129 Field Ambulance, 43rd Div - Normandy, Market Garden & crossing the Rhine.

Discussion in 'RAMC' started by Jonathan Ball, Aug 27, 2010.

  1. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    EDITED

    Please read on for the full diaries and reports.
     
  2. kevin-of-york

    kevin-of-york Junior Member

    Jonathan

    I have just joined the forum today resulting from doing a google search for "RAMC" and "Field Ambulance" which is how I found your original posting. It sounds as though we are a generation apart as it is my father's war record I am tracing (born 1916). I believe my father was in 130 FA with 43rd Wessex but am not absolutely certain. Since you say you have 43rd Division 129 FA data may I ask if you could do me a favour and check 25/26 September 1944. I am looking for information on the evacuation of Airborne troops from Arnhem which my father told me he took part in as a medical orderly with 130 FA. Secondly do you have any tips on how to approach a war diary search at NA.

    Regards
    Kevin
     
  3. Pete Keane

    Pete Keane Senior Member

    Kevin

    Can I suggest that you start a new thread with the word arnhem in the title, there are several people knowledgeable on that topic who may not see this post.

    Pete
     
  4. Lindsay Aspin

    Lindsay Aspin Senior Member

    Hi Jonathan ..

    During your research, don't suppose you may have come accross copies, or know of the file reference numbers held at the NA, of War Diaries covering the 195th Airlanding Field Ambulance, who took part in Operation Varsity 24.03.45.?

    Would be grateful to receive any input about the 195th Airlanding Field Ambulance... if you have anything.
    Thank you.
    Regards,
    Lindsay
     
  5. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Johnathn ..

    During your rsearch, don't suppose you might have come copies, or know of the file reference numbers held at the NA of War Diaries covering the 195th Airlanding Field Ambulance, who took part in Operation Varsity 24.03.45.

    Thanks for any input.
    Regards,
    Lindsay

    It could be WO 177/793 195 Fd. Amb. 1940 June- 1942 Jan., Apr., June- 1946 June, Sept.- Dec.
     
  6. Lindsay Aspin

    Lindsay Aspin Senior Member

    My thanks to you Drew for that information ... I can see yet another trip to the NA on the cards soon! Looking to find out if a J.K. Gaunt RAMC was amongst those on board gliders heading for Operation Varsity 24.03.45. and was serving with the 195th Airlanding Field Ambulance.

    My thanks again,
    Lindsay
     
  7. Lindsay Aspin

    Lindsay Aspin Senior Member

    My thanks to you Drew for the NA file reference numbers covering War Diaries of the 195th Airlanding Field Ambulance. I'm looking to establish whether a J. K. Gaunt RAMC was on board one of the gliders heading for Operation Varsity 24.03.45., the Rhine Crossings. The 195th were amongst the serial lift by B Squadron, 1 Wing GPR, and left from Earls Colne Airfield x 7 Horsa Gliders, Chalk Numbers 176-182 heading for LZ R.

    I can see yet another visit to the NA on the cards soon !

    My thanks again,
    Lindsay
     
  8. oldloyal

    oldloyal Junior Member

    Kevin.
    With regards to your query Sept 25/26. Briefly, Sept 21,Leopsoldsburg,129 Fd Amb to join advance on Nijmegan Sept 22 129 Fd Amb at Nijmegen,across the R.Waal in Lent. Sept 23,I29 Fd Amb at same loc,129 Inf Bde HQ felt that a full A D S in Lent too"risky.Unit to move back across the Waal,leaving a light sect as a C C P in Lent. Sept 24/25 129 Fd Amb in same locations. Sept 26, 129 Fd Amb move back across the Waal,set up at Valborg.Sept 27/30,129 Fd Amb remain in Valborg.

    Now this may be of interest to you, Nov 17,Geilenkirchen, 1800 Hrs,129 A D S to close at first light Nov 18.130 Fd Amb to open first light Nov18 to receive casualties at Ganglet. Nov18,0130 hrs,129 C C P to evacuate casualties to 130 Fd Amb A D S.Other dates show that 129 &130 Fd Amb were often in close contact.

    Hope this helps.

    Yours,etc, Oldloyal.
     
  9. kevin-of-york

    kevin-of-york Junior Member

    Kevin.
    With regards to your query Sept 25/26. Briefly, Sept 21,Leopsoldsburg,129 Fd Amb to join advance on Nijmegan Sept 22 129 Fd Amb at Nijmegen,across the R.Waal in Lent. Sept 23,I29 Fd Amb at same loc,129 Inf Bde HQ felt that a full A D S in Lent too"risky.Unit to move back across the Waal,leaving a light sect as a C C P in Lent. Sept 24/25 129 Fd Amb in same locations. Sept 26, 129 Fd Amb move back across the Waal,set up at Valborg.Sept 27/30,129 Fd Amb remain in Valborg.

    Now this may be of interest to you, Nov 17,Geilenkirchen, 1800 Hrs,129 A D S to close at first light Nov 18.130 Fd Amb to open first light Nov18 to receive casualties at Ganglet. Nov18,0130 hrs,129 C C P to evacuate casualties to 130 Fd Amb A D S.Other dates show that 129 &130 Fd Amb were often in close contact.

    Hope this helps.

    Yours,etc, Oldloyal.
    Old Loyal

    Thanks for that information. I realise that I won't be able to make much progress until I have my fathers service record. I have a son who lives near Woking. A visit to see him could include a trip to the National Archives while my wife does some gardening for him.
    Kevin
     
  10. roger72

    roger72 Junior Member

    Hi everyone

    I have the War Diaries, Quaterly reports and whole host of statistics from the NA for 129 Field Ambulance who were part of the 43rd Division sat here on my hard drive. They cover from June 1944 to May 1945 and there is a lot! They are in JPEG format and I would be more than willing to pop the lot on a cd-rom for anyone who would like a look. The files are quite large which rules out e-mailing them.

    I have loads of War Diaries from the Great War but these are the only ones I have from WW2. I have them as it was my Grandad's unit. Like all the other diaries I don't think they should be hidden away so If anyone is interested then get in touch.

    The blank CD's don't cost me anything and saying that neither do the stamps (don't ask!) All I would ask is that if you have any diaries you might care to share I would be delighted to see them as I find them fascinating reads.

    Jonathan
    hi jonathan
    my father was part of 129 field ambulance unit in france june 1944 we would be very interested in any information you have about this unit.
    many thanks rog.
     
  11. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    hi jonathan
    my father was part of 129 field ambulance unit in france june 1944 we would be very interested in any information you have about this unit.
    many thanks rog.

    Hi Roger and welcome to the forum. Was your Dad with 129 FA for June 1944 only? I'm at work at the moment but I will post the diaries for June 1944 here later this evening. I'd be very interested in any info you have e.g photos. What was your Dads name?

    Jonathan
     
  12. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    Here you are Roger. This is the part of the Quarterly Report that covers June/July 1944.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  13. roger72

    roger72 Junior Member

    Hi Roger and welcome to the forum. Was your Dad with 129 FA for June 1944 only? I'm at work at the moment but I will post the diaries for June 1944 here later this evening. I'd be very interested in any info you have e.g photos. What was your Dads name?

    Jonathan
    hi jonathan
    many thanks for reply my father was with 129 field ambulance with 53 wessex div joined up in 1939 and was demobed in1945
    his name is alfred stanley pattrick
    i showed him the diary and he remembers this he is making some notes of times he had in france and places his unit went.
    speak soon roger
     
  14. Mrmontymagpie

    Mrmontymagpie Junior Member

    Hi everyone

    I have the War Diaries, Quaterly reports and whole host of statistics from the NA for 129 Field Ambulance who were part of the 43rd Division sat here on my hard drive. They cover from June 1944 to May 1945 and there is a lot! They are in JPEG format and I would be more than willing to pop the lot on a cd-rom for anyone who would like a look. The files are quite large which rules out e-mailing them.

    I have loads of War Diaries from the Great War but these are the only ones I have from WW2. I have them as it was my Grandad's unit. Like all the other diaries I don't think they should be hidden away so If anyone is interested then get in touch.

    The blank CD's don't cost me anything and saying that neither do the stamps (don't ask!) All I would ask is that if you have any diaries you might care to share I would be delighted to see them as I find them fascinating reads.

    Jonathan
    hi jonathan
    my Grandfather was part of 129 field ambulance unit in Belgium September 1944 where he was KIA i would be very interested in any information you have about this unit.
    many thanks Sean
     
  15. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    Hi Sean and welcome to the forum. What was your Grandfathers name? I don't suppose you have any photos of him with 129 FA?
     
  16. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    hi jonathan
    many thanks for reply my father was with 129 field ambulance with 53 wessex div joined up in 1939 and was demobed in1945
    his name is alfred stanley pattrick
    i showed him the diary and he remembers this he is making some notes of times he had in france and places his unit went.
    speak soon roger

    Hi Roger

    I didn't stop to think that your Dad was still with us! My Grandfather was John Ball from Bolton, I don't suppose he remembers the name?

    Does your Dad have any photos from his time with the Field Ambulance?
     
  17. Mrmontymagpie

    Mrmontymagpie Junior Member

    Hi Sean and welcome to the forum. What was your Grandfathers name? I don't suppose you have any photos of him with 129 FA?
    Hi Jonathan,

    My Grandfathers name was Arthur Beck and i only have one picture of him :-( Im hoping to find out what the Corp did up untill his death on 19th sept 44

    Hope you can share some details ? ta Sean
     
  18. Mike L

    Mike L Very Senior Member

    Great stuff - this is what the forum is all about!
     
  19. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    Hi Sean

    I've edited the post above to include the period your Grandfather was killed. On having had a quick look it does not appear to mention him. I will add the diaries later if you want however they only really mention the moves listed above and not much, if any further detail.

    Here is his CWGC entry:

    CWGC :: Casualty Details

    It would be good if you added the photo of him to the thread.

    Cheers

    Jonathan
     
  20. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

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