My grandfather served in the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in WW2.

The facts I know from a postcard are:

Stanley Morton
4687457 - L/C Morton - 1/ KOYLI - 8th army
WO-C.O.Y.M.T.SEC.C.M.F

Could anyone help me understand what this means?

I'm also trying to find out where he would have served throught the war from him joining in 1939 to getting home in 1945.

My grandma died of illness in April 1944 and he couldn't get home - I'd love to know where he would have been serving at the time.

First his Army Number is in the Block alocated to the KOYLI, so you know he stayed with that Regiment.
1 KOYLI was in 15 Brigade, 5th Division.
I have their Div History. I'll look up exact detals if you like.
click>> 5th Division
Have a look here first though as it'd be easier for me.
click>> 1st Bn, The King Own Yorkshire Light Infantry: Deployments

They weren't involved in the battle for France in 1940 as they were sent to Norway instead with the rest of 15 Brigade. Then after that to India, Iraq, Persia, then into action on Sciliy, Italy, later to Anzio then back to the Middle east for a rest. Before going to Germany for the last from April to May '45.

To answer you queries on what the letters mean.

L/C Lance Corporal, the lowest NCO rank.
MT Sec would be Motor Transport Section, ie Battalion transport.
CMF = Central Mediterranean Force, see here.
click>> Allied Armies in Italy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

EDIT--- It won't be WO Coy, it should read HQ Coy, Headquarters Company.

Let me know some specfic dates and I'll tell you where he was .
April 44 would be Anzio.

__________________

Thankyou very much...The information and your effort is greatly appreciated.

I've attached the postcard for you to see - it doesn't have date on it other than knowing its Christmas time. I was wondering where he could have sent it from. The palm tree drawing intrigues me!

My mum is the 'baby angela' mentioned in the card. She was born in Nov '38, so the christmas referred could be 1939 or 1940 - I guess she was always his baby so it could have been any year!

Grandad Morton love letter2.jpg

Hello, this postcard has to be for Christmas 1943.
That would be the only Christmas 5th Div was with 8th Army.
They were on the Adriatic side of Italy near the Moro river.
15th Brigade spent two weeks of Decemeber (from the 19th)in the front line (roundabout the Orsogna area) .
1 KOYLI were on the left of 15th Bde's area. Supply was difficult and Christmas dinner was cold bully, biscuits and tea.

__________________

Some amazing detail there Wessex! Good posts!

__________________
"Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!" - Homer Simpson

(banner by Otto)
www.basher82.nl