Good afternoon, I'm currently researching the all-female 93rd Searchlight Regiment (Basic Information Here) that my Grandmother was a part of, and am looking for any additional information that any members may have or whether they can point me in the right direction please. My Grandmother, Patricia Longland (formerly Baxter) passed away in 1987 so I've so far been unable to request her service record without the death certificate (whereabouts unknown), and do not know her service number. So far I've been able to find: - A memoir she wrote in 1985 about her time in the Regiment (makes for interesting reading!) - Numerous high quality photos of her that my Grandfather passed onto us - A photo of a group from the unit which we believe was featured on the front cover of British Vogue at some point I'm keen to link up with anyone who may have an interest or further information on the regiment if possible, such as where my Grandmother might have been station or any other specifics. Thanks. PS: We're also looking to confirm whether or not she would have received the War Medal for her time in the regiment. PPS: Gallantry award has been found to be awarded to a different women of the same age, name and location.
Hi It would appear that your grandmother was one of three awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for their actions that night. Page 2489 | Supplement 35149, 29 April 1941 | Londo... Looks like another copy of the recommendation is at Kew. Case Number: 890A. Name: Patricia Baxter . Age: 20. Occupation: Telephonist AFS ,... | The National Archives Hope this helps Gus
Always worth looking the Regiment up on Derek Barton's ra 1939-45 Site. Details regarding the Regiment: 93 (Mixed) Searchlight Regiment RA (TA) - The Royal Artillery 1939-45
Hi Guy, Big help - thanks so much! My mum knows nothing of this so she's going to ask around the family as we'd like to confirm that this is the same Patricia Baxter. The age and location matches, but other than that she never mentioned it.
Thanks mate. Would I probably be right to assume she'd have most likely been part of "3 Anti-Aircraft Group, 47 Anti-Aircraft Brigade" within the 93rd, seeing as that was Southampton and she lived in Portsmouth? And served after it became all-female?
It appears that she was awarded the BEM before she was in the Search Light Regt working as a telephonist in The Auxiliary Fire Service in Southampton 1941. If she joined the 93rd SLR when it was all female in 1943, then it would indeed fit the criteria. Firstly you need to confirm that this is the same person. You might find the answer on Ancestry or Find My past 1939 Census sheet which should list the address and occupation. Other family members might also appear on the Census Sheet.
Having talked as a family we’ve come to the conclusion that the award wasn’t for her. None of her children are aware of it and the address listed on the original isn’t one they knew her to have lived at unfortunately. Same name, age and general location but will need further research via the census, as you say. Thanks for your help anyway.
Before too much time passes in this thread, would any of chaps happen to know whether my Grandmother was likely to have received the War Medal or not? I have one, with my Grandads medals (her husbands) but I not sure where it has come from, and it's not his and he has one already. Thanks.
Apply for her service records You do not require her service number. you require date of birth and death cert Deah cert available here General Register Office Link here to apply for her service records Request records of deceased service personnel
Do you not have some idea of where she lived? Could this be her? Remember that you do not need any military details i.e. service number to send away for service records, just a date of birth and death certificate:- BIRTH First name(s) Patricia E Last name Baxter Birth registration year 1921 Registration quarter 1 Mother's maiden name Ruffell District Portsmouth County Hampshire Country England Volume 2B Page 832 BAPTISM First name(s) Patricia Eileen Last name Baxter Birth date 04 Jan 1921 Baptism date 13 Feb 1921 Baptism place Southsea, St Bartholomew Residence 11 Rugby Road Father's first name(s) Douglas Frederick Alfred Mother's first name(s) Kathleen County Hampshire Country England [My note: Douglas Frederick Alfred Baxter married Kathleen Ruffell 29 May 1920 @ St Marks Church, Portsmouth] MARRIAGE First name(s) Patricia E Last name Baxter Marriage quarter 4 Marriage year 1946 Patricia E Baxter married one of these people John J Longland District Portsmouth County Hampshire Volume 6B Volume as transcribed 6B Page number 876 DEATH First name(s) Patricia Eileen Last name Longland Sex Female Birth day 4 Birth month 1 Birth year 1921 Death quarter 3 Death year 1987 District South East Hampshire Register number 787 County Hampshire Volume 20 Page 1499
Yes, that's her. I hadn't realised how easy it would be to request the death certificate after all this time, so just assumed it'd all be quite difficult. I'll purchase a copy today and get on to ordering the service record. Thanks.
FYI 1921 Living @ 24 Trafalgar St, Landport Douglas Frederick Alfred Baxter, age 23y 9m, born Portsmouth, Hampshire, Electrical fitter, HM Dockyard Kathleen Baxter, age 22y 3m, born Stockbridge, Hampshire Patricia Eileen Baxter, age 5m, born Portsmouth, Hampshire 1939 Living @ 114 Chatsworth Ave, Portsmouth Baxter, Douglas FA dob 13 Sept 97, Electrical draughtsman HMD Baxter, Kate dob 26 Mar 99 Baxter, Patricia E dob 4 Jan 21, Ladies outfitters shop assistant
Interesting! As a family, we’re leaning towards this likely being a different Patricia Baxter but you never know! Her children have no memory of her living at the address listed on the original document scan in Southsea. I’ll pass on the photo and see of they think there is a resemblance. Much appreciated, big help.
Have you also seen this ATS Remembered history page? I'm especially wary of their crew enumeration omitting the oft-forgotten #10 usually hidden away behind a hedge where no barn was available. Did they normally dispense with one member so as to reassign #10's role to #9 !? Maybe then also see my defence of #10s over on Uncle Target's 2021Searchlight unit Organisation & operation thread in which I hark even further back to Fighting Lights - a slim 1942 paperback which ends up backing ATS SL takeover. Steve
