Hello I hope this is the right place to post. My grandad was in the RAOC when he was sent to France with the BEF in September 1939. He must have been based in or around Arras as my dad is in possession of a hand drawn map of the town that my grandad drew. But I am after any more precise info on what he was doing in France. According to his service records he was attached to GHQ 2nd echelon. He was sadly killed by an aerial bombardment on the 21st May 1940 so his time there was brief. Does anyone know any info that I can gain. I think I can get the war diary relating to that unit, but does anyone know of any info I can get from Arras itself. We are planning a surprise trip for my dads 80th birthday to Arras and then Tingry where my grandad is buried and I am just trying to get as much info as possible before we go. Any information appreciated.
Hi Starbelly Do you have his service records?? - if not then link is here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records#how-to-apply-for-service-personnel-records Also from Ancestry records: Name: Philip Ryding Given Initials: P Rank: Serjeant Death Date: 21 May 1940 Number: 7585591 Birth Place: Manchester Residence: Manchester Branch at Enlistment: Other Corps Theatre of War: France and Belgium Campaign, 1939/40 Regiment at Death: Royal Army Ordnance Corps Branch at Death: Other Corps Philip Patrick Ryding in the UK, Commonwealth War Graves, 1914-1921 and 1939-1947 Name: Philip Patrick Ryding Age: 28 Birth Date: abt 1912 Death Date: 21 May 1940 Cemetery: Tingry Churchyard Burial Country: France Father: Marshall Philip Ryding Mother: Sarah Ryding Regimental Number: 7585591 Region or Memorial: France I will also sens Drew (our resident BEF expert) a PM and alert him to your thread TD edited to add: CWGC details - note that he is the only WW2 soldier buried at this cemetery RYDING, PHILIP PATRICK Rank:Serjeant Service No:7585591 Date of Death:21/05/1940 Age:28 Regiment/Service:Royal Army Ordnance Corps Grave Reference: Cemetery:TINGRY CHURCHYARD Additional Information:Son of Marshall Philip and Sarah Ryding; husband of Edith Hannah Ryding, of Didcot, Berkshire.
Thanks for the info Tricky Dicky. I have his service records and we visited the grave about six years ago. The missing element for me is any detail ( if there is) of what he did while in France. I believe the next logical move would be the war diary for his unit. Just trying to cover all avenues of enquiry before we go to France. Thanks again, I look forward to anything Drew might add
It might be worth uploading the section of his service record covering his time in France - just so that we can all see the actual details of his record which will help in focussing into the right area faster, rather than having to make assumptions TD
The attached is only stating what his ranks were and when - nothing more, have you his service record stating what regiment he was with and when etc?? TD
