The Welsh Tommies 1939-1945

The Welsh Tommies 1939-1945 Living History/ Reenactment Group

04/04/2026

🤦‍♂️🫣 Not been posting here as much as I would like of late - but there is a good reason for this …

💪 I’m pleased to report that I’m now making some hefty strides forward with the ‘main part’ of .

✍️ 🗃️📚Over the last few weeks I’ve managed to write up the period from December #1942 to the end of March #1943. This covers:

- the “Tebourba 6” (see blog post)
- mobilisation
- their voyage overseas
- arrival in
- transportation to
- Tunisia as a country: weather, topography etc
- joining 1st Guards Brigade & 6th Armoured Division
- their time near in early March
- -El-Bab and their first casualties
- Exercise Goubellat

All of this is being told through the actual words of those that were there and supplemented by several ‘official’ primary sources (war diaries etc).

🗺️ 🗂️ 🖥️Over the last few days I’ve been developing the maps for the operations in March. I always find that an informative and well placed map, in any book, helps to better explain and improve the understanding of the narrative. Over several years I have obtained all of the (most) relevant map sheets covering 3Bn operational areas. I have these in several scales covering Tunisia, Italy and Austria.

Thought I’d just quickly show the process of bringing these maps together. The example here shows the patrol reports for the night of 24/25 March 1943 (top left). Using a Chinagraph pencil, I mark everything out on the original maps they used at the time (top right). I then scan said map sheet and pull it all together in photoshop. I’m keen to use the original map sheets as they give so much additional detail that is sometimes lost in more ‘pictorial’ type ‘graphics’ maps. I’m not going to lie though … it’s a lot of work!

💭 I’m interested to know your thoughts and whether you think ‘it works’ - please do let me know your thoughts 💪

💻📑📕Going to maintain the current approach of ‘an hour or so here and there’ as this mounts up quickly !

Anyhow … just thought I’d give a little progress update!

Thank you for reading,

Gareth

💂🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇹🇳🇮🇹

17/09/2025

From our 1st Guards Brigade in Italy 1944 display at WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk Festival, thanks to Bob’s Fighting 40s.

31/08/2025

It was an absolute privilege to meet Sarah (again) and Tessa yesterday, daughters of Lt.Col. Jocelyn ‘JEG’ Gurney. He commanded 3Bn from June 1944 to April 1945.

He was an incredibly hard working, fastidious and caring man. He commanded 3Bn with absolute distinction evidenced in him being recommended (and awarded) the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) on 18 January 1945:

“Lieut-Colonel Gurney has commanded the 3rd Bn Welsh Gds for 7 months. During this period the Battalion has been continually in battle. Colonel Gurney has on all occasions led his Battalion with extreme gallantry and military efficiency, capturing all objectives with the minimum loss.

This Battalion has played a large part in the 6th Armoured Division’s advance from CASSINO to FONTANELICE, and a large measure of their success was due to the tireless energy Colonel Gurney expended on making certain that every precaution that military efficiency could provide was taken to ensure success. In the last 3 months, the 3rd Bn Welsh Gds distinguished themselves on POMINO RIDGE, PESCHIENA, BATTAGLIA, TOMBARELLA and many other extremely unpleasant positions. The high morale and great efficiency of this Battalion, which has been noticed by all who have seen it, is to a very large degree due to Colonel Gurney’s example, his refusal to accept anything but the best, and his own considerable personal bravery. At all times in all these battles he has shown himself quite impervious to his own safety. With his great military skill and high standard of leadership this officers stands as an example of all that is best in an officer of the Brigade of Guards.”

Andrew Gibson-Watt writes in his book ‘An Undistinguished Life’ that JEG:

“was a kindly man … and a … first-class soldier, who had won a good M.C. in France in 1940 … he was a figure to revere and admire.”

He in fact, won two Military Crosses in France in 1940, with one being an initial recommendation for the DSO, whilst serving as 1WG adjutant in France on 21 and 29 May 1940. Both citations recount confronting German Panzers at close range (in the action of 29 May at 40 yards!!). His personal bravery, courage and steadfastness was evidenced again in Italy - he led from the very front and was never far from the action being wounded during 3WG’s assault on San Marco, Perugia in June 1944 and several near-misses.

He retained an incredibly large and rich archive of items from his service including diaries, documents, maps, photographs, curios - an endless treasure trove which has provided a wealth of new information and clarifications. Much of this will inevitably be covered in my forthcoming book “The Forgotten Fighting Third”.

What an ABSOLUTE PRIVILEGE to meet Sarah and Tessa, help preserve his archive for the future and to hold his DSO & M.C. Bar decorations. An incredible day! A great debt of thanks to Sarah and Tessa.

Diolch o’r galon

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿💂🇮🇹

16/07/2025

* * * I ‘ M B A C K * * *

I can’t believe this was a year ago today … and what a fantastic experience it was too to have walked in the very footsteps of my great grandfather.

Furthermore, I can’t believe it has been several months since I’ve posted here either. Despite the inactivity here, there has been much going on with my newer endeavour to tell the story of 3Bn in Italy during 1944 and 1945. The book is progressing swimmingly thanks to a mass of support from individuals, families of those who served in the Bn, and the regiment itself.

I have so much interesting stuff to show and tell you about, and to that end I’ll be posting here more frequently going forward. I’m also considering re-naming this page to better align it to my focus and direction going forward.

Anyhow, at the risk of rambling on … a year ago today … unbelievable - keep your eyes peeled for new content coming soon !

Diolch yn fawr,

Gareth

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿💂🇮🇹

Address

Brecon

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Welsh Tommies 1939-1945 posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category