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Hi Everyone
I am trying to find out a bit more about my Grandfather and what he did in the Army. My dad can only remember that he did something with vehicles and was in North Africa and Italy?
BIRTH 16 APR 1921 • Chertsey, Surrey
DEATH 14 NOV 1980
Married to Joan Kathleen Fitzgerald.
I've tried looking and cant seem to find anything? It would be nice to know what regiment etc all we have is a photo he sent my nan in what i can only assume is an army coat?
If anyone can help or point me in the right direction i would be very grateful :)
Best Regards
Shelley
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You will have to apply for his records, which will cost £30.00 and take several months to arrive
See my thread below on this subject
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Ahhh ok! Thanks very much for pointing me in the right direction :)
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Wow yes that was me In 2004! It’s a stop start sort of thing this family tree business lol x
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my dad was in north africa and italy, this doesn't help but i found it interesting, something i never knew
d dodgers in italy
(After the D-Day invasion of France on June 6, 1944, the Allied troops in Italy, in a jest of very dubious taste, became known as the "D-Day Dodgers". The nickname, supposedly first uttered by British Parliamentarian, Lady Astor, implied that the troops in Italy were avoiding the "real" war in France. Most considered the name to be an unwarrented slur and, consequently, an extremely clever and sarcastic response came about in the words of this song. It was set to the catchy tune of the famous wartime song, Lili Marlène, which was well-known to the fighting men. There are many and slightly differing versions, but this version is as ccomplete as is possible to find.)
There is a song the Eighth Army used to sing, Marching through the desert, marching with a swing But now they're on a different game Although the tune is still the same The words have all been altered, The words we're singing still... We're the D-Day Dodgers, here in Italy Drinking all the vino, always on a spree We didn't land with Eisenhower And so they think we're just a shower For we're the D-Day Dodgers Out here in Italy We're the D-Day dodgers, out here in Italy Always drinking vino, always on a spree Eighth Army scroungers and their tanks We go to war in ties, like swanks We are the D-Day Dodgers Way out in Italy Here's to Lady Astor, our pin up girl out here She's the dear old lady, who sends us such good beer And when we get our Astor band We'll be the proudest in the land For we're the D-Day Dodgers Out here in Italy We landed in Salerno, a holiday with pay Jerry brought the band out to cheer us on our way Showed us the sights and gave us tea We all sang songs, the beer was free To welcome D-Day Dodgers To sunny Italy Salerno and Cassino, were taken in our stride We didn't go to fight there, we went there for the ride Anzio and Sanzio were just names We only went to look for dames The artful D-Day Dodgers Out here in Italy Around Lake Trasimano, we had a lovely time Bags of wine and women, they didn't cost a dime Base wallahs, amgot and the Yanks All stayed in Rome to dodge the tanks For we're the D-Day Dodgers Out here in Italy We stayed a week in Florence, polished off the wine Then thumbed our way to Rimini, through the Gothic Line Soon to Bologna we will go When Jerry's gone across the Po For we're the D-Day Dodgers The lads that D-Day dodged We hear the boys in France are going home on leave After six months service, it's a shame they're not relieved But we can carry on out here For what may be a few more years For we're the D-Day Dodgers Out here in Italy Once we heard a rumour we were going home Back to dear old Blighty, never more to roam Then someone said in France you'll fight We answered: "No, we'll just sit tight!" For we're the D-Day Dodgers The lads that D-Day dodged When the war is over and we've done our bit Climbing over mountains, through mud and sleet and ----, Then we will all be sent out east Till B.L.A. have been released For we're the D-Day Dodgers, Out here in Italy. Forgotten by the many, remembered by the few We'd our armistice when an armestice was new One million Germans gave up to us We finished our war without much fuss For we're the D-Day Dodgers Out here in Italy Dearest Lady Astor, you think you're mighty hot Standing on the platform, talking tommyrot Dear England's sweetheart and her pride We think your mouth's too bleedin' wide >From all the D-Day Dodgers In sunny Italy If you look around the mountains in the mud and rain You'll find scattered crosses, some which bear no name Heart break and toil and suffering gone The boys beneath them slumber on For they're the D-Day Dodgers Who stayed in Italy
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