finding my grandfathers records Lance Corporal Len Sewell RE

Discussion in 'Royal Engineers' started by craig thompson, Mar 10, 2013.

  1. craig thompson

    craig thompson Junior Member

    hi there,

    my grandfather served in the 8th army, royal enginners, and saw many fields of combat, but of course didnt speak much of it, and id like to learn more of what he went through and saw- if anyone has history of the iron fist regiment, and is willing to share, please, do so, ive always wondered.

    i also have old photos to scan and upload, if there is a forum
     
  2. craig thompson

    craig thompson Junior Member

    can anyone please tell me, any information on my grandfathers service, 8th army royal engineers , iron fist , served in dunkirk, italky north africa , lance corpral len sewell
     
  3. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Craig

    Welcome aboard !

    Just so you don't get us confused, I think you mean the 6th Armoured Div, also known as the Mailed Fist Division.

    Plenty about that Div here, simply search for 6th Armd. Div or Mailed Fist and then start a new thread in that forum entitled, for example, "Photos of my RE grand-dad in the 6th Armd. Div"

    Have fun !

    Ron
     
  4. craig thompson

    craig thompson Junior Member

    wow! thats right, my memory doesnt serve me well, but you hit it on the head- i would really love to learn about his exploits, he is a hero in my heart, and the only story i know is of his best mate being killed a day before end of war with a bridge collapsing on him.
     
  5. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Craig - You'll need to find out a bit more info yet. You need to ID his company to take your research further. If he was at Dunkirk I'll probably have the units diary.

    Regards
    Andy
     
  6. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    You'll need to apply for a copy of his service records to identify his unit-There were many RE units in a Division during WW2 and that Division did not serve at Dunkirk.

    Cheers
    Andy
     
  7. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Merged duplicate threads.
    Just add pics to this one.
     
  8. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

  9. Oldman

    Oldman Very Senior Member

    Craig
    If your grandfather fought with the 6 Armourded Div he would have been in one of the following units

    8 Field Squadron
    5 Field Squadron latter being renumbered 625 Field Squadron
    626 Field Squadron from July 1944
    144 Field Park Squadron
    627 Field Squadron till July 1944
     
  10. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Craig.

    If it turns out that he served in 8 Field Squadron, do look me up.

    Regards

    FdeP
     
  11. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Craig.

    If it turns out that he served in 8 Field Squadron, do look me up.

    Regards

    FdeP

    Like wise for the most important bit, the Dunkirk stuff :p
     
  12. craig thompson

    craig thompson Junior Member

    hey there, my grandfather serverd in the 8th army, royal engineers 6th armoured division, as a child, he would never,( understandably) talk
    about his years as an engineer,, im have wondered for years what happened to him over there, i know he served in eygpt, italy, dunkirk, but know
    nothing of what happened. i cannot afford what the english army expects for these records, so if anyone can help me gather information,it would be fantastic, and would help fill a huge place missing in my heart. he came back, but about twenty years back died of dementia and prostrate cancer, i am ashamed to not know ,or put a memory to him that he deserves.

    his name was Lance Corproral Leonard Walter Sewell,
    please, help! im no good with geneolgy, and id love to be able to tell his great grandkids, my kids his story.
     
  13. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Merged today's thread with one you started back in March.

    See post #8 & start off by sending off for his Service Records.
     
  14. craig thompson

    craig thompson Junior Member

    my mother may still have his id book, i will check and see if i can come up with a service number, id really like to follow this up. i believe he was in mine sweeping, also bridge building, as one story i do know is on the last day of war, his best friend was killed by a bridge collapse..
     
  15. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    If you have his date of birth you will not need his Army Number to apply for Service Records.
     
  16. craig thompson

    craig thompson Junior Member

    i found this photo, i hope someone can help identify the regiment with some decent editing software?


    [​IMG]
     

Share This Page