Hi I have my late father’s WW2 medals and amongst them is the Africa Star medal with the 1942-43 bar. He was in the Royal Artillery Maritime Regiments and was a Gunner aboard the STRATHAIRD from 10 October 1942 – 17 December 1943. Would this be the North Africa landings –Operation Torch? He told me a lot about his other posting and ships during the war but unfortunately didn’t get round to telling me about this one. Are there any good reads/sites out there that you could recommend me to visit to find out about this? He was on the ship for a long time and I would have hoped there was some mention of him somewhere. Any point in the right direction would be appreciated. Many thanks
OPERATION TORCH - NORTH AFRICA - 8th to 12th Nov 1942 there are many sites, this is just one..but others here, will guide to better info... http://www.ww2f.com/north-africa-we...teresting-info.html?highlight=operation+torch
From; P&O RMS Strathaird "In September 1939, Strathaird and Strathnaver were requisitioned as troop she and her sister were dispatched to familiar waters as they headed Downunder once again and commenced transporting troops to the Middle East. Strathaird sailed on two convoys, before returning to Liverpool to undergo a refit. However, before completion, she was sent to Brest to evacuate 6000 civilians and troops, returning them to Plymouth, after which the refit was completed and she returned to her wartime duties. Having carried some 128,961 persons and covered 387,745 miles, Strathaird was handed back to P&O at the end of 1946." also some extra info here; RMS Strathaird - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and on his units; http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/maritime/index.html http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-sea/16997-royal-artillery-maritime-regiments.html If you could give us your late father's name and any details you have we might be able to find more. Hope it helps some
Thank you very much I'll have a good look at all the information you both gave. My dad : 6143408 Gunner Frederick Ernest BLUNDEN I have his letter from the MOD listing his regiments and all the ships he was on, including the last ship to be torpedoed by a German U-boat in the Med.
Couldn't find anything specific to your father yet, the general histories of the various ships however are pretty well documented, and possibly the units he served in also although shipboard detachments are more often detailed in the ship history.
