My Father joined the Gordon Highlanders territorial army in 1936. At outbreak of war he was transferred to London Scottish 56th division 168 brigade serving in North Africa and Italy I have been to Kew and read London Scottish war diaries trying to find out how he received a 'mention in dispatches' for galant and istinguished service It now appears the Gordon Highlanders have war diaries at Kew, all his army records state Gordon Highlanders on them, would I be more likely to find the information in them? Thanks for any help
Lemsford, If he served throughout 1942-45 with 1 London Scottish, then the Gordons' war diaries would be irrelevant in understanding the specific engagements in which your father would have been involved. You'll already know the London Scottish went from Iraq to Egypt in a non combatant role during April 1943 and then onto Sicily in July 1943 (as part of 50th Division), thence to southern Italy in Oct 1943 and onto Mt Camino, Garigliano river crossings, Anzio in the Nov 1943 to Mar 1944 period, and then back for the Gothic Line in Sept 1944 and up to the Senio riverbanks for the winter of 1944/45 and then took part in the final engagements in Northern Italy at the Argenta Gap in Apr 1945. Nasty stuff indeed The specific MiD citations are "usually" impossible to track down - you can probably find the date of the London Gazette entry which might give some clue on the timing of the award, which might give a clue on whether it was for specific actions or as a periodical mention, Or if you have his original MiD certificate, there'll be a date on that also. On his overall service record, I assume you already have his full details - did he actually join the Gordon Highlanders in 1936, rather than directly joining up in 1936 with the London Scottish, who then later became the TA adjunct of the Gordon Highlanders in 1937 when the London Regiment was disbanded. best
Hello Lemsford, Do you have any idea of a date, as I have a copy of the official history and it may well be mentioned in there, if I have something to go on. As bexley reightly states you may be up against it. Just as a research tip, the 1st London Scottish held their own war diary, rather than that information being in a Gordon Highlanders diary. Think of the Gordon Highlanders merely as a 'parent regiment'. Bexley, from reading the regimental history, a lot of long serving Gordon Highlanders were transfered to the LS so that the LS could maintain their identity as Scotsmen, so it is likely that this happened here. The LS were allowed permission in 1940 (IIRC) to set up a recruiting desk at the GH barracks, but this usually wasn't enough to satisfy demand for 3 battalions of men, hence receiving a glut of men from the Gordons (and Black Watch in many instances). :smile:
good day,and welcome to ww2.lemford,yesterday,02:50pm.re:your father mentioned in dispatches,if you go to google ask for London gazette. you could get the information you are looking for,all the best,bernard85
Richard - Thought you had made a typo there with the 50th Div but you are right as 1st LS served in168 Bde in 50th for Sicily - and when 50th went home the 1st LS were beamed over to 56th Div for Salerno - Sept '43 and on with a break in Egypt before taking the beating at Croce and Gemmano on the Gothic Line in the September '44 - how nasty it all was is a BIG understatement... Cheers
Tom, Thanks. I'm infamously sketchy on non Irish Brigade-y things, though I think that 168th Brigade missed Salerno - they rejoined 56th Div soon after. They were "resting" after their Fosso Bottacetto battering in July. Hope Lemsford comes back onto the thread... best
Richard. 168 Inf Bde did indeed miss Salerno. They suffered a lot of casualties in Sicily and their place in 168 Inf Bde had to be taken by 201 Gds Bde. They rejoined 56 BR Inf Div in time for the 17 Jan 44 assault on the Lower Garigliano. Regards Frank
Frank, Ta - as mentioned I'm not a complete expert on the London Scottish's movement, but didn't they get back to the 168th in time for the "second" attack on Camino in early Dec 1943? best
Thanks for the replies Recognition of gallant and distinguished service dated 19/7/45, I have the London Gazette entry Could not find anything in the London Scottish regimental diaries. Dad was a Colour Sargeant service No 2877976 Thanks for help Any more info gratefully received
Lemsford, Good stuff - the number is Gordon Highlanders, though it actually doesn't add too much to the existing knowledge. Your Dad's Gazette entry is on the same date as my Dad's (I see your Dad's C/Sgt CA King entry on the same summary page as my Dad's: CQMS E O'Sullivan). I think I found something somewhere which suggested my Dad's was for periodical deeds. Nov 1942 to May 1945 would certainly merit a comment somewhere along the line. The CQMSs (C/Sgts) were often the unsung heroes. If you haven't already got it. this is the way to apply for your Dad's service records from the MOD https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence/about/publication-scheme#how-to-apply-for-records-of-service-of-deceased-service-personnel best
