109 (Royal Sussex Regt) Light Anti-Aircraft Regt

Hello everyone,

I am currently trying to find out about my late Grandfather's war experience. Through some detective work I have come to the conclusion that he served in the 109 (Royal Sussex Regt) LAA, RA. [This is based on the fact that he transferred into the Royal Sussex in June 1940. The Royal Sussex, 7th Division was then transferred to the R.A. creating the 109th in Jan 1941]

He told us that he went to France [possibly D-day +1 Gold Beach], Holland and then Germany. None of this is confirmed and I have been unable to find any information online as to the regiments movements.

If anyone has any information on the 109th post June 6th 1944 it would be massively appreciated.

Many thanks,

Ian

 

If anyone can tell me which Division/Corps they were attached to, that would be a good start. One source said they were 2nd Army group, but I haven't been able to see them listed in any of the Divisions/Corps with 2nd Army.

 

109 LAA Regiment were 106 AA Brigade tasked with protecting 2 TAF airfields in Normandy. The AA Orbat for 25th June 1944 shows them in that role.

106 AA Brigade were relieved from the airfield defence by one of the later arriving brigades and joined 2nd Army as one of the two AA Brigades supporting the 2nd Army.

I can't lay my hands on their War diary at the moment but will post anything more I find.

 

That's brilliant, thank you! I had seen somewhere that the 109th were with the 106th, but hadn't managed to expand on that further, or see the 106th mentioned anywhere else (very frustrating as you can imagine!)

From what you wrote led me to another thread on this site and I've found this in relation to a similar question -

"it would seem that on D-Day Juno and Sword was assigned to 80th AA Brigade. Several other Brigades were to follow ashore in the next few days. "Close behind the two leading brigades [76th AA Brig. was on Gold] was 106th AA Brigade intended for airfield defence."

Thank you so much for your help, really feel like I'm making progress with this now.

 

Ian

Can help post May 45 the regiment still 106 AA Bde their HQ was Neuengamme south of Hamburg command moved from 2 Army to 8 Corps and the Bde HQ to Geeshacht south east of Hamburg then to Ratzeburg south of Lübeck then Jul 45 to Hamburg City the regiment was last recorded at Bergedorf south east Hamburg and disbanded 28 Feb 46

Thanks go to Bluebell Minor for his research

 

Hi All,

I've been trying to work out how a couple of members of my grandfather's regiment died. I have copies of the war diaries but there is no mention of their deaths, or even of any action occurring on the date of death. I have looked in the previous months diary as well incase they were injured in previous actions but again there is nothing. They died within a couple of days of each other in September '44 and the regiment was providing LAA cover at Cherbourg.

They are both buried at Bayeux, their names are Lance Bombadier J. Boote and Gunner Clifford Brain of the 109 (Royal Sussex) LAA, RA. They died 17.09.44 and 22.09.44 respectively.

Other than the war diaries and info on Common Wealth war graves commission, is there another way of getting details?

Many thanks,

Ian

 

A death cert would give that

perhaps a forum member will have an FMP account and answer your query

Lance Bombardier BOOTE, JOHN
Service Number 10560586

Died 17/09/1944

Aged 24

359 Bty., 109 (7th Bn. The Royal Sussex Regt.) Lt. A.A. Regt.
Royal Artillery


https://images.findagrave.com/photos/2013/104/56273419_136604840195.jpg



Gunner BRAIN, CLIFFORD EDWARD
Service Number 11058598

Died 22/09/1944

Aged 22

109 (7th Bn. The Royal Sussex Regt.) Lt. A.A. Regt.
Royal Artillery

Son of Edward and Ethel Elvira Brain, of Bath, Somerset.


INSCRIPTION
IN LOVING MEMORY OF A DEAR SON. AT REST


https://images.findagrave.com/photos/2013/98/56273486_136553696434.jpg

regards
Clive

 

Bath Weekly Chronicle Saturday 7th October 1944

 

Hi Guy,

Where did you source the certificates from as there are others from the regiment I would like to research in the future.

Many thanks for your help.

Ian

 

Ian,
FMP have the Royal Artillery attestation records and casualtly cards. The Royal Artillery Museum archive have R.A. tracer cards on micro-film.
If you have a list of men and numbers, I'll post them up for you?
Guy

 

Thanks Guy,

That's very kind of you. There were 12 losses in total (including the 2 above):

Victor Armond 6103838 D.O.D: 25.11.45
John Bowden 1554748 D.O.D 01.03.43
James Crabb 6408292 D.O.D 28.02.45
Harry Foxworthy 5622595 D.O.D 19.12.45
Alfred Freeman 2060187 D.O.D 11.07.45
Fred Goldsmith 6398630 D.O.D 01.11.45
James Hall 11251179 D.O.D 01.11.1946
Albert Spall 4803263 D.O.D 08.10.43
Alfred Stockley 14313600 D.O.D 20.05.45
Cecil Udell 6399993 D.O.D 30.04.45

I really appreciate your help. Thank you very much.

Ian

 

Additional information :
11251179 Gunner Hall - No casualty card or information

1554748 Gunner Bowden

4803263 Bombardier Spall

6399993 Gunner Spall

 

I can't thank you enough for this.

 

Casualty
Gunner
HALL, JAMES WILLIAM
Service Number 11251179
Died 01/11/1946
Aged 33
109 (7th Bn. The Royal Sussex Regt.) Lt. A.A. Regt.
Royal Artillery
Son of James William and Emma Hall, of Sheffield; husband of Jessie Hall, of Sheffield


England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007
Name: James W Hall
Death Age: 33
Birth Date: abt 1913
Registration Date: Oct 1946
[Nov 1946]
[Dec 1946]
Registration Quarter: Oct-Nov-Dec
Registration district: Sheffield
Inferred County: Yorkshire West Riding
Volume: 2d
Page: 287

TD

 

Ian
Let me know if you find anymore
Guy

 

Good Morning

I am trying to research my grandfather - he was in, I believe, the 109 Royal Sussex LAA.
His name was Derrik Hasty (although we have come across several spelling variations of both names) Service number: 14609394
I have his war service records but coming to a dead end regarding where they went after D-Day. We would like to track their movements.
He ended up in Kiel as a journalist for the paper and the manager of a variety show that toured Germany.
I would appreciate it if anybody could point me in the right direction. I've found lots of links people have posted but all seem to be dead ends - either not working or seemingly not relevant.
Thank you! ​

 

Welcome Lucy

Please put 109th (7th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment in the “Search” box here https://britisharmyingermany.com for the journey of the regiment from VE Day to disbandment, you will see the regiment was not in Kiel, however your grandfather could have transferred to another unit.

The newspaper was “Kiel Journal” and a collection was available to view at the Imperial War Museum at RAF Duxford, I have one for 1 Feb 47 but sorry no mention of your Grandfather.

Best of luck with your research