Dear Sir, Would you have any information regarding the 24th Lancers -specifically the War Diary or any other details? My grandfather was in B squadron and died on June 12th around St. Pierre (Pt. 103) or Audrieu. With thanks, David Fielder
Hi David, I see you are new to the forum - welcome. I don't know if you have read the following book: Willis L, None had Lances, 1986 (24th Lancers in Normandy) You may have more luck getting a response starting your won thread. Mark
David, Hello and welcome to the forum. Mark provided good advice regarding starting off a new thread. The more information you can provide the more likely you will receive information that the members possess or can point you in the right direction. Regards Tom
The 24th Lancers were a part of the 8th Armoured Brigade during the Battle of Normandy, and information about the activites of the Brigade during that period, including at Point 103, can be found here: The 8TH ARMOURED BRIGADE Opposition was soon encountered at Loucelles and St Pierre and the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry were ordered to capture Point 103 which dominated that village. The columns, however, failed to progress, being held up by dug-in and well concealed tanks and SPs which made full use of the deep Devonshirelike lanes. 50th (Northumbrian) Division were brought up and the Brigade found itself continually supporting infantry attacks in the area St Pierre and Point 103 during the period between 9th and 15th June. This week of fighting was perhaps the heaviest the Brigade ever had. The Sherwood Rangers suffered a bitter blow on Pt 103 when a direct hit from a 105mm shell killed Major Laycock, the Adjutant Captain Jones, the Intelligence Officer Lieutenant Head, the Recce Troop Leader and the R. H. Q. Signal Sergeant. Major Stanley Christopherson MC. assumed command of the Regiment. The enemy hurled continual counter-attacks supported by armour, against Point 103 and it was here that Major Biddle, the Brigade Major, was wounded. On 11th June the leading elements of 552 Company Royal Army Service Corps arrived in Normandy, followed on the 19th. by the 12th Battalion The King's Royal Rifle Corps.
David, If you contact Drew5233 he may be able to help you with finding and copying the War Diaries for 1944 at the National Archives. He has extremely reasonable rates. Mark
Many thanks to all for your suggestions. I guess a trip to Kew is required. I have a casualty list for the 24th Lancers for 1939-1945 and would be pleased to look-ups. David
David - you will most likely know that the VIII armoured bde had a most distinguished career in the desert before they came home from Tunisia to support 50th Division on D Day and onwards Cheers
I've visiting Kew and had the time to photograph the War Diaries from 1940-end of June 1944. Didn't have time to do the rest - that will have to wait until next trip. I'll be transcribing them over the next while if anyone is looking for information. David Fielder
Hi I am researching a man Kia on Monday 26 June 1944 with the 24th Lancers. Any chance of posting the War Diary for this date, please, Regards, Graeme
Hi Drew, You are a STAR, many thanks for your time and trouble, much appreciated, Graeme No probs, glad to help.
Hi I am researching a man Kia on Monday 26 June 1944 with the 24th Lancers. Any chance of posting the War Diary for this date, please, Regards, Graeme Graeme Who are you researching? I may be able to help. Steve
Sorry for slow reply; for some reason I had not been notified of your posting. Possibly that does not happen on this site? I am very aware of the details of the incident in which William Heath lost his life including the precise location to the south of Tessel Wood at the Vendes crossroads. I've visited the area several times including on one occasion (about 6-7 years ago) when I took one of the surviving crew members back to the location; possibly the first time he had been back. Tony is still, to the best of my knowledge, with us and I hope to meet him again in London in March. William lost his life during an attempt to capture Le Manoir (aka Tessel) and died alongside his fellow crew member Geoffrey Dean. The Commander (Fred Bartlett) was awarded the MM for his courage and leadership during the action. Fred died a number of years ago, as did the Gunner (Peter). William was Driver and Geoffey was co-Driver. Geoffrey is buried in Tilly-sur-Seulles War Cemetary while William is commemmorated on the Bayeux Memorial. Please forgive the lack of other information on this posting but I don't like to leave what could be construed as personal information on a public forum. Please email me at drstephenpannell@aol.com if you need further information.
Steve, how are you? I've only just found this site. For other readers, my dad was 'Peter' the gunner in the incident in which William Heath and Geoffrey Dean lost their lives. Dad was very reluctant to be named in full in any memoir, for reasons I was never quite sure of except that he hated the war and he didn't like the army much, though he felt very strongly about his comrades. He didn't welcome any attention and was a very private man really. He visited Fred Bartlett in hospital (to whom he certainly owed his life) not long before Fred passed away, it must be about 2000/1 and said they had a happy reunion with Fred and between them telling the nurses what had transpired all those years before. As you know Steve, dad passed away in Sept 2004. As the war was not talked about much in our household (father's express wish, though he opened up a wee bit later in life) I am not the fount of knowledge I could be. We did test him though and the sight of my 14 year old brother standing out of the sunroof of our Triumph Herald making a Nazi salute as I drove slowly up our drive (age 12) did have in him stitches. Oh we did test him indeed! Tim H.
Hi Tim Welcome to the forum.....and long time no see! As you may be aware from Mary, there was no 24th Lancers Annual Lunch this year (it should have been last Saturday: third Saturday in March) and I fear last year 2012 might also have been the last because anno domini is catching up on all of us. Tony is no longer able to travel the distance to London whilst Vic and Reg are also finding it increasingly difficult for a number of reasons, were unable to attend this year anyway and there is only limited point in us all meeting if there are no Veterans present. We will therefore find other ways to meet! All for now Steve P.S. look up my forum activity as SDP and you will find a little more detail about one of the most accomplished cavalry Regiments that fought in WWII......not that I'm biased in any way of course....and no offence to others present on this Forum.
