4187722 DLG Humphreys RA

Discussion in 'Royal Artillery' started by Dave Humphreys, Jun 3, 2020.

  1. Dave Humphreys

    Dave Humphreys New Member

    Good evening, just starting serious research into my Paternal Grandfather's War.
    Brief Service details
    1927 to '29 7th Battalion, RWF TA
    '29 to '32 Gnr to L/Bdr RA Clerk
    '39 to '45 L/Bdr to BQMS (last unit 637th Regt RA (Northamptonshire Regt) TA).
    Demobbed 27/11/45 from Bardufoss.
    Most of his war service was spent in the UK on AA/CA/Searchlight duties, I recall him mentioning the Bristol Blitz, but like most Veterans he was very reluctant to talk about his service.
    Medals:
    Defence Medal
    39-45 War medal
    He never collected his medals, i received them 2 years ago
    I have his service records, but writing is hard to decipher, his last Tracer card gives few details.
    I've established contact with the Great Grandson of the BSM of 637 Regt at the time my Grandfather was BQMS and he's given me a few details including a pic of the WOs and SNCO's of 637 Regt RA.
    Timeline started of his service.
    I have a few photos from his service, mostly with 637 and their time in Norway which i will post later.
    Me:
    Ex RAF, 46 years old male living on the Wirral.
     
  2. timuk

    timuk Well-Known Member

    Welcome.
    637 Regt RA was formed in Jan 45 from 50 Searchlight Regiment.
    Your best bet is to post copies of his Service Records on here and give others a chance to try and decipher the writing. Once you know your grandfather's Batteries and Regiments you can then look at the relevant War Diaries and RA Archive data sheets to try and establish where he was.

    Tim
     
  3. Dave Humphreys

    Dave Humphreys New Member

    Tim, thanks that's a cracking idea. I'll have to wait to get his service records from my parents when we're allowed to go.
     
  4. Dave Humphreys

    Dave Humphreys New Member

    Good evening, just starting serious research into my Paternal Grandfather's War.
    Brief Service details
    1927 to '29 7th Battalion, RWF TA
    '29 to '32 Gnr to L/Bdr RA Clerk
    '39 to '45 L/Bdr to S/Sgt (BQMS), last unit 637th Regt RA (Northamptonshire Regt) TA.
    Demobbed 27/11/45 from Bardufoss.
    Most of his war service was spent in the UK on AA/CA/Searchlight duties, I recall him mentioning the Bristol Blitz, but like most Veterans he was very reluctant to talk about his service.
    Medals:
    Defence Medal
    39-45 War medal
    He never collected his medals, i received them 2 years ago
    I have his service records, but the writing is hard to decipher, his last Tracer card gives few details.
    I've established contact with the Great Grandson of the BSM of 637 Regt at the time my Grandfather was BQMS and he's given me a few details including a pic of the WOs and SNCO's of 637 Regt RA.
    Timeline started of his service.
    I have a few photos from his service, mostly with 637 and their time in Norway which i will post later.
    Tracer card found on Ancestry, but they have him as
    HUMPHREYS David Floyd George, tracer card is evidently the last in a line as it says posted from RA HAA 1-2-45, shame they didn't keep the old ones.
    I shall update this thread as and when new info comes to light.
     
  5. Dave Humphreys

    Dave Humphreys New Member

    Timeline for 4187722 DLG Humphreys

    11/05/1927 Joins 7th Battalion (Merioneth & Montgomery) Royal Welch Fusiliers TA, poss C Coy Welshpool

    03/01/1929 Leaves 7th Battalion RWF TA

    04/01/1929 Joins Regular Army, Gunner, Royal Artillery, Trade of Clerk

    03/01/1932 Leaves Regular Army, Lance Bombardier (L/Bdr)

    01/09/1939 War declared on Germany

    01/09/1939 Recalled to the Colours for WW2, L/Bdr Royal Artillery

    01/02/1945 Posted from RA HAA

    01/02/1945 Posted to 637 Regt RA (Northamptonshire Regt) TA, 304th Independent Infantry Brigade, The whole Brigade was made up of surplus AA and CA/SL Units. The Luftwaffe was suffering a shortage of pilots and aircraft, as such the need for air defence in the UK was reduced, At the same time the Army was suffering a shortage of troops for Occupation Duties and communication lines as it made gains through Europe. His role was that of Battery Quartermaster Sergeant; The company quartermaster sergeant (CQMS) in the British Army and Royal Marines is the non-commissioned officer in a company in charge of supplies. The CQMS also serves as the deputy to the company sergeant major and is the second most senior NCO in the company.

    By 1913, there were two colour sergeants in each army infantry company. On 1 October 1913, they were replaced by the two new ranks of company sergeant major and company quartermaster sergeant, with one of each in each company. By the Second World War, CQMS had become an appointment of the rank of staff sergeant (colour sergeant in the Royal Marines and later also in army infantry regiments), and remains so today. In infantry companies, the CQMS continues to be addressed as "colour sergeant" (or "sir" by subordinates in a foot guards regiment) and not as "quartermaster sergeant", "CQMS", or just "Q", which is common in other corps. Quartermaster sergeants are never addressed by the more junior rank of "sergeant". They have always worn the rank badge of a crown over three chevrons. Battery quartermaster sergeant (BQMS) is the equivalent in the Royal Artillery

    08/05/1945 VE Day

    29/05/1945 637 Leave UK for Norway on HMS Diadem

    30/05/1945 HMS Diadem and 637 Regt arrive in Norway as part of Allied Land Forces Norway on Op Doomsday. 637 was used to help process the thousands of surrendering German Forces

    27/11/1945 Demobbed from Bardufoss
     
  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Welcome to the forum.
    Just enjoyed looking at your album of his photos.
    I managed to ID the lighthouse for you.
     
    Dave Humphreys likes this.
  7. timuk

    timuk Well-Known Member

    Owen. Could I suggest this thread is merged with 4187722 DLG Humphreys RA as we are likely to get further information split between two threads.

    Tim
     

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