Grandad - Walter COX, 46th Recce

Here is a picture of my Nan and Grandad this was taken towards the end of 1941 i Believe at the funeral of my great grandmother who was killed in the blitz, I am trying to find out where my Grandad served during the war i know from other photos he was at Taranto in Feb 44 and greece in 45. maybe someone can confirm from his uniform patch that he was part of the 46th Recce

 

That is certainly the 46 Infantry Division badge and 46 Recce were one of their divisional troops. If you want to follow his service you should apply for his records. Remember that soldiers were often transferred between units during the war.

Not sure they were in Taranto in February, think they moved there in March 44 see
46 Recce War Diary Transcription

Might be better to start a separate post as your interest is a different soldier, put name and service number (if you have it) as title

 

Created a new thread for you.
Cap badge is the 'christmas tree' of the Recce Regt & Oak tree badge of 46th Div as Tony says.

 

Here are some pictures of my Grandad Walter Cox ,that i have got these are dated with the location, the first is, Taranto Italy 7 March 1944, the second is Corinth Greece 26 feb 1945 so you were correct Tony I had the dates the wrong way

 

Nice to see that your grandmother is wearing a Recce Regt broach.

F

 

If you were not aware, each Division had its own integral formation reconnaissance unit. They were the eyes and ears of the Division as it advanced and were pushed out ahead of the Division to establish and maintain contact with the enemy. They were mostly equipped with armoured cars.

Regards

Frank

 

I will be applying for his service records, but while i am waiting i'm doing some research, i also have this picture which is early i think when my grandad signed up i don't what year but would think about 1939, i can't find any info on the cap badge, he lived in Hackney London at the time, so not sure what regiment he would have been assigned to just wondering whether it could have been the TA, he used to talk about Dunkirk , although i was young at the time i remember him telling me things about it for school work, maybe you guys might know what the uniform is.

 

Cap badge & collar dogs show that he is in 10th London Regiment (Hackney Rifles)

The 10th London Regiment (Hackney Rifles) – Gilt Cap Badge – Steady The Buffs Militaria

Background info.
10th (County of London) Battalion (Hackney), London Regiment - Wikipedia

 

SNAP!


Possible Hackney Rifles?
london regiment hackney rifles - Search Images

 

On the 18th Oct 1942 states 6473444 tpr. Cox fractured ankle, but struggling to find the military record with that number

 

Ritchie,

What states the above post? I checked that number and it comes back as issued to the Royal Fusiliers. From: CMP Army Number Search

 

More general advice.

It always help to add your subject's full name and Service Number (if known). Plus his DoB and DoD . A pre-war address can sometimes help identify the subject from genealogy sites for example. Their parents details and any marriage – as some certificates show the subject’s service number. A marriage cert. can be ordered online from https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/

His name and / or number have not appeared here before.

We always recommend applying for the subject's full service record. Yes, it may take a year to arrive - either from the MoD or National Archives (TNA). It is not available online and is the definitive record. There is nothing you can do about the wait.

If you search online with his unit(s) if known or later, so for example: "XXth Anti-Tank Regiment" site:ww2talk.com that may identify threads mentioning them, at a glance without adding much. If you drop the 'th' more may be found.

Searching the National Archives for the subject or unit(s) can identify those who were awarded honours / medals and the existence of War Diaries – which rarely mention individuals soldiers. They do give context and details of activity.

Some research tips next via PM and good luck.

 

Think it would help the originator if you could show what links this to the subject, Walter Cox, and the source, in order that they can investigate further.

 

Some of the London Regiment battalions were affliated to the Royal Fusiliers.
It may have something to do with that if it is the same man.

 

Sorry David, it states in the 46th recce war diaries provided by Tony, which is a fascinating read. It's the only reference with the name Cox, a small coincidence maybe

So I'm the son of singingkeene and Walter Cox would be my great granddad. I'm unsure of the service number so will need to wait for the service records.

We're sure he served in the 46th recce, and reading the diaries have a good idea of what he did between 1942-1945. The aim now is to find the link between the later years and the early 10th battalion hackney rifles, I'm guessing the records will tell us more.

Been great fun searching and thanks for all the help so far

 

There is no reason that a man with a Royal Fusilier enlistment number should not have served with a Reconnaissance Regiment. My father enlisted with the Royal Fusiliers (6468560) and posted to 15th Pioneer Bn, this was later converted to 167th Inf Bde which was one of the original units of 56 Recce with whom he served throughout.

If you look at the first page of 46 Recce diaries you will see that they were created from 137/138/139 Bdes and also the 23rd Royal Fusiliers.

So your assumption that 6473444 is your man could be correct, however it is not an uncommon name!

 

The Royal Fusiliers sponsored the London Regiment in that the Fusiliers provided the Regular Army instructors to train the London Regiment reservists.

This was the same across the Army. The Middlesex Regiment provided Regular Army instructors for the Kensington Regiment. The Gordon Highlanders did the same for the London Scottish.

Regards

Frank