1096874 C H DAY: 132 Field Regiment RA & 1007 Port Operating Company RE

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by krrc97, Mar 27, 2020.

  1. krrc97

    krrc97 Junior Member

    Hi,
    I am looking for any information regarding the 132nd field regt. that my late Grandfather was in from Nov 1940 - Dec 1943. He was then transferred to the Royal Engineers.
    I have his medals which I intend to frame but would love to find out more about his military service, places he travelled and fought etc.
    Also does anyone know if he would have worn any particular insignia or shoulder badges as I have a couple of photo’s but unfortunately doesn’t show his shoulders/arms to be able to identify any.

    I’d be very grateful for any info or maybe can point me in the right direction to source information.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

  3. krrc97

    krrc97 Junior Member

    Hi,
    My late Grandad was originally in the Royal Artillery 132nd field regt. from Nov 1940-Dec 1943 when he was then transferred to the Royal Engineers. I don’t have any details regarding company/unit etc apart from a pass he was issued in Naples docks which shows him in 1007th port operating coy.

    Have looked online but can’t find any details (unless I’m just looking in wrong places).

    I’d be grateful if anyone has any info or can point me in the right direction.
     

    Attached Files:

  4. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Although they were dealing two different units, I've merged your 2 threads about grandfather and edited the title to reflect this.

    There is at least one other thread about the RE unit:
    RE Norway 1940

    War Diaries are held at National Archives, Kew, which is closed for the time being.... although someone else might already have copies...



    War diaries for RE unit:
    ICELAND: Royal Engineers: 1007 Docks Operation Company. | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 176/356
    Description: ICELAND: Royal Engineers: 1007 Docks Operation Company.
    Date: 1940 Aug.- 1942 Aug.

    1007 Coy | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 166/12307
    Description: 1007 Coy
    Date: 1943 Jan.-May

    Royal Engineers: 1007 Docks Operating Company (RE) | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 169/10824
    Description: Royal Engineers: 1007 Docks Operating Company (RE)
    Date: 1943 July- Dec.

    Companies: 1007 Coy. | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 170/1807
    Description: Companies: 1007 Coy.
    Date: 1944 Jan.- Dec.

    Companies: 1007 Coy. | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 170/5326
    Description: Companies: 1007 Coy.
    Date: 1945 Jan.- June

    Companies: 1007 Coy. | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 170/5327
    Description: Companies: 1007 Coy.
    Date: 1945 July - Dec.

    Companies: 1007 Coy. | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 170/8166
    Description: Companies: 1007 Coy.
    Date: 1946 Jan.- Mar.


    War Diaries for RA unit:
    ROYAL ARTILLERY: FIELD REGIMENTS: 132 Field Regiment. | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 166/1544
    Description: ROYAL ARTILLERY: FIELD REGIMENTS: 132 Field Regiment.
    Date: 1939 Sept.- 1941 Dec.

    ROYAL ARTILLERY: FIELD REGIMENTS: 132 Regiment. | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 166/7029
    Description: ROYAL ARTILLERY: FIELD REGIMENTS: 132 Regiment.
    Date: 1942 Jan.- July

    132 Regt. | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 175/337
    Description: 132 Regt.
    Date: 1942 Nov.- 1943 June

    Royal Artillery: 132 Field Regiment (RA Fd Regt) | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 169/9519
    Description: Royal Artillery: 132 Field Regiment (RA Fd Regt)
    Date: 1943 July- Dec.

    Field Regiments: 132 Fd. Regt | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 170/969
    Description: Field Regiments: 132 Fd. Regt
    Date: 1944 Jan.- June, Sept.- Dec.

    Royal Artillery: 132 Field Regiment | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 169/16030
    Description: Royal Artillery: 132 Field Regiment
    Date: 1944 July, Aug.

    Field Regiments: 132 Regt. | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 170/4754
    Description: Field Regiments: 132 Regt.
    Date: 1945 Jan.- Dec.


    Good luck with your research.
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2020
    krrc97 likes this.
  5. krrc97

    krrc97 Junior Member

    Thank you.
     
  6. krrc97

    krrc97 Junior Member

    My Grandad died in 2004 and only got limited information as died less than 25 years ago. So trying to piece together what I can my self.
     
  7. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    The 25 year rule is for general researchers ie those who are outside of the family, as he was your grandfather, if your mother/father is alive they could apply as next of kin, if not a grandchild, you, would qualify to apply for his full records; have a look at the NOK form. You will need a death certificate. Unfortunately there is quite a delay (I've been waiting for some since September) but worth the wait.
     
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  8. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    1940 Royal Artillery attestation:
    Day.jpg
    Not sure what the codes at the bottom stand for, perhaps someone else can.
     
  9. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    132 FR were a pre war TA RA Unit that counted (Sir) Harry Secombe amongst its original number.

    I’m sure you know the unit was part of 78 Division and saw action from “Algiers to Austria” from November 1942.

    Steve
     
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  10. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Steve
    Were the 132 Field Artillery always part of Battleaxe, did notice he had earned an 8th Army clasp whereas 78th Division had 1st Army clasp surely.
     
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  11. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    I haven’t got Cyril Ray’s book to hand so going on memory and Wikipedia -

    1st Glamorganshire Artillery Volunteers - Wikipedia

    As far as I’m aware 132nd were always part of 78 Division (from summer 1942) in 1st Army and didn’t serve as part of 8th Army.

    I’d say it’s likely there is an error in the posted document unless this man was attached to an 8th Army unit at the relevant time - hopefully his full service record will have the answer.

    Steve
     
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  12. krrc97

    krrc97 Junior Member

    Both my parents are no longer here but as I’m his Grandson will apply for full service records.
    My Grandfather had the Africa star and Italy star with 8th Army bar, I remember him telling me about his time in the desert campaign, and said he was in Italy including Monte Casino.
    Also remember him saying was on a train through Austria/Switzerland into Italy.
    Was transferred to R.E. Jan 1943 and was in Naples and mentioned seeing I believe was an hospital ship bombed by Stuka's.
    He never used to talk much about the war but when he did you could see it still affected him. The one thing that always haunted him was after a conflict in Africa him and a couple of others were given the job of collecting dog tags including those in bombed/shelled tanks/vehicles.....That’s the only time I’d ever seen tears in his eyes.
    I’m new to researching my family military past and am finding it both fascinating and heart breaking to read about some of the conditions that these men fought in.
     
  13. hutt

    hutt Member

    For interest, brief reference to 132 Field Artillery in a page from 78Div CRASC diary from 5th September 1943 DSC08672.JPG
     
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  14. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Adding to the above attached is a copy of 78 Division Operational Order dated 8 December 1942, this states that 132 Field Rgt were in support of the 1 Guards Bde. Only one clasp could be worn to the Africa Star and that was the first to be awarded, as 132 FA landed with Torch that would normally mean a 1st Army clasp, unless somehow he had been in Africa before.

    As always only his service records will sort it all out.
    78 OO No2.jpg
     
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  15. krrc97

    krrc97 Junior Member

    Thank you...I do know that he was part of BNAF and was in North Africa. I will shortly be applying for both his service records and those of my other Grandfather who was in KRRC from 1924-46.
     
  16. Peter Hayes

    Peter Hayes Member

    Hi. How did you get on with this over a year on??. I have literally just sent off for my Great-Grandads Records.
     

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