Looking for info on 51st Anti-Tank Regiment, June 1940

Discussion in '1940' started by Drew5233, May 15, 2015.

  1. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Does anyone know of any sources of info on this regiment or the following batteries - 201, 202, 203 and 204 Anti-Tank Battery.

    I have the war diaries and I have Major Peacocks personal account of 201 Anti-Tank Battery. The regiment was disbanded in July 1940 but I'm particularly interested in any info that relates to their time fighting with the 2/6 East Surrey's around the 7th June near Aumale.

    Cheers
    Andy
     
  2. Kiwi REd One

    Kiwi REd One Junior Member

    Hello Andy

    As you may recall from when you kindly posted Maj Peacocks diary some time ago the commanding officer of 51 A/T Regt in June 1940 was my grandfather Lt Col E.K. Page M.C.

    I live in NZ and as far as I know he did not leave any personal diary or other papers on the events in France in June 1940. Any papers that he did leave behind are I beleive, lodged at Firepower, the RA museum in London. I am going to be in the UK later this year and am going to arrange to try and access them if possible.

    I have a great interest in this period. The best information i can offer on the particular subject is Saul David's book "Churchill's sacrifice of the Highland Division" which mentions the 51st a few times, including the action round Aumale with the 2/6 East Surrey's (pg 152 - 155), but he mainly concentrates on the infantry battalions of the division since his main source was the dairy kept by General Fortune's GSO2.

    Are you able to share the 51st A/T Regt's war diaries here, or can I PM you about getting a copy of them? Quite happy to pay donation/costs involved.

    Cheers
    Peter
     
  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Thanks Peter - I'd be very interested to see what turns up at Firepower on this regiment. Watch this space I'll be writing a little something for the forum soon regarding this action.
     
  4. BrianM59

    BrianM59 Senior Member

    Drew - I received a very nice packet of information from an obliging researcher at the Surrey museum a couple of years ago (I did pay for the copying) regarding the 2/6. Now, as it's Friday after a long day and it's probably stuff you've got in the war diary I'll have a dig over the weekend - I was interested as Aumale was bombed 20 something of May and civilians machine gunned in the streets - 10th Hussars avec Trooper Small came through a day or two later and the war diary mentions the revulsion felt at this first sight of war. By 7th June of course they were 70 km and an hour away at Letteguives. I'll let you know what's there.
     
  5. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Cheers matey - I've been meaning to tell you. I have a photo of D Company before they deployed to France and there is at least one, possibly two black soldiers in it.
     
  6. BrianM59

    BrianM59 Senior Member

    Sent you a PM - forgot to sign it sorry, but it seems interesting as it's personal accounts from officers of the 2/6 and there are good hand drawn maps. Love to see the photo.
     
  7. Fulcher23

    Fulcher23 Junior Member

    Hello Andy,

    I am the Grandson of Sgt. Neil McLellan. He was in the 202 Battery, part of the 51st HD and was captured at St. Valery.

    I would be very interested in viewing their war diary if possible? I have often wondered where and when they were captured and have trawled the Internet looking for anything about his unit to no avail.

    If you think there may be anything amongst these docs that may be of help. I would very much appreciate if I can have a look.

    My Grandad was a great friend of Lcpl Antony Coulthard, whilst in Stalag XXA. You may have seen my posts on the thread about Antony's Grave. I am off to Stalag XXA in a couple of weeks, then heading to Germany for Antony's re dedication service. This will then enable me to close a chapter in my Grandfathers story, knowing his friend has finally been found.

    It is my intention when I return to starting looking into how he began the war and the days leading up to capture.

    Many thanks

    Colin
     
  8. nigel may

    nigel may New Member

    Hi - my uncle was in 204 Battery and was killed at St Valery - his comrade is buried at Veulettes but he has no known grave but it is assumed Veulettes. I would be interested in any information regarding the 204 Battery.
     

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