I'm in need of help! I have my grandads record of service however I am finding it quite hard to read and understand. I am trying to find out which beach he landed on during the Normandy landings. I think from the record he was either with the Border Regiment or the HLI. My mum knows he was in the first wave onto the beach and was with the Canadians. Any suggestions on how I would be able to find out?
Hi Amy Your best bet is to try and make some good scanned copies of his service record then using the 'Upload a File' function you need to upload the files in a post so that members can read the service records and help answer your questions TD
Hi TD Thanks for your reply - I would like to try and know which regiment he was with on the Normandy Landings and which beach. Thanks for your help in advance! Amy
Hi, It looks like he served Feb/Sept 1944 in a Light Anti Aircraft Battery prior to transfer to Border Regiment and then into HLI in Nov 1944. The most helpful Army forms that members need to have sight of - to help you - are the B103 forms from his file. Can you upload them - likely more than one in his file - please? Steve
Amy, Thanks for uploading part of his service records. It reveals a number of transfers and is a wonderful example to people who seem to be reluctant to apply for them and why people potentially go off hunting the wrong regiment. Good luck with your research. If you are able to post a name and number it may come up with more.
Thank you Steve. I have managed to find this form - attached is what I have. My mum said he also had a glider accident in Holland. Many thanks in advance, Amy
Hi Looks like he was tranferred into No.1 Air Landing Reconnaissance Squadron in 1943. There are a few Recce experts on here who should be able to assist. Hope this helps Gus
Amy What makes you think/say he was involved in the Normandy Landings?? - from the records above he didnt embark for NWE [North West Europe] until November 1944 from what I can read TD
My mum knows he was in the first wave onto the beach and was with the Canadians as he told her all about it but we don't know which beach?
Hi, The National Archives, Kew, has the 1943 War Diary for 149 LAA Regt, RA. Reference Number is WO 166/11767. The reference number for the 1944 War Diary for 89 LAA Regt, RA, is WO 171/1122. This one should have the information on dates/locations for June 1944. I cannot see a War Diary listed for “G” Troop, 503 re designated 78 (independent) Battery LAA Troop RA. Regards Danny
The above also shows he embarked for NWE on 11 Nov 1944 - still nothing in the documents you have posted that shows he landed on D Day It shows that he was on 18 Aug 1944 in 30 RHU [Reinforcement Holding Unit] Your image No 4 in post #6 also shows 'Home' until 11 Nov 1944 then NWE TD
Hi, Thanks for posting the documents. I’m sure you must be very surprised by the comments forum members have made after having sight of the documents as it doesn’t agree with what your grandfather said about his activities and whereabouts during the war. You may be surprised to hear that it is not the first time that army service papers posted on the forum haven’t agreed/corroborated family history. Hopefully it won’t have diminished your appreciation of your grandfather’s efforts during his 6 years service. One of my cousin’s was told by his father in the 1950’s that he was employed on clearing mines during the Battle of El Alamein in Oct 1942 and then went to Burma to fight with the Chindits. I had sight of his service papers about 5 years ago and they revealed he only went to Egypt in early 1943 and spent most of his time working in the Army Post Office there (Royal Engineers). Could I ask whether your grandfather claimed his medals? On the face of it he appears to be entitled to 39/45 Star, France & Germany Star, Defence Medal and the War Medal. His next of kin can still claim them from the Army Medal Office. Steve
Hi Steve, Thanks for the reply. If anything the comments have encouraged me to find out more about Grandads service. I have now been in contact with a researcher who I hope may take up the task of looking into it for me. I have done general family research for over 20 years now with the thought that one day all my research will be passed to my son (lets hope he looks after it!). What ever the findings I am proud of my grandfather and what he gave to war effort. Once again thank you and I will let you all know what I find out x
Hi, You may find some helpful information on this Worcestershire Regiment website about their 9th Battalion who were training ex LAA personnel for the infantry role in late summer 1944. Worcestershire Regiment (29th/36th of Foot) Your grandfather wouldnt have been liable for posting overseas until he had reached the age of 19. I see mention of his attendance on a course for 10 Anti Aircraft Division Praetorian Guard in 1941 - I’ve never seen mention of such a unit except in the ancient Roman Army! I presume it was a HQ Defence Platoon/Company? I also note the posting to Airborne forces in 1942 which may have given rise to the account of the glider accident in Holland. He would likely have gone through glider training but appears to have been posted away from the unit in August 1944 as surplus to war establishment - perhaps there was a reduction in personnel based on experience of other airborne units in Normandy - so he did not take part in Operation Market Garden at Arnhem. Your best starting point will likely be the various unit War Diaries - especially 2nd Glasgow Highlanders in late 1944 early 1945. Wikipedia says - “In the spring and summer of 1939, the Territorial Army was ordered to be doubled in size, in order to meet the threat of Nazi Germany. As a result, the 1st Battalion raised a duplicate unit, the 2nd Battalion which was assigned to the 46th (Highland) Infantry Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division. With the division, the 2nd Battalion remained in the United Kingdom until it was sent overseas, to France, in June 1944. The battalion fought in the Battle of Normandy in Operation Epsom and the Second Battle of the Odon, followed by Operation Bluecoat and the subsequent Allied advance from Paris to the Rhine. The battalion later played a small part in Operation Market Garden, later taking part in Operation Veritable and crossing the Rhine in Operation Plunder, finally advancing into Germany in the Western Allied invasion of Germany. During Operation Epsom "the 2nd Battalion, The Glasgow Highlanders lost 12 officers and sustained nearly 200 casualties, mainly around the hotly contested village of Cheux. Total strength of this battalion was approximately 35 officers and 786 other ranks; thus one day's losses amounted to 34% of their officers and nearly 25% of the entire rifle battalion."[15]” Good Luck Steve