Hello all, Can anyone help me with this? I am looking into an individual who served with the 1/4 Essex Regiment and whose service record states that, after disembarking in Egypt, then 'embarked unknown destination' on 07/11/41, 'disembarked port 1363' the next day. He embarked at 'port 1363' on 13/03/42 disembarking at 'Haifa en route to Egypt' the next day. Can anyone tell me where 'port 1363' is? Cheers for any help, Skip
Hi Skip, I'm in no way an expert with service records, however I have an extract from a source that may help shed some light on your question whilst someone with the correct knowledge comes to the rescue. This regards the 1/4th Essex ... the 1/4th Essex concentrating at Sidi Haneish, where it remained until the 1st November. The Battalion then left Sidi Haneish under the impression it was on its way to Haifa. ... At Alexandria, on the 2nd of November en route for Haifa, the Battalion advance party and that of the 4/7 Rajputs together with parties from 7/66th Battery 4th Field Regiment were embarked in the destroyer Hasty, which almost immediately sailed at 30 knots for Cyprus. This change of destination was not known till after sailing. The main party moved by train to Haifa, and from there was transferred by flights of destroyers to Cyprus. Disembarkation was at Famagusta (Cyprus). I'm not sure if that helps provide any clues at all, although the date is about 5 days earlier than what you mentioned. I don't know much about deciphering service records, I'm just as much puzzled with Port 1363! Regards, Nipper
This one is really puzzling me and I'd really appreciate some help - attached is an excerpt from the service record of a member of 1/4th Essex Regt. Can anyone unravel what this man would have been up to during this period and where 'Port 1363' and 'Unknown Destination' might be? Cheers Skip
Sorry - image now attached … this is what happens when you start researching at ungodly hours! Hope that someone can help ...
Skip. I would suggest that you get a copy of the Essex Regt History and see where 1/4 Essex were on the dates shown in the Service Record. Did this chap ever reach Monte Cassino with his Battalion in Feb-Mar 44? Regards FdeP
Skip Looks like they were coming out of Greece/Crete back to Egypt with a stopover at Halfia in Israel - probably joined with 4th Indian as they came back from Abassynia good idea to get their History though probably did serve at Cassino with 4th Indian… Cheers
Hello FdeP and Tom - thanks very much. Will try and get hold of the 1/4th War Diary. I thought that Greece and Crete would have been earlier than November 1941 although Abyssinia might fit and I appreciate your thoughts. Unfortunately this chap was killed late in 1942 so didn't make it to Italy.
merged thread with your one from 2012. Dryan67 posted some info on 1/4th Essex movements here. http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/33048-14th-bn-essex-regiment/ post #8.
Owen - I was just writing a big 'thank you' to whoever merged the two threads - honestly I have not been drinking so can't imagine how I did not remember my previous post! A bit worrying. However I'm extremely grateful for posting the War Diary quotes which unravel what my man was doing during this period - very much appreciated. FdeP and Tom - very sorry for the wild goose chase!
Dryan67 has posted lots of excellent info on the forum, it's just a job of getting used to the 'advanced search' on the forum. Do we agree that Port 1363 has to be code for Famagusta ?
Yes, I do at least. Something that might be useful in other cases. Guilty of not making the most of the advanced search so cheers for the gentle nudge Owen - feel free to strip me of some reputation points! Very much appreciate your help.
