56th Reconnaissance Corps

Discussion in 'Recce' started by Recce_Mitch, Nov 30, 2008.

  1. martinb

    martinb Member

    Hi All

    You remember the booklet that i was talking about? well I got that said booklet that i asked my mother for yesterday.
    Right it is the "Reconnaissance Journal" Memorial Number, dated Summer 1950

    It is basically about the memorial service of the corp that happened at All Hallows by the Tower Church on april 30th 1950 where the book of rememberance for the corp 2500 dead was installed in the church.

    It has comrade assocation news in it, a history like the Osprey book about The British Reconnaissance Corps in World War II (looks like Osprey got its pictures from here), with a picture of the book of rememberance in its case.
    Then has the names listed on the back pages of all whom served but sadly died in the corp (2500 of them, 10% of the total that served).

    It is 56 pages and in a green cover, my copy is getting rather worn but i could try to get a printing shop to copy it or maybe scan it, If i can figure out how to do that, If anybody wanted to see it.

    Have a great day

    Marc

    Would be pleased to see a copy if there is any chance Marc
     
  2. SPERO56

    SPERO56 Member

    Guys

    I live in Italy and have just visited Monte Cassino - sort of puts your life into perspective. Reason I was there was my late grandfather Lieutenant Colonel Bill Burvis served with 5th Recce (prior to this he was with the West Kents9 I think throughout the war - North Africa and Italy - after Monte Cassino where I know he was as he told me some of what happened there - it all become a little vague.

    The shoulder flash I have is a rectangle split diagonally between a yellow flash and a green flash with what looks like a panther on it. Am I right to assume 5 Recce?

    I have done some research in the past and came across a Smudger Smith who wrote to me several times - this must be 6-8 years ago - and he remebered my grandfather and a bit about what they were up to - and I wondered if the Smudger posting on here was in anyway connected?

    Any help thoughts or ideas would be gratefully received.
     
  3. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Spero,

    Hello and welcome to the forum.

    The Badge you describe was designed by 2nd ltn E.M. Lyne according to the Osprey publication, The British Reconnaissance Corps in World War II.

    Some battalions felt the need for more positive forms of identification and this was first used by the 4th battalion.

    If you search Amazon books for the above mentioned title, the book is shown and you can page through it. Look at page (H) 40 which shows the badge and page 63 which provides the description.

    My father was nicknamed "Smudger", hence my nickname.

    Most Smiths were called Smudger by friends and unfortunately I believe that I am not your man.

    Please feel free to PM me.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  4. SPERO56

    SPERO56 Member

    Thanks very much Smudger for replying. I am going to look out the paperworkI have to say I am still confused about what my grandfather was doing at Monte Cassino.

    Was 4th Recce at Monte Cassino - or was it by then part of another division? I distinctly remember him telling me he was there with the Indian -possibly 4th or 6th ' -division and he had a platoon of gurkhas with him. Theerafter I have no idea where he went but he did not return to the UK until October 1945.

    Anyway attached are some pics that some may find of interest from last weekend when I was at Monte Cassino.

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  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  6. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Thanks very much Smudger for replying. I am going to look out the paperworkI have to say I am still confused about what my grandfather was doing at Monte Cassino.

    Was 4th Recce at Monte Cassino - or was it by then part of another division? I distinctly remember him telling me he was there with the Indian -possibly 4th or 6th ' -division and he had a platoon of gurkhas with him. Theerafter I have no idea where he went but he did not return to the UK until October 1945.

    Anyway attached are some pics that some may find of interest from last weekend when I was at Monte Cassino.

    View attachment 17990

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    View attachment 17997

    According to my father the Gurkhas were superb and he always slept easy knowing that they were nearby.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  7. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    Spero56, Welcome to the forum. Do you have any more Recce Headstone/Memorial Pics?
    Cheers
    Paul
     
  8. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    Contacted National Archives and requested a price for copying 1 month of 56 Recce War diary and this is the reply I got.

    Estimate number: E384459

    Thank you for contacting the National Archives with your request for an estimate for the cost of copies of records.

    We are able to spend up to twenty minutes attempting to identify the material specified by you in up to five records, in order to estimate the copying cost. Our preliminary examination shows that it would take longer than this to count the pages in the document/any of the documents and so we are unable to proceed. If you are able to limit your requirements to specific items (names, numbers, dates, places, organisations, etc), you should make a new request.

    There are three other ways for you to identify the material you want copied, assuming that it exists:

    1. You, or someone acting on your behalf, are welcome to visit us to do the research yourself. Our staff will give you advice free of charge. For visiting details, please go to http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/visit/. The only payment would be if you then wanted to buy copies from our Record Copying Department or use the self-service copying facilities (where available). You can take photographs of documents using your own digital camera, under certain rules. For details of the options go to http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/recordcopying/.

    2. You can hire an independent researcher to carry out specific or wider-ranging research for you, both at The National Archives and in other relevant archives. For details, and for a list of independent researchers who conduct research at The National Archives, look at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/irlist/.

    3. You can use our paid search service, if you have a specific request: we cannot undertake wide-ranging research. We will reply to your request within 20 working days of receiving it, excluding any days between asking for and receiving your payment. For details go to http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/foi/research.htm .

    We wish you every success in your research, but please be aware that the records in our custody are not always complete: they were not created or kept for research purposes, but for use by the government or law courts of the day. We cannot guarantee that you will find what you are looking for.

    If anyone can help me in obtaining any portion of 56 Recce War Diary please contact me.

    Cheers
    Paul
     
  9. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    CORPS CAP BADGE

    The Corps cap badge had a long gestation and its design could almost be described as a campaign in itself. Badge designs were sought by the War Office and a number were submitted by the artist Rex Whistler who was serving in 24th Independent Company of the Corps. Lots of other designs were rejected for a series of reasons.

    Not until 23rd April 1941 was a final decision reached when the Adjutant-General wrote to the Deputy Adjutant-General to say that "QMG and I decided that the best badge is the Spear Head as submitted by the 56th Battalion Reconnaissance Corps….."


    The design which finally became the Corps badge was the work of Trooper George Jones of 56th Recce, a commercial artist in civilian life, and incorporated a spearhead flanked by two bolts of lightning.. The designer was on the RHQ staff of 56th Recce at High Halden near Tenderten in Kent at the time he created the badge, a simple but strikingly effective design which embodied very clearly the role of the Reconnaissance Corps.

    As well as symbolising that role so well, the new badge also met the criteria of being robust, easy to clean and easily recognisable. It was also unlikely to attract any undesirable descriptions: apparently the only thing to which the badge was ever compared was a Christmas tree. The addition of a scroll reading 'Reconnaissance Corps' was the only significant change in George Jones' design which was submitted for the approval of the King at the end of June 1941.


    That approval was forthcoming and an ACI dated 29th July 1941 made the badge official but it was not until 1st September that units were invited to indent for supplies.

    Adapted from "Only the Enemy in Front (Every other beggar behind….)" - Richard Doherty


    From 56 Recce War Diary July 1942

    In conclusion it is felt that the month has been a very full one for all ranks in the Battalion. Schemes have been plentiful and varied. Liaison with the Home Guard has brought both sides a considerable amount of good. The final approval of the Reconnaissance Corps badge, which was one of the designs submitted by a member of the Intelligence Section of this Battalion, was of great interest to the unit.


    Cheers
    Paul
     
  10. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Paul,

    Nice for members to see how the badge originated.

    It's nice to see all the other designs put forward, but never saw the light of day for one reason or other.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  11. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    At long last, thanks to Mike McCann @ British War Graves have obtained the pic of 2 of Dads mates that were killed on patrol near Medjez El Bab Tunisia, my Dad surviving.

    Cheers
    Paul
     

    Attached Files:

  12. Trevort

    Trevort Cprl James J H Thomas

    Hello Everyone,

    This is my first posting to this site, I apologise now for the length of it, but I have my Mum with me who can recall more details of my father's life in the services than I.

    My Dad was:-
    Cprl James John Henry Thomas "Curly" dob 13.11.1919 - 6.05.2006

    Number 5440253

    His Background:-

    Called up 20th January 1940 and served with the Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry, being trained in Bodmin.

    He moved on to the North Irish Horse before being posted to the RECCE. Corps Joining the 56th. Training in Scotland. Jim could make it from Scotland to St Albans (where Mum had been evacuated to) and back again over two days. He would have to avoid the Redcaps. All this for his ration of cigarettes (Jim never smoked) which he used in exchange for time.

    We are fortunate to have a photograph of Jim and Cprl James Heard printed in the book, "Only the Enemy in front", in action taken shortly after crossing the River Po.

    Dad continued contact with Len Hughes after the war until his death.

    Jim served in North Africa and Italy. He missed Sicily as he put it landing on the heel of Italy. Finally getting wounded in Austria (shot through the knee) by virtually the last shot of the war from a sniper. He always maintained that the Germans gave up once they knew he was out of the way. He was flown back to Rome on a plane full of Yanks which was lining up for take off as his Jeep arrived. He said they pulled him onboard as the plane actually started down the runway. I asked him what film they were showing during the flight and got a cheeky smile as a response.

    It is written that Roger Banister was the first to break the four minute mile, Dad always said he and many other in the RECCE broke it 10 years earlier saying "You would be surprised how fast you can run when someone is shooting at you!"

    In North Africa he came across another family Member Arthur Roberts who was a motorbike rider with the signals. Jim came across a group from Signals and asked if anyone knew Driver Roberts, no one had heard of a driver by this name. However they did have a Barber Roberts. Specialist with basin and scissors. This was Dad's brother-in - law obviously hidden talents from the rest of the family.

    Dad had a wonderful story about Casino, remember these were days when you had to describe everything in words, no pictures available. As he said "we were on a summit of a hill, you could move around safelyduring the day, at night I would take the rations to the men dug in further down towards the Monestary. This particular night the ration was a seven pound tin of jam, to be shared. No spoons just a cupped hand. I had to crawl from position to position sharing this delight, some may have got as much dirt as jam but no one complained (joke).

    At night was the only time that those in the dug outs could come out to do what comes naturally, however one named "Lanky" would not make his way back to the 'safe' side of the hill. He would just climb out and do it locally, Jim always said that the Germans knew of his habit and in the full darkness would fire a few shots in his general direction, sadly for Lanky he would fall back into what he had done. Jim said he could hear the Germans laughing as Lanky cursed and shook his fists.


    Also in Italy he was asked to contact those in his battalion who were Catholic as he and they went to meet the Pope.
    In Italy, Jim was trapped in an Orchard for a week with no rations, he never allowed another apple into the house when he was demobbed.

    I hope to get more out of Mum about Dad and would like to make more posts.
    Thank you to Adam for getting me here.
    Trev
     
  13. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Trev and welcome to the forum.

    Thanks for telling us about your father, a great story indeed :)

    Regards
    Andy
     
  14. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    Welcome to the forum. By all means make more posts. Always great to hear more about Recce, especially 56th.

    Cheers
    Paul
     
  15. martinb

    martinb Member

    Great tales- as Mitch says nice to hear about them especially the 56th who dad was with.
     
  16. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    I have just obtained This Band of Brothers by Jeremy Taylor. This is from the appendix.



    THE 56TH RECONNAISSANCE REGIMENT


    The Regiment was formed in January, 1941, from the 167th, 168th and 169th Brigade Anti-Tank Companies. The 56th was the first Regiment of the Corps to land in Tunisia. The Regiment fought through that campaign, in Sicily, and throughout the cam­paign in Italy.

    Commanding Officers of the Regiment were: Lt-Col. N. F. V. Hamilton, Lt-Col. K. G. F. Chavasse, D.S.O.,
    Lt-Col. R. W. M. R. Hartland-Mahon, M.C.

    Other Ranks of the Regiment gained the following Decorations and Awards:-


    Cpl D. W. Allen, M.M.
    Tpr J. Allsop, M.M.
    Tpr M. Anderson, M.I.D.
    Sgt C. F. Anthony, M.I.D.
    Sgt R. G. Attenburrow, M.M.
    Sgt F. Backhurst, M.M.
    Cpl K. Bacon, M.M.
    Sgt E. G. Barnes, M.I.D.
    Tpr F. E. Barratt, M.I.D.
    Cpl T. A. Blease, M.M.
    Sgt L. Borlotti, M.M.
    Sgt V. V. Bowhay, M.M.
    Sgt H. F. Bradby, M.I.D.
    Tpr R. Brighton, M.I.D.
    L/C R. Brown, M.I.D.
    L/C R. W. Brown, M.I.D.
    Cpl A. Buchanan, M.M.
    Sgt D. Carter, M.I.D.
    Tpr A. T. Cripps, M.I.D.
    Sgt P. Cronin, M.M.
    Tpr A. J. L. Crutch, M.M.
    SQMS J. E. Curtis, B.E.M.
    Sgt H. Dean, D.C.M.
    Tpr J. Donovan, M.M.
    Sgt F. R. E. Double, M.LD.
    Sgt D. Dow, M.I.D.
    L/C G. Duffy, M.M.
    Tpr R. H. Edwards, M.I.D.
    Sgt W. Falconer, M.M.
    Cpl H. Ferguson, M.M.
    Sgt B. Finn, D.C.M.
    Sgt G. F. Fisher, M.I.D.
    L/C D. J. E. Grant, M.M.
    Tpr J. T. Griffiths, M.I.D.
    Cpl A. G. Harden, M.LD.
    Cpl D. G. Harris, M.M.
    Cpl T. Henderson, M.I.D.
    Cpl E. Hennigan, M.M.
    Tpr J. Hollow, M.I.D.
    Tpr H. Howard, M.M.
    Tpr J. Jansen, M.I.D.
    Cpl E. J. Jackson, M.I.D.
    WO 1 H. King, M.I.D.
    Sgt W. Kitching, M.M.
    Tpr H. S. Longman, M.I.D.
    L/C H. C. Lonnon, M.I.D.
    L/C E. Marney, M.I.D.
    Cpl J. W. Mason, M.I.D.
    Sgt V. O. Mayne, M.M.
    Sgt H. McLeod, M.I.D.
    Tpr W. Mowatt, M.I.D.
    Sgt T. E. Moyle, M.M.
    Tpr A. F. Newlands, M.I.D.
    WO 11 F. Paynter, M.I.D.
    Sgt R. Pemberton, M.I.D.
    WO 11 A. E. Phillips, M.I.D.
    Tpr L. Pickering, M.I.D.
    L/C C. H. Prien, M.M.
    Sgt L. Pritchard, M.I.D.
    SQMS J. C. Reader, M.I.D.
    Tpr C. Reid, M.M.
    WO 11 J. G. Richards,
    M.I.D.Sgt D. C. Rollings, M.I.D.
    Tpr J. M. Scorgie M.M.
    Cpl C. Smith, M.M.
    Sgt H. Strong, M.I.D.
    Tpr A. Taylor, M.I.D.
    Sgt R. C. Thornton, M.I.D.
    Sgt J. W. Tilbury, M.I.D.
    Sgt R. J. Twomey, M.M.
    Cpl T. E. Wainwright, M.M.
    Sgt L. E. Whatley, M.M.
    Tpr D. Wishart, M.M.
    SQMS J. E. G. Wolledge, M.I.D.

    Cheers
    Paul
     
  17. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

  18. martinb

    martinb Member

  19. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    On 7th April 1943 this NCO was in command of a LRC Patrol forming part of a troop whose task was to cover the left flank of the 11th Inf Bde attack on Toukabeur. At first light the patrol on his right came under heavy MG fire from the forward slopes of the high ground infront and was held up. L/Sjt. Dean promptly led his patrol round the flank on to this position and captured the enemy MG crew.

    About an hour later an enemy sub-machine gunner opened up from a concealed position in the vacinity. Taking one man with him L/Sjt. Dean crawled up to where the fire came from, surprised the enemy post and captured five more prisoners. From these he learnt the location of an A/Tk gun and machine gun position further round the hill which was firing on the carriers of the troop.

    L/Sjt. Dean reported this information to his troop leader, Lieut. Edwards, and then accompanied the later through heavy fire to the position. Together they captured 18 of the enemy, three heavy MG's and two 50mm A/Tk guns. His courage and initiative played a large part in assisting the advance of the infantry of the right.

    Recommended for MM

    LG 15.6.43.

    For Distinguished Conduct in the Field-George A. Brown
     
  20. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Since the commencement of operations in this theatre of war L/Sjt. Finn B. has continually led his patrols with courage and resourcefulness. On several occasions he has extricated his patrols from behind enemy positions, and his leadership has been a continual source of inspiration to his section.

    On 17th November 1942 whilst returning to his HQ with vital information he found the road cut by enemy tanks. Faced with the alternative of taking a long safe route back or of going on and getting the information through quickly, he, without hesitation chose the latter course and by skilful use of ground and smoke he led his patrol safely through the enemy ambush and although the whole area was under heavy fire got through without loss.

    LG 11.2.43


    For Distinguished Conduct in the Field-George A. Brown
     

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