2nd Battalion, The Hampshire Regiment

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by MrEd, Nov 10, 2009.

  1. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Mr Ed...
    You have had some very good advice so far and I would just like to add afew things which not have been covered so far.
    In 1942 - ALL new recruits did six weeks General Service training - i.e learning how to march and take discipline - firing a rifle , Bren and throwing Grenades and being inocculated with every thing but swine flu.....then he was posted to the Holding battalion - the 11th - of the Hampshires for more specialised Infantry training prior to being posted to an active Battalion - the 2nd - and with them he travelled to BNAF (Torch) which was British North African Force - and joined 46th Div(?) - later to CMF which is Central Mediterranian Force - Italy - landing at Salerno with Xth Corps in the US 5th Army and fought their way through to near Cassino - after Rome June '44 - I think - not too sure of this one - but they might have transferred to 56th ( Black cat) division and went off to Egypt ( MEF-Mid East Force) for reforming - coming back in time for the Gothic Line in Aug - Sep '44. - where he was very fortunate to survive Croce and Gemmano in the Coriano Ridge area - then on the rivers above Rimini in October.

    One thing bothers me though - from where he was killed - there are seven cemetery's - so why did they take his body miles past them to Assisi ?

    Hope this all helps
    Cheers
     
  2. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Mr ED...
    Just Checked - the 128th bde stayed with the 46th Div all the way - and finished up in Greece along with the 4th British and 4th Indian to stop the Communists from taking over.
    The 46th started off in North Africa as a"mixed" Division with the 21st Tank bde...didn't do so well and so it became a full Infantry Div- the 21st Tanks
    went on as an Independent bde along with 25th Tank Bde.

    The 46th Div was a "floating" reserve for the Sicilian campaign and were not used but later - along with 56th Div. joined Xth corps for the landings at Salerno. They had a very tough war.

    Cheers
     
  3. MrEd

    MrEd Chief Observer

    Guys,

    thanks very much thats all really superb information - was interesting to read the above and see the old pictures! I have requested the service jacket so hopefully that clears a few things up, i have been advised the the MOD that this could take 6+ months to get sorted for me.

    thats really helpful, im really appreciative, i will write up what i have got so far and post up a summary!

    Cheers

    Ed
     

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