Hello, I'm new to this site. I have just finished reading a book on the battle in NW Europe, op.market garden, varsity/plunder. My Father, who is now dead, was in the 53 Airlanding Light Regiment, RA and I believe he served in NW Europe, at least that's what a certificate signed my Montgomery says. I have trying, unsuccesfully to find out more about the part this regiment played, and if possible what part my Father might have played. He was W/WO2 J.W. Brennan and told me little about his war, not unusual I suspect. If anyone can help I would be obliged.
Colin, welcome to the forum, and we seem to have an increasing number of people with links to the 53rd Airlanding Light Regiment. The Regt was part of the Gliderborne element of the 6th Airborne Division, and went to Normandy in June 1944 until Sept 1944, Germany as part of Operation varsity and then Palestine after the end of the war. The 6th Airborne Division in Normandy 210 Battery, 53rd Airlanding Light Regiment RA | ParaData Go To It Gunners - Home Go To It Gunners - 53WY
Hello, I'm new here and my purpose in joining is to see if I can find out anything about the service of my Father who served with the 53 Airlanding Light Regiment RA. Any advice as to how I might find more about the regiment, and how to search for my Father, who was a W/WO2. I also have his service number.
Hi Colin, and welcome firstly if you can post any information you already know as well as the book you read save us quoting stuff you might already know, have look at the above links to see if anything there helps then we can go from there all the best, Jason
Thanks for the links Phil. I have found a regimental photograph which includes a picture of my Father, which I have ordered. I note that the history of the regiment is incomplete which probably explains why I can't find much, but what there is, is at Duxford in Cambridgeshire, so that must be worth a visit. I have also put a query with ParaData so lets see what happens.
Hi Colin, I moved your query from that other more general thread so as not to get lost there. Good luck, Adam.
Colin Welcome to the Forum. For some background on Varsity, here's the opening paragraph from the section on the 53rd from my book: The Light Regiment, and its equipment, was carried to Germany in seventy-eight gliders, both Horsas and Hamilcars, which were to land on LZs B, P and R. Of these, seven failed to reach the landing area. Of those that did, thirty-five landed on, or very close to, their intended LZ. A further fourteen landed close enough to allow the men and equipment to join the regiment within a few hours. Seven more landed to the west of the Rhine and their loads made contact with the regiment by the 26th. Steve W
Hi Colin my uncle Gunner William james Page is returning to Hamminkeln for the first time in 65years next week ex 53rd worcester Yeomanry R.A Steve Wright has been very helpful. Their War Diaries are in PRO under WO171/4762 a number of personnel are listed on gliders by name have a look???? Wessex
