Hi all, Im trying to research my Grandfather in laws role during WW2. All i know (from an old war journal) was that he was in the above Royal Artillery Regiment and that he served in North Africa, Italy and ended up in Austria at the end of the war.His name was Fred Stanley Keeble from Ilford, Essex (London) and in 1943 he was a BQMS in that Battery. Any help or old pics from this lot would be great. Thanks in advance Regards James
Hadnt thought of that one. Wouldnt their war diary be there ? He attained the rank of Brigade Quarter Master Sargeant by 1943. Would there be any records ? Is this the highest NCO rank that he could have reached ? Regards James
They have all the WDs there indeed, so maybe he is mentioned in them, will be a WO 171-? number About his rank will be diffcult to say, depended on a lot of factors.
Mr Grinch - 70th Field Regt RA were attached to the 46th Division of the 1st Army in North Africa - were floating reserve for the Sicilian campaign - Landed at Salerno Italy with the British Xth Corps of 5th US army -September '43 - fought at the Garigliano crossing - had a spell at Anzio - went off to Egypt for a rest and refit - came back in time for the Gothic Line Battles in september '44 - were severely mauled at Croce/ Gemmano - finshed the war near Venice - then occupied SE Austria near Graz. BQMS - usually referred to Battery QMS which is 2 steps below a Brigade QMS although he did well - probably finished up a millionaire ! Cheers
Thanks Tom, Did they ever go to Greece ? I read somewhere that they went help out with the civil unrest. Is this correct ? Regards James
Mr Grinch - don't think the 46th ever went to Greece - that was the 4th Div and the 4th Indian div - and they were still forming in the UK at the time of the Greece/Crete debacle in '41...... Probably that tale stems from the time they were on rest after Anzio in Egypt when the Greek bde decided to have a "civil disturbance" in Cairo and was put down by British forces...then along came the 78th Div also on rest who had their own "civil disturbance" and both they and the Greek bde were sent back to Italy on the basis that if they wanted to fight - Italy was the place to do it - the 46th's time was up and so they were also sent back to Italy ! Or they may have sent a detail down next door to Trieste where Tito and his mob were trying to take over - Ron Goldstein's 4th Hussars were detached from 6th Armoured also to take care of Tito - one look at the 4th Hussars and Tito slunk back to Yugoslavia - can't blame him - they scared me ! Cheers
Ok, thanks Tom, i heard they went over to Greece in late 44 but returned in time for the final push in Italy in April 45. See the bit here about Greece/Italy: X Corps (United Kingdom - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) Regards James
Mr Crinch - they may very well have done for a few weeks a there was a lot of coming and going with Fm Alanbrooke tearing his hair out at the number of units being employed there - it's possible they went over during the winter of 44'45 as we were just standing on the Senio at that time - their War diary will sort that out . Cheers
46 Div did go to Greece but piecmeal. From 46 Div history page 107 January 1945. The remainder of the Division was kicking it's heels in Taranto. 138 Bde ran courses for 70 and 71 Field Regts in the simple arts of the infantryman. 172 Field Regt gets a mention at Korinthia but can't see any mention of 70 Fd Regt.
Owen - that should be Carinthia in Austria of course......not too suprised that the Artillery were being instructed in the gentle art of that of an Infantryman - but in Taranto - made then handy for Greece I guess Most Infantry divisions disappeared for rest after their labours in the line when the winter set in and we and the Canadian divisions stood on the banks of the Senio as Infantry for the period Jan - March before getting ready for the Spring push. I was still happily esconced in a warm hospital bed at Catania and so missed all the fun but apparently it was mighty boring.....
that should be Carinthia in Austria of course...... No Tom, deffo Greece as the next line says " In Corinth itself minor clashes occured , and some disbanded ELAS troops were caught trying to smuggle arms to Athens." Korinthia is a province in the southern Peloponnese. Korinthia - Peloponnese - Greece - Travel guide to Korinthia - Korinthia map
70th Fd Regt CO was Lt-Col H.G. Pepper DSO TD. Basic outline of their travels. Click here>> RA 1939-45 70 Fld Rgt
Been Googling. Few references to 277 Battery, Tunisia >> The 70th Field Regiment at Sedjenane This one not really relevent as refers to earlier in the war. >> Untitled Document
Owen - Sorry about that - don't know a thing about Greece - and many other things - thought you were referring to when the 46th finshed up - '45 - plus in Carinthia - Austria.
Reprint of Div History from here. The Story of 46 Division 1939-1945 - British Army WW2 Books - World War Two Books – Military History Books online - Ceredigion - Wales UK I got an original.
Owen - well lucky old you - no wonder you tend to correct my fading memory with actual facts - you cheat a lot ! I've never heard of this bookseller but I can see that I shall be opening the old Moth's home to invest in one or two - thank you Cheers
Sorry to divert temporarily off Grinch's 277 Battery query, but unlike some bookshops you shouldn't have any trouble if you deal with World War Two books Tom, he's been a solid and reliable seller in my experience... and quite a stock-list.
