Researching a Casualty: 8th Bn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by Hoody321, Jan 2, 2019.

  1. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Last edited: Jan 4, 2019
    Hoody321 likes this.
  2. Hoody321

    Hoody321 Active Member

    Seems to have been quite a hard fought battle. When you look at the topography it’s amazing to think anyone could ever have been expected to take the village, especially under fire!
     
    CL1 likes this.
  3. KevinBattle

    KevinBattle Senior Member

    You may have missed the "Concentration" tab on the CWGC entry for Allan McDonald (and his mates killed at the same time) but it gives the initial burial Map Reference as GE11/CB/52 which expert Pals may be able to locate more precisely, should you so wish...

    It was often the custom in Scotland to incorporate a female maiden name into childrens second, or perhaps first names..... so do you think this may be an earlier relation? (Allan's father's first name was Ewing...)
    MCDONALD, WILLIAM. Private. Service Number 86213. Died 09/10/1917. Aged 23.
    48th Bn Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
    Son of Mrs. Mary Ewing, of 332, Hardgate, Aberdeen; husband of Eliza Copland McDonald, of 14, Bonaccord Lane, Aberdeen.
     
  4. Hoody321

    Hoody321 Active Member

    I'll need to ask his niece but that seems like too much of a coincidence for them not to have been related! Thanks for the lead, I'll give you an update once I've asked her.
     
  5. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    The announcement of the capture of Centuripe was made in the House of Commons by Winston Churchill, and General Montgomery was quoted as saying that “he doubted if any other division in his Army could have carried this operation out successfully”.

    This is Brigadier Russell's account referencing 36th and 11th Brigade's problems.

    One of the Skins' officers, Lieutenant Percy Hamilton also had a way with words:

    My Dad, CQMS Edmund O'Sullivan, remembered that time very well - he carried the malaria from Sicily for many years:

    "The Irish Brigade advanced steadily, passing through the town of Catenanuova. Here we became infantry once more and prepared for our attack on the centre of enemy line at Centuripe. I served the company by jeep.

    One evening, I was being driven by Corporal Allen when we were hit by heavy shellfire. We jumped out of the vehicle into the roadside ditch. It was so shallow that, despite crouching, our heads and chests were exposed. We clung to each other, shivering. The fire was coming from our rear. The bursts lifted and through the smoke emerged a figure with his face masked by blood. ‘Stop these bloody shells. They are killing my boys.’ It was a sergeant major of the East Surreys. Our 25-pounders had been firing continuously for more than six months. Their barrels were so worn their shells were unable to clear the mountain peaks. Supporting fire for our attacking troops was falling on resting and reserve battalions. In mountainous terrains and isolated positions, such tragedies would not be unusual.

    When we took Centuripe, I followed closely behind and entered the town in the early morning of its capture. I was not allowed to progress beyond the town walls as the battalion had to clear up pockets of resistance. Dysentery had me in its grip and I was in desperate need of a latrine. I knocked at the nearest house and stumbled out: ‘Scusati, il gabinetto?’ The lady went into the house and brought out a brown earthenware pot and held it out to me. I shook my head, saying: ‘Grazie.’ I saw a young man and approaching him I said: ‘Dove si trove il gabbinetto.’ Looking puzzled, he motioned me to follow him. We went to the town wall and climbed down steps and a steep path. There before us under the walls was a vast culvert lined with metal. With municipal pride he pointed to it and said: ‘Il gabbinetto.’ I thankfully made use of it despite the terrible smell. Hygiene and sanitation were primitive in central Sicily. Most people had only the earthenware pot which was emptied into the vast dump under the town walls. I suspect that the open fields were more frequently used."
     
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2019
    Hoody321 likes this.
  6. Hoody321

    Hoody321 Active Member

    Thanks for sharing, I always enjoy reading about the daily 'troubles' that soldiers experienced outside of warfare. Amazing that your Dad kept such a detailed account!
     
  7. Hoody321

    Hoody321 Active Member

    Thanks again for all the info guys, I’ve got a report thanks to Drew which details the movements of Allan the day before the attack. I’ll post it tonight.
    Hoody
     
    bexley84 likes this.
  8. Hoody321

    Hoody321 Active Member

    Here’s the report, apologies for the delay in upload. Interesting reading while also rather moving now that there is some back story to at least one of the men.
     

    Attached Files:

    bexley84 likes this.
  9. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    Excellent - thanks.
    "The operation did not look very nice..." an understatement...
    Having been to the area at various times of the year including June and August, the walking alone left me sweat drenched..

    A couple of photos from last June and another map of the area ---oh no ...

    - the position the A &SH got to on the 1st and then handed over to the Faughs.
    - view west from the cemetery wall
    - in the cemetery.
    - the road up from Catenanouva to Centuripe.

    IMG_2139 (2).JPG
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jan 24, 2019
    Tony56 and Hoody321 like this.
  10. Hoody321

    Hoody321 Active Member

    Thanks for the pictures, we’re hopefully going over next year so these will be great reference points!
    Hoody
     
    bexley84 likes this.
  11. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    The map with the measurements of the high points is very useful... my/my brother's film about the campaign - albeit from an Irish Brigade's perspective - should be out by the end of February..some nice filming in the area.

    Etna seems to be getting a bit grumpy again this week.

    etna4.png
     
    Tricky Dicky likes this.
  12. Brian Smith

    Brian Smith Junior Member

    Does anyone have information on the date and on which beach the 8th Bat A&S landed on Sicily please. I have a note that says the 1st Bat piped them ashore and would like to pinpoint where and when, towards the end of July I assume before the 1st was sent to the front line from its role in 33 Beach Brick.

    Cheers Brian
     
  13. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    Without having the specific war diary entries to hand, I can only mention that according to Ken Ford, the 78th Div started to arrive on 25th July "spearheaded by 11th Brigade"..I do know that the Irish Brigade infantry troops arrived on 27th/28th July so that might give you a book end of dates for 36 Brigade.

    The Irish Brigade landed near Cassibile and the map ref suggests it was near the current day Fontane Bianche - the picture attached was taken on that beach in June.
     

    Attached Files:

  14. Brian Smith

    Brian Smith Junior Member

    Thank you for that. The dates and area fit with where the 1st A&S should have been located during its stint as 33 beach brick.

    Cheers Brian
     
    bexley84 likes this.

Share This Page