grandads picture

Discussion in 'Durham Light Infantry' started by vespa100, Jul 10, 2011.

  1. vespa100

    vespa100 Member

    I do think my grandad was in the 6th battalion and also at Anzio in some way as you say, he is still going strong with a good memory. It is sad that we have only just started to talk about his Army life and he will 89 next month.
     
  2. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

    I do think my grandad was in the 6th battalion and also at Anzio in some way as you say, he is still going strong with a good memory. It is sad that we have only just started to talk about his Army life and he will 89 next month.


    Vespa,
    It may help to know when 1st DLI took its mauling on the island of Kos and were reforming at Geneifa and went looking for new recruits almost 1000 men of the DLI were traced extra regimentally employed in the Middle East alone.

    Best Wishes

    Jim
     
  3. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    I do think my grandad was in the 6th battalion and also at Anzio in some way as you say, he is still going strong with a good memory. It is sad that we have only just started to talk about his Army life and he will 89 next month.

    Vespa,
    It may help to know when 1st DLI took its mauling on the island of Kos and were reforming at Geneifa and went looking for new recruits almost 1000 men of the DLI were traced extra regimentally employed in the Middle East alone.

    Best Wishes

    Jim

    Vespa,

    It's a mystery, as his connection with Southwold; as the 6th Battalion were 'supposed' to be at Lowestoft. It all makes the journey of discovery i.e. finding out about his war, even more fascinating. :)

    His service records may well assist; some have little detail, some have lots of detail and hopefully his will fall into the latter category. I recommend that you apply for them.

    But, probably the best source of information will be your granddad's recollections...

    I'll keep a look out for you posting further; I'm hooked!!!

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  4. vespa100

    vespa100 Member

    Right I seem to be getting somewhere with my grandad today,( I had to take him out for Sunday dinner) He first signed up in Rodney Street Liverpool with the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire regiment, then he was sent to Southwold camp for training. Once this training was finished he was moved to Durham light infantry 6th battalion. He remembers going to Gaza for training for the landing at Sicily, where there was mutiny in 6th battalion about going to Sicily. He seems to think it was becuase Monte Cassino had not been taken yet I don't know the time line between these two advents. He said he moved to B company for the landing at Sicily. When they landed on Sicilys beach the're was white tape on the floor for them to follow. I will find out more about his Army life.
     
  5. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

    Right I seem to be getting somewhere with my grandad today,( I had to take him out for Sunday dinner) He first signed up in Rodney Street Liverpool with the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire regiment, then he was sent to Southwold camp for training. Once this training was finished he was moved to Durham light infantry 6th battalion. He remembers going to Gaza for training for the landing at Sicily, where there was mutiny in 6th battalion about going to Sicily. He seems to think it was becuase Monte Cassino had not been taken yet I don't know the time line between these two advents. He said he moved to B company for the landing at Sicily. When they landed on Sicilys beach the're was white tape on the floor for them to follow. I will find out more about his Army life.

    Hi Vespa,

    There was a mutiny but not only concerning 6th DLI it was known as the Salerno Mutiny and occured on September 16, 1943 after the Sicily landings.To try and simplify a complex subject,wounded men mainly 50th and 51st Division recovering at 155 Reinforcement and Transit Camp were led to believe that they were to rejoin their units instead they found themselves at Salerno as reinforcements for 46th Division Fifth Army units (including 16 DLI).Theses men felt betrayed and deceived and refused to join their new units.From the 1500 or so gathered 1000 were fresh troops and after initially refusing to join fresh units gradually marched off to join these units leaving around 500 still refusing.Another officer promised them that they would rejoin their units once the situation at Salerno had become clearer,some agreed to join other units with this promise/guarantee.Some 200 did not and many were charged with Mutiny The death sentence was passed on three Sgts later commuted to 12 years many of these `mutineers` found themselves `volunteered` for the most hazardous missions many were killed others deserted when it became apparent that they were an embarassement the Army would rather not have.The vast majority of these men seem to have been 50th Div men and DLI in particular.Saul David, (2005). Mutiny at Salerno: An Injustice Exposed. London: Conway Maritime Press tells the full story this is like I mentioned my simplified(and clumsy) version of events.

    Perhaps this was the mutiny your Grandfather spoke of? It would certainly explain his prescence in Italy at this time.Take him out for supper!


    Best Wishes

    Jim
     
  6. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    I`ve just came across this old thread was `Vespas` Grandfathers unit ever verified ? Disappointed to find it (thread) ended so inconclusively :(


    Kyle
     

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