I am trying to find out more information on the Regiment in 1944-1945. My Grandfather joined up in 1943 when he was 18 - he went ashore on Juno Beach (we think on D-Day +3) and was with the regiment through to the end of the war and stayed on in Germany (we think near hamburg) helping with displaced persons until 1946. We think he was attached to the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade in was involved in the battle for Caen. We cannot seem to find any information about the regiment in Normandy and little information about the campaing through to 1945. Do you have any further information about the regiment? Regards Matthew
Theres an excellent website (click here) which will give you a start of the history of the 98th. Have you sent off for his service records? I see the 98th weren't at Normandy? perhaps he transfered to another regt? his service records will be very helpful.
Thanks - I have looked and this do not mention the regiment being in Normandy. No - we haven't sent off for his service records. We have his demob papers and paybook but they don't tell us much. We have a few photos from France and Holland, but no reference to data or places. All we know so far is that he landed on Juno Beach, fought around Caen and was with the canadians. Non of the information I have found so far for the 98th mention Normandy. However I did find on mention of the 98th Surrey and Sussex Gunners in Normandy in the memoirs of a Canadian tanker from the Three Rivers Regiments - all he mentions is that British Gunners of the 98th Surrey and Sussex had been with them since Normandy.
The only thing I can find is: here 84 (Sussex) Medium Regiment RA(TA) I'm sure some of the arty experts will be along soon with more help.
Might be worth posting in the Royal Artillery section. Thread moved. As already said this can be answered by getting his Service Records.
However I did find on mention of the 98th Surrey and Sussex Gunners in Normandy in the memoirs of a Canadian tanker from the Three Rivers Regiments - all he mentions is that British Gunners of the 98th Surrey and Sussex had been with them since Normandy. Three Rivers Regt never got to NW Europe until Feb 45, they had been in Italy before that. Google Translate Bienvenue au 12e Régiment blindé du Canada - Accueil In early February 1945, all Canadian troops were ordered to concentrate in the northwest of Europe. The tanks of the Regiment are transported to Livorno where they take the sea landed at Marseille, France on March 6, the regiment was transferred to Belgium to be re-equipped with Shermans armed with long guns 17 pounds (about 8 pounds) each. also 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Try getting hold of a copy of "The Surrey and Sussex Yeomanry in the Second World War" by Lt Col T B Davis MC RA. It's the history of both 98th and 144th Field Regts (Surrey and Sussex Yeomanry) RA (TA). It should answer most, if not all of your questions. just checked and copies are available on Abebooks priced from £25 plus postage. Phil
98th Field Regiment were in N.Africa and then Italy until early 1945. They did work with the Canadians and moved with them to 21 Army Group in NW Europe for the last stage of the campaign. Mike
Something very strange with the first bit (Normandy) None of these Regts including the 98th Field did not arrive in NWE untill late Feb/Mar 1945 with the 1st Canadian Corps. after that all the info is good. the 89th Med that has been mentioned were with 5AGRA XXX Corps & did not go under command of the Canadians in Normandy! Best Rob
That is what is strange as we can find no mention of them in Normandy - but he definately landed on Juno Beach and fought with the canadians around Caen - we have photos and a letter from Normandy in 1944. Maybe he was attached to a different regiement.
The war diary for the 98th puts them in Italy, along with a number of casualties buried there. Can't find a war diary for 1945 or 1946. There are a couple of the 98th's men buried in Hamburg, Germany in early 1946. As has been stated before, you need to apply for the service records. No point guessing where he may have been, as there were very many RA units in Normandy.
Try getting hold of a copy of "The Surrey and Sussex Yeomanry in the Second World War" by Lt Col T B Davis MC RA. It's the history of both 98th and 144th Field Regts (Surrey and Sussex Yeomanry) RA (TA). It should answer most, if not all of your questions. just checked and copies are available on Abebooks priced from £25 plus postage. Phil I've got a copy of the book if you want me to look anything specific up, just ask. Andy
Post May 45 have a record of the 98th (Surrey & Sussex Yeomanry) Field Regiment RA to then Guards Division who moved to the Köln/Bonn area Jun 45 then to Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg areas in Mar 46 then the regiment to UK Apr 46 would be interested if more detail turns up
Thanks to further research can confirm my previous post is totally incorrect: 98th (Surrey & Sussex Yeomanry) Field Regiment RA (Self Propelled) moved from 1st Canadian Army Group RA to join 80th Anti-Aircraft Brigade RA command 8th Corps on 4 Jun 45 in Neustadt in Holstein, north-east of Lübeck, on disbandment of the brigade the regiment joined 4th Armoured Brigade on 10 Feb 46, then to 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division on 28 Feb 46, to Bleckede east of Lüneburg and Munsterlager, 471 Battery moved to Lüneburg earlier on 25 Feb 48, the regiment was complete in Artillerie Kaserne later Bristol Barracks, Lüneburg 1 Apr 46 with responsibility for Stadtkreis Lüneburg until disbandment 18 May 46 21st Army Group later British Army of the Rhine
