Genealogy Chat

Thanks everybody - that has given me something to go on. I think the Imperial War Museum is a good idea. I will get in touch with my mum and suggest I contact them. She has the three paintings and has just given me a copy of one of them so I have something with the info on. It is basically a painting of several tents, all open and the painting was painted as if the artist was sitting inside one looking out. There are rough campbeds with bedding folded at the ends and a pair of army boots on the floor. Outside there are a few trees but you are looking at it all from the doorway of a tent if you see what I mean. I will have to get the other paintings and see what they are like. Many thanks, Lorraine

Lorraine, Reduced to guessing now! Having looked around a bit, I would guess that this camp was in Italy ....near the end of WW2 there were a lot of troop movements and a need to 'house' troops in that area, mainly coming from service North Africa I imagine. There appear to be no 'obvious' war artists with the name of Burton, so I'd guess this was a talented, but bored serviceman who whiled away his time by painting what he saw. In your shoes, I think I'd contact the Imperial War Musuem and after talking with them, perhaps send photos of the paintings. They might be (a) interested and (b) able to suggest further avenues to pursue. Either way, do let us know - I for one am really rather interested in your story! Regs Jane

Your best bet is to send the Info you have to the MOD or Army musum one of these should be able to help. Both are on line

Lorraine, Have googled around a bit and found: IRTD = Infantry 'Reinforcement' Training Depot or 'Returned' ... posting this now, need to read your message again! Regs Jane

IRTD is an Infantry Reinforcement Training Depot or Infantry Returned Training Depot. Just typed it into my search engine Dogpile. Jack

Hi Ian, Yes he was a serviceman but I don't know his unit. We are assuming he was also at the camp but as the pictures were found after his death we have no way of knowing. Apparently he kept very quiet about his involvement in the War - probably like many others, just didn't want to talk about it. He is my step-father's father which is why I also don't know much about him - my family tree tracing is hard enough within my actual family without including all the steps! It would just be nice to get a start on how to find out more, Thanks, Lorraine

Lorraine, Was the father-in-law a serviceman? If so what was his unit or regiment? Maybe these were views of a camp he was at? 5th Bn of course means 5th battalion, but No 1 IRTD has me at a loss. Infantry Regiment Training Depot? Maybe someone else on this site has a clue? Ian

I don't know if anybody can help - not strictly a geneology question. My mum has possession of three paintings from 2nd world war obviously of a military camp somewhere with tents. On the bottom of them is written '5th Bn. No. 1.I.R.T.D. 1945' and the name R. Burton. They were found among the possessions of her father-in-law when he died. Anybody have any idea how I could find out more about them or who the mysterious R. Burton could be? She feels they should be with his family but obviously it is a bit like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Just to know where to start would be good. Many thanks, Lorraine