Help with Service Records. David Goldie - Scots Guards, L Detachment SAS, Special Raiding Squadron.

Bit of a mystery this one. The 2 SG war diary does not mention any action that day and for 4 Jan mentions a ground strafe attack but without casualties. As it is one of the rare diaries that mentions OR casualties by name, I am now wondering if he was on detached service with another unit that day. There was relatively little shooting going on in the forward area that day I think but will have a dig.

All the best

Andreas

 

Thank you Andreas, I have the wounded list for that day (kindly provided by someone on Facebook) so it is confirmed, strange indeed...

 

Still the possibility he wasn't with the battalion that day I guess, and was caught in a rear area or while performing some other duty.

All the best

Andreas

 

All these mysteries to solve. I became obsessed with researching my family tree for years, I think my grandfather's war record may be the next obsession...

 

Incidently, this was the wounded list. It may be of use to others.

 

As your grandfather was with 1 SAS and SRS I am assuming (and stand to be corrected) that he was involved with the Battle for Termoli in October 1943, your album includes some photos. Lt Col Kendal Chavasse, commanding officer of my father's regiment, 56 Recce, was placed in command of the special force that included a troop of the SRS.

If correct you may be interested in the following report from 56 Recce diaries.


Should you wish to plot the various map references that are quoted this can be done from the following website:
The "Coordinates Translator"

Use the 'Italian Southern Italy' grid and prefix the numbers with rh. For example the first mentioned (830753) is here:
Google Maps

Another account here:
COX, Jack, An account of ops at Termoli | ͏.

 

Thanks. I note three SG wounded reported that day, but none of the names is in the war diary for that or one of the following days as WIA. They could be late reports from the fight at Agedabia on 26 December (unlikely I think) or I continue to suspect they were not with the battalion.

All the best

Andreas

 

Hi Nicola,

You may find details of the men shown as wounded on the same day as your gf in the SG service records on FMP. I’d say Gdsn Young ought to have a full record on FMP as he is a 1936 enlistment.

Steve

 

Oh my goodness, thank you all for all of this. Tony 56, I can see I will be spending my day feeding the coordinates into that website, what a great resource. That account by Jack Cox is very detailed and utterly shocking, I am in awe at their sheer bravery. Thank you for all of the information. I just realised that it was my Papas birthday on the 4th of October during the battle at Termoli.

Andreas, I wonder what they were up to?

Steve, that is a great bit of information that I can follow up on.

Thank you, everyone!

 

Hello,
Thanks for sharing the information about your grandfather - fascinating reading, Davey was our neighbour from Brooms Road and as an ex-railwayman spent many a happy hour in the Railway Club usually in the company of my late dad Frank, remember Davey in his blazer with the SAS badge, l still have a German 1000 mark banknote that he gave me when l was an army daft youngster - he had signed his name and regiment on it.

Best Wishes

Chris Brown

 

His Attestation into Scots Guards 1938. mentions transfer to A.A.Corps, 1.4.1944.

 

Hi,

Nicola hasn’t signed in to the forum for 2 months so I will send her a message to alert her to your post.

Steve

 

Thanks for posting.

I don’t remember any 1938 enlistment register entries on FMP when SG documents were first put on the site in 2019 - service records ended in 1936 - so it looks like there has been a further update of material.

Steve

 

Oh thank you for that Chris, I never knew he did that and I am so glad you have found memories of him! I still remember him to this day getting spruced up to go to The Railway Club with his blazer and SAS badge on. He never spoke of his time in the army but the badge on the blazer told me everything I needed to know.

 

Hi,

In regard to RHU 33 in 1945 this diary may help:
33 Unit | The National Archives WO 171/8207 33 Unit (1945 Jan.- Nov.).

Also: My reply to another thread may be of some help to you:
32 RHU Normandy 1944 | WW2Talk

 

Thank you RRE, that is very useful and I will try and access that War Diary, much appreciated.

 

This may be useful too. I wish I'd read before my visit to The National Archives.

Miscellaneous units | WW2Talk (Reinforcements)

 

They were part of Brigadier Mariott's BenCol (22 Guards Brigade and attachements) and pursuing the Axis forces. ON 5/6 Jan the Axis forces withdrew from Agedabia into the Marada-Mersa el Brega position further west. They heavily mined the area, leading to losses amongst both Guards battalions.

BenCol – Original Objective

BenCol: Advance on Benghazi I – Planning

All the best

Andreas