The Wartime Memories Project - The Second War

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208275 Pte. Raymond E. H. "Wiskers" Rogers British Army 5th Battalion Royal East Kent Regiment from:Hackleton My Father, Ray Rogers, sometimes known as Ernie or a nickname of Wiskers, came from the small village of Hackleton in Northamptonshire and was a groom for a local farmer in the next village of Piddington. He was called up for service in February 1943 and his original regiment was the Royal Sussex, but later joined 5th batalion, The Buffs in October 1943 where he spent the rest of his time in service. During this time they went to many places in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. I have a diary of all the places he went to, but too numerous to list. They became part of a group known as the 36th Infantry Brigade, which included the Buffs, the Royal West Kent regiment and the Arggll and Sutherland Highlanders. His commanding officer was Lt.Col. A J Odling Smee and the Brigadier was R D Musson DSO. The brigade were later joined by the Eighth Army with Gen. Montgomery, before embarking on Monte Cassino in Italy. My father was wounded and hospitalised twice while in Italy, and would liked to have known who saved his life, by carrying him back from being hit by a German hand grenade. The only name of a colleage I remember him mentioning from his days in action was someone called Dante. After Italy, they travelled again to many places, including Malta, but they ended up in Klangenfurt in Austria, where he stayed and trained as an Equestrian until his release in 1946, he also met a lifelong friend in Austria called Ray Taylor, who stayed in touch until 1999 when my father passed away. The 36th Infantry Brigade had a small magazine called "Hopps and Haggis" and I have the final victory edition that lists all the places that they visited, which tied up nicely with my fathers service records, there were two other editions, which I would love copies of, but have never managed to find. Harry Williams Rogers Add to this record.  Related Content: 5th Battalion, Royal East Kent Regiment Royal Sussex Regiment Battle of Monte Cassino Can you help us to add to our records? Add a record to our website. The names and stories on this website have been submitted by their relatives and friends. If your relations are not listed please add their names so that others can read about them Did you or your relatives live through the Second World War? Do you have any photos, newspaper clippings, postcards or letters from that period? Have you researched the names on your local or war memorial? Were you or your relative evacuated? Did an air raid affect your area? If so please let us know. Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice. Contact us. Celebrate your own Family History Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Secomd World War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc. Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages.

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