My uncle served with the 1st Btn Suffolk Regiment in Normandy in 1944 but his service record shows he was temporarily posted out to a '103 Rft Gp' from late April 1944 before being posted back to the battalion again on 7th June. Does anyone have any information on what the 103 Rft Gp was, its purpose, anything at all that might shed some light please as I cannot find any references to this part of the army structure at all and have no idea why he may have been moved to it. My uncle was sadly killed on 28th June in the action at Chateau La Londe. Kind Regards Colin.
Thank you for this although I'm still somewhat confused. I presume the role of the reinforcement groups was to keep the front-line battalions up to strength by allocating men where they were needed, both prior to and after D-Day (their normal role). What is puzzling is why he was moved out of his allocated battalion in April 1944 to the 103 only to be posted back to them on 7th June. My best guess is that he became unfit for service at this time and was returned when well enough. Does this sound right or are there any other reasons I wonder? Kind Regards Colin.
Is there an X code associated with this move? That could tell you if he was sick or injured. Was he SOS (struck off strength) from his orignal unit?
The 1st Bn Suffolk Regiment has a very good war diary covering 1944. Some of the sketch maps are first rate. The regimental history isn't bad either. If you'd like a copy of any of the battalion war diaries drop me a private message. WO 167/832 1 Suffolk Regiment 1939 Sept.-1940 June WO 166/4706 1 Suffolk Regiment 1940 July - 1941 Dec. WO 166/8995 1 Suffolk Regiment 1942 Jan.- Dec. WO 166/12725 1 Suffolk Regiment 1943 Jan.-Dec. WO 171/1381 1 Suffolk Regiment 1944 Jan.- Dec. WO 171/5277 1 Suffolk Regiment 1945 Jan.-Aug. WO 169/20092 1 Suffolk Regiment 1945 Sept.- Dec. WO 169/23241 1 Suffolk Regiment 1946 Jan.- June
There is also this diary available. Experience tells me it most likely won't contain anything useful but as I always say, 'You can never be 100% until you look' WO 171/3689 103 Reinforcement Group1944 Feb.- Dec. Cheers Andy
