Home Page:

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Thrown-Bomb.gif

A Roll of Honour to past and fallen Grenadiers

The information contained on this website is based upon my father’s efforts in the late 1980’s, during which he set about creating a list of fallen Grenadiers in the 2nd world war. With the absence of today’s technology it was done by collating information from books, documents and letters which were entered long hand into a ledger. My father was fortunate to remain in contact with many of his ex-service pals through the Grenadiers Guards club in Windsor, and others around the country. The ledger he created was loaned to the club and viewed by members and visitors alike, it became a source of much reflection and conversation of those war days.

In my father’s declining years I suggested his efforts be converted to digital format, and made visible to all through a website. We were very fortunate to live not far from The Commonwealth War Graves Commision who appreciated his past efforts, understood our intentions and kindly assisted us in the task.

We also undertook to include Grenadier Guard losses from the 1st World War and some of the losses from troubles and conflicts since those World War days, the result of which is what you see today. The site has recently gone through some technology changes, and has recently been offline. We are now in the process of rebuilding it, should you have any comments and/or information you may wish included please contact us.

Overview of my father’s service:

He volunteered for military service on the 4th November 1942 at Lady Lane recruiting centre, Templar House, Leeds at the age of 18.

He asked to join the Grenadier Guards and his attestation was forwarded to the Commanding officer, Grenadier Guards, Birdcage Walk, London SW1 on the 5th November 1942 and read’s: ‘A smart man, wishing to serve on a normal engagement (7 & 5), will you accept’.

The commanding officer at Birdcage Walk responded on the 6th November 1942 saying ‘I will accept’.

He was posted to the Guards Depot Caterham, Surrey on the 11th November 1942, and joined Corporal S. Lawrence squad for basic training.

Following basic training my father joined the 6th Armoured brigade, which I believe was on ‘Matilda’ tanks. He then trained to form part of what was to be the North African campaign.

Whilst in training he suffered an injury, losing the end of his left index finger. The injury occured when the tank hatch was accidentally kicked shut on his outstretched hand, by the crew member exiting in before him.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 2623630-621x1024.jpg

During his rehabilitation which he always said ‘was not very long‘ he trained as a classified Signaller. He was then posted forward to join the battle for Rome and saw conflict in the Garigliano valley, and then fierce fighting during the battle for Monte Cassino.

At some point during this period he became attached to a group of Polish soldiers, or they to his group. This was something of a dark period as he would never speak of it, other than to remark ‘The Polish were fighting a different kind of war’ as they had seen first hand the brutality of the German invasion and occupation of their country. He was later awarded the ‘Polish Cross of Freedom & Independence, with Swords’

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Polish-Cross-of-Independance-with-Swords1939-1945-2-480x1024.jpg

My father returned from Italy on the 2nd January 1946 and was posted to Victoria barracks in Windsor, Berkshire.

Whilst in Windsor he regularly carried out guard and ceremonial duties at Windsor castle, and Buckingham Palace. He and his platoon were often required to march the 26 miles between Victoria barracks and Birdcage Walk, and he later became actively involved in recruitment drives.

I believe he found his time at Windsor barracks less than fully engaging, following his active service in Italy. However, he did meet and marry my mother whilst in Windsor, he also managed to get demoted back to Guardsman by the time he was demobbed on the 16th November 1949.