GREGAL??? will be its 'official' name because that's the precise location where the FFY put their tanks names. FFY not my specialty but it should now be relatively easy to confirm the full name and then hopefully the Commanders name. KevinT or Dick Taylor may know more. Have you checked their tanks names database?
Just done a google search for Rob Stout Fife Forfar Yeomanry and it comes up with the Thaneofife research group. Sorry I don't have time to take this further tonight but hopefully a good lead for you. RS will obviously have obtained his raw information from somewhere!
I've been distracted! GREGALACH was a racehorse....that fits nicely into FFY tank names convention. Apparently they named their tanks after racehorses, constellations and Saints etc
I've contacted the thaneofife research group and they have no current contact details for Rob Stout but they did say that Robs grandfather served with 2FFY in WW2. I'm now naturally wondering if the two chaps both served in GREGALACH.
Thanks, though have identified another person in the Comet crew as George Maggs, aka Lord Farcombe...sadly he passed away 4 years ago..will keep digging..
Try to contact his family. You never know! Would also be worth trawling the IWM website to see if he registers anywhere - photos, oral interviews etc.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...802122266506&usg=AOvVaw24cwKZOC8GSecgHsGdDQia This mentions Stutley! Another lead?
Hi all, Wondering if you can help? Finding it quite difficult to start research but would love to understand how I find out a bit more on my grandad and his time in the 2nd FF. my dad didn’t know much as he was only 6 when his dad died. Looking to try and find info on Trooper Thomas David Graham Smith. Can anyone give me a 101 on the first actions I can do? Thanks
Yes -- obtain his service records, they are held only by the MOD [for WW2 servicepersons] and the forms for applying are here Request records of deceased service personnel these records will tell you what units he was with, when he was with them and when so it is the best and rally only place to start any research on anyone involved in WW2. You will need a copy of his death certificate - it is not necessary to have his service number as many people think. Once you have them you can start a thread for him so that all the details are saved there - sort of a back up file to your personal records TD
Found this on Find my Past; Might or might not be the correct Smith. 7892481 Tpr. T.D.G. Smith, 2nd F&F Yeo. wounded 31.7.44 and Killed in action 10.4.45. Hope it is him.
UK, Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945 Name: Thomas Smith Given Initials: T D G Rank: Trooper Death Date: 10 Apr 1945 Number: 7892481 Birth Place: Fife Residence: Fife Regiment at Enlistment: Fife and Forfar Yeomanry RAC Branch at Enlistment: Royal Armoured Corps Theatre of War: Western Europe Campaign, 1944/45 Regiment at Death: Fife and Forfar Yeomanry RAC Branch at Death: Royal Armoured Corps You still need to obtain his service records to confirm or deny these details TD
Thanks so much. I know this is him - my gran always couldn’t believe he died so close to the end! how do I find out more about where he would have been? Would that be in the war record?
This is so interesting as I never knew he was wounded. The story I was told was the tank was actually ‘re-arming’ and wasn’t in battle but got attacked. I believe it was frowned upon at the time. I know my grandad came back once and saw my gran and dad but went back out to war. Wish it was easier to find out more but not sure where to start. Any tips would be appreciated Thank you so much for finding this by the way.
Dear Smithdg, I can help you in your search for information regarding your grandfather but I regret only in terms of his death in action: I believe that Trooper Smith was killed on 10 April while serving as the co-driver of a Comet of B Squadron 2 FF Yeo. The background to his death is as follows: On 10 April, 11th Armoured Division tasked 159th Brigade Group to clear the triangle of ground between the rivers Leine and the Aller and at 0800 hours 2 FF Yeo Group, one of the two regimental groups in the brigade, moved off to cross the 6th Airborne Division bridge at Neustadt to start this operation. Once on the right bank the group then headed north towards Schwarmstedt. Initially, very limited opposition was encountered and Esperke was captured without difficulty but this changed as the force approached Grindau, occupied by marines from 3./Füs.Kompanie and Hitler Youth of 6. SS-Kompanie. The first indication of stiffening resistance was the destruction of your grandfather's Comet, which was the lead tank and was hit by a Panzerfaust. I do know more details regarding the tank's destruction and your gallant grandfather's death, which I can give you if you wish and then only via the forum's private messaging system. In the summer of next year, my book entitled Theirs the Strife will be published by Helion and Company. It covers the battles in this area of Germany in April 1945 and contains considerable background information, which may be of interest to you. Best wishes John