Hi Karytay
I am convinced that the man second from the left is my maternal grandfather, William Custance. He was captured at Sidi Rezegh in 1941. Would you be able to send a higher resolution photo to me, please? I'd love to increase the zoom on the photo to ascertain whether it is my grandfather or not. My mother agrees with me that this looks like her father but the photo is quite small and she is also struggling to make out the details.
I'm also trying to find further information on his service record. Any ideas of where I could find further information in this regard?
Many thanks!
Arthur
Dear Arthur
In the photo your referring to, I honestly believe that is my father to the right of your grand father leaning on him. I see from your grand fathers records he was a private and my father was a lieutenant. Would this joviality take place between the ranks, no idea?
My father was also captured at Sidi Rezegh in November 1941 where the 3rd Transvaal Scottish were effectively wiped out and possibly South Africa's biggest military loss, when a German panzer unit attacked there rear flank during Operation Crusade, You can find this action well documented on Youtube. He spent the rest of the war in Italian and German prisoner of war camps.
If anyone reading this has access to army records and wishes to look up my father, I would be very grateful.
Hugh Hamilton,
Date of birth 25th May 1920,
Place of Birth, Witbank South Africa
Sorry no idea of service number but I would be intrigued to know if the service records throw up any more information.
Best regards
Robert H.
