46th Division Recce

Hi
I'm new to this site having an on and off interest in my late fathers involvement in WW2. Most of the following information was obtained from my father before his death in 1999.

My father, Alexander Thompson (TPR 6473562) , was called up into the army on the 1st July 1940 joining the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers at Bushey training camp. On the 20th July 1940 at 1pm he was given 36 hours leave to marry his fiancée, Elsie at St Lawrence’s Church, Brentford. He returned to barracks the following night.

He did 2 years training, mainly in Norfolk where he manned coastal defences and learnt to drive tanks and armoured vehicles. He was recruited into the 46th Reconnaissance Corp on the 11th July 1941.

Alexander left to fight in North Africa just 2 months after the birth of his son. The ship he was leaving Liverpool on had an altercation with the Mersey ferry and so had to return to port to be checked out. Once passed inspection the ship set off again and caught up the rest of the convoy.

The force landed in North Africa on the 8th November 1942. I have little knowledge of the actual battles he was involved in. I know that after victory in North Africa, his corp set sail for Italy and landed at Salerno. I know he fought his way up through Italy but there was also mention of Greece. I also have a Certificate of Pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem dated May 1944.

I think he finished the was in Austria. From 1st November 1944 to 12 June 1946 he was in the RAC.

 

That all makes sense - other than joining REME in 1940 - they were not formed until a year later. He would have landed at Salerno on 9 Sep 43, crossed the River Volturno north of Naples in mid-Oct 43, fought passed Monte Camino and the entrance to the Liri Valley in front of Cassino on Dec 43 and then spent two horrible months in the Monte Maio massif in Feb/Mar 44 before being withdrawn to North Africa for rest.

46 Recce Regt returned in time for the attack on the Gothic Line at Rimini in Sep 44.

Regards

Frank

 

Welcome to the forum.
His number 6473562 shows he enlisted into The Royal Fusiliers.
As shown in the 19th July 1940 photo above.

Royal Fusiliers 6446001 - 6515000
Army Number Block Allocations | WW2Talk

 

Thanks Frank. That's very informative. Royal Fusiliers not REME. Getting mixed up as I went to the REME Museum last week!

Steve

 

Thanks Owen. My mistake has been spotted and noted.
Steve

 

Couple of pages of The Oak from Xmas 1944

 

If you google 46 Recce you come up with this:

46th Recce

 

Thanks for the link.
Steve

 

Welcome to the forum. Great to have another Recce on board.

Cheers
Paul

 

WD Transcription no appendices done

46 Recce War Diary Transcription | WW2Talk

Cheers
Paul