Yesterday I discovered this Tracer Card containing detail about my father's career in the artillery. Could anybody help me with some information about the 71st Med. Regiment and the 56 Med. Regt.? The only fact I have found out ,is that they were based in Scotland. I know that Dad (who was born and lived in Wandsworth, London) left Greenock in Scotland for India and then fought in Burma with 4th Field Royal Artillery. But I know nothing about his time with those two 'Medium' Scottish? Regiments. Any help would be appreciated.
Hello Tony, I have a few details only: 71st Medium Regiment, R.A. --------------------------------------- Began forming on 2nd January 1940 at Dreghorn Camp, Edinburgh. Began disbanding on 11th January 1943 at Cairnfield House, Buckie. 56th (Highland) Medium Regiment, R.A. (T.A.) -------------------------------------------------------------- Began life as the 1st (Highland) Medium Brigade on 7th February 1920. Became the 56th Medium Regiment on 1st November 1938. The Regiment served overseas with the B.E.F. in 1940. By 1945, the Regiment was serving in Norfolk and began the process of disbandment at Boldney Airfield, near Thetford, Norfolk on 25th March 1946. Steve
Hi, Are you aware that his service number indicates previous service in the East Surrey Regiment? You don’t say whether you have his full service record? It is the way forward as the RA tracer card provides brief details only - and doesn’t includes details of his service before his transfer to RA. You need to apply to U.K. MOD via this link - Get a copy of military service records Good Luck Steve
Thank you so much Steve. Yes I did order his military papers a while ago. Unfortunately much of the information is either faint and hard to read or full of acronyms. I was aware of his time in the East Surrey Regiment, but not aware that it was indicated on this Tracer Card. Could you tell me how you could see that? Many Thanks
Hi, If you are struggling to interpret the papers from MOD then just post them on the forum and I’m sure members will be able to assist. My suggestion of previous East Surrey service is due to the fact that his service number is from the block of numbers allocated to that Regiment for use between 1920/42. The service number was retained by the soldier if he was transferred to another regiment or arm of service. Steve
Hi, You’ve posted the reverse if his AFB102 a centrally held index card that was updated in shorthand with fuller details recorded on his other army forms - notably his B103. In RA examples it merely replicates most if not all of the information on the RA Tracer Card. The most helpful forms are the B103. If you have them can you upload please? Steve
Hi Steve, sadly these are all the info I was sent from Gov.UK back in 2008. I don’t seem to have been sent his B.103 form. I am not familiar with the form numbers etc. So I guess this must be all that survives. Thank you for your kind help.
