RAC & the Battle of the Bulge

Hi all. I’m trying to research my late fathers involvement at the Bulge. He was tank driver in 147 Rgt RAC , BSqd 7 troop and rye Regimental diary and his own papers place him at Dinant and the surrounding area in Dec 44 and Jan 45.
Information seems scant, can anyone point me to any resources.
TIA
Stag

 

Welcome aboard Stag,

Could you (if known) please add his full name, Date of Birth and Service Number? It will help others to help you.

You refer to 'his own papers'. Is that his own personal papers or his official Service Record? It might help to scan in in the personal papers so we can see the context and perhaps the expertise here can add more value.

Guidance on uploading / scanning is within: How to Start a new Thread / Edit Post / Upload Image

An online search with: "147 regiment" + "royal armoured corps" site:ww2talk.com id'd a few threads here (not for specific periods and with: "147th regiment" + "royal armoured corps" site:ww2talk.com id'd a few, one though is: German attack in the Ardennes: Operation by 30 Corps

 

Thank you. His name was C.W. Henshaw (Bill) born 12/7/24. . This is one page of his log book he filled in with all the places he fought at

 

Stag,

We always recommend applying for the subject's full service record (except the Scots Guards). Yes, it may take a year to arrive - either from the MoD or National Archives (TNA). It is not available online and is the definitive record. There is nothing you can do about the wait. The records were never intended to be read today. See: Get a copy of military records of service

There is a Service Record available - which does not to match - from The National Archives (TNA) via: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C20029603 Note this shows his Service Number was: 13112093 and the DoB shown as 2/11/1907.

Currently using his given name he does not appear on The National Archives site (TNA). That may mean his record is still with the MoD or it is with TNA being processed for release. If you follow the web link given you can ask where it is and they will reply. See: Get a copy of military records of service

Guidance on current 2026 procedures: http://ww2talk.com/index.php?thread...ications-pre-feb-2026-v-post-feb-2026.110041/

If you full state his name I will search TNA again.

 

Thank you. His full name was Clarence William Henshaw DOB 12th July 1924

 

Still no joy with the given name or Bill / B. Henshaw. Ask the TNA on the link provided.

 

Thanks for looking anyway

 

Ian / Stag,

I missed that you had been a member for longer than me. Been a long journey, are you still part-time or retired?

Plus, your research on his service is mainly in this 2014-2024 thread: 147 Regiment RAC Plus you already has their War Diary fo from D-day to the war's end.

 

Hi David.
A very long journey! I drove across NW Europe when I fully retired and traced my dad’s tank tracks.
I do indeed have the war diary for 147 RAC and have used it to do a lot of studying of his Falaise and Reichswald campaigns but it was only recently that I realised he must have been involved in the Bulge. Info on that is sketchy in the war diary so I’m looking to see if I can glean more from Brigade sources. I’m going to have a look at the 34 Armoured Brigade diary which I’ve got and see if that helps

 

That is dedication for sure.