Hi there Im new to this site so bear with me please I am trying to track down some information regarding my Grandfathers war history. Like many others he refused to speak about it and got really upset at times so family never mentioned it. He was an Irish Guardsman 2723141 KELLY and I believe he was a POW in Stalag 4B POW Number 279027. I believe he was in Tunisia at one point before capture, sorry I dont know what Battallion/ Unit he belonged to. I remember he absolutely hated Italians (eye tyes!) and would turn from a placid man into a tyrant if they were mentioned!!! I would love to know why!! There was talk in the family about him being in Anzio but not 100% on this as only certain groups went there??? I have read things about the Irish Guards and operations they were involved in but dont know whether I am reading about the wrong regiments etc. Can anyone help?? I do have a picture of him in his uniform if that helps at all?? Would be grateful of any help!!! Many thanks Lonnie xxxxxxx
Hello and welcome Lonnie The 1st Battalion Irish Guards were at Tunisia and Italy. A great many of them were killed or taken POW at Anzio. See here War Diary: 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS, September 1939 - July 1944 The best way to find out about your grandfather's time in the Micks is to apply for his service records You can apply if you are the next of kin or have written permission from you grandfather's next of kin. I haven't yet got copies of all Irish Guards Liberation questionnaires, there may be one on file for your grandfather at Kew, which might hold some basic information about which camps he was at and where and when he was captured, escape attempts. Not all forms survived, not all forms were completed to any level of detail.
Army Number: 2723141 Rank: Guardsman Name: K KELLY Unit: Irish Guards Theatre: POW Number: 279027 Date of Capture: Place of Capture: Camp: Stalag IVB TNA Reference:
Army Number: 2723141 Rank: Guardsman Name: K KELLY Unit: 1 Irish Guards Theatre: Italy Missing Personnel file: 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS - Italy, Missing Personnel file TNA Reference: WO 361/784 Notes: Missing 8 February 1944