1st Royal Dragoons - North West Europe 1946/46

Discussion in 'User Introductions' started by Brian Sleight, Nov 14, 2019.

  1. Brian Sleight

    Brian Sleight Member

    My father, Leslie Sleight, served in the 1st Royal Dragoons from June 1943 until leaving the army in May 1946. After his initial training he spent 6 months with the 110th Regiment of the RAC. He kept much of his paperwork from his time in the army and amongst other things I found a newsletter from the Colonel of the Regiment BRIG.GEN. SIR ERNEST MAKINS, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O. which provides a fascinating insight to the action in North West Europe from February 1945. Much of his memorabilia from that time I have recently sent to the Viborg museum to assist in their 75th anniversary celebration next year of their liberation from German occupation. My father, prior to his call up in 1942 had been a very keen amateur photographer and it was during his time in Germany that he 'acquired' a camera and film and proceeded to take a number of photographs of his time in northern Germany and Denmark. Although I was only able to find the negatives, some of which were in poor condition, I have managed to obtain some prints which show the Regiments advance into Denmark. My father was 'billeted' in Kolding and Viborg.
     

    Attached Files:

    Wobbler, Historic Steve and BFBSM like this.
  2. Historic Steve

    Historic Steve Researching 21 Army Group/BAOR post VE day

    Thanks for an excellent post Brian, here is the journey after Denmark until May 46

    5 Nov 45 – Royal Dragoons (1st Dragoons) Royal Armoured Corps to 80th Anti-Aircraft Brigade Royal Artillery command 8th Corps District
    Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Colonel AH Pepys DSO
    Regimental Headquarters: Infanterie Kaserne later Bodmin Barracks Eutin south-east of Plön
    1 Nov 45 – D Squadron – Bad Schwartau south-east of Eutin
    10 Feb 46 – 4th Armoured Brigade
    3 Mar 46 – direct command 8th Corps District
    1 May 46 – Guards Division

    https://britisharmyingermany.com
     
  3. Brian Sleight

    Brian Sleight Member

    Thanks Steve, that's very useful information. Although I have obtained my father's service records from the MoD, and there is considerable detail about his postings during his initial training and the British North Africa Campaign, thereafter it is very sketchy. I know the served in Italy and was awarded the Italy Star, but from his time in North Africa until the end of his service there is very little detail about his Regiment's activities. That's why I found the newsletter such a valuable source of information. I have the addresses of the two families that he was billeted with in Kolding and Viborg. It is my intention to visit Denmark next year via the places mentioned in the newsletter to retrace his steps as my way of marking the 75th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe.
    Once I have managed to sort out the photos that I have I will post them on this site. They may be of value to others doing similar research.
     
    Historic Steve likes this.
  4. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Brian.

    Reading 'Churchill's Colonel' at the moment by Charles Barne.

    It is the diary of his grandfather's service with 1st Royal Dragoons.

    Fascinating so far.

    Regards

    Frank
     
  5. Brian Sleight

    Brian Sleight Member

    Sounds very interesting Frank. I’ll check it out.
    Brian
     
  6. Wobbler

    Wobbler Well-Known Member

    Welcome Brian.
     
  7. Brian Sleight

    Brian Sleight Member

    Thank you for your kind 'welcome'.
    I am attaching a photograph which my father retained of his Squadron in the 1st Royal Dragoons. I do not know where or when this photograph was taken but in 1945 they were still in NW Europe. I suspect it was taken somewhere in Denmark. My father is fourth from the left on the back row. It may be of help to others who father/grandfather served with 'A' Squadron at that time. 3b297d2c-d33d-44ef-a80d-d06b756c07c6.jpg
     
    Wobbler and JimHerriot like this.
  8. Brian Sleight

    Brian Sleight Member

    I did say in an earlier post that I would post some photographs that my father took when 'A' Squadron, 1st Royal Dragoons were sent to assist in the liberation of Denmark. Unfortunately the quality of these 74 year old negatives leaves a lot to be desired but I am attaching a few that have been printed successfully. I do know that two of these photographs were taken in Viborg as I have been able to identify the locations using Google Earth. I hope they are of interest. Image 05-09-2019 at 15.57.jpeg

    Image 05-09-2019 at 15.58-1.jpeg

    Image 05-09-2019 at 15.59.jpeg

    Image 05-09-2019 at 15.56.jpeg

    Image 05-09-2019 at 16.00.jpeg
     
    Tolbooth and Wobbler like this.

Share This Page