205182 L/Bdr. Robert Shadforth British Army 106th Light Ack AckCompany Royal Artillery from:Bathgate My grandfather, Robert Shadforth passed in 1995. He wouldnt really talk of his time during the conflict, even when I joined the Signals in 1986. I have been doing research about his time and have been speaking with the ICRC who kindly helped me find the basic details of his time served.
He was captured in Crete on the 1st of June 1941, which looks to be at the time of the retreat from Suda bay central sector. At the time he was with the 106th LAA which was supporting 2/3rd RAA (Australian). At this point it looks like the 106th consisted of 4 batteries each with 2 troops that where (LAA)light anti aircraft Lanc Hussars.
OPERATION MERCURY (german)
When the retreat was ordered many were left to fight on with the german 2nd army, 15 divisions, Fallschirmjaeger-Regiment (1st Parachute-hunter Regiment) This seems a bit vague, looks like a communication breakdown.
My grandfather spent 4 months on Crete POW awaiting transfer to Stalag III/D which happened on the 10th of October 1941, then Stalag IV/B 24/7/1942, then Stalag IV/D 27/7/1944. The only information I have was that he was a watchmaker and made compasses for the escape commitee, where I dont know. Anyone with any information of 106th RHA in Crete - please help me out, I dont want to give this up now!
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