The second set of information David provided came as extracts from the book: A COLLECTION OF REPORTS & TALES OF LIFE IN A NEWLY FORMED YOUNG SOLDIERS BATTALION IN THE SECOND
WORLD WAR, Collected and Edited by 5124042 ICpl K Lord who served in the Battalion from its formation in January 1941 until disbandment in August 1943
David explained it was a privately produced book for the branch of the Regimental Association made up of former men of the 70th Battalion and that he assumed its production was fairly limited. The book is a mix of anecdotes, photos and reproduced order sheets of those who served.
Whilst it does not reference Edward directly it serves as the best indication found so far of Edwards likely experiences and movements.
In two parts I will now present the pages relevant to the Battalions movements from formation to disbandment. Due to the level of detail and relevance to Edwards story I have chosen to present the pages in full for your reference whilst accompanying each with the relevant learnings extracted from them.
Page 1
Notes:
Provided original link to previous findings through Commanding Officer LT Col I A M Bates Oldham.
Formed in 1940, disbanded 1943.
Never fought as a Battalion but rather fed others during the conflict.
Confirms one of these theatres as Anzio.
Page 2
Notes:
Served initially as home defence.
Recruits should have been 18 but many not.
Based in Great Barr, Birmingham on the Pheasey Farm housing estate (previously noted in the blog).
Lived in poor conditions.
Page 3
Notes:
Not just locals but those who were arrived via the midlands red bus.
Details the make up of the Battalion.
Page 10
Notes:
Battalion moved to Malvern.
Recruits travelled there from Snow Hill Station in Birmingham.
Details of exact locations based.
Page 19
Notes:
Battalion moves to South Wales.
Travel from Malvern Link station to Llantwit Major station.
Based at St Donats Castle and various local outposts.
To be continued............
Interesting reading about conditions at the onset, especially the descriptions about Pheasy Estate a place I know particularly well. My mother remembers going with her aunt who was apparently visiting the troops. My mum would have been about 12 so doesn’t recall too much but does recall troops being billeted in the half constructed houses. Yet to read of an appearance of Capt Sunderland who I understand probably travelled with Pte Timothy to Italy