Robert 'Bertie' Todd - 2nd Battalion Scots Guards

[DPT]

Hi there - I know nothing about my Grandfather, Robert 'Bertie' Todd but am trying to start building up a profile of his life - any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

What I can tell you is this: He was born in Northern Ireland around 1919 and moved to Scotland where his family settled in Auchinlech. He was a very good piper and joined the Scots Guards, where he became Boxing champion. he was in the 2nd Battalion and fought in WWII. I know nothing about his service as he did not tell anyone about his experiences. What I do know is that he was captured in the Black Forest by the Germans and held as a POW in Stalag 9.

When he got back to UK he married Julia Sweeny (my Nan) and they settled in Gosport. He worked for the Police and also as a foreman on the docks. he was a hard man with a fierce reputation.

This is as much as i know - not an awful lot but any advice, tips, information anyone can help with would be greatly appreciated.


Many Thanks.
DPT

[aghadowey]

What sort of information are you looking for? (and bear in mind that most recent stuff will not be online)

[DPT]

it would be great to confirm where he fought in WWII, if it's true that he was held in Stalag 9, was he champion boxer, did he get any commendations for the action he saw, when did he get back to the UK after the war. Outside shot that someone may remember him too?!

Basic stuff as I have nothing to go on.

[aghadowey]

Then I'll move this thread to World War II board and someone should be able to tell you what records might exist, how to get them, etc.

[ScouseBoy]

Do you know his exact date of birth and his date of marriage?           was he in France with the BEF   in 1940?

[ScouseBoy]

A suggestion for you.   Find out whether there is a Maritime Museum   in Gosport or nearby.       They may have comprehensive  port records and archives  at that museum.    Ask to see the  Port Authority personnel records (ledgers)     and try to search for his name.               Was he a civilian in the Royal Navy dockyard?

[DPT]

Aghadowey - thanks for that
Scouseboy - Found out that an uncle has his death certificate so I am in process fo trying to obtain a copy. I should be able to get date of marriage from uncle too.

Not sure who the BEF are, the digging I've done on 2nd Battalion scots guards movements in WWII have shown they got about. N.Africa, Sicily, Monte Casino and the North East Europe towards end of War. He was captured in Germany, not sure when?

I have also downloaded the relevant forms from MOD website in a bid to obtain his full service records

He was a civilian in Gosport, I believe involved in the building works that were going on around the dock area - again need to seek clarification from uncle, assuming he knows.

[ScouseBoy]

Can you just confirm the name,   Would they be the Royal Scots   or the Royal Scots Fusileers?

[IMBER]

I'm not an expert but the Black Forest strikes me as a little out of the way for a British soldier to be captured.  Having said that strange things happened in wartime. Reichswald Forest seems more likely, although rather late on in the war.