206011 Gunner Albert Briggs British Army X (1v) List 1C.R.U. Royal Artillery Searchlight ( S/L 263 ) from:Manchester My dear father Albert Briggs was called up on 12 December 1940 just a few months after the death of his mother. I was just 3yrs. old, my sister Amelia was 6yrs of age.
We were living in a small terraced house in Withington which my father was decorating so as to leave it "nice" for his family.
That evening a bomb was dropped om the shelter which stood in the middle of the street and as a result our house caught some of the impact.
We usually went into that shelter but that particular evening my mum and dad decided not to for some reason.
As a consequence our home was not fit to live in so there we were homeless and dad just about to go off to war. My mum, sister and myself went to live with an aunt and dad, of course, had to go away.
Three months later my dear sister, whom I have no recollection, caught diphtheria, which I believe was prevalent at the time, and subsequently died on St. Patrick's Day 17th March.
My mum was admitted to hospital and was confirmed as a carrier. All her life my mum blamed herself for Amelia's death but of course she wasn't.
I cannot imagine what torment both mum and dad bore.
I believe dad was given compassionate leave and because of the circumstances he did not return to his unit on time. The Redcaps came to take him back and I am sure they were just doing there job and dealt leniently with him
He was in the Royal Artillery Searchlight unit 8th Army and went to both North Africa and Italy.
He always wished to return to Italy but did not get the opportunity to do so. He served in Italy from 1943 until demob in 1945
I wondered if anyone would be able to tell me where abouts in Italy his unit went as my family and I wish to make that journey in memory of my dear father.
I understand that the National Archives has War Diaries but they have estimated the charge for copying and posting the info to me would be over £2,000.
If anyone out there could help me I would be most grateful
Many thanks
|