Hi I've just started researching my Grandads history. He was in 1 Royal Horse Artillery. His capture date is recorded as the 7th September 1940. I'm hoping to find out where in France he was. I'm also hoping to find out what camps he was at. I no he was at Stalag 8b in 45. Hopefully there is a copy of a POW questionnaire for him. Sharon
Hi Sharon, 1st RHA were part of the artillery of the 51st Highland Division which were captured in France in June 1940 at St Valery-en-Caux. Some soldiers either escaped or evaded capture. One of these was Lt Groschen of O Battery who cycled to Spain. Your grand father was obviously caught somewhere after three months on the run. I can't help you there unless you can find a debrief in the national archives. One piece of good news for you is that 1st RHA still exists and the batteries which formed it in 1940 A/E and B/O are all still in existence and are all part of the current day 1st RHA based in Tidworth. All maintain battery histories. If you contact the Regiment you stand a very good chance of finding the battery he served in and maybe some photos. 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery - Wikipedia
Making some slight corrections to Sheldrake's post above. RHQ 1RHA was indeed under command 51st Highland Division once the shooting had started. However, under command RHQ 1RHA was B/O Battery and 385th (Duke of Connaught's Own Yeomanry) Battery from the 97th (Kent Yeomanry) Field RA which had done a swop with A/E Battery. In otherwords, if your grandfather served in A/E Battery, his movements followed those of 97RA north of the River Somme. The majority managed to evacuate back to the UK via Dunkirk at the end of May 1940. Whereas, if your grandfather served in B/O Battery or was part of RHQ 1RHA, his movements matched those of 51st Highland Division south of the River Somme. Almost all of the personnel of B/O Battery and RHQ 1RHA were captured and taken prisoner on or before 12th June 1940 at St Valery-en-Caux.
