Lost in the military maze ..... HELP !

[Gambrill]

After several years of researching my family tree, I'm taking the plunge into military records to learn more about relatives who served in WW1 & WW2. There's so much information, I can't find my way. Could someone please help .... I will use the following as my learning curve:

I would like to find the service record, and information of the military campaigns/movements for a relative who served in WW2. I know that in mid-1942 he sailed from England to join the 8th Army in Middle East. I believe he was in the Royal Artillery, and possibly the 58 (Sussex) Field Regiment, although that regiment doesn't fit with some of his hand notes that show a trail as follows:

1941: Shrivenham (officer training?)
1942: 56 London Div.; Cape Town ; Iraq ; KK (?) .
1943: Palestine; Egypt; Western Desert; Algeria; Salerno Landing; Cassino area.
1944: Anzio Landing; Egypt ; Italy north of Rome; Assizio.
1944/5: AFHQ Ursula(?); Napoli (AFHQ)
1946: Special Service Liason Branch; Rome.
1947: M19 War Office; Demob.

I'm lucky to have this much, but I'm struggling to learn more. Can someone please guide me, particularly with pre-Salerno, then AFHQ onwards.

Thanks, John

[Peter Goodey]

For WWII campaign records:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=161

For WWII service records:
http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/service_records.html

The second of those would best be addressed first and fortuitously this is probably the easier one to pursue from abroad.

[Geoffers]

There may be books published on units of interest to you, try using a search engine to look for 'Naval and Military Press' and see if they have anything useful.

Was he awarded any medals which may have been gazetted?
http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/
(a free search site)

If he was an officer, does he appear in ,The Army List?