I have recently started plotting my grandfather's path through WW2, we knew he served in North Africa but that was it, he never talked about the war.
After his death in 1991, I inherited, amongst other things, a stamp collection containing a complete collection of Vatican stamps from 1936 to 1944, a Italian concertina and some letters and photos which turned out to be from his service years. I became really interested and started
researching his military career, I found out that information is often
scarce even military records are often incomplete.
Here's what I know up to now; he volunteered at age of 26 and was enlisted as cadet into the 2nd Regiment Botha. Basic Training started in February'41 in the Army Cadet Force in Middelburg, Transvaal. In August he was in Durban,tented down on a race course, awaiting transport. The letter does not mentions which one.
On 9 October'41 they embarked the HMS Mauretania, with HMAS Australia as escort, in convoy no: CM20. The ship left the harbor at 13:45.In his letter he mentions "the lady in white sang to us from the pier, the lads we shouting, whistling and waving their appreciation" (translation from Afrikaans). I later found out this lady was Perla Gibson who sang to each and every troop ship coming and going, she was very popular and today there is a memorial on the exact spot were she stood every single day to welcome or sent the boys on their way.
Grandpa disembarked at Suez on 21st and the Regiment was camped at Mersa Matruh. In a letter dated 4 November 1941 he complains about theft "everything not worn on, or tied to your person has a habit of disappearing". He also mentions the dust "the wind pushes the dust into everything, ears, boots, knapsack, even your johns". They where tented up in a "wadi", offering a little protection against the wind and dust.
On the 18th the Regiment was on the move, right flank to the 5th South African brigade, during Crusader. On 23 November'41, after the 5th Brigade was badly mauled at Sidi Rezegh, grandfather was captured by German Armored section, one of almost 3000 captured that day. By 2nd of December, according to his military records, he was confirmed captured and POW at Benghazi. This suggest he was part of the "Thirst march" and was detained in what become known as "The Palms" camp, a filthy, unhealthy bivouac camp between many palm trees, about 5 miles from the harbor.
How he was transported, on which vessel and when, still evades me, however in March'42 he is listed as POW, Camp 52, Chiavari, Italy.(Military records). One letter dated June 1942 mentions a "Ernsten" and "Georgie Loyd", he also talk about "Captain Chilly, Dancing Bob, Jannie Smuts" names he had given to his louse! He mentions the river in which they where occasionally allowed to bath in. What happened to him after September'43 until his arrival in England in 1945 is unclear. Some family legend says he escaped and with a few friends hid in the country side until meeting up with some advancing Allied soldiers. I could however, not find any proof of this. Perhaps somebody out there has more information on this period.
And, so the research continue in honor of that special, quiet, gentle, hard working farmer that was my granddad and whose names I proudly bear today
Africa Star, 1939-45 Star, War medal, SASM
Thank you
