147 Regiment RAC

Discussion in 'RAC & RTR' started by stag, Nov 16, 2014.

  1. stag

    stag Active Member

    147 RAC was a part of the 34th and my father was in B squadron 147 and would have fought alongside your father through Europe as they went through Europe. Have you done any research on his action?
     
  2. Denis Sharp

    Denis Sharp Member

    I have his full Army records here, I shall have to take some copies and post parts of them when I get a chance in the next week or so. Dad never said anything about the war other than some funny little moments in between deeper things.

    Funny enough I have just found and bought a diecast Churchill tank model online marked up as 'Briton' with the tank serial T215638K stencilled on the side, 34th Tank Brigade, Normandy France, July 1944, brand new from the supplier for £12 !...and ... B squadron markings with the Square Yellow insignia on Turret side and fenders .
     
  3. stag

    stag Active Member

    It would be good to see some of his paperwork if possible. Did he leave you any photos? Also do you have a copy of the 147 Regiment war diary? It
    It’s what was happening and where day by day.
     
  4. Denis Sharp

    Denis Sharp Member

    He did not have any photographs, and I have never seen one of him in uniform. I do know he boxed for the Regt and was a succesful fighter and everyone knew him as 'Bram'. He had 71 fights of which he lost one fight and and one fight he drew on points.

    I have read 'The Story of 34 Armoured Bde'1941-1945 printed by The Naval & Military Press which I guess is the War diary.

    He joined 7Batt /Suffolk Regt in 1940 . His records state that he was then posted to 142 RAC, but a few months later before deploying to North Africa, they had to shed 161 personnel to other units, Dad being one of those 161. He was then posted to the Headquarters Squadron 34th Tank Bde where he served until 6/1945 transferring to The Royal Scots Greys as a lorry driver?

    What equipment and vehicles was the Headquarters Squadron made up of ?

    He told me a story about taking the C/O shooting pheasants and Partridge from a Bren Gun Carrier before embarking for Normandy on the 1st July 1944 and that he got on well with the C/O even though just a Private. I do not think he was tank crew, he may well have been a driver for the HQ Sdn.
     
  5. stag

    stag Active Member

    The story of the 34th armoured brigade is an interesting read but the war diary is the official log that was typed up daily on the battleground. The original is kept at the National Archives in Kew and is (or was before Covid!) available to view and copy. I have copied the entries from D Day through to the end of the war. If you would like a copy I would be happy to burn one onto a disc for you.
    All the squadrons, including Headquarters squadron would have had tanks as well as wheeled vehicles, they were a fighting squadron like all others.
     
  6. Denis Sharp

    Denis Sharp Member

    That would be really good of you Stag, PM sent with postal address attached.
    As he remained a Private I guess he did not serve as tank crew, did they not carry a rank of an NCO ? I have seen some reference to the use of the word 'Trooper' to describe AFV crew
     
  7. stag

    stag Active Member

    My dad, as tank driver, was a private,also known as a Trooper. He did become corporal near the end of the war. His tank commander was a sergeant. I got your address thanks and will get that sorted for you.
     
  8. Hello All,
    I am doing research on my Granfather he was a churchill tank driver, I've just found out he was 147 Regiment RAC A Squadron, I believe his tank was "Rightfull" I have a photo of the tank with the turret blown off, I believe 3 crew members were killed, I have a photo of him and four other crew mates as well, if anyone could give me any information about this that would be great, Kind regards Nathan
     

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  9. KevinT

    KevinT Senior Member

    Hi Nathan,

    RIGHTFUL is a Churchill in A Squadron 3 Troop. The tank is named in BT. White's British Tank Names in the section covering 147 RAC. A Squadron 1 Troop names began RA..., 2 Troop RE..., 3 Troop RI...
    Other tanks in the same troop as your grandfather were called RIVAL and RINGWOOD. I have a number of census numbers for Churchills in 147 RAC one of which maybe the one relating to your grandfathers tank.
    Can you please post any photos you have. Does the photo you have show the census number?

    Cheers

    Kevin
     
    Last edited: May 20, 2021
  10. Hi Kevin,
    Thanks for your reply here's the photo with my grandad stood next to his tank with the turret missing, you can see the name Right F... i would like to find out where this was taken and what date? Could you give me the census you send you have for the churchill tanks? Any information you could give me I would appreciate thankyou
     

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  11. KevinT

    KevinT Senior Member

    Hi Nathan,

    In your first post the photo of the crew of RIGHFUL, are the crew names listed on the back of the photo?

    I have around 50 possible census numbers, none matched to a specific squadron, one of which could be the census number for RIGHTFUL in your photo. Then again as some of these are going to be replacement tanks for losses none of these may be relevant.


    Cheers

    Kevin
     
  12. stag

    stag Active Member

    Hi Nathan
    I see your surname is Shearing. Can I ask if your Grandfather was W R Shearing and came from Dorset?
    Kind regards
    Stag (Ian)
     
  13. Hiya,
    He was Wilfred John Shearing from Dorset why do you know something about him? Kind regards Nathan
     
  14. stag

    stag Active Member

    Hi Nathan
    It’s possible. I have photos of a Trooper Shearing and a W R Shearing with my father. It also says thematic he was from Norwood in Dorset. I don’t know if that ties in with your grandfather at all?
    as soon as I get the chance I can scan the photos in and you may recognise him.
    kind regards
    Ian
     
  15. Thankyou, I look forward to your post, kind regards Nathan
     
  16. stag

    stag Active Member

    I’ve found a previously scanned copy of one photo. WR Shearing is second left, my father is fourth left. upload_2021-6-9_22-21-56.jpeg
     
  17. Sorry that's not him, this is my grandad Wilfred John Shearing Screenshot_20210609-223926_Gallery.jpg
     
  18. stag

    stag Active Member

    That’s a shame, it was worth a look though. Good luck with your research, I’ve spent three years researching 147 Regiment and it’s been both interesting and humbling.
    All the best
    Ian
     
  19. Peaty

    Peaty New Member

    Sorry for resurrecting this thread but I have just started looking into my grandads war history.
    Ive got the docs from the MOD and the furthest i can get is he was in the 61st training RAC from 41 to 44 then was in the 147 regiment RAC and it says he went to NWE on 1st July 44 till September 45. He was a trooper but had his mechanic qualifications would that mean he would be not in a tank but in the rear fixing tanks ? or did people in the tanks also be trained up as mechanics?
    I have the attached photo but im not sure what is the date of it so dont know if it is when he was in the 147 but if so hopefully it might show someone else's Grandad as well.
    I cant get to Kew to view the war diary as I am in the Isle of Man so do I have any way of tracing where he went in NWE ?
    Cheers
     

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  20. Peaty

    Peaty New Member

    Also have the back which has names on it
     

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