RAMC Diary 1943-1946

[Ebch]

I have a very tattered diary kept by my father during WW2 (don't know if he should have done this  ) He was in the RAMC - North Africa and Italy mainly. There is quite a detailed description his journey  from Greenock (19/12/1942)  around the Cape to the East Suez transit camp (17/1/1943) on the Queen Mary.  If anyone had relatives on this I'm happy to let them have copies so they can see how things were.  Quite a few names too in it.  The one that made me smile was the fact that at the end of the war he climbed Mount Vesuvius and ate roasted chestnuts. 

[djcrtoye]

Can you tell me what  field ambulance he was attached to.  My grandfather was in 181 Air landing Field Ambulance.  He also was in North Africa and Italy at the same time.   He was captured at Anrhem.

Thanks.

Dominic.

[scrimnet]

I think that the AMS museum would be interested in a copy (as would I actually!!!)

Contact Pete Starling....

http://www.ams-museum.org.uk/

As for 181 ALFA....to get an idea of what they did...

http://www.spanglefish.com/16PARACHUTEFIELDAMBULANCE/index.asp?pageid=105897

Get in touch with the group sec, Kenny...181 were glider borne, but came under the airborne umbrella...

[scrimnet]

For an over view of the RAMC in North Africa and Italy, try and get a copy of "RAMC" by Anthony Cotterell published in around 1944

[scrimnet]

Here's a history of 181 ALFA

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/arnhem/batt_181afa.htm

Go through the galleries on 16 PFA, you wuill be able to see the kit he wore

[djcrtoye]

Thanks for the replies will look at them later.

Dominic

[paulcheall]

Wonderful post! My Dad was on the Queen Mary at the same trime. You can read his diary at:
 http://www.grimdetermination.co.uk/#/diary/4537338278
His memoirs contain a lot of info about that trip and you can see his journey at http://www.grimdetermination.co.uk/#/itinerary/4541930913 which I am sure is reflected in your Dad's diary. There is a link to Google Maps which well-illustrated the awesome journey our Dad's uindertook! I'd love to read it and if you could get it typed I'd be happy to host it on a page on my Dad's web site as I am looking to expand the site exactly in this way!
Kind regards
Paul

[Ebch]

Thanks Paul
I will make it my mission to type up this coming week.  It is just one man's view of the journey but precious to me.  I didn't meet my father until I was almost 4 years old.  He never talked about war - only the countries.  So when I found this tattered diary after his death it was as if he was letting me know what he was doing in his absence.  Could you pm me with your email please? And is it possible to enlarge the pages from the website you suggested.  I would love to read his version.
Regards
Eileen

[djcrtoye]

My dad had the same experience when my grandfather came home.  My dad was abt 2 1/2 when he first saw him.