Albert Edward GREEN

  Noted events in his life were:

• Residence, 1917, 10 Black Horse Lane, Woodstock Road, Summertown, Oxford.

• Residence, 1939, 64 Wolsey Road, Summertown, Oxford.

• British Army, 3 Jun 1943 to 4 Mar 1947.
He enlisted as Army No 14624202 on 3 June 1943 and was immediately posted to 66 Primary Training Wing at Colchester. On the 15 July 1943, whilst at Colchester, he transferred into the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry and posted to 16 Infantry Training Centre. He was posted to the 4th Bn Oxford and Bucks on 8 Dec 1943.

His embarkation as a Pte for overseas service on a Royal Naval vessel took place 20 Feb 1944, disembarking in Egypt on 7 March 1944, taken on strength to X(IV) A MEITD. On the 17 April he was transferred to the 1/4th Hampshire Regiment.

On the 27 June 1944 he was struck of strength of M/E, embarking from Alexandria, arriving at Toranto, Italy on 3 July, as part of the A.A.I. (Allied Army Italy).

26 April 1945 appointed unpaid and paid Lance Corporal.

11 to 14 July 1945 attended No1 Tech refresher Course at 128 Infantry Brigade.

On the 13 Dec 1945 Albert was granted 28 days leave in the UK, entrained from Milan 15 Dec, disembarked in the Uk 18 Dec and proceeded on 28 days L. I. A. P. ((a short while before the war ended a scheme was devised, with the code name PYTHON, to give home leave to those who had been overseas for more than four years. In Italy this meant that those granted leave had to make their way to Naples and they were then taken by troop ship back to Britain. Because there was a shortage of troopships this meant that many had a frustrating wait, sometimes of months, before their turn came to start their leave. When the war in Europe finished a back up scheme was introduced taking troops home overland and this very popular move was named 'Leave In Addition to Python' (LIAP)).

He re-embarked for the Central Mediterranean Force on 16 Jan 1946, detraining at Villach (Austria) on 19 Jan, rejoining the 1/4th Hampshire Regt. 20 Jan.

From 6 April 1946 until 16 Aug he was attached to the 2nd Bn Hampshire Regt. And was promoted to Corporal on 18 April and to Sergeant on 27 June.

Albert rejoined the 1/4th Hampshire's on 16 Aug until the 27 Aug, when he tranferred to 2nd Bn Hampshires.

On 16 Sept 1946 he received a severe reprimand from the C.O. for:-

1) WOAS Sec 9 (2), Failing to report to Coy. Cmdr.
2) Sec 80 AA, Reporting Coy present when L/Cpl Oates was absent.
3) Sec 11 AA, Neglecting to obey C.O's Standing Orders.

On the 23 Sep 1946, Albert was attached to the 273 Field Pk Coy RE.


The 128th Infantry Brigade - The Hampshire Brigade. Details taken from "The Royal Hampshire Regiment 1918 - 1954" by David Scott Daniell.

The Hampshire Regiment had a number of Territorial Army battalions, whose ranks were swelled throughout 1939. During 1939 the 5/7th Battalion was split into the 5th Battalion and the 7th Battalion, and the 4th Battalion was split into the 1/4th Battalion and the 2/4th Battalion.

The 1/4th, 2/4th and 5th Battalions were formed into the 128th Infantry Brigade (the "Hampshire Brigade"), part of 43rd ("Wessex" Division).

28th February 1944 the Hampshire Brigade was relieved. It moved south to Naples and on 16th March they sailed for Egypt (Albert tranferred from the Oxford and Bucks L. I. 17 April 1944 ), and subsequently moved to Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and back to Egypt. All battalions were brought up to strength, largely from gunners from disbanded Middle-East AA units. On 27th June the Brigade sailed from Alexandria, and subsequently landed in Taranto. The move north through Italy was at an easy pace.

25th August 1944 the Hampshire Brigade started its assault on the "Gothic Line", a line of German defences across the Etruscan Apennines". The Hampshire brigade, with the North Irish Horse under command, led the 46th Division's assault (along with the Divisional Reconnaissance Regiment). The brigade's first target was to cross the River Metauro and take Monte Bartolo. The assault went to plan against little opposition, and Mount Bartolo was captured by the morning of 29th August. The Brigade had marched 25 miles to cover 12 miles as the crow flies, and climbed 1,500 feet. Only the 1/4th Battalion had come across serious opposition, engaging in heavy fighting around Montegaudio.

30th August 1944 the Hampshire Brigade assaulted the Gothic Line proper, crossing the River Foglia and assaulting Monte Gridolfo. This was heavily defended, with all cover cleared from its bare slopes. Nevertheless the 2nd Battalion assaulted them with great vigour, and by dawn on 31st August they had captured the first crest. The 1/4th Battalion passed through, driving deeper into Gothic Line. During this assault, Lt Norton won the Victoria Cross. On 1st September the 5th Battalion took the lead, and by 2nd September had captured Meleto. The Gothic Line had been breached. A fighting advance continued northwards. On 5th September the Brigade was relieved, and sent to the rear for rest, but they were back in the line by 11th September.

14th September 1944 the Hampshire Brigade began an assault on Montescudo. Montescudo was defended by the German 100th Mountain Regiment, and they put up a desperate resistance. Other elements of the Brigade assaulted Trarivi, which was captured by 16th September. On 18th September, the Brigade was relived. All three battalions were short of men, even after reinforcements were received from 1st Bn The Buffs.

28th September 1944 the Brigade crossed the River Fiumicino, and then the Rubicon. The weather was atrocious, and movement was slowed by deep mud, and supply was difficult. Fighting continued until 9th October. A steady advance was made, and by 12th November the River Montone was crossed; on 26th November the River Lamone was reached. This was crossed on 3rd December in the face of stiff opposition, and by 6th December the Brigade had captured Casa Nova. The Brigade was relieved the following day, and moved well to the rear. From 24th August (when the Brigade moved up to the Gothic Line) to 7th December when they were relived, the Hampshire Brigade had suffered 1,276 casualties.

13th January 1945 the 2nd Battalion and the 5th Battalion embarked from Taranto and disembarked in Piraeus, Greece, two days later. 1/4th Battalion arrived on 22nd January. The Brigade (now known as "Tigerforce") split its battalions, and set about disarming the E.L.A.S army. The troops were welcomed everywhere, and there was no fighting.

5th April 1945 the Brigade began to return to Italy. By 1st May the Brigade was back in the line around Forlimpopoli; but the war ended before the Brigade was in action again.

• Military Award.
1939 - 45 Star
The first in a series of eight bronze stars issued for service in the Second World War, it was awarded to personnel who had completed six months' service in specified operational commands overseas, between 3rd September 1939 and 2nd September1945, though in certain cases the minimum period was shortened. Any service curtailed by death, injury or capture also qualified, as did the award of a decoration or a mention in despatches. The clasp awarded to RAF aircrew for action during the Battle of Britain was denoted by a gilt rosette when the ribbon was worn alone.

• Military Award.
Italy Star
Awarded for operational service on land in Italy, Sicily, Greece, Yugoslavia, the Aegean area and Dodecanese islands, Corsica, Sardinia and Elba at any time between 11th June 1943 and 8th May 1945.

• Military Award.
War Medal
All fulltime personnel of the armed forces wherever they were serving, so long as they had served for at least 28 days between 3rd September 1939 and 2nd September 1945 were eligible for this medal. It was granted in addition to the campaign stars and the Defence Medal. A few categories of civilians, such as war correspondents and ferry pilots who had flown in operational theatres, also qualified. No clasps were issued with this medal but a bronze oak leaf denoted a mention in despatches. The medal was struck in cupro-nickel and issued unnamed, but those issued to Australian and South African personnel were officially named. The Canadian version of this medal was struck in silver.

• British Army: Reserve, 4 Mar 1947 to 30 Jun 1959.
4 Mar 1947, Albert was released to Class "Z" (T) Army Reserve. (Class "A" Release)

30 June 1959, Discharged from Reserve Liability.

• Residence, 1950, 29 Underhill Circus, Headington, Oxford.

• Residence, Feb 1963, 21 Bourne Close, Summertown, Oxford.

• Residence: 87 Templar Road, Summertown, Oxford.

• Cremation, 1999, Oxford Crematorium, Oxford.

Albert married Phyllis Emily Owen BREAKSPEAR, daughter of Frank George OWEN and Catherine Alice BREAKSPEAR, on 9 Sep 1939 in Oxford Registry Office. (Phyllis Emily Owen BREAKSPEAR was born on 24 Jul 1912 in St Ebbe, Oxford ^{4 5}, christened on 15 Sep 1912 in New Hinksey, Oxfordshire,⁶ died on 3 Nov 1990 in John Radcliff Hospital, Oxford ^{7 8} and was cremated in Nov 1990 in Oxford Crematorium, Oxford.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• Witnesses. Ada B Green and Alice Townley

• Gold Wedding Anniversary, 9 Sep 1989.