My father (Gunner Whitehead No 905530) served with the 138th in 359 Battery through N.Africa, Sicily and Italy. I attach a file which shows their location from the landings in Algeria to the end of the war when they were in Austria, I believe this relates specifically to 359 Battery. However these notes are pages 35 to 38 of something, does anyone have 1-34. John Whitehead
Looks like they may be pages from a book. Have you looked for a regimental history? Andrew (Idler) may be able to help-He's regimental book collection is the largest known to man.
Hi, Thanks for posting. I'd also be interested in the source document as my uncle served as a Gunner in 360 Battery, 138 Field Regiment from 1940/45. Steve Y
John. Along with 17 and 132 Field Regiments, 138 Field Regiment supported 78 Infantry Division throughout the time that your father served with them. If you ever want to visit Cassino and see what your father got up to, do look me up. 78 Infantry Division took part in the Third and Fourth Battles. For the Fourth Battle, the field guns of 138 Field Regiment would have been part of the 1,086 guns that fired on the night on 11 May 44. Regards Frank
Thanks Frank, might do this some time. As I have my father's route it could be quite a trip round Italy, a lot of it in the mountains as the 78th were regarded as mountain specialists. John
Hi Steve, Will let you know if I have any luck. Presumably you have seen or have a copy of Battleaxe Division : From Africa to Italy with the 78th Division 1942-45 - Ken Ford. John
Hi John, Yes I have had a copy of Ken Fords book for over 10 years. I went to Kew and had a look at the unit War Diary some years ago as I didn't have my uncles service number and I knew he had been sick several times. I spotted him listed on several field returns so obtained his service record (I knew a service record could be ordered without a service number). Regards Steve Y
The mystery that started this thread - what were pages 1 to 34 prior to the Itinerary of 359 Battery (pages 35-38) has been solved, thanks to Dick Flory. From late '43 359 Battery produced a monthly newspaper "Battery Bumph", generally made up of humorous articles, comment and gossip about their goings on, as well as the odd poem etc. I had one from May '45, but Dick sent to me the last one which is Oct '45 which includes the Itinerary. Additionally it includes the names and addresses of all officers and men in 359, with a view to having a "Nines" Association when everyone returned home. Whether anything came of this I know not. The R.A. Musuem has relocated to Wiltshire, and at present their archives are not open. However other issues of "Battery Bumph" may be available there as one of the items they mentioned they had was -Various Editions of the Battery Magazine for 359 Field Battery 138 (City of London) Field Regiment RA entitled ‘Battery Bumph’ 1944-45 John Whitehead
John, I think you'll find the RA Archives have re-opened. I've not been there but I have talked to the archivist who is exceedingly helpful. Tim
Another document my father had in his papers may be of interest, details of the overland trip home which my father undertook in late 1945. As the foreword is by General R.L.McCreery this would have been for all of the 8th Army including the 78th Division and the 138th Field Regiment
Hi, Thanks for posting. My uncle likely travelled that route on his months leave (LIAP) in England Sept/Oct 1945. Steve
