War Diary: 5th Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS, Jan - Dec 1944

Hello dbf
Did you get as far as Feb 45? I'm churning through Veritable and might pick up the diaries from there.

 

I am very pleased to have found and read this thread as I have just been lucky enough to purchase a battle dress named to 2666637 Guardsman L. Weight of this battalion. The battle dress is badged to the 3rd battalion, but there is very strong evidence that he previously served with the 5th battalion. I have carefully read through the casualty lists on this thread and found many soldiers with higher regimental numbers which would suggest that my man had enlisted in time to be there with them. 2666633 Guardsman J.Dixon, of No 3 Coy, just three numbers below Weight was wounded, as was 2666638 Guardsman E. Blockley of No 4 Coy, just one number higher than Weight's.

 

That’s a good find.

I have my father’s CG cap badge that was in his possession when he was captured whilst serving with 3rd CG in Libya during December 1941 and for the following 42 months as POW. It is as worn as the example in your photo of various items of kit. He likely kept hold of it when he was reequipped with British kit on repatriation (he was given a full issue of GI kit on the continent post liberation).


Steve

 

Yes, it is amazing what has survived. All my items have come from a house clearance via an antique dealer. There were two battle dresses complete with trousers but only 1 cap, several shirts, a blanket and a small tin of cloth badges, dog tags and some K.D. shorts and a shirt. I couldn't afford both sets of battle dress, but luckily a fellow collector and good mate, bought the other set and will possibly part with it if I offer him a wheel barrow full of cash, a case or two of gin and several packets of chocolate digestive biscuits.

The reason the battle dress has 3rd battalion markings is that Guardsman Weight went on to serve in Palestine with that battalion.

 

Hi dbf - thanks very much and sorry for slow reply.