7940456 C ELLAM - Find out which regiment this gentleman was in

Discussion in 'RAC & RTR' started by Jeffrey0830, Sep 28, 2022.

  1. Jeffrey0830

    Jeffrey0830 Member

    Good afternoon everyone.
    Recently I receive some stuff related to Royal Amoured Corps Corpl. C.Ellam and he is M.I.D. in SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 13 JANUARY, 1944. However, the problem is, you can see from the pic that his name is under the Corps' name, instead of a clear regiments' name. Does it mean that he is belong to the division troops? The old gentleman that gave me these stuffs told me that after the Americans captured Nijmegan bridge during the Arnhem operation, his tank was the first cross the bridge. Though he has no proof, I believe he has no reason to lie. Thus, I am tring to confirm it.

    My best.
     

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  2. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    Welcome to the forum.

    I’m no expert on RAC but from other members posts I’d encourage you to contact the Tank Museum at Bovington and request a copy of his “Tracer Card” (a resume of his service). There will be some military shorthand but I’m sure members will be able to interpret it for you.

    Archive & Supporting Collection - The Tank Museum

    I’m sure RAC experts will be along shortly. I will ask Admin to add Royal Armoured Corps to your topic title.

    Here is an example of a card for the late England footballer Sir Tom Finney.

    Good Luck

    Steve
     

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    Last edited: Sep 28, 2022
  3. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Think you will find that presentation is the norm, if you scroll through the pages you will see heading for Royal Artillery, Reconnaissance Corps, Royal Army Service Corps, RAMC, RAOC etc but no lower level.
     
  4. Jeffrey0830

    Jeffrey0830 Member

    Thank you very much. :)
     
  5. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    By the way, if you are after a citation for the MiD that is extremely unlikely, there are not many around, unlike a medal.
     
  6. Jeffrey0830

    Jeffrey0830 Member

    Thank you for the reply. Actually you can see K.D.G, The Bays, 11th Hussar and etc. under 'Royal Armoured Corps' in the gazette, which are left aligned. I believe those are regiments belong to the RAC, aren't they?
     
  7. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Yes, see what you mean, you are correct. Can't answer your question I'm afraid, although I am sure there is some logic and etiquette involved.
     
  8. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Royal Armoured Corps tended to be the collective name for those who served in the Reconnaissance Regiments.

    The tricky bit is that they drove Armoured Cars rather than tanks.

    Regards

    Frank
     
  9. Jeffrey0830

    Jeffrey0830 Member

    I am tring to figure out which regiment C.Ellam was in and I have attached his tracer card under. I am not very familiar with the history of RAC, thus, i believe it would be helpful to ask gentlemen here.

    Have a good day.

    Jeff
     

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  10. Jeffrey0830

    Jeffrey0830 Member

    Good noon!
    I have already get his tracer card. Could you please which regiment he was in during 42-46 when he was in the 8th army? I totally have no idea.

    Jeff
     

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  11. SDP

    SDP Incurable Cometoholic

    54th Training Regiment, then appears to have been seconded to 8th Armoured Brigade for the rest of the War, and then HQ Hanover Garrison until demobbed. His 'actual' Regiment was RWGFY....whatever that means!
    Possibly Royal something something something Yeomanry? I'm rather busy at the moment but I hope that helps in the meantime.
     
    dbf likes this.
  12. Jeffrey0830

    Jeffrey0830 Member

    Thank you very much! this do help me a lot. However, I am still wondering which regiment of 8th Brigade he was in. I just don't understand the content in brackets,(xxxxx 7/42). Please take your time. If you could reply when you get time, it would be lovely.
     
    dbf likes this.
  13. Jeffrey0830

    Jeffrey0830 Member

    For everyone's convinence, I shall just put a pic of tracer card here.
     

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  14. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    I'd say "Sch(ool) and Base Depot 7/42" - I'd also say the RWGFY isn't a unit but is a random draft code, so not really useful for research
     
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  15. SDP

    SDP Incurable Cometoholic

    He is likely to have kept his RWGFY affiliation throughout his time in Service and therefore worn their Cap Badge at all times. That's typical of someone who served, like this chap appears to have done, in the HQ of a Formation (in this case 8th Independent Armoured Brigade). You can basically ignore the entries in brackets as they refer to office paperwork except the bit that mentions Base Depot and the suchlike. While the Tracer Cards are a good, and quick, start - I presume you got it from Bovington Tank Museum Archive - you will only get detailed answers if you apply for his Service Records from the MOD.
     
  16. SDP

    SDP Incurable Cometoholic

    I'm inclined to concur re the RWGFY as a random code albeit 'you never know' as it could be a Regimental abbreviation. There is a full schedule of those somewhere but I can't remember where exactly.
     
  17. SDP

    SDP Incurable Cometoholic

    I've just googled RWGFY and the results are interesting albeit mostly about telling a Russian Warship Go F**k Yourself. :)
    Oh well, never mind :)
     
  18. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

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  19. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    It’s a draft code covering his movement from UK to Middle East.

    Tracer Cards are only of use if fully updated. This man’s card has a 4 year gap so sight of his service record will be required to fully explore his service.

    Steve
     
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  20. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    This is a very long shot (and probably wrong) here goes.
    Regarding RWGFY
    Could this be an amalgam of titles from previous Regiments, used locally for reunions etc.

    I thought that it might be just a coincidence that Royal Welsh Glamorgan, Fishguard Yeomanry might fit the bill.
    Although the Pembroke bit no doubt kills it all.

    See clip from WW1 Medal Card (attached)
    There is a cap badge online by Worcestershire Medals Service
    would this resemble the one mentioned above in #15
     

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    Last edited: Oct 3, 2022

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