Drew - there should be somewhere - probably at Bovvy as the 51st RTR were part of 25th Army Tank bde which fought alongside Gerry's NIH and 142nd RAC in North Africa and Italy - until December '44 when 142nd and 145th of 21st TB were disbanded - NIH replaced 145th in 21st TB - 51st RTR went on with 25th Bde HQ and joined an engineer group to create an Armoured Engineers Battalion - last heard of in lower Austria 1945.... lost 30 odd Tanks and men at Diadem when they wandered into a new type Tank killing ground - just as Gerry was doing the same half a mile away - our 48th RTR Loaned them some Tanks to keep them in the battle - never did get them back - rotten lot ! Cheers
Try the following: Ronald Addyman: Publications I purchased his 45th RTR from him in the past. I also have short history i can send you if you PM me.
Hi Drew, Fellow member BillHay and myself have accrued a lot of 51st RTR info on the periphery of our own areas of interest, particularly for 1945, due to them being a major part of 25th Armoured Engineer Bde RE. Whilst researching, I've found some good sources, a few veterans and quite a few disappointing sources too. What particular time period or aspect of 51 RTR is your friend interested in? Paddy (PS last file received v. useful, thanks)
Cheers all. Paddy - Glad the file was/is of use. Ref 51 RTR I posted on FB yesterday that I had received the 5 RTR history for WW2 and a friend asked if I knew if there was a WW2 history for 51 RTR in circulation. Thats as much as I know
Ron Addymans book, '51st RTR, Morley, Tunisia, Italy 1939 - 45' is good for a general overview and is readily available. One 51 RTR veteran, recommended Lt Col Holdens (51 RTRs CO) 'A Short History of the 51st RTR' as a much better book - but it's hard to find. There's a lot of info available for free, much of it on Gerry Chesters northirishhorse.net site - which is probably the best for the contemporary accounts of the Churchill tank at war too as we all appreciate, thanks Gerry! 'Leeds Rifles Old Comrades Assoc' drew a disappointing blank. Guess when it comes to War Diaries and WO files you're the man! If there's anything in particular that may concern it's final evolution as the Crocodile and Crab equipped component of 25th Armoured Engineer Bde RE and from Dec 1944/45 until disbandment I may be able to help but not as far as nominal rolls etc. Paddy
Hi Drew, I have moved up transcribing 51st RTR War Diaries in the list of things to do. Started about a year ago but placed the task to one side after doing the first forty or so pages due to more pressing matters. Cheers, Gerry
Ron Addymans book, '51st RTR, Morley, Tunisia, Italy 1939 - 45' is good for a general overview and is readily available. One 51 RTR veteran, recommended Lt Col Holdens (51 RTRs CO) 'A Short History of the 51st RTR' as a much better book - but it's hard to find. Can't find either on Abe
I have recently added to my collection the Military Medal group awarded to 7959465 Tpr Henry Albert Charles Durant On 3 SeptTpr Durant was the Operator on atk which was advancing up the road North of Saludecio. On passing Poggio the RJ was hit by AP and pierced. The Gunner was wounded and had to be evacuated. Tpr Durant without any hesitation offered to take over both the task of Gunner and Operator. This he did for the remainder of the day, thus enabling his tank to be kept in action. A direct hit on the tank which pierces it is bound to shake the crew badly but Tpr Durant’s behaviour was beyond all praise. He kept up the spirits of the remainder of the crew by making jokes. during the same evening he personally went off with a Tommy gun and collected two enemy snipers who had been causing considerable trouble. His personal courage was a wonderful example and he was greatly instrumental in keeping his tank crew together and thus enabling the tank to continue in battle. I would be most grateful for any info on Durant or the action fought on the 3 September 1944. Post war, Durant lived in Bogotá and died there on 8 October 1980. many thanks mark
In light odf the copy pages kindly provided by Gary, does anyone have the War Diary for NIH for the 3 September 1944 to campare? It would be interesting to know if they claimed any tanks destroyed.
Hi everyone ref 51st royal tank regiment my father was a tank driver in the 51st sadly no longer with us but I have his diaries which I will be donating to the Bovington archive shortly if any body is doing research then I'm more than happy to share the information in them. He was trooper Dennis Lloyd I cant seem to find him being mentioned anywhere but do know he took part in the liberation of Tunisia celebrations and also the victory celebrations in London both times apparently driving a Churchill. If anybody out there may have any information I would be eternally grateful.
Patrick. Did he ever mention being involved in the 23 May 44 attack on the Hitler Line at Cassino in support of 1 Canadian Infantry Division? Regards Frank
Patrick. He has captured it really well. 23 May 44 was a grim day for 51 RTR and North Irish Horse - as it was for 2 Canadian Infantry Division. If you ever want to go and see the battle, do look me up. Regards Frank
I might take you up on that. Sadly he died when I was 15 back in 1979 and like most never talked about it, my older sister told me he opened up one day to her and said he was ordered to reverse over his own lines to save his tank, he was crying when he told her, must have been awful to comply with an order like that, Can I ask Frank do you have a connection with the 51st?
Patrick. No but I am a battlefield guide at Cassino and have, many, many times, walked the ground over which 2 Canadian Infantry Brigade and its supporting Churchill tanks from 51 RTR and NIH fought on that terrible morning of 23 May 44. The armoured losses were appalling and 2 Canadian Infantry Brigade lost more men on that one day than they did in the whole of the rest of the war put together. You have to see the ground to appreciate why. Regards Frank
Hi Frank Thank you for your reply we visited Cassino about 10 years ago took in the museum and had a good look round. I must admit looking up at the monastery from the town it looked a long way up I really cant imagine looking up at that while you had someone shooting at you. Must have been awful. We did visit the war graves cemetery and saw there was another Lloyd in the 51st buried there I dont think it's a relation but i may be wrong i know nothing of my fathers side of the family unfortunately. It's such a shame and makes me angry that again this year they bang on about d day as though it's the only thing that happend in the war. The guys in Italy are completely forgotten about and having a house in Normandy for quite a few years and talking to the locals about the war they had it far worse in Italy. When my mum passed away 6 years ago I finally got to see my fathers war bits and pieces diaries were a great find but also his copy of the D day Dodgers song in perfect condition also seeing Gary lineker in his my Grandads war TV programme really brought it home how they are all forgotten. I try to find out as much as possible about his time in the war and more things come to light now and again. His diaries are going to the Tank museum as they have asked to have them for there collection of the 51st they do have quite a bit and I'm lucky enough to only live five miles away.
