Hi there Thought I would ask the experts as they will know what they are doing, my Father (who died when i was young) transfered from the 8th Battalion Devonshires to the Seaforth Highlanders, according to the copy of his army records he went to the 1st Battalion, but he was taken prisioner of war in early 1944 (march) in Italy and I cannot find any trace of the 1st Battalion serving in Italy only the 2nd and 5th Battalions. would anyone know the wearabouts of the 1st at this time many thanks
Howdy, Welcome, I'm sure that some very knowledgable folks will be along shortly and steer you in the right direction. But I thought you might get a kick out of my story. My father inlaw who lived with us in the final years of his life joined up with the Canadian Scottish in 39. He was sent overseas but his first wife died and he was returned back to B.C. After his leave he was sent to Gordon Head to instruct but he wanted to get back overseas so he transferred to the Seaforths and was sent to Italy. Yep you guessed it he was captured there and spent the rest of the war as a POW. Small worls, eh. KTK
1st Seaforth served in India Burma, 2nd fought in Sicily and returned to UK November 1943 for Normndy as did 5th Seaforth. Only 6th Seaforth fought in Italy.
Brill. Thanks a lot you've nailed it, as he was taken prisioner around march 1944 it must be the 6th seaforths. thanks again
Ok Looks like British your talking about. You also have Italy 43. Infantrymen of The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada searching German prisoners near the Moro River, Italy, 8 December 1943.
1st Seaforth arrived in Kohima, Assam in March 1942, joining 1st (Indian) Infantry Brigade of 23rd (Indian) Div. operating in the Kohima/Imphal areas. In early 1944 was withdrawn from the Chindwin and ordered to concentrate at Kunthaung. In early April at short notice they moved to the hills west of Imphal to outflank the japanese who were advancing along the Ukrhull road. 1st Seaforth attacked and captured the villages of Kasom and Lammu. 1st Seaforth continued fighting in the jungle until late 1944 when after 2.5 years of active operations the battalion was withdrawn to India to train for the re-conquest of Malaya.
Sorry to be a pain, but I'm back again. I just found out the 2nd battalion Seaforth Highlanders WERE at anzio up till 30th of march 1944 and were then relieved by 6th battalion seaforth highlanders from the 30th March. my Father was reported missing on the 11th of March 1944.but no idea where in Italy. then he was reported in june as a prisoner of war at stalag 7a moosberg. could anyone confirm the battalions movements in march please (thanks for a help so far)
sorry my mistake getting old and read it wrong, would you know when the 6th seaforths arrived in italy by any chance. thanks for all your help
6th Seaforth crossed the straits of Messina and landed in Italy September 3rd 1943. 17 Brigade including 6th Seaforth were the assault Brigade. In November 1943 they moved to the Adriatic front near Ortona. 2nd January 44, returned to the west of Italy to take part in the operations to cross the Garigliano River. After the Anzio landings in February they went as reinforcements for the Bridgehead.
Hi R.F - Seaforth have featured a bit in my research about my Great Uncle who was in 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment which were fighting for control of Macchiagodena on 30th October 1943. "...Before daybreak on the 30th...a company of the Seaforth Highlanders then advanced and secured Pt. 1385 without opposition..." - I believe that Pt. 1385 is the mountain peak where the village Pesco della Messa is located. That's all I've got I'm afraid, but I hope that it's of some interest Jules.
