1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

Hi, Im looking for information on the movements of the 1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers during WW2. My grandfather was RSM William John Tomsett army number 6451032. He survived the war but sadly died in 1969 two years before I was born. I have lived in Italy for the last four years and and am very interested in any information anybody has about the regiment in Italy before and after Monte Cassino. I have a very basic list from RRF HQ but only lists countries and years and I have an appointment with the chief archivist at the Tower of London next week so hopefully they can help as well. I have a couple of photos if anyone is interested. Many Thanks in advance if anyone can help. Jon ( I live near Gradara English War Cemetery and plan a visit when Im back in Italy if anyone would like photos please advise and ill do my best to post them )

 

Hi Jonny and welcome to the forum...As for the pictures - Yes please

Regards
Andy

 

Hi Jon !

Firstly, welcome aboard and good luck with your research into your Grandfather's service in Italy.

Don't think I can offer much help myself with his unit, even though I was at Cassino myself as I was strictly a 78 div man.

I see that you have kindly offered to take photos of gravesites at the CWGC Cemetery at Gradara ?

I was able to do a similar service on a Cassino trip and know how much it is appreciated by those who cannot make the journey themselves.

I'd like to take you up on your offer with a fairly simple request which is as follows.

If you spot any gravesites bearing the Shield of David sign (signifying the serviceman was of the Jewish faith) could you please take a snap so that I can pass it on to AJEX ( Association of Jewish Ex-Serviceman & Women) to see if their records are up todate ?
I attach an example snap taken at Cassino in 2005.

Many thanks and best wishes

Ron

 

Jonny, Welcome to the forum. Thank you for the offer of photos. PM sent.

Cheers
Paul

 

Hello Jonny
Welcome from another Royal Fusilier man!
Photos would be good.

1st Battalion - 1685-1968;
http://rrflondon.2day.ws/siteFiles/f...1246371704.pdf
Rob.

 

Hi, thanks for your message. I met the person that wrote the pdf you attatched at the tower of london last week !!!! pictures to follow.

 

not of him of my grandad !!

 

Would you mind looking them up please ?? Theres a bit of a mystery as he was supposed to be in Italy but he didnt get the Italy medal but got the france germany medal instead which im told is unusual ?!?!?!?! just back from a trip to tower of london to meet with their archivist and he couldn't help !! Any help greatly received !! Thanks Jon

 

Hi Jon !

Firstly, welcome aboard and good luck with your research into your Grandfather's service in Italy.

Don't think I can offer much help myself with his unit, even though I was at Cassino myself as I was strictly a 78 div man.

I see that you have kindly offered to take photos of gravesites at the CWGC Cemetery at Gradara ?

I was able to do a similar service on a Cassino trip and know how much it is appreciated by those who cannot make the journey themselves.

I'd like to take you up on your offer with a fairly simple request which is as follows.

If you spot any gravesites bearing the Shield of David sign (signifying the serviceman was of the Jewish faith) could you please take a snap so that I can pass it on to AJEX ( Association of Jewish Ex-Serviceman & Women) to see if their records are up todate ?
I attach an example snap taken at Cassino in 2005.

Many thanks and best wishes

Ron

Hi Ron, I will certainly have a look for you, hope to go this week or next so keep an eye on your PM's

 

Ive put a couple of pictures in my album more to follow, think you click on my name to go to my profile so you can view them ??

 

Those photos are all pre-WW2.

 

Would you mind looking them up please ?? Theres a bit of a mystery as he was supposed to be in Italy but he didnt get the Italy medal but got the france germany medal instead which im told is unusual ?!?!?!?! just back from a trip to tower of london to meet with their archivist and he couldn't help !! Any help greatly received !! Thanks Jon

If he didn't get the Italy star but got the F&G Star, then that means he did not serve in Italy, but NW Europe. He therefore must have been attached to another unit.

 

Thats what I thought, anyway of finding out which unit ?? I have just come accross a letter saying that at the outbreak of war he was CSM of D company 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers.

 

Jonny,
Are you sure he was sent the right medals?
Have you sent off for his Service Records yet?
That would tell you who & where he was.

my uncle did but got the standard letter back fobbing him off, so hes going to pass it all to me to try and sort out. Ive got a letter of authorisation from him as well.

 

Can you post his record of service you said you had on the other thread.
You say he did SAS training.

hello again, scanning it as I type, will post to my album but its from his certificate of service not his record.

 

Bit hard to read.
you can upload images to your post on this thread.
Click Go Advanced & then the paper clip icon.
If you can make the image bigger so it's easier to read .
That refernce to SAS mentions Hythe.
Ranges there.
Seems he joined the SASC then???

The other one is a place in India near where the were stationed I think
What type of Ranges at Hythe ? SAS ones ??
Whats SASC ??

The ex SAS guy i spoke to to thought it meant Small Arms School ??

Thanks for your input !!! Shall I scan the medals page again at higher resolution ???