Following on from my last post over my great uncle Thomas John Conway (which yielded some great info from members), I am back to pick everyone’s brains again……. My other great uncle, Trevor John Conway served across WW2 in most notably: Africa 11/11/43 – 14/12/43 as part of 1/6 Btn, East Surrey regt as far as I can tell Italy 15/12/43 – 13/2/44 as part of the MEF Africa 14/2/44 – 26/6/45 (1/6 Btn, East Surrey regt & then 1st Btn, Royal Fusiliers from 10/6/45) He was awarded the WM, 39-45 Star & Italy Star but my main query is around the conflicts he would have served in during his short time in Italy. Am I right in assuming that he would have stayed as 1/6 Btn, East Surrey Regt as part of the MEF? There isn't anything that jumps out to myself in his records.
Hi, Looking at the images you have provided, your assumptions about Battalion seem to be correct. I would suggest obtaining the Battalion War Diaries for the periods in which you are interested. 1/6 East Surrey: WO 166/12735, WO 175/520, WO 169/10302, WO 170/1486, WO 170/5077 1 Royal Fusiliers: WO 169/10211 These are held at the National Archives, Kew. If you are unable to attend, there are members here who may be able to assist with a copying service. I have reqularly used the services of Drew5233 who offers an excellent and reasonably priced service. Mark
Gavin. 1/6 Surreys were part of 10 Infantry Brigade who were themselves part of 4 Infantry Division. The Division took part in the Fourth Battle of Monte Cassino. Their task was to get across the Rapido/Gari river and establish a bridgehead, with 2 DCLI and 2 Beds & Herts, so that engineers could build the Amazon bridge to carry armour. You might want to look up Terence Cuneo's Crossing the Rapido oil painting. It will give you a flavour of what it was like to be in 1/6 Surreys who were off to the right. The battalion then pushed north to Tivoli and up the centre of Italy to Florence via Lake Trasimeno and Arezzo. In Sep 44, they assaulted the Gothic Line before being withdrawn to Greece to fight the Communist insurgency. Regards Frank
If you haven't come across it, worth looking at their website: Regimental Timeline The East Surrey Regiment 1881-1959 http://www.queensroyalsurreys.org.uk/ww2/italy/italy_3.shtml
