British units nearest Cesena?

Discussion in 'Italy' started by Chris C, Mar 12, 2021.

  1. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Richard.

    'Archie' who is mentioned as being killed on 13 May 44 would be Private Archie North.

    Regards

    Frank
     
  2. dickyboy

    dickyboy Member

    In my fixation with Edwin I hadn't even thought of looking for the names of his fellow coy members who perished. I'm sure I have some photos someowhere of a them all in the Middle east plus some other of him and pals on leave .
    *** Goes off to search for them***..it may take a while!!!
     
  3. dickyboy

    dickyboy Member

    Archie and Edwins service numbers are 10 digits apart, could that mean they enlisted in the same rec office?
     
  4. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Yes.

    F
     
    4jonboy likes this.
  5. dickyboy

    dickyboy Member

    Well I had a look for the phographs of Edwin last night and found a few one of which has 13 soldiers on it...one is Edwin ...and one is Archie North, the others are also named and all are Bradford born/living lads except one whos from a place in Leeds but its litterally on the border of Leeds/Bradford...which is leading me to wonder why a Scottish regt would be recruiting in Yorkshire....bith Edwin and Archie have A&SH service numbers.....the only down side on the photo is it has shadowing (from the tree they are all under ) obscuring half of their faces......Does anyone know if its feasible to digitally alter the photo to reveal the faces......
     
  6. dickyboy

    dickyboy Member

    Whoops I forgot to add... Archie was born and raised about 1/2 a mile from where I was born and raised ..which is also across the road from where Edwins sister lived, which makes me wonder if Edwin and Archie were friends pre war as yet again another family story was his best friend was killed at Cassino..
     
  7. vitellino

    vitellino Senior Member

    Pleased you've thought about it. The Black Watch museum is an excellent idea.

    Before you make any decision, though, you should get it photocopied and then transcribed - that doesn't involve writing a book, just typing up what Edwin wrote.
     
  8. vitellino

    vitellino Senior Member

    These two Yorkshiremen were taken prisoner In North Africa and sent to Italy. After the Armistice (they were already at Camp PG 112 in the north) they joined the partisans and then passed across the border into France:

    3320194 Pte. Norman Evans, 2 Cameron Highlanders, from Castleford
    3320102 Pte. Herbert Wood, 2 Cameron Highlanders, from Wath near Ripon

    I know this doesn't answer your questiion....

    Vitelliino
     
  9. dickyboy

    dickyboy Member

    Hi Vitelino
    Thanks for the advice about photocopying, I did cross my mind about doing that when I scanned the pages the other day, but as I got sidetracked. I will probably start that in the next week or so as the diary is quite delicsate and has some pages that have seperated.
    I have also started trying to lighten and enhance the image mentioned and I also have another with Edwin on and I think Archie (the facial features are similar to the enhanced photo...) so it looks like while the place of injury/death has been solved , I have opened up even more questions and searches.
    I am still toying with the blog idea though...a book would only have limited appeal and cost where as a blog could be undertaken for a limited amount and updated as I find more information.
    I'm very intrigued as to the enlistment of a group of Bradfordians into a Scottish regt where they potentially have no familial connections...

    Richard
     
  10. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Richard.

    It was very common for Scottish Regiments to recruit in England. The A&SH recruited a lot of soldiers from Tyneside and Northumberland.

    Scotland was not awash with manpower outside the urban areas.

    Regards

    Frank
     
    vitellino likes this.
  11. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Is anyone interested in reading the pages of the 6 Black Watch whilst at Cassino?

    I did a reasonable job of scanning the book a while back. It also has a Roll of Honour. No point it being on my laptop if its not going to be used. Will spend some time over the weekend has to see if it needs resizing. It should not need it.

    Bit tricky trying to read it on my phone.

    Regards,
    Stu.

    Edit: Need to check if I have the Regimental History of the Cameron Highlanders? I'm almost sure. If not, then someone on this board will have it. I don't think they did a battalion? Will check when i get home.

    Frank, have you any idea if 2 Cameron Highlanders did one?
     
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2021
  12. dickyboy

    dickyboy Member

    Hi Stu
    I think it goes without saying I would...
    Regards
    Richard
     
  13. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Stu.

    They did and it is very thorough.

    Regards

    Frank
     
  14. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Hi Richard.

    Here are the pages from the 6 Black Watch. The more I read of this book, the more I'm Impressed with it. I will probably put the War diary on my list. I was thinking about scanning the relevant Chapters from the 12 Infantry Brigade In Italy March-November 1944, the only problem is, there are around (65 pages)! It would mean me sending it into a shop for it to be done :unsure:. Nothing like having your own scanner of which I did have. A few files to follow & will probably do them all in two posts. May be three.

    May I suggest that you try and obtain the following book ( its rather good) & cheap.
    Ellis, John. CASSINO: THE HOLLOW VICTORY The Battle for Rome January-June 1944. At around 580 pages it is fabulous and has only taken me a while to read it twice. Possibly the most detailed book that has ever been written on the Italian Campaign. Its a crying shame that no one has done one on the Anzio Campaign to the detail that he has done. Click on the files if needed.

    Regards,
    Stu.
    CCF15022017.jpg

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    Notice the Poor Bloody Infantry.
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    Map No 8 & 9. 6th Bn Black Watch..jpg
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    Posted this twice. Dip stick. Its getting late.
    CCF15022017_0041 (2).jpg
    Not sure how to delete this page. Will try to edit it later. CCF15022017_0042 (3).jpg

    CCF15022017_0041 (3).jpg

    The page above should have been a few pages up.:oops:
    CCF15022017_0042.jpg

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    CCF15022017_0043 (3).jpg
    See Map 9. It's on the same page has Map 8.
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    CCF15022017_0045 (2).jpg

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    More to follow when I'm not half a sleep.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Nov 29, 2021
  15. dickyboy

    dickyboy Member

    Morning Stu
    Many thanks,I have just started to read it and was wondering if anything would spring out...lo and behold in Chapter7 Skipton and Harrogate ...both of which are mentioned by Edwin.
    I will work through this, Idoubt however I will tel my other half or it may put paid to a visit to teh BW museum next year !!
    Thanks again
    Richard
     
  16. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Richard,

    No problem. Will probably be the weekend before i get back to it.

    Regards
    Stu.
     
  17. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

  18. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Chris C and Uncle Target like this.
  19. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    I must admit to liking this book

    Hart, Peter. The 16th Durham Light Infantry in Italy, 1943–1945: Durham Light Infantry in World War Two (Voices from the Front) . Pen & Sword Books. Kindle Edition.

    Chapter Twelve Cesena to Cosina
    It gets down and personal with "Voices from the Front" individual stories from men who were there.
    Not to everyone's taste though.
    Pictures of the 16 DLI taking Cesena.
    At a budget price.
     
    Chris C and Ramiles like this.
  20. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    I just had a look at the photos. Great stuff! Will investigate the other bits later.
     

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