Essex Yeomanry, 104th Royal Artillery

Discussion in 'Royal Artillery' started by WGWright, May 30, 2012.

  1. WGWright

    WGWright Older Member

    My father was a member of the Essex Yeomanry (EY) serving and surviving throughout WWll. Having spent some time searching and browsing through the forum. I now know that I should get his service records before going any further. Unfortunately working in the Middle East myself at the moment I won't be able to apply for his records for a short time and even then it will take possible some time to get them back. Being impatient I thought I'd ask some general questions about the EY. The EY do have their own forum but it has been suggested that I research in this forum.

    Firstly I have many pictures (about 200) from during the war in the North Africa campaigns. It seems he arrived there around 1941 and eventually was demobed in Austria after being involved in the Italy campaign.

    Many of the pictures are dated and located and there are also pictures of his comrades. It may be nice to get copies of these back to any of them or their families.

    Questions:
    What is the best way of finding out when and where he would have signed up?
    Will his service records show which brigade, unit, regiment he was in?
    Will the record show where he went during the war?
    What is the best way to see if anybody is interested in copies of any of the pictures?
    Is there any worth in trying to list all the names recorded on the photos so that a search by others may assist contacts?

    I'm sure I should be patient and wait for his war service record but this may be many months and none of us are getting any younger. I have done some searching without any real detail apparent in the forum.

    WGW
     
  2. WGWright

    WGWright Older Member

    Hopefully I've uploaded an example of one of the pictures, others are more of every day life in the desert.
    WGW
     

    Attached Files:

  3. Rob Dickers

    Rob Dickers 10th MEDIUM REGT RA

    Hi WGW
    A great photo mate,nice thing to have.
    I presume you mean the 104th (EY) RHA TA
    RA 1939-45 104 RHA
    Best
    Rob
     
  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    First 3 Q's =Yes, they should be in his records

    Last 2 Q's = Post them on here and yes :)
     
  5. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

    WGW-
    Yes please post photos and names!! We LOVE photos :)

    Lesley
     
  6. RemeDesertRat

    RemeDesertRat Very Senior Member

    Hopefully I've uploaded an example of one of the pictures, others are more of every day life in the desert.
    WGW

    I for one would love to see the pics. :) My Dad was in North Africa from 1941, perhaps he may be on them?
     
  7. Mike L

    Mike L Very Senior Member

    Great picture WGW.
    There are a couple of ways of making a large number of photos available to forum members:
    Put them in an album in your profile.
    Start an album on a hosting site such as Photobucket (some prefer other hosting sites) and you can then put links to the album in your posts. This enables you to out full size images in your posts rather than 'thumbnails'.
    See this link to info on the forum front page:
    http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/network-information/12816-how-insert-pictures-videos-into-your-posts.html

    If there are names on the back of some of the photos be sure to scan and post the backs as well.
    Good luck, look forward to seeing your collection!
     
  8. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Here are all the regiments war diaries held at the national archives:


    WO 169/247 104 RHA Regiment 1939 Sept.- 1940 Dec.

    WO 169/1431 104 Regiment R.H.A. 1941 Jan.- July

    WO 169/1432 104 Regiment R.H.A. 1941 Aug.- Dec.

    WO 169/9464 104 R.H.A. Regiment (E.Y.) 1943 Jan.- Dec.

    WO 169/16049 104 Regiment 1944 Jan.- Sept.

    WO 169/16050 104 Regiment 463 Bty 1944 Sept.- Oct.

    WO 170/4833 104 Regiment 1945 Jan.- Apr.

    I did find a few attached Signals, LAD and Workshop files as well.
     
  9. WGWright

    WGWright Older Member

    Thanks for all the comments, they are very encouraging. Unfortunately I do most of my research in my off time on a work PC that limits access to many sites. However I will start the process of scanning the pics and listing at least the names so that I can post on this forum. I will be sending off the request for my Dad's service record soon. In the meantime in his pwn stuff somewhere may be some info on his war records. If I can find one contact from his time in the army would be nice and get an unknown pic to them would be extra worthwhile.
    WGW
     
  10. WGWright

    WGWright Older Member

    In the meantime try this one while I look, scan and start to organise. Any ideas how I can find out what company/regiment the two pics are?
    I wonder what's the dog and his name?
    WGW
     

    Attached Files:

    Stephen Keoghane likes this.
  11. WGWright

    WGWright Older Member

    If the dog is a boxer, it may explain why my Dad always had a liking for them. However, we only ever had mongrels! No clues yet on the regiment/unit?
    WGW
     
  12. WGWright

    WGWright Older Member

    Having started to just look through the pictures. The above subject words seem to figure on several of them. Do they mean anything to anyone?
    Many of the pics have a place, a rough date and either nicknames or just Christian names, unfortunately many I can't decipher, although clearly written. It will be quite a task scanning each picture back and front so I need to find a place to get them all organised electronically and available for people to search and research.
    I have several uniform badges and it seems that Dad was definitely in the Essex Yeomanry and the RHA. There is also a badge with crossed flags so I guess this would indicate Dad was a signaller, as I believed.
    Sadly one photo booth type picture shows someone who possibly died soon after circa '42 - again only a nickname.
    Have now sent off for his service record and letter back indicates a year for a response.
    WGW
     
    Stephen Keoghane likes this.
  13. bsidebaby

    bsidebaby New Member

    My Dads Uncle was in this regiment and died in Egypt 1941 from wounds at Tobruk. His name was Thomas Richard Gilbert known as Dick. He was from Bilton Rugby then Chelmsford Essex. Maybe you have some reference to him? Thank you
     
  14. Fred Wilson

    Fred Wilson Member

  15. Good Morning

    Very keen to see any images and indeed know if there are letters home. I am writing a new history of the EY for my publisher Fonthill Media. I am working closely with the EY Association but it’s this sort of family material that tips the balance.
    I would love to hear from you and indeed tell your relative’s story.
    You can see my previous work on the Wiltshire Yeomanry on the Fonthill Media website.

    Many thanks

    Stephen


    QUOTE="WGWright, post: 485444, member: 29407"]Having started to just look through the pictures. The above subject words seem to figure on several of them. Do they mean anything to anyone?
    Many of the pics have a place, a rough date and either nicknames or just Christian names, unfortunately many I can't decipher, although clearly written. It will be quite a task scanning each picture back and front so I need to find a place to get them all organised electronically and available for people to search and research.
    I have several uniform badges and it seems that Dad was definitely in the Essex Yeomanry and the RHA. There is also a badge with crossed flags so I guess this would indicate Dad was a signaller, as I believed.
    Sadly one photo booth type picture shows someone who possibly died soon after circa '42 - again only a nickname.
    Have now sent off for his service record and letter back indicates a year for a response.
    WGW[/QUOTE]
     
  16. WGWright

    WGWright Older Member

    Apologies for not seeing these posts earlier. I received very little feedback through this forum all those years ago that I stopped checking it. I started working on my family ancestry and this has taken much of my time over the intervening years.
    I have now got my Dad's service record and have scanned all his war pictures both front and back.
    I'm willing to help as much as I can. I'll have a look for any reference to "Dick" but I don't recall seeing that name. In all cases it would have been a nickname on the photo.
    Eddie
     
    Chris C likes this.
  17. NigelTurner

    NigelTurner New Member

    Hello, My father was in 104 RHA (EY). He served in ME from July 42 to Oct 44 and then in Italy from Oct 44 to April 1945. He was demobbed in Austria in March 1946. His demob papers have him as being in 519 Battery, which was formed in April 1942. His name was William Edward Turner. LBdr, service no 1089026. I've spent a day at National Archives looking at the war diaries but they stop in April 1945. I've got a good picture of his battery's activities at Alamein and in Italy. Now I'm trying to trace his route into Austria after hostilities ended. Any info would be helpful.
     
  18. Nigel
    I am writing a new regimental history and have covered 104 - I am working very closely with the regimental association. Very happy to chat.
    I would love to know if you have letters or images from Italy - it is the hardest period to find new material.
    My previous work is on the Fonthill Media site.
    I will send you my email.
    Best Wishes
    Stephen
     
  19. DSowerby

    DSowerby Junior Member

    There was a Lieutenant (QM) Albert "Tubby" Grimshaw in the 104th in North Africa - does he appear anywhere? He was a pre war regular with the RASC and was commissioned into the RA TA as Lt and QM in early 1939.

    Thanks,

    David
     
    Chris C likes this.
  20. David
    He will appear in the new regimental history that has been written with the full cooperation of the EY Association.
    I have quite a few images of him - was he a relative of yours ?

    Stephen
     
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