Can anyone tell me what the 3rd GCR were up to on that day - I'm trying to research a soldier (Sgt Reginald Hasler) who was badly wounded, his discharge certificate mentioned the Juba River Action and I can see bits about the Juba river but cant find details of fighting there at that point. Thanks Alistair
3rd Battalion, The Gold Coast Regiment Raised 3 September 1939 The battalion served under command of the 4th (Gold Coast) Infantry Brigade from 3 September 1939 until 31 August 1945. The brigade was retitled 24th (Gold Coast) Infantry on 18 October 1940 and 2nd (West Africa) Infantry Brigade on 1 December 1941. It was a cadre at the outbreak of war consisting of HQ Company and two companies. The 1st to 3rd Battalion received 65 officers and 77 other ranks from the Rhodesia Regiment in 1939. The battalion was located in the Gold Coast until 1 June 1940, in East Africa until 9 February 1941, in Italian Somaliland until 20 April 1941, in Abyssinia until 11 October 1941, in South Africa until 13 November 1941. It arrived at Takoradi, Gold Coast in early December 1941 and was stationed in the Gold Coast until 8 October 1942. It was then located in Gambia until 31 January 1943, in the Gold Coast until 21 April 1944, at sea until 1 June 1944, in India until 18 October 1944 and then in the Arakan.
The 24th Gold Coast Brigade with the 3rd Battalion, The Gold Coast Regiment, was approaching the Juba Line under 12th African Division. It was probing crossing over the Juba River. The actual dates of the battle, "The Juba" are 4-26 February 1941. I have the South African official history, but no specific details of the 3rd Gold Coast Regiment are given. Someone may have the Royal West African Frontier Force history, which may provide more details.
Thanks for your replies, I'll probably order up the War Diaries to get some more Battalion specific info - Sgt Hasler was badly wounded (including losing a hand) when he tried throwing away an Italian grenade. Thanks again Alistair
