Hi, Gradually working my way throught nea ly 500 photographs, most taken at the National Archives during my recent stay in London. 56 Recce Index Cheers, Gerry
Promising stuff as ever Gerry. Suspect this should be linked to Mitch's posting of The Regimental History of the 56th Recce Regt. Have to ask; was Lt. Col. KGF Chavasse DSO any relation to the other Chavasse of WW1 fame? ~A
Gerry, Thanks for posting. VP, Yes. Kendal George Fleming Chavasse was born on September 28 1904 at Whitfield Court, near Waterford, Ireland, and educated at the Royal Naval College, Osborne, and the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. He was not, however, without Army connections - his father had served with 4th Cameronians in the Boer War, and his cousin Noel had won a Victoria Cross and Bar and a Military Cross before his death in the First World War - so he took the Army exam and in 1923 entered Sandhurst. Commissioned into the Royal Irish Fusiliers in 1924, he joined them at Dover and was soon posted to India. A keen field sportsman - he had been whipper-in of the Britannia Beagles - he devoted much of his spare time in India to shooting, polo and pig-sticking. After serving with his battalion in Egypt, Sudan, Malta and Cyprus, he attended Staff College in 1939. In March 1940 he was appointed Brigade Major, 150th Infantry Brigade, with whom he took part in the evacuation from Dunkirk. After serving on the staffs of Eastern and South-Eastern Commands he became, in January 1942, second-in-command of the 3rd Reconnaissance Regiment. A few months later, he took over command of the 56th Reconnaissance Regiment, which he led in North Africa and Italy. Two of Chavasse's brothers, Paul and Evelyn, were also highly decorated officers, and at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in July 1945, King George VI presented the three men with a total of five DSOs and one DSC. Cheers Paul
Thanks to Paul, this forum is allowing me to access information I previously hadnt seen or realised. I have a few pictures of my father in his 56th Recce uniform including some in various locations including Africa, UK and Italy where unfortunately he met his sad death in April 1945 very close to the river Po /Argenta, to were he is buried in the CWGC cemetry in Argenta. As I get more adjusted to this site I will post the pictures and hopefully It might spring some new information, as very little is known to me about his movements and compaitriots. Great site,great reading
Welcome to the forum, I trust you will get adjusted to the forum and in doing so post your photos. If you need any help finding you feet I can help. Cheers Paul
Many many thanks Paul,once adjusted I have a thousand questions and a few pictures to scan and upload to here and maybe some people may have answers to the vast void and mysteries to do with my father.
Jack, Have you seen the History of 56 Recce that I have posted? http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/unit-documents/17356-regimental-history-56th-recce-regt.html Cheers Paul