Hello We are wondering if someone can resolve a mystery for us please My wife found a scrap of paper in some old family photos with her fathers (Leslie Thomas Howard) writing on it We know he served in WW2 in the army and was probably in North Africa and Italy Could someone decipher the: HHO or 440 4336211AA (this may OR MAY NOT be his regimental number - but its hard to read) Royal Artillery 1st Armoured Group REME 8th Army 1943-1946 Naples CMF We have a medal The Italy Star and two cap badges - REME and Royal Horse Artillery We would like to know where he served and were we could find out more information Regards and thanking you in anticipation Peter
Hello Peter firstly if you could post any military photos (if you have them) or the scrap of paper forum members will be able to help further Also apply for his service records Get a copy of military service records - GOV.UK regards Clive
hi HHO 4336211AA Royal Artillery 1st Armoured Group 1943-1946 Naples CMF REME 8th Army this is exactly as written on the paper Peter
We have found it is better to read the original documents - at the moment it could be that 11AA could in fact be HAA, thats why we ask for uploaded scans of documents. TD
Can I ask if you are also posting on another forum where you state “We have always known that my wife's dad (was) Thomas Leslie Howard ………….” Is it Thomas Leslie or Leslie Thomas? There are Royal Artillery attestations in both names – neither of which may be the one are after – so the only place to start is to follow Clive’s advice and obtain his service records. By the way if 4336211 was his army number that would indicate that he signed up with the East Yorkshire Regiment.
Hello Scan as requested We are looking for information about Leslie Thomas Howard - born 1917 Yes we have been posting for as much help as we can find - Thomas Leslie Howard was His Father - born 20 Dec 1889 - we have since found out that he was in the Merchant Navy - service number: 397357 rating Fireman Hope this helps Regards Peter
I can tell you that the first line ending is HAA Royal artillery-meaning Heavy anti-aircraft but cannot read the first bit Lesley
I agree with Lesley and my best guess/interpretation of the top line is RHQ followed by 43,(Battery) 362 Reg (Regiment) H A A etc.... Only problem is I can’t turn up 362 Regt HAA on t’internet Steve Sorry -just noticed typo I did mean 43 but mistyped 46 - amended
My best guess is that top line reads: ILHO - 43.362.REG.HAA ROYAL ARTILLERY However, like others, I can make no sense of these numbers in the context of HAA. I would note that it looks as if the original wording became faint and someone has inked it over. They may have made a mistake when doing this. Tim
I cant turn up a 1st Armoured Group either there is 1st (United Kingdom) Division, formerly the 1st Armoured Division which saw action in Italy But I cant delve further into it to see what HAA regiments it contained, but as others it definitely looks like HAA to me TD
Peter I think it is best to get his records from the MOD in the link above first. They only take around 3 or 4 weeks and then you can be sure which regiment/battery he was in and we can help you further. Lesley
I did wonder whether it means 1AGRA. However agree best to leave until the Service Record is available. Tim
There is a reference in Wikkipedia to a 362 HAA Bty under 113th HAA Regiment with a diary in the WO166 (Home Forces) series at Kew for Sep 40 to May 41. Probably best to wait until a service record can be obtained. 113th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery - Wikipedia
I asked because on the other forum you posted "We have always known that my wife's dad and mum were Thomas Leslie Howard and Louisa Victoria Anderson - never married!" Assuming it is Leslie Thomas you are after it could be the attached (note: could)
Hi We have downloaded forms for his Service Record - completed and posted off! have a look at this image - we have only just discovered it in the bottom of the medals box regards Peter
Hi, I can make out bits of it but I think it’ll be better to wait a month or so for his records as they ought to provide full and accurate chapter and verse on his military service. Steve