Hi, My grandfather was Fusilier (RF) and I finding out more about him (He died when I was 3). He never spoke of the war apart from mentioning he was machine gunned somwehere near Salerno (He lost his arm and was badly scarred). Mum has kept his medals and documents in a box since he passed away but they are mixed up with a lot of other passed family medals (ww1 medals\ww2) \documents so I am sorting them all out and framing them etc. We have his pay book but it doesnt contain much apart from dates of his service with Palistine\MEF and BNAF. I'm waiting for my Grandfathers service records from the MoD from his time with the Royal Fusiliers but does anyone know of any good resources (Books, Archives) on the Royal Fusiliers in Italy ? Cheers Paul Apologies if this is posted in the wrong section.
Paul. If he was machine gunned somewhere near Salerno then he was either in 8 R FUSILIERS or 9 R FUSILIERS. They were landed on 9 Sep 43 and had the task of securing Battapaglia a town just to the SSE of Salerno and a major communications centre for road and rail. Securing Battapaglia was important because there was an enormous gap between X (Briitish) Corps in the north and VI(US) Corps in the south. Battapaglia was the southern boundary of X (BR) Corps. Anyway, both R FUSILIERS Battalions took a horrible pounding especially 9 R FUSILIERS who were unceremoniously kicked out of Battapaglia. I am off there next week with a group. Regards Frank
Hi Paul, I've not been here on the forum long myself and have been gathering info about a Fusilier uncle (9Bn RF) who also landed at Salerno, but came to his end at the Gothic Line. Today (Thurs) I am in Salerno on just a private visit with a mate and drove along the coast from Salerno and thro Battipaglia this afternoon and then onto the War Graves. I was somewhat suprised that we didn't see much evidence here of the battles, or any markers to indicate what had happen here all those years ago. Tomorrow we move onto Cassino for 2 nights then onto Riccione for 2 nights to visit Ted's grave, then back near to Rome ready to fly home the next day. Do you know which Bn of Fusiliers your GF was as apparently the 8th was amalgamated into the 9th during/after the battles for Coriano Ridge. Looking forward to other responses Evader
Evader The landings at Salerno were 70 years ago and the many memorials are usually to be found in the too many cemeteries as the Italian people don't dwell on the war and it's damage but repaired thing and most likely build an autostrada right through the main battlefields as they did at Riccione....you will see the miracle of the Cassino Monastery being re-built..after being cleared - BY HAND by the Monks - Alexander sent two Colonels to the Abbot to volunteer assistance to the clearing - the British Colonel was Lt.Col Maurice Menage M.B.E. of Dunbar - Highcliffe - my good friend an neighbour - who died shortly after we left in '87...see my article on Cassino Monastery in the BBC series below... Cheers
An obvious place is the Fusiliers Museum in the HM Tower. It is their RHQ and they can help with unit history
Hi, Thanks for your replies. I am back in New Zealand now (Parents and Grandad came her in the 70's) so It's all remote reading now. Unfortunately I have been to the HM Tower but it was as a Tourist 10 years ago, though I plan to be back on the UK for a trip anyway next year so will have to get back there if there isn't anything I can find remotely. As for the details of units, I can only get that from the MoD. I have his paybook but it only states Royal Fusiliers, we have a few photos so I'm trying to see if I can see anything on them (or written on the back). Thanks
Hi Evader, Ref your trip up to Cassino, you might want to contact Damiano, please see this post :- http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/32486-trip-to-italy-monte-cassino/ He is THE guru for all things in that area. Have a great trip. Regards Derrick
