Gunner Harold Forden WW2 service history

Discussion in 'Royal Artillery' started by Paul Forden, Feb 17, 2022.

  1. Paul Forden

    Paul Forden Active Member

    I’m hoping for some help researching my Dads WW2 history. I’ve got his information from MOD see attached. I did a lot of research back in 2002 but work and family life took over. I’m trying to pick this up again.
    Dad was in RA his number was 886934. he went to Dunkirk, Tobruk, was captured.
    I found out he was in Campo 73 Italy, then Stalag IVB and IVG.
    I’m after details of his service, I don’t understand the terminology such as 22nd Field Regiment, 76th Highland division, 124 Field Regiment etc. I was hoping someone might have info on the above and possible details of dads service, war diaries etc appreciate he won’t be mentioned by name. Also any info on the POW camps. I’ve attached a copy of his service record. Would be grateful for Any info or help.
     

    Attached Files:

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  2. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Welcome aboard Paul. I am sure you will get some help here and the service history does help. PM with some tips next.
    Others here know more about POW camps.
     
  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

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  4. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    886934 Gunner Forden. H. signed attestation papers 1938. (attached) Reported missing 20.6.1942. on Casualty list 898. 124th Field Regiment R.A. Cyrenaica, Middle East. Later Confirmed POW. Held in campo 78, Italy. then held in camp 4G, German territory. POW number 248123

    The attachment is not his attestation papers but the R.A. register of attestation. Google search has plenty of info on the numbered camps.
     

    Attached Files:

  5. timuk

    timuk Well-Known Member

    The file you have attached is an abstract from your Dad's Service Record which is what the MoD used to provide. Nowadays you get a copy of the actual record. I would contact the MoD and request that they send you copies of the original records, which will include more information. Since I presume you paid for the abstract I believe they will not charge you again.

    Tim
     
  6. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    You may not be aware that MOD now provide the original documents from which the typed record of service was compiled almost 20 years ago. They include more information than was previously provided.

    You ought to apply to Swiss Red Cross for copies of his POW records when they reopen for enquiries at 8am 16th May. You need to be quick off the mark as the application window will close within 90 minutes or so due to being oversubscribed.

    Requests for information about people held during Spanish Civil War or Second World War: Quarterly limit reached

    Steve
     
  7. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    Last edited: Feb 17, 2022
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  8. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Welcome to the forum
     
  9. Paul Forden

    Paul Forden Active Member

  10. Paul Forden

    Paul Forden Active Member

    Thankyou for the document, I hadn’t seen this before. Is it possible to get copies of casualty lists?
    Thanks again
    Paul
     
  11. Paul Forden

    Paul Forden Active Member

    Hi I did apply again and received more hand written details which I will try and upload.
    Thanks
     
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  12. Paul Forden

    Paul Forden Active Member

  13. Paul Forden

    Paul Forden Active Member

    Thankyou, looks like a great resource for me.
     
  14. Paul Forden

    Paul Forden Active Member

    Hi did the Red Cross, they didn’t have his POW card but did confirm his German camps. I got a copy of the report my dad completed when he returned to UK, this confirmed his Italy camp as Camp 73, not 78.

    thanks again

    paul
     
  15. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Paul,

    22 Field Regiment (only for four days in 1939). There are thirteen threads on them, but on a very quick look not for when he was with them. I searched using "22 Field Regiment" + "ww2talk.com" (there are other ways).

    76 Highland Field Regiment (only for eleven days in June 1940) Very few threads and again nowt for his time.

    124 Field Regiment (for two years 20/6/1940-20/6/1942, including Iraq 1/12/1941-12/2/1942). Try: 124th Field Regiment R.A (Northumbrian T.A) and: Help! My Grandfather Gunner/Driver Arthur Small

    Now to find how 124 Field Regmt came to lose your father, others know the Desert War far better so his date of capture 20th June 1942 should help.It appears to have been the Gazala battle:

    The 124 Field Rgmt was part of the 50th Division (had been since 22/5/1940). See: 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division - Wikipedia They remained with them into Sicily. The history does show the division were in Iraq and returned in time for Gazala, where parts of the division were overrun: Battle of Gazala - Wikipedia

    You have posted some details on his POW time in Germany, it does not copy, so others should have a look: Gnr. Harold Forden British Army 124 Field Regiment Royal Artillery The Wartime Memories Project
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2022
  16. Paul Forden

    Paul Forden Active Member

    Thanks for all the info, really helpful. I posted my Dads details back in 2002 etc. I managed to visit the camps in Germany and met several POW’s. It was a big part of my life, my dad died when I was 8 so never got to speak to him about it.
    I’ve managed to upload documents from MOD, I don’t understand a lot of it or what order the documents should be. Some writing very faint. It appears he went AWOL at some point. Any help with these documents would be appreciated.
    Thanks

    paul
     

    Attached Files:

  17. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    Casualty lists and POW lists
     

    Attached Files:

  18. Paul Forden

    Paul Forden Active Member

    Thanks for this information, it’s interesting as for years I didn’t know what Italian camp he was in. Then got the info which showed PG 78, it’s actually blank against his name but assumed it was the last camp number recorded. When I got a copy of a report he completed when returning to UK he stated PG 73. I guess he knew where he was. I have never seen the casualty reports so this is a great piece of information. Do you know what the hand written numbers refer to?
    Thanks

    paul
     
  19. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

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  20. Paul Forden

    Paul Forden Active Member

    Thanks Owen
     

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