205th Battery, 52nd Anti-Tank Regiment, R.A.

Discussion in '1940' started by graeme, Dec 1, 2015.

  1. graeme

    graeme Senior Member

    Morning,

    Researching

    L/Bdr. 1061143 Thomas Boot,
    205 Battery, 52 AT Regiment

    KiA 22 May 1940

    Struggling to decipher what happened to him.

    As far as I can see the 205th Battery moved into an anti-tank position under 138th Brigade on Sunday 19 May 1940 along the River Scarpe at St. Amand-les-Eaux.

    I think then that there was some sort of British counter attack at about the time of his death.

    Wondered if Andy could help, please, with the WD, to help clear up the matter,

    Many thanks,

    Regards,

    Graeme
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    From the regiments war diary - Not a lot to go on really:

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
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  3. graeme

    graeme Senior Member

    Hi Andy,

    Once again, many thanks for posting the diary, really appreciate it.

    As you say, not a lot however it is what they deemed correct to record at the time so just as important,

    Cheers and regards,

    Graeme
     
  4. amberdog45

    amberdog45 Senior Member

    Graeme, do you have access to any of the newspaper archives? His death is announced in the newspaper named in the attached.
     

    Attached Files:

  5. graeme

    graeme Senior Member

    Hi AD,

    Unfortunately not, however it does look like just a list,

    Cheers,

    Graeme
     
  6. LondonNik

    LondonNik Senior Member

    Deleted
     
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2017
  7. skimmod

    skimmod Senior Member

    Hello Nick,

    would you be able to furnish me with a few pages from the 206's War Diary?
    I'm after a few details on their actions alongside 17th Infantry Brigade under Stopford on the 26th-28th May.

    Particularly the name of the commanding officer and also any information on their locations. (I have an unconfirmed local diary that says 4 guns were set up alongside the 2nd RSF BHQ in the Vergotte Farm (near the 1918 bunker).

    much appreciated.
    Iain


     
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2017
  8. LondonNik

    LondonNik Senior Member

    Deleted
     
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2017
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  9. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    There is no 206 AT Battery diary for May 1940 in the WO 167 series.
     
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  10. skimmod

    skimmod Senior Member

    thanks Drew and Nick. I think I've finally worked out who it was. Unfortunately it looks like he didnt survive the action as I have found his temporary grave reference not far from their gun line. Major Hewett was noted as killed by artillery on the 27th as the troop was limbering their guns to withdraw from the Vergotte Farm road.

    One more question, if you can help?

    do you have a copy of "MTP 19 - Tactical Handling of Anti-tank Regiments"?

    and if so, can you tell me what the manual says about the typical layout of the gun line?

    thanks again and best regards to you both
    Iain
     
  11. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I don't have a copy. How's the book coming on Iain?
     
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  12. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Iain, its just a thought, have you tried asking on a different part of the forum for this book? Two members I can think of,are idler & dryan67. These chaps have more books than the British Library. Someone will have it.:cool:

    Regards
    Stu.
     
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2017
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  13. MarkN

    MarkN Banned

    MTP 19 = Military Training Pamphlet No19.

    Copy at Kew reading and waiting for a somebody to place an order with Drew5233. ;)
     
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  14. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Iain,
    the attachments are from The History of the Royal Scots Fusiliers 1919-1950. Not sure if they are of use, but I thought I would post them. The war diaries of the 2nd Battalion & other papers were captured when the Headquarters was overwhelmed, and they were never recovered. I'm dipping my toe into something that I know not much about .
    Regards
    Stu.

    rsz_1ccf30042017_0001.jpg
    rsz_1ccf30042017_0002.jpg
    rsz_1ccf30042017_0003.jpg
    rsz_1ccf30042017_0004.jpg
     
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  15. skimmod

    skimmod Senior Member

    Cheers Stuart. (and Drew and Nick)
    I'm re-writing the history of these fine fellows and have the original letters that this book was based on! I've also spoken to two survivors who were there and one German who was in the area at the time. It's fascinating stuff, especially as you say the records were destroyed before capture, but also the re-created records were destroyed in a fire at the HHQ in 1980.
    So it's been a 15 year project to get this far!
    RSF1940

    P.S. Drew, the book is slowly tickling along, work keeps getting in the way!!
     
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  16. skimmod

    skimmod Senior Member

    Not bad thanks Drew. I've had a bit of a bad run on the health run of late, so haven't added much!
    Would you like to cast an eye over it, perhaps if there are bits I'm missing, be great to have someone as knowledgable as yourself point them out?
    cheers
    Iain
     
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  17. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I'd loved to but a ongoing house move and trying to study for a place in Uni next year is stopping all play. Can I recommend Rich Payne to have a look-I trust no one more on the BEF than him.

    I like to think of myself as the chap with a shit load of resources but little knowledge.
     
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  18. skimmod

    skimmod Senior Member

    Sounds like you are a really busy man at the moment! Awesome news on the Uni place. good luck.
    I'll get hold of Rich Payne and see if he might be interested in having a read through.
     
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  19. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I should point out I'm trying (badly) to get a place in Uni, I don't have one, the fact I'm 50 years old in a few months is my main excuse this year :lol:
     
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