67 Field Regt RA

Discussion in 'Royal Artillery' started by Scott1975, Feb 23, 2018.

  1. Scott1975

    Scott1975 Active Member

    Hello Helena.

    There's a small group of us researching the 67th Field, I'll send you a message.

    Scott
     
  2. HelenaFetto

    HelenaFetto Member

    Thank you. I am suddenly quite emotional about the thought of finding out about him and his war. He died of a heart attack when I was 4, I was the last person he spoke to.... We have a stash of letters he wrote to his mother, that I now really want to archive and read in detail. With my grandmother's permission obviously.
     
  3. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Helena.

    If you get hold of Stuart Avery on this site, he has a copy of 'The Eyes and Ears of the Regiment' which is the story of 67 Fd Regt RA during 39-45.

    Regards

    Frank
     
  4. Scott1975

    Scott1975 Active Member

    I have that covered, Stu sent it to me and I did a copy.
     
  5. Scott1975

    Scott1975 Active Member

    Florence is in a mess. Last night Major Kerr and Captain Mennel went to call on one of the adjutant's cousins who was staying in the north side of Arno and they got involved in a first-class major street fight. No sooner had the jeep entered the courtyard of Palozzo Ruscillai than a bomb exploded on the opposite side of the street (Via Della Vigna Nuera) and a tremendous outburst of small arms fire, tommy guns, pistols, carbines and grenades. Major Kerr witnessed it and compared it to a major Chicago gangster film except the Italians dressed variously from boy scouts to Apache type. There was a short pause while a jeep of military police came up to take away four fascists and they continued again full swing with bombs and all accoutrements including screaming women. This was typical, so they said, although unbelievable to us of what had been going on for many days.

    From the diaries.

    Scott
     
  6. HelenaFetto

    HelenaFetto Member

    Thank you!
     
  7. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Helena.

    If you ever want to go and see what 67 Fd Regt RA got up to during their time at Anzio - Jan-May 44, go get in touch. It is a pretty grim story of endurance.

    Regards

    Frank
     
  8. HelenaFetto

    HelenaFetto Member

    I am fairly sure that I will want to do this. I have family in Italy as well, including an uncle who had done most of the family research up to this point but had never got further than the basic military records.
     
  9. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    PM was the original inspiration for Eyes and Ears. Dickie Whitfield used his documents adding notes from his own diary to give it a personal touch.
    The original documents were written using extracts from the War Diaries as a dissertation at Cambridge University in 1946. It was much modified by others over the years with additions by at least four people.
     
  10. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    How does David Hartridge come into this? I'm sure he will pop along & add to the thread.

    Regards
    Stu.
     
  11. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    It seems there is quite a crossover with WW2 type sites. It is to be expected I suppose.
    He is the relative of the friend of the guy whose letters I transcribed who was killed a month or so later.
    He is mentioned in the letters.
    I have contacts within the community of the Regiment who do not normally use the internet.
    I was surprised to find him on here.
    However it is the 75th Anniversary of not only D Day but of those who fought (and died) in Italy.
    I think I accidentally deleted the message and attachment to you but if you can use Scott as an intermediary he now has the attachment for you.
    I put my email address on the forum but removed it on advice of a senior member. It seems you did not use it.
    Scots grandad was of course in the 67th so we have a common interest.
    If I find anything that might help you I will get in touch but I am not comfortable doing over this site or any other that is public.
    I need a private email if I am to send you anything.
    It will be for your personal research not to impress others with.
     
  12. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    No problem: If we make contact in the future? Then so be it. I use my personal research to help forum members out with research they need.

    I've no need to (impress others with!)

    Regards,

    Stuart.
     
    Last edited: Jun 24, 2019
  13. HelenaFetto

    HelenaFetto Member

    I will show the photos to my grandmother in July when I am back in the UK. She has some photos too but knew several of the officers as she met my grandfather Peter Mennell when he was with the regiment in Cairo. I won't have much more till I can be with her in July, but will get back to the site then.
    Helena
     
    Scott1975 likes this.
  14. Rob Allen

    Rob Allen New Member

    My Grandad, Leslie Allen (905455) served with the 67th. I'm really keen to understand what happened to him. He died when I was in my early teens and I never took enough time to talk to him. He is part of the reason I've had a mid-life crisis and started a part-time history degree at Worcester. Thank you to everyone that has posted on here. He was in Q battery apparently.
     
  15. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    He was from Poolbrook Malvern he was in Q Battery otherwise known as 266 Battery and a friend of Sgt Burston.
    Please Personal Message me as I am taking a break for personal reasons but will help you in this instance.
    He was also in 267 Field Regt. I think that he is centre front row. I was a cadet with them in the 1960's.
    I received a message earlier from this site so came to take a look.
     

    Attached Files:

    Charley Fortnum, Rob Allen and Owen like this.
  16. Rob Allen

    Rob Allen New Member

    Wow, thank you. Yes that's him. I'll message you now. Thanks again
     
  17. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    That's good neither of us know how to use messaging.
    I need to give you my email but don't want it to appear on here for security reasons .
    Can a moderator help on this.
     
  18. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    I've started a conversation titled "message" with the 3 of us in it.
     
  19. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    The 67th Field Regiment is also known as the Worcestershire Gunners.
    For information regarding the History of the 67th Field Regiment the place to look is:
    About The Hive - The Hive
    Second Floor Archive Reception Desk
    Ask for File REf: 705:1258 BA 12196
    Transcript
    i. Draft History of the 67th Field Regiment dated 1943-45
    ii. Draft Transcript re 67 Field Regiment covering events from Anzio Florence-Monte Grande and Farewell to Italy.
    There are probably several other documents in the same box.
    These should include transcribed parts of the War Diaries of 265 and 446 Batteries.
    They also have a hard copy of The Eyes and Ears of the Regiment in the Reference Library.
    There are many other uncatalogued documents in the vaults deposited by members of the Regiment (and myself) ask at reception for details.
     
  20. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    Second thoughts this was probably not a good idea.
    So I deleted it.

    Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

    Back to taking a break...……...
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2019

Share This Page