Were all of the Tenth Battalion diaries lost at Arnhem.? I have seen some very brief extracts prior to leaving Somerby. As I believe diaries were sent back each month would the time in the desert and training in UK have copies in the National Archives? Would such sensitive documents be carried into battle?
I know the following is a post war question ,but hope that some member on site will be able to point me in the right direction. Are Unit Historical Records (Post War ,10 Para) obtainable or are they covered by a 30 year rule? Would 10 Para WW2 time training in UK be recorded in Historical or War Diaries.?. Data . From TA Regs. 5.556. Unit Historical Record. When no Operational Record is being maintained under para 5.555, all regular and independent TA units and all formation headquarters are required to maintain, on an annual basis, a unit historical record on AF C 2117, with supporting documents. Detailed instructions on the maintenance of this record are given in AGAI 6 which also defines the term ‘unit' for this purpose. A register of units required to submit unit historical records will be maintained with the Ministry of Defence and reminders will be issued to units as necessary to ensure that unit historical records are submitted. Unit historical records are to be closed as soon as an Operational Record is opened by the unit and the historical record forwarded to the Ministry of Defence Archives (DR2e) in accordance with the provisions in AGAIs.
Redtop, The Pegasus Archive has 10th Parachute Battalion war diaries for purchase covering 1943 and 1944. I'm not sure how complete they are. A general search for the Battalion on the National Archives picks up a few entries. Also try the Duxford Museum for any relevant documents. Sorry I don't know how their WD for Arnhem went missing? Regards ...
The 10th Battalion was formed from the 2nd Royal Sussex in January 1943 and was originally known as S Battalion. After Arnhem, because of the losses incurred in all the Parachute Battalions, the survivors were amalgamated into the 2nd Parachute Battalion. The 10th was reformed in 1947 but as a TA Battalion. As such you will only find war diaries for 1943/44 at the National Archives. It is said that the September 1944 diary was buried in what is now a golf course to prevent it falling into enemy hands. After the war an attempt was made to recreate the September 1944 diary by the person that was responsible for its burial.
I have a copy of the diary. Oct and Dec 1944 is missing. It contains 143 various pages. I can send you a copy to download for £10 with all the money going to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund-My five year old son is raising money for them again next year.
Pte. A.S. Gates, 10th Bn Parachute Regiment Mentioned in Despatches Eastbourne Herald 14th April 1945
This newspaper article has raised some interest in the Friends of the Tenth. He is not shown on Nominal roles but a L/Cpl Gates is shown on Para course in Karabit as a member of RSR. No MID's were awarded to anybody of this name in 10 Para, a CIC's Certificate was awarded to L/Cpl Gates now in 2 Para ( where members of disbanded 10 Para were posted ) Info Curtesy Paul Pariso