much appreciated!! I Might be losing a bit of time on here. I may well look into getting the record. Thank you
     
  20. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    He was killed at Cassino.

    I'm currently on my way home, but I will be able to supply more information later this evening.

    As you can see from this thread, my grandfather was with the same battalion.
     
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