Royal Berkshire & Black Cat

my grandfather served from June 1940-1946 (approximate)
Raymond Kenneth Bennett 1920/April/03

His epulette shows R.Berk and has a black cat. I did hear from him some time back him mention a kernel BAIRD and being attached to him. He was part of the 10th battalion if I remember correct.

-Is there a way to request his service records or find out where he would have travelled?

Any info on his unit would be welcomed.

Thanks,
Mark
mark_sproule@hotmail.com

His regimental #5344844

 

Definitely a Royal Berkshire Army Number as you know...

10th Royal Berkshire Regiment's time with 168 Brigade in 56th (London) Division from August 1942 to March 1944 is well documented - Iraq, Egypt, Sicily and mainland Italy. The 10th Bn left the division after Anzio with its men redistributed amongst other units. I know that some joined the 1st Bn London Irish Rifles.

I attach a photo taken last year of Marco (sicily43 from this site) placing a poppy cross at the Royal Berkshire Regiment Memorial on the side of ss 114 near Fosso Bottaceto, north of the Simeto river and to the south of Catania airport, near the area of the 56th Division's abortive assaults on 17th/18th July 1943,

best wishes

 

Just from a quick bit of googling, I think the officer would have been Colonel Ian Robertson Baird.

 

a link to a picture of Lt-Col Baird: Photographic Print - The Collection - The Wardrobe housing The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum

 

Lt Col Baird was quite a character and had numerous awards for gallantry. Sadly, he died in 1947.

During the battle for Monte Damiano in Jan 44, he stood in full view of the enemy directing his Companies.

Regards

Frank

 

Mark.

I am a battlefield guide and am taking a group to the Garigliano and Anzio on 7-10 Jun 18 to look at these two battles. 10 Berkshires were involved in both and we will look in detail at some of their actions. We will look at their crossing of the Garigliano and their battle to secure the awesome Monte Damiano. Then we will head north to Anzio, as they did, and see how they got on in the gruesome beachhead.

How your grandfather survived the whole of the war as an Infantryman is impressive.

If you are interested, do get in touch.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

Frank

 

Here's are two of Lt-Col Baird's citations - for DSO

 

Incredible find. What a guy by the sounds of it. Thank you for putting these up.

Regards,
Mark

 

Thanks everyone, you all have helped a lot. I am continuing my research, who knows what I'll find out every little piece of info helps as you know. I'll keep you posted on what I find.

Thanks,
Mark

 

Mark.

You should join me for the 7-10 Jun 18 trip. That will certainly help with your research.

Regards

Frank

 

Hi,

do you have any records on Sgt. James Edward Lawton Who died at Anzio on the 07/03/1944?
He served in the Berkshires at this time and was supposedly killed trying to save his fellow men.

 

Ok thankyou,

do you know if anywhere I can find some more about his career and how he died?

 

Apply for his service records from the MOD

Requests for personal data and service records: a detailed guide