Belsen Records - Any help Appreciated!!!

Discussion in 'RASC' started by captaind2005, Nov 2, 2011.

  1. Brian Smith

    Brian Smith Junior Member

    My dad was in 36 Army Transport Coy, XXX Corps and the war diaries record they made deliveries to Belsen as well as other places in this region between 21 April and 21 May. I am sure most RASC Coys going this route would be dropping of materials as a matter of course. One of only several bits of information my dad mentioned about the war was that he had been in to Belsen.

    Good luck with your research. Brian
     
  2. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    aha right
    my father said he made a trip to Belsen (although it does appear most of the British army did!) so quite possibly he did.
    He was a driver 92nd LAA
     
  3. Dave Radmore

    Dave Radmore Member

    Hi
    I understand that my dad was also at Belsen. I was not aware of this until I started my search in to his war service and my older sister told me. He was, at the time, with the 701 Army Transport Company, RASC and that is also missing from the lists. He suffered what was probably PTSD as a result which was why I started my search because he would not talk about the war at all.

    If any one has any information on the 701 and/or Belsen, that would be great.
    Thanks
    Dave
     
  4. harkness

    harkness Well-Known Member

    Belsen_3225.jpg

    Belsen_camp_plan.jpg

    Belsen_camp_aerial.jpg
     
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  5. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Is it this file/War Diary you are after?
    701 Coy. | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 171/6330
    Description:
    701 Coy.
    Date: 1945 Jan.- Dec.
    Held by: The National Archives, Kew
    Legal status: Public Record(s)
    Closure status: Open Document, Open Description

    TD
     
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  6. Dave Radmore

    Dave Radmore Member

    Yes TD that does sound like it
    Dave
     
  7. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    War Dary - 701 Coy RASC (Amy Transport) - 1944 might be worth starting a 'converstion' with the member creating this thread and ask if they have the 1945 diary already

    Conversation option can be found in your profile, or if you open another members profile

    TD
     
  8. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    Hi Dave,

    I hope you find the war diary for 1944 interesting. TD has linked to it above

    As mentioned in our "conversation" I don't have any more for 1945 but do have a couple of tables for May 44 that you might like.

    Regards

    Tom
     
  9. Dave Radmore

    Dave Radmore Member

    That's fantastic guys! The more info the better.
     
  10. Dave Radmore

    Dave Radmore Member

    That's great guys, thanks very much!
    Tom, if you could send through what you have that would be much appreciated, the more info the better to get a clear picture.
    One other question that you my have the answer to. According to dads service record, the 701 repeatedly changed its name but I don't know why or if this signifies any real change in the duties of the unit. The four different unit names are:
    701 Div TPT Coy RASC
    701 Infantry Divisional Transport Company RASC
    701 Coy RASC (Army TPT)
    701 Coy RASC (Sta Maint)

    Thanks
    Dave
     
  11. Thomas Norton

    Thomas Norton Member

    This has been a really good thread to read up on. My family has always said my grandfather was at Belsen, he was in 288 Coy RASC and attached to 30 Corps. I haven't been able to find any specific evidence of this but heartening to see that a lot of people clearly in same boat.
     
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  12. TriciaF

    TriciaF Junior Member

    Thanks to all those who helped to liberate and 'clear' that terrible place.
    I have a Jewish friend from Holland. who spent a few years there with her family as a very young child towards the end of the war. All the family survived, except their parents passed away from typhus soon after.
    So eternally grateful to all the Allies who helped to rescue and rehabillitate them.
     
  13. Leebucc

    Leebucc New Member

    Hi. My grandfather was initially KOYLI, but was re-badged to RASC for the D Day invasion. He was in a unit that also was at Belsen. I have a card from his mother sent in Jan 46 to:
    B Platoon
    133 Coy RASC
    Armoured Div Troops
    BAOR
    I’m not sure if this would have been the unit that he went to France with ?
    That’s his picture on the left.
     
  14. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    have a look here
    https://www.belsen.co.uk/units-at-belsen/
     

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