Hello, I'm sorry for my english, it isn't perfect. I'm the President of a little association "Linea Gotica Alta Val di Bisenzio". The association makes research about WW2 in Vernio, a town in Tuscany, Italy, on Gothic Line. Our website (under construction) is www.lineagoticabisenzio.it I'm starting a research about a little group of 15\20 soldiers that they stopped about (maybe) two months at Cavarzano, a little area of Vernio in 1944 (I think from end of september to december 1944). A citizen of Vernio gave me a photo about two of these soldiers and the name of the man in right side is Edward or Eduard. I know he is a corporal, but I don't know his battalion. I want to find all information of this little group and about that man. The Liberation of Vernio was made by 34th Red Bull infantry (US) and 6th South African Armored Division from 11\12 september to 22\23 september 1944. In the 6th there is a 24th guards brigade and I think Eduard and other soldiers in Cavarzano were british soldiers. In 24th there were: 1st battalion scots guards 3rd battalion coldstream guards 5th battalion grenadier guards 42nd field company 24th indipendent brigade group workshop 550th cmpany 137th field company. Can you help me to find other information? Thank you! Lisa
Welcome to the forum. It's a shame he's wearing his cap on the back of his head & we cant see the cap badge. It looks like he has the Africa Star ribbon above his pocket. The chap at the back on the left has white webbing which makes me think that one is a Military Policeman.
Hi Lisa Here are the references to the units war diaries that you've listed: WO 170/587 24 Guards Brigade: Headquarters (HQ) 1944 Sept., Oct. WO 170/588 24 Guards Brigade: Headquarters (HQ) 1944 Nov., Dec WO 170/1348 3 Coldstream Guards Jan-Dec 1944 WO 170/ 1350 5 Grenadier Guards Jan-Dec 1944 WO 170/1352 1 Scots Guards Jan-Dec 1944 WO 170/1618 Companies: 42 Company 1944 Jan.- Sept. WO 170/1619 Companies: 42 Company 1944 Oct.- Dec. WO 170/589 24 Guards Brigade: Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) Workshop WO 170/2565 Companies: 550 Company 1944 Jan.- Dec There doesn't appear to be a war diary for 137 Company during the period you are interested in. Cheers Andy
Judging by the profile of the badge my phone lets me zoom. It looks to be scots gaurds, it doesnt fit the profile of the rest of them. Hope this helps
Cg badge is more squarish in profile with flat edges where is this one is more star like which points to SG
Thank you so much to all! Your informations are very interested! Cg=Coldstream Guards and Sg= Scots Guards? I think he was a volunteer but I'm not sure. I've too few information! I'm searching to National Archives the diary of 24th Guards Brigade, but the National Archives want 1,500£ to copy it! I think to find a trace in diary of 15\20 soldiers that they stopped for two month in Vernio.
Welcome. Click on the red text above and someone will look at the diaries for you at much less than £1,500. Vitellino
The National Archives charge around £1.00 per page and I charge 10p so I'm guessing as a very rough guide it would cost around £150 for me to copy them for you. I'll send you a Private Message in a bit. Cheers Andy
