Hi My Grandfather served with the 3rd Battalion The Tower Hamlets Rifles, but also have paperwork showing him with 14Troop, 3 Squadron, 5th Recce Corps and 14th Btn, 3 Coy 5th Recce Corps from 1940 until he was wounded in Italy in 1944. I would love to know if anyone would have any idea of starting points for looking for more information on the 5th or information in general that may shed some light on where he was when etc. I have some letters etc that put him in North Africa prior to Italy but that's about all. My grandfathers name was Fred Lines Casey Anyway I will try and see if I can attach a pic or two below shortly. Regards and thanks Mark.
Hello and welcome Mark. Great to have another Recce on here Bit of info about 5 Recce, from The British Reconnaissance Corps in WWII by Richard Doherty: Formed from 3rd Battalion Tower Hamlets Rifles, Rifles Brigade. Served in Sicily, July-August 1943; Italy September 1943-July 1944; withdrawn to Palestine, July 1944; in Italy, February 1945; NW Europe, March-May 1945 The first step we usually advise is to apply for his service records https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records I can recommend the book, Only the Enemy in Front by Richard Doherty which gives details of 5 Recce's involvement. Lesley
Hi and welcome to the forum Mark good luck with your research. The paper work you say you have, is it his service history? Do you have his pay book, discharge papers? David
Mark welcome to the forum. Great to have another Recce on board. Another book you might like to read is "This Band of Brothers" by Jeremy Taylor & "Wheeled Odyssey" which is the story of 5 Recce. Cheers Paul
As 5 Recce was the recce unit for 5th Infantry Division I also suggest an overall view of the 5th Divison's activities by reading their History by Aris. http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?an=aris&sts=t&tn=fifth+division
Mark. 5 Recce were part of 5 Inf Div's assault over the River Garigliano on 17 Jan 44 as the opening phase of the First Battle of Monte Cassino. That they, and 56 Inf Div on their right, actually got across the enormous, fast flowing river was quite an achievement. They stayed on the far back until Mar 44 when they were relieved by a U.S. Inf Div - 85 or 88, I cannot remember exactly which one, and were pushed up to Anzio to take over from 56 Inf Div who had gone there in Feb 44 in an attempt to stop the massive German counter attack on the beachhead. 5 Inf Div stayed at Anzio until the breakout at the end of May 44 during which they spent most of their time in the western sector in the ghastly 'wadis'. In all that time, 5 Recce were largely used as infantry. Regards Frank
Hi again, Wow that was quick, thanks for all the info everyone. As far as paperwork most of what I have is telegrams and letters plus postcards etc. I can put him in Cairo / Egypt in Oct 1942 where he is listed on a telegram as 3 Sqdn, 5 Recce Regt - 28 BGH PAIFORCE. Then mostly writing about Italy until Christmas 1944 when he is in 65th (Br) General Hospital. I will try and check out some of the books mentioned... Thanks again. Mark
