1st & 2nd Fife and Forfar Yeomanry

Discussion in 'RAC & RTR' started by nickc, May 2, 2006.

  1. Thomas6449

    Thomas6449 Junior Member

    Hello, I am searching for any information about Padre Ian Macaulay of the 1st Fife and Forfar Regiment who was killed on October 25 or 26, 1944, in Holland. There is very, very little about his death, or what he was doing when he died. I am aware that Crocodiles of the 1st FFY were attached to the Canadian Army both for closing the Breskens Pocket in mid October, and in clearing the area between Bergen-op-zoop and Eindhoven at the time Padre Macaulay was killed. I have discovered that 2 Crocodiles of the 1st FFY were destroyed in "hulk alley" in the woods near Bergen-op-zoom, Holland, but it is not clear if Padre Macaulay was there when they were destroyed. Any information anyone might have (beyond what is on the CWGC website) would be gratefully appreciated! Best Regards, Tom
     
  2. Thomas6449

    Thomas6449 Junior Member

    Many thanks for this. It solves a mystery about Padre Macaulay, and the lack of information available about his death. Many thanks for this!!!
     
  3. Thomas6449

    Thomas6449 Junior Member

    Sorry for posting twice. It did not seem to upload property the first time. Thanks for the information.
    Regards, Tom
     
  4. Stvwkfrd

    Stvwkfrd New Member

    Hi Ken,
    Please see attached list of names, with a J King listed.
    Unfortunately I have not got the photo.
    Reading the diaries of that time in other threads will let you know a bit more.
    My grandfather, also listed was J Truscott.
    Steve
     

    Attached Files:

    Firefly44 likes this.
  5. Newleaf

    Newleaf New Member

    Hi LindaC. I have just found this website and joined. My father, John Butler was a driver in the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry and also in the Scots Greys. He didn’t talk much about the war but he did mention a story about when some men slept under a tank that sunk and they were killed, so maybe they were in the same unit. I’m trying to find out more about his service. I’ve attached a picture of him.
     

    Attached Files:

    LindaC likes this.
  6. Thomas6449

    Thomas6449 Junior Member

    Does anyone happen to have a picture of Chaplain Ian Macaulay of the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry who was killed in action at the end of October 1944? I have not been able to find one anywhere!
     
  7. 8RB

    8RB Well-Known Member

    Hi Newleaf,
    Welcome to the forum, and what a great picture of your father. Seems so very young! Was he in 1st or 2nd FFY?
    Kind regards, Ronald.
     
  8. Firefly44

    Firefly44 Researching the F&FY

    Hi Newleaf
    Going by his photo your father was in the 1st Fife & Forfar Yeomanry as he doesn't have the Hunting McIntosh tartan badge backing worn by the 2nd Regiment and he has collar badges on his battledress which were only worn by the 1st Regiment
     
    8RB likes this.
  9. Firefly44

    Firefly44 Researching the F&FY

    Hi
    I found the newspaper article about his death that I mentioned in a previous post. The copy isn't great due to being sellotaped but its just about readable. I got it from Tom Carmichael who was Troop Sergeant with the RHQ of the 1st Regiment. I assume the photo is of him in his Royal Scots uniform.

    There was a post on this site from a member Bob C back in 2008 looking for info on his father FW Carter who was Rev Macaulay's driver. If he's still around he might be able to give you some info.

    Regards
    Rob

    Fife and forfar regiment Crocodile driver
     

    Attached Files:

  10. Thomas6449

    Thomas6449 Junior Member

    Many thanks! I have searched high and low for any picture and this will do!! Thanks again!!
     
  11. Firefly44

    Firefly44 Researching the F&FY

    Hi Steve

    Copy of the B Sqn photo attached.
    Do you have a larger or higher resolution picture of the list of names? I can make out most of the names but some are less clear.

    Thanks
    Rob


    B Sqn 2nd F&FY May 1944_3.png
     
  12. valerie

    valerie Junior Member

    Thanks, for this. Spotted my Grandad, Alistair Couper’s name in this.
     
  13. valerie

    valerie Junior Member

    Thanks so much for posting this photo. I was really surprised on opening this that I spotted my Grandad Alistair Couper straight away. In fact he was the first person who drew my eye. Unreal!
     
  14. Hi All,
    My name is Annemiek and I am living in Venray, Netherlands (since 10 years). I recently adopted a grave at Venray War Cemetry. The purpose of these adoptions is to keep the name and memory of the fallen war heros alive, lay flowers, burn a candle and if possible to tell the life story and find a photograph of the hero that can be displayed on the gravesite on special days.

    The grave I was assigned is of: Trooper Ernest Bentley (21 yr) - Service number 7962855 - Royal Armoured Corps / 2nd Fife and Forfar Yeomanry - Deate of death: 18-10-1944.

    My first goal is to understand about the battle that took place around Venray and Overloon. This thread was enourmously helpful in helping me to piece together the story of how these brave men liberated this part of my country. I fould almost everything I wanted to find, except for info about my Trooper. I have all the CWCG info, and been at his grave. I would love to find however in which squadron he was and what caused his death. On the Graves Registration Report Form his name is listed together with 7 other men of the 2nFFY who died on the same day so I think there must be some mention somewhere about this incident.

    Trooper Ernest Bentley and some of his 7 teammates were first burried in Overloon and years later reburried at Venray CWCG. I do not understand this as I read the fallen were burried near where they fell, and Venray was liberated on October 18, 1944. The distance between Venray and Overloon is not that big but in between was that Loobeek/Molenbeek where it took at least two days to cross it.

    I hope some of you know a little more about my Trooper.
    If I can help anyone with Venray related questions, please do ask me.

    Thank you for this great website and keeping the memory of all those great men alive!
     
    mark abbott, Wapen and 8RB like this.
  15. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    Hi. I don’t have the war diary with me but in the book about the 2nd FFY it states “18th October we were in St Odenrode and joined up with the 51st Highland Division.

    that’s just North of Eindhoven apparently.

    Alex.
     
  16. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    Also if you can post his grave registration it should show a map reference for the temporary grave which was often close to where men were killed.
     
  17. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    Please ignore this message! I’ve got my Yeomanrys mixed up!!!!
     
  18. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    Try this, correct Yoemanry now!

    Oct. 18
    The regiment moved off with C sqn. in the lead., A and B sqns. each having a coy. of the
    KSLI mounted on their tanks. Immediately on passing through Ijsselstein C sqn. encountered
    slight opposition from farm buildings along the roadside, which they were able to deal with
    themselves. On arrival at M.R. 736217 the regiment moved off two-up with B sqn. on the
    left with one section ofthe Recce Tp. in front of them, and established themselves in the area
    m.r. 747224.
    On arrival at the outskirts of Veulen more opposition was encountered and one coy. of the
    KSLI came up to assist the clearing ofthe village. This was achieved without much difficulty
    until arrival at the eastern end, where there were enemy tanks and SPs in position. There was
    also a strong-point in the area ofthe factory at 775225 and the rectangular wood at 772218
    and the woods to the south. B sqn. tried to pass along to the north of Veulen but also came
    into contact with this opposition. In all wesucceeded in knocking out 1 Panther, 1 J aag
    [Jagd] Panther, l SP on Mk IV chassis, l armd. half-track and 4 75 mm A/T guns. One
    other Panther was also damaged. Our losses were 7 tanks. It was not possible to push on any
    further and the regiment with the KSLI halted in the area for the night. Whilst moving into
    the harbour area one tank ran over a mine and was damaged., Lt. R.H.A. Gregory killed and
    2/Lt. J McGregor wounded.
    Oct. 19
     
  19. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    Annemiek Wintraecken
    This is from the history of the 11th Armoured Division. Seems that the tanks were taken out at a track junction between Veulen and Amerika.
     

    Attached Files:

  20. Thanks, I had this info and is part of what I do not understand,
    Veulen is south to Venray, Overloon is north. The army came from the south (?) so how can this be?
     

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