Desert Rat - more info about my Dad

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by Biscuitman, Mar 2, 2020.

  1. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

  2. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Colin.

    A bit more to get your head around. The infantry called a group of companies a battalion. The artillery called a group of batteries a regiment. The cavalry called a group of squadrons a regiment too.

    An infantry battalion had six companies in it. A Headquarters Company administered the battalion, a Support Company provided all the specialists - mortars, anti-tank, assault pioneer and reconnaissance and four Rifle Companies full of soldiers with rifles, machine guns and bayonets provided the face to face killing.

    That is enough for now!

    Regards

    Frank
     
  3. Biscuitman

    Biscuitman Member

    Thanks Frank.
    Sorry Gus couldn't get the link to load the page!
     
  4. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    Hi Frank

    Try the link again.

    8 Army

    The order of battle website can be a little hit or miss.

    When it works, its very informative.

    Gus
     
  5. Biscuitman

    Biscuitman Member

    Thanks Gus
     
  6. Biscuitman

    Biscuitman Member

    I received my dads Military records a while ago and tried to decipher exactly what information they give me, but I've found it quite difficult. Hopefully one (or more) of you kind guys out there might be able to decipher exactly what it all means. I've attached the four relevant sheets and thought I'd leave it to the experts. Any help much apprecated.
     

    Attached Files:

  7. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    Now that you have the Service records you are a little further forward but unless someone is currently slogging their way through the notes, I would suggest that you do a bit of homework just in case they aren't.
    Visit: Royal Artillery in World War 2 - The Royal Artillery 1939-45
    You will find the Regiment details under Units and the Battery details in the Battery Finder but be careful as they can be quite confusing.

    On the top line of his Service Record it gives the initials LEE this refers to 27 (LONDON ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS) SEARCHLIGHT REGIMENT RA (TA)
    Anti-Aircraft Searchlights were much needed at the time and were for some time both in the UK and Middle East.
    The Searchlight units became Royal Artillery, so his rank changed to Gunner. This is quite clear in the Rank column. Egypt 29.10.41
    He seems to have been with 88 HAA in Egypt also 305/27 and 390/27 these are 305 Searchlight Battery 27th Searchlight Regiment and 390 SL Battery 27 Searchlight Regt but you need to have a good long look to confirm this. He also spent some time with 69 HAA. He completed a number of T/T (Trade Tests).
    RA Regiments are split into Batteries. The Battery number is first followed by the Regiment.
    You will also see X with numbers the X List denotes the soldier's status Normally X(i), X(ii) etc but these are not correctly annotated X(i) means waiting for a posting to a unit X(ii) means sick or injured. X(iii) is under disciplinary action X(iv) were un-posted reinforcements, X(v) is for soldiers attending training/courses.
    I am personally struggling to read the handwriting clearly and find it somewhat confusing which would not be the case if he was in a Field Gun (25 Pdr) Regiment.
    I can't see any indication that he was unless it was following his time with RATD (Royal Artillery Training Depot) CMF in Italy. This was in November 1944. There was little need for Anti-Aircraft batteries except for a few on counter Mortar fire in the mountains but men were trained in the detection of incoming shells and mortar bombs. There was also a shortage of Artillery Ammunition.
    There seems to be a comment saying that he was evacuated to the UK but then they mention Python. This was leave owed to soldiers who had been away from home for a number of years, usually four but this varied. Do you know if he was ill rather than wounded. There is a note regarding admission to hospital in 1942 but it is crossed out.
    He disembarked and was taken off strength UK in July 1945 and held on the Reserve List until 1946.
    Y list is awaiting discharge and Z list is demobilised.
    To find out more you need to get sight of the Regimental War diaries.
    I'm afraid I can't help you there. Others on the forum might.
     
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2022
  8. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

  9. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    Posting duplicated
     
  10. Biscuitman

    Biscuitman Member

    Serious apologies Uncle Target.
    Certainly puts a lot of 'meat on the bones'
    Unfortunately life got in the way of me thanking you sooner for all your knowledge and expertise displayed above.
    Still lots of work to do!
    Many Thanks
     
  11. James M. Green

    James M. Green Active Member

    Hi Biscuitman, if you're still looking for help with translating his war records then feel free to message me. My Gdad was a Desert Rat too, and I'm always looking for any possible comrades that he might of had.

    Cheers
    James
     
  12. stubbsyswade

    stubbsyswade Member

    Hi My Grandad was in 27 LEE 306 Battery and i have a few diaries from 27 LEE, i been doing research and its very interesting and all my gaps are getting filled in!!

    regards

    Darren
     
  13. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    1591509 Rank W/Bdr name Cecil Davies. Attested into R.A. 1940.
     

    Attached Files:

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