10th Medium Regt (RF) RA

Sorry to double up.

Has anyone read:
Gunfire Target: Six Years with the Royal Artillery by Edward A. Oates

Synopsis:
Gunfire Target is the story of one regiment, the 11th Field Regiment, and at the same time of all the regiments of the Field Branch of the Royal Artillery in WW2. This is a military history with a personal touch that will appeal to all war veterans.

They were in the same AGRA as the 10th did they have the same guns?

Cheers
Jez

 

Jez

The simple answer would be no, 11 Fd Regt RA was equipped with 25-Pdr Field Guns, whilst 10 Med Regt, most likely had 5.5-inch guns.

And yes, I have read Gunfire Target, twice in fact! It is one of the 400 RA books I have.

Phil

 

Hi Rob,

My Grandfather in-law was a Gunner with the 10th Medium Regiment Royal Artillery.
He was called up on 30th May 1940 and released on the 15th March 1946. It is said he landed on Sword beach on D-Day + 1. Also that he was positioned in the tower of a monastery with a wireless presumably in an OP capacity but where or when I do not know.

We have sent off for his service record but have so far only received a letter saying the search may take a further six months! Any suggestions of where to find more information unit diaries or wartime biographies of people in the same or similar regiments would be gratefully received.

We have one photo of him in uniform with a tower and a US style truck in the background I will try get permission from the rest of the family to post it and his number etc here.

Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading the book.

Kind regards

Jez Williams AKA OP-researcher.

Hi Jes
Its sods law that I was away for a week and you pop up as a relative of a 10th Med man. Very pleased you are here and welcome.
I have the complete history and all war diaries of the Regt + pictures and documents from 1940(R/Fus) to RA disbandment in 1946 and have just finished my book on the Regt (my father's).
Op-ack was correct the Regt had 2Btys - 4 Troops - (16).5.5inch guns, as in my avatar.
Unfortunatly (Drew) gave you the wrong War-Diaries ref for the NA at Kew in the post above, these are for 10th Field not 10th Med.
I will PM you
Regards
Rob

 

HI Rob

Glad to hear you've finished your book, are you getting it published? If so, you've got one customer already.

Phil

 

HI Rob

Glad to hear you've finished your book, are you getting it published? If so, you've got one customer already.

Phil
Cheers for that Phil.
Yes, looking for a publisher at the moment, trouble is as you probably know the second you finish, more info comes to light which you could add as with Jess's post on his Grandfather-in-law above.
PM Sent
Regards
Rob

 

Cheers for that Phil.
Yes, looking for a publisher at the moment, trouble is as you probably know the second you finish, more info comes to light which you could add as with Jess's post on his Grandfather-in-law above.
PM Sent
Regards
Rob

Tell me about it Rob, since publishing my book, I've added a further 100 pages of information! Minbd you, as it is a glossary, I suppose that is to be expected, the RA Language is just like any other, always developing!

Phil

 

Hi Rob, Thanks for your PM I will respond when I have permission from the in-laws. Sharing the information gained so far has triggered other memories. Apparently some of his training was in Ireland, they spent some time in a rough Irish sea's too. He is said to have carried and operated a radio which may fit in with the OP theory. Some time was spent after D-Day in the tower of a nunnery!

The books sounds great let me know if you need a proof reader good luck in finding a publisher have you tried Watson & Little or the Ogilby Trust ?Ogilby Trust - About Us

Thanks Phil does "Gunfire Target" mention much about the 10th Med?

Cheers
Jez

 

Jess
They did indeed train in Ireland, From June 1940 till Dec 1940 they were training at Dungannon + Cookstown NI.
Rob

 

Wow fascinating thanks Rob, the other place mentioned was Belgium and Brouges (not sure on spelling) after D-Day.
Jez.

 

Wow fascinating thanks Rob, the other place mentioned was Belgium and Brouges (not sure on spelling) after D-Day.
Jez.

Jez
The Regt crossed into Belgium after the Channel Ports Campaign at 17.03Hrs on 1st Oct 44 at Ost-Capel and did take part in the liberation of Gent + Bruges, before heading up towards the Breskins Pocket with most of the Allied Heavy Arty for the Scheldt Battles.
Rob

 

Brilliant info Rob thanks, what insignia and regimental badges would they have worn? My searches so far have produced confusing results.
Thanks again Jez.

 

Brilliant info Rob thanks, what insignia and regimental badges would they have worn? My searches so far have produced confusing results.
Thanks again Jez.

 

How interesting, very impressive, the generation we owe so much to.

Have you got the service history from the records office on your father if so was it useful in your book research? Still haven had records for GIL yet.

What vehicles would they have used to drag the 5.5's and ammo around with?

What radio's they would have used?

Thanks again sorry about all the questions.
Cheers Jez.

 

How interesting, very impressive, the generation we owe so much to.

Have you got the service history from the records office on your father if so was it useful in your book research? Still haven had records for GIL yet.

What vehicles would they have used to drag the 5.5's and ammo around with?

What radio's they would have used?

Thanks again sorry about all the questions.
Cheers Jez.

Jez
Have mailed you my e-mail address, so as to ansewer all your questions regarding the Regt as the other forum members are probably getting a bit bored with us keep popping up.
As to the above;
The sevice records are very detailed and interesting well worth the wait, i have used them for the book.
The (16) 5.5's were towed by the AEC Matador 4x4 Medium Artillery Gun Tractor.
Ammo + men carried in the Tractor and Bedford QL 3ton lorries, 15cwt GS Bedford lightweight trucks for general use.
Link;
Organisation of a Medium Regiment 1944

Radio's were the No19 sets as seen on this link;
Wireless Set No. 19 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Regards
Rob

 

Thanks again Rob fascinating info. Please post the details of your book on the 10th Medium Regiment when its published.
Regards
OP-researcher.

 

Tell me about it Rob, since publishing my book, I've added a further 100 pages of information! Minbd you, as it is a glossary, I suppose that is to be expected, the RA Language is just like any other, always developing!

Phil

A very good reason to produce a second edition

 

HI Rob,

Do you have Captain Mellor in your records?

"In July 1945 his unit was billeted in the small German village of Simander. Here he unexpectedly met Captain Keith Mellor, of 10th Medium Regiment, who lived five doors away in the same road (at 20 Elmsmere Road) and whose father was manager of the District Bank in Manchester"

BBC - WW2 People's War - My father's war

Regards
OP-researcher

 

HI Rob,

Do you have Captain Mellor in your records?

"In July 1945 his unit was billeted in the small German village of Simander. Here he unexpectedly met Captain Keith Mellor, of 10th Medium Regiment, who lived five doors away in the same road (at 20 Elmsmere Road) and whose father was manager of the District Bank in Manchester"

BBC - WW2 People's War - My father's war

Regards
OP-researcher

Hi Jez
Thats for the heads up, but i have seen this before and do know and have Captain Mellor RA.
The People's War Site is very good for info but very frustrating as you can't (BBC Rules) get in touch with the contributors no way, I have tried.
Ron Goldstein on here was one an confirms this in a thread some time back.
Here is another interesting one, in which you can see what I mean.
Rob
BBC - WW2 People's War - My father was a gunner

 

Hi Rob

We visited the Stratford Armouries Museum today and they to my surprise have two 5.5" guns commanding a view over countryside behind the museum. In one of the cabinets is a picture of what looks to me like a platoon of gunners. I.e. similar battle dress and berets to that of 10th Medium (but shiny badges!). The only inscription is "C platoon" and "1944" I asked the curator, which regiment they were from, he was not sure but he would contact the donor for me. Suspect because of the location they are from a regiment recruited from the midlands.

I have sent the curator a link to here and will post again when I get a response.

Regards
OP-researcher.

 

10th Medium Regiment RA

The Regt History book is now finished and published.
If you would like a signed copy PM or e-mail me your address, the cost is £12 inc P/P, all the small profit made on this to 'Firepower' the RA Museum Woolwich.
Regards
Rob