5626098 John Tidd 4th Devons & Royal Engineers

Discussion in 'Royal Engineers' started by Mike Tidd, Sep 20, 2019.

  1. Mike Tidd

    Mike Tidd Member

    I am trying to trace my father's army career in WW2. He was in the 4th Devons and then the Royal Engineers and served in Gibralta and I have a photograph of him with his Unit in Leuven Belgium around 1943/44 but I can't lay my hands on it right now!
    Can anyone throw any light on the unit he was with. I have his service record.
    Any help would be appreciated.
    Many thanks.
    Mike Tidd
     
  2. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    He may have been in Belgium after June 1944 - doubt he was there in 1943

    Best to upload a good clear scan of his service record for members to help assist you

    TD
     
  3. Mike Tidd

    Mike Tidd Member

    I have now found the photograph of my father and his unit in Leuven Belgium and post it here. My father is 4th from the left sitting at the front. Any one have any information I would be very grateful. I will scan his Army Record and upload it soon.
     

    Attached Files:

  4. Mike Tidd

    Mike Tidd Member

    I have now finally digitised my Father's Service Record and post it here in 3 Parts.
    I have drawn a complete blank on where and what he was involved in during his time in the Royal Engineers except that he seems to have been attached to 63 ME & 874 ME Royal Engineers.
    Can anyone throw any light on where they were, what they did, which regiment(s) they were attached to. Any leads on where I can find the War Diaries or what to look for to find find them.
    Thank You.
     

    Attached Files:

  5. Mike Tidd

    Mike Tidd Member

    You are probably right TD he must have been there between 1943 and 1945. The photographers stamp on the reverse of the photograph is an address in Leuven. I don't think photographers would have travelled miles so I assume that his unit was in Leuven when it was taken.
     
  6. travers1940

    travers1940 Well-Known Member

    Happy to be corrected, but I believe the photograph is post war, but maybe only just, as the other ranks are wearing ties with their battledress. And taken before most of the WW2 medal ribbons were issued.
     
  7. Kentish Royal Engineer

    Kentish Royal Engineer Junior Member

    Hi Mike,
    My Grandfather was at Gibraltar in the Excavator Company, although I'm not sure how big a company this would have been. He was there from April 1942 - September 1943, I have a picture of him and his mates if you would like to see it.
     
  8. Mike Tidd

    Mike Tidd Member

    Thanks for this thread. I would love to see the pix, you never know I might recognise my father.
     
  9. Kentish Royal Engineer

    Kentish Royal Engineer Junior Member

    First pic is at Gibraltar, second I don't know where.
     

    Attached Files:

  10. Mike Tidd

    Mike Tidd Member

    Thanks for the pix. Unfortunately my father is not in them. I will however, keep them in his file. Thanks again.
     
  11. Kentish Royal Engineer

    Kentish Royal Engineer Junior Member

    You're most welcome, it's always worth a try. Good luck with your research.
     
  12. Gelert

    Gelert Active Member

    He enlisted on approx. 2nd April 1940
     
  13. reddevon

    reddevon Member

    The 4th Devons went to Gibraltar in 1940 until 1943 when they returned to the UK. The battalion was used as a draft for other units, most went into other battalions of the regiment others went to other units. the battalion was then rebuilt back up to strength but stayed in the UK until the end of the war, where they were earmarked to go to the far east but ended up as part of the occupation forces in Austria.
     

Share This Page