Hi Just thought I'd quickly introduce myself. I'm Chris, 39 from Kent. Married, 2 young daughters with a hamster and guinea pig to support. I'm mainly interested in the 3rd Bn Grenadier Guards as my Grandfather was with them from Oct 1930 until 1944 when he transferred to the RMPC. I still have to make some headway into the docs I have. I'll have a good trawl through the forum and see what I find but if anyone has anything in the meantime, I'll gladly take what I can get. The eventual plan is to motorbike 'his war'. I'll start in Libya/Tunisia, bike the coast road to Egypt. Cross somehow to Italy and travel up to Lienz in Austria, the last place in Europe he served before coming home to Colchester. Well, this is the plan anyway. So thanks for reading my drivel. Chris aka RealNoyesy
Welcome to the forum Chris. I assume you've seen some of the 3GG stuff we've posted on here? Such as this. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/italy/20488-monte-grande-monte-piccolo-arce-may-1944-a.html and this for 1940. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/1940/24306-3rd-bn-grenadier-guards~28-5-40-a.html
Hi Owen To be honest, I've just had a very quick look but what you have posted I've seen in the two Nicholson books. Thanks for alerting me to it though. I can now look at these rather than get the books from the library. Cheers
Thanks. I've just had a quick look at the Theatre of Operations for Italy. Jeez!! You guys know so much! I'm astounded. Fantastic work.
No, unfortunately not. He was at Chelsea Barracks in 1940 I believe. He shipped out to North Africa in 1943 (I'll have to check my docs) then served there and Italy until returning to UK prior to D-Day. He didn't take part as he was in hospital with diptheria. He didn't rejoin the regiment and went into MPSC, ending up in Austria
Is your Grandfather still alive? Have you got any photos we could see, we like photos. If you need help with Service Records we've a section of the forum devoted to helping out with those.
If I get all the relevant details down in a post then someone may be able to help me. What would be really great is the name of the troopship he sailed on, where from (Glasgow I should think?) and where he disembarked.
3GG sailed from Gourock on the HMT Leopoldville in November 1942. As you say he went in 1943 I take it he was a reinforcement .
Welcome to the forum Chris. Refs for 3GG war diaries held at TNA, Kew. 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards WO 167/702 3 Grenadier Guards 1939 Sept.-1940 June WO 166/4100 3 Grenadier Guards 1940 July - 1942 Dec. WO 166/8571 3 Grenadier Guards 1942 Jan.- Oct. WO 175/485 3 Grenadier Guards 1942 Nov.- 1943 June WO 169/10163 3 Grenadier Guards 1943 July- Dec. WO 170/1349 3 Grenadier Guards 1944 Jan-Dec WO 170/4979 3 Grenadier Guards 1945 Jan.- June WO 261/290 3 Bn. Grenadier Guards 1946 July - Sept. WO 169/20033 3 Grenadier Guards 1945 Nov., Dec. WO 169/23194 3 Grenadier Guards 1946 Jan.- June WO 261/291 3 Bn. Grenadier Guards 1946 Oct.-Dec. WO 261/292 3 Bn. Grenadier Guards 1947 Jan.-Mar. WO 261/293 3 Bn. Grenadier Guards 1947 Apr.-June WO 261/294 3 Bn. Grenadier Guards 1947 July - Sept. WO 261/295 3 Bn. Grenadier Guards 1947 Oct.-Dec.
Hi Chris and welcome to the forum. I can only help with the Dunkirk stuff, but it looks like he didn't go. If you want any copies of the diaries Diane posted just give me a shout. For details click on the link below my Royal Signals flag. Regrads Andy
Thank you for the welcome everyone. A pleasure to hear from Ron, I read you war on the BBC pages and very interesting is is too. A wonderful read. In response to some of the comments posted earlier, I'll double check the stuff I have, this includes his service records from Glasgow which I got about 7 years ago. I have all his medals in display boxes with the ribbons. Sadly he died in 1989 and I think the real reason for trying to do this is that he never talked about it. Quite common for a majority of servicemen but it sadly leaves the latter generations with a huge gap in their knowledge. If he was at Cassino or near there, I can well understand his reluctance to try and describe the horror to a 9 year old boy. My mother knows nothing and my uncle bits and pieces. I will post a new thread with the info I have and if gaps can be filled, brilliant. I thank you in advance.
