Cpl Frederick S J Chester 9th Manchester Regiment

[chester]

hello, i have no idea what i'm doing. as a favour to my analogue dad, i am hoping to find a bit of information on my dads father. as with many soldiers, he didn't talk at all about his service during the war. as understandable as i find it, given the horror that they saw, it is a shame i won't know exactly what he went through. i know he was a range-taker/machine gunner with the 9th manchesters. i know he started in libya with the middle east land force, going up through italy (acquiring mussolini's daughter's schoolbook along the way), and finishing in graz austria after the war. i have found a battle he may have been in at Gemmano, so if anyone has any  recommended books/docs i would be most grateful,
regards, steve chester

[Timberman]

 Hello Steve

 Welcome to the forum, I can't help with your
 research hopefully someone will be able to help.

 Timberman

[Bob.NB]

Steve,
Battalion WWII details are often hard to find - do have a look at the regimental history website.
The 9th Battalion were part of the 46th Division - there is quite a good website on this on Wikipedia.
Also Volunteer Infantry of Ashton-under-Lyne 1859-1971 covers the 9th battalion in WWII - you should be able to find a copy somewhere.
Finally you may be able to find a copy of The Story of 46 Division 1939-1945 (printed at the University Press 'Styria', Graz, Austria) gives a good account but is very hard to find.
Bob B