While googleing for something else I stumbled on a reference to a book on 61 Recce which I hadn't seen before. I clicked onto the link and was intrigued by the following two reviews: A WELL WRITTEN ACCOUNT OF THE 61STTERRY Reviewed by TERRY GRESTY from THORNTON LANCSMY DAD SERVED WITH 61ST RECCE,HE WAS THERE FROM D.DAY TO THE 19JUNE WHEN HE WAS WOUNDED AND TAKEN PRISONER. HE IS MENTIONED IN THIS BOOK PAGE,(121). I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE AUTHOR AND HIS SON FOR PUBLISHING THIS ACCOUNT OF WHAT ALL THESE PEOPLE WENT THRO.. THANK YOU TERRY GRESTY July 2008 Beaten Paths are the Safest Reviewed by Anne Holloway from United KingdomFurther to the review by Terry Gresty; my dad was with your dad when he was wounded. He tried to carry him on his back but your dad was too badly wounded. He crawled back to the line to get the medics, but when he took them back your dad had already been captured. He has spent years wondering what happened to him, good to hear he survived. June 2009 Given the 11 month gap and lack of any further correspondence, I doubt that Terry would have revisited the page and found Anne's message. (It would be nice to think his interest in 61 Recce might lead him here.) Anyway, the book looks good: BEATEN PATHS ARE SAFEST: FROM D-DAY TO THE ARDENNES. MEMORIES OF THE 61ST RECONNAISSANCE REGIMENT 50TH (TT) NORTHUMBRIAN DIVISION by Roy Howard Beaten Paths are Safest - was the motto of The Reconnaissance Regiment. This book tells the story of the 61st Recce Regiment whose own official history was never completed for the period 23rd Feb 1944 to 1st October 1944. Roy Howard who compiled the book served with the Regiment through the period in question which saw 61st Recce land on "Gold Beach" on D-Day followed by continuous active service up to and including the German Ardennes offensive when the 50th Northumbrian Division, of which the Regiment was a part, disbanded. Roy's book consists of personal memoirs of events together with a considerable amount of material from The Old Comrades Association newsletter. Sadly, the author died in 1996 but the book has been completed by his son Mark, as a tribute to his father and all the members of the 61st Reconnaissance Regiment. BEATEN PATHS ARE SAFEST: FROM D-DAY TO THE ARDENNES. MEMORIES OF THE 61ST RECONNAISSANCE REGIMENT 50TH (TT) NORTHUMBRIAN DIVISION --- Helion & Company Limited Tom.
It is what it says on the tin: very much a compilation of articles rather than a 'history', but all the more valuable in the absence of their War Diary (at least, I've never found it). An incident is mentioned on page 14 that is less of a mystery but more of a heartbreaker. Two armoured cars are sent off down a 'clear' road, straight into an anti-tank gun. From GSE: Ashton S Wade A Williams GJ If you have Bellamy's Troop Leader, this is the occasion when he rescued the survivors of two KO'd armoured cars. Then there's this from BBC People's War: My Dad, My Hero
It is what it says on the tin: very much a compilation of articles rather than a 'history', but all the more valuable in the absence of their War Diary (at least, I've never found it). An incident is mentioned on page 14 that is less of a mystery but more of a heartbreaker. Two armoured cars are sent off down a 'clear' road, straight into an anti-tank gun. From GSE: Ashton S Wade A Williams GJ If you have Bellamy's Troop Leader, this is the occasion when he rescued the survivors of two KO'd armoured cars. Then there's this from BBC People's War: My Dad, My Hero Thanks for that. I have ordered a copy of the book and look forward to reading it. I haven't read 'Troop Leader' but will do now. That was a very moving story from Squire Ashton's son. Tom.
Now the student loan's gone in, i've bought by copy of 'Beaten paths are safest'. Any book with both Humber Armoured Cars AND Humber Light Recce Cars must be good!
While googleing for something else I stumbled on a reference to a book on 61 Recce which I hadn't seen before. I clicked onto the link and was intrigued by the following two reviews: Given the 11 month gap and lack of any further correspondence, I doubt that Terry would have revisited the page and found Anne's message. (It would be nice to think his interest in 61 Recce might lead him here.) Anyway, the book looks good: BEATEN PATHS ARE SAFEST: FROM D-DAY TO THE ARDENNES. MEMORIES OF THE 61ST RECONNAISSANCE REGIMENT 50TH (TT) NORTHUMBRIAN DIVISION by Roy Howard BEATEN PATHS ARE SAFEST: FROM D-DAY TO THE ARDENNES. MEMORIES OF THE 61ST RECONNAISSANCE REGIMENT 50TH (TT) NORTHUMBRIAN DIVISION --- Helion & Company Limited Tom. Hi Terry Gresty is my dad (Tom being my grandad). I will make sure he sees the message from Anne, I'm sure he'll be thrilled to see it. Thanks
Hi polly_pod welcome to the forum. Do you have any information and/or photos of your grandad you might like to share. Cheers Paul
Polly, Hello and welcome to the forum. Those members with Recce connections always appreciate Recce Posts. Regards Tom
Hi, I'm researching the men on my local war memorial. One of them, William Moss, was a sergeant in the 61st Regt., Reconnaissance Corps and was killed on D Day. Does anyone have any information about him and/or the events of that day in so far as the men of 61st Recce were concerned? Regards Jeff
Jeff welcome to the forum. While I don't have any details of your man I do have photos of his headstone. Could you post photos of the memorial. Cheers Paul
Hi Paul, Thanks for that. Here are a couple of shots of the memorial in Witney (sorry they're not the best pictures!)
Beaten Paths Are Safest records that 'contact patrols' from C Sqn landed with 50 Div's assault battalions and 47 RM Cdo. Their task was to operate as direct liaison links from the battalions to Div HQ and they suffered nearly 50% casualties, the patrol with the Hampshires being particularly hard hit. C Sqn also provided a couple of carriers to carry ammunition and stores for 47 RM Cdo. The remainder of 61 Recce was to land at 40% strength but not all of it got ashore on D-Day itself. There's no mention of any casualties to this party, so it's probable that the D-Day dead were from the C Sqn contact patrols. It's conceivable that the contact patrols could get a mention in the assault battalions' war diaries, but I'd think the chances are very slim.
I haven't got a copy of "Beaten Paths are Safest" so, being cheeky, I wonder if anyone can confirm for me that i) William Moss is listed in the list of the unit's casualties and ii) if he is mentioned anywhere in the book. If he is I will have to find myself a copy! Thanks.
Given the 11 month gap and lack of any further correspondence, I doubt that Terry would have revisited the page and found Anne's message. (It would be nice to think his interest in 61 Recce might lead him here.) Anyway, the book looks good: BEATEN PATHS ARE SAFEST: FROM D-DAY TO THE ARDENNES. MEMORIES OF THE 61ST RECONNAISSANCE REGIMENT 50TH (TT) NORTHUMBRIAN DIVISION by Roy Howard BEATEN PATHS ARE SAFEST: FROM D-DAY TO THE ARDENNES. MEMORIES OF THE 61ST RECONNAISSANCE REGIMENT 50TH (TT) NORTHUMBRIAN DIVISION --- Helion & Company Limited Tom. Hi Tom.... I have you seen your post above and I am Tom Gresty's son... would you know how to contact Anne Holloway who quoted on my original post as I would be very interested to contact her. I can be contacted on joang47@tiscali.co.uk. Thanks a lot Terry Gresty.
My Dad Eric Brewer was on the same patrol with Tom Gresty he said there were six of them on patrol, they split into groups of three and his group were ok. Derek Brewer
