Can anyone help with a recommended book to read about the 85th Mountain Regiment, RA, in Italy? Which division were they with? Many thanks Tim
Farewell Screw Gun by Wilf Goldstein - but it is a memoir by one of their signallers rather than a history. 85 Fd Regt started off with 54 (East Anglian) Div, leaving them to go overseas in 1942. They ended up as Army Troops in 8 Army, not divisional troops, by the look of it: 85 Fd Regt and 85 Mtn Regt I don't know who came up with the idea of an East Anglian Mountain Regiment!
Ha... so there probably (really) was an "East Anglian Mountain Rescue Group"... and there was me thinking it was just an advertising joke. Thanks For the detail... will take a look at the links. Though perhaps (definitely) I should have been more specific and said I was interested in their history from mid 1944 onwards. Cheers Tim
Hi Tim, 85th Mountain Regiment was formed from 85th Field Regiment RA, who were a terriitorial unit from Essex. 85th Mountain Regiment were unique in that they travelled thousands of miles through treachorous terrain on the Eastern side of Italy on foot with their mules who carried their guns and equipment and the mules handlers, known as Basutos. 85th were used back behind the front lines to aim their massive gun power in support of the front line troops and were often associated with the likes of Popski's private army and the Indian Divisions. Their history is hard to trace for they are often shrouded within the diaries of other Regiments whom they supported. However there are some unofficial war diaries written by a Captain Crockett for each of the batteries within 85th. I have slowly amassed over the years some photographs, books, diaries etc that I would be happy to share. Is your research personal if so, for whom are you searching? Emma
Emma Am not researching personal info - may want to later, but just not got that far. My interest in the unit is because they used the 75mm Pack Howitzer M1A1 on Carriage M8. I have one of these guns which saw service with the British Army during ww2 (originally thought to have been just the Airborne Forces), but maybe also with other units such as the 85th. My approach... to try and ascertain when they used the 75mm Pack and which battery used it. (the seemingly easy bit)... Then to try and focus on that battery, where they went, who was in it, which operations they were involved with, obtain war diaries and maps, and maybe one day plan a battlefield tour if the unit proves sufficiently interesting... so far however there seems to be little info anywhere. One day I'd like to build some data boards which can be exhibited with the 75mm Pack when I take it to shows and events... Alas at present the only connection I have for it is use with 1st Airlanding Light Regt RA and 53rd Worcestershire Yeomanry - both "Airborne" units... so the initial data boards will have to concentrate on these if no info on the 85th or other units is forthcoming. If you can help at all, then I'd love to chat further. Tim
From another forum I've been advised to look at these... The National Archives holds the Regiment's war diaries for 1939-1944, reference numbers as follows; 85 Field Regt, RA WO166/1508 - 09/1939-12/1941 (UK Home Forces) WO166/7001 - 01/1942-08/1942 (-ditto-) WO169/4595 - 09/1942-12/1943 (Middle East Forces) WO169/9500 - 01/1943-06/1943 (-ditto-) 85 Mountain Regt, RA WO169/9452 - 08/1943-12/1943 (-ditto-) WO170/1090 - 01/1944-12/1944 (Central Mediteranean Forces) I think the last one is likely to be of most interest at present. Tim
Hi Tim just a new one on this site and saw you were after a book {farewell screw gun} did u get it as i have it on disk, My dad was also in the 85th and my older brother has wrote a bit about him while doing the fam tree. View attachment 97453 Brian
I've been scanning some odds and ends from my collection and by coincidence I scanned these bits relating to the 85th last night, they relate to L/Bdr Addison of 337 Battery Alistair
Thanks for the photos Alister, i have the same type of card. but am having problems getting them onto site , [attachment=97769:25 pounder gun.jpg need to reduce in size thanks Brian
tHIS WAS SENT TO MY BROTHER DAD NOT LONG AFTER HE FIRST JOINED UP 1929/30 View attachment 97833 HIS MEDALS
Have just received my dads service record from australia along with a few of his photos but no info with them,
Here are the photo,s. will try and get info on them. all i know is that the football pics were taken in india before the war
BRI54 - Brian, I had the pleasure of talking to your father via Email in 2008 as I research the 85th Field/Mountain Regiment. I have many photos amassed on Facebook in a closed group for family members if you are interested in viewing..... https://www.facebook.com/groups/191070490940006/?fref=ts Your pictures are fantastic. Your dad had sent me a couple and also asked about Ernie Redmile with whom he served and who is featured in the newspaper article with him. Believe it or not, Ernie ended up in Australia also!
Emma - Your use of the word Basuto in posting #4 caused me to smile as that word describes both the mule and the handler - both from Basutoland in South Africa - not all the mules came from Africa as many also came from Brazil as there wa a world wide shortage - which is not too surprising when so many fell off the mountains around Cassino etc..the handlers were employed mainly by the Pioneer Corps and I can still see their broad happy grins as they worked tirelessly in building a Tank road when we were advancing from Fabriano to start the Gothic Line Battles....they did sterling work but like so many others - never a mention in the media Cheers
Hi Emma sorry for not getting back sooner.That would have been my elder brother you were in touch with. as dad died in 1985,That newspaper cutting i have never seen before,Many thanks for that . My brothers name is also Fred Faulkner same as Dads. That is dad in the photo. I will try the link as on f/b also. Brian
