Trying to find info on Grandad in 23rd armoured brigade

I've been trying to find out more info on my Granddad. I know he was in the 23rd armoured brigade, but I don't know the regiment. All his paperworks say under regiment is 'recce'. Also his army number is not in any databases. Mum says he told her his tanks were always called 'Flamingo' , and he got brewed up a couple of times.



Does anyone have any tips on how to find out more?

 

Welcome, there is only one certain way, you will need his official service records only available here:
Get a copy of military service records: Apply for the records of someone who's deceased - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Your mother can apply as NOK you DO NOT need any military details (i.e. service number), date of birth, full name and a copy of his death certificate, assuming he survived the war.

If you would like to share a name and number there may be some info around.

 

Thanks. I'll have a look.
His name was Cpl Norman Bilton , number 5887669

 

Thanks, that number does not appear in the casualty lists, so looks like he was not reported wounded at any time, the number means that he was enlisted into the Northamptonshire regiment. Transfers between units were commonplace which is why you will need his records to track him. You won't find much in the public domain owing to confidentiality reasons.

 

Done. Hope they have something

 

Hi

Nothing found in History of 50 RTR Stephen Hamilton so highly unlikely to have been in that Tank Regiment. That narrows it down to either 40 or 46 RTR.

If you are convinced your grandad was in 23rd Armoured Brigade in 1941/42, this book is very imformative.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Valentine-Africa-1942-43-Armour-Action/dp/0711002622

Found this at TNA, Name: D Bilton . Service number: 5887669 . Date of birth: 30 July 1919 . | The National Archives

WO 422[1939-1963]War Office: Infantry Over Age Other Ranks: Service Records, Second World War

This series consists of service records of non-commissioned officers and other ranks (but not officers) who served in infantry regiments of the British Army during the Second World War and who were discharged from the armed forces as 'over age' before their time expired in the reserves after 1945.

The types of documents that are most commonly found within the service records comprising this series are:

• Attestation forms, which are the documents signed by the new recruit, or created upon transfer between units;
• Statement of service, which outline an individual's postings whilst in service;
• Discharge forms, which were issued when a soldier left the regiment;
• A variety of supporting correspondence.

I have never heard of this so someone else may be able to explain in more detail what it means and how you can see it.

If his service record says your grandad was with 23rd Armoured Brigade in 1944/45 I have a few things that would assist you as my father was in the same brigade during this period.

Hope this helps

Gus

 

His demobbing papers in '46 say he was still in the 23rd then. I have read the valentine book and it was very interesting. Thanks for the info!