155 Battery, 172nd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

Ah.
Wasn’t sure if it was a french tricolour as they were attached to the french corps in Tunisia?

 

I know he went up through Italy so photo could have been taken then. the person in the background on the right looks like a lady to me

 

172 Fd Regt RA joined 46 Inf Div in May 42 and was one of three Fd Regts RA that directly supported the Div - where ever the Div went so did they, right up to the end of the war. If you follow stories about 46 Inf Div, you will quickly work out where 172 Fd Regt RA went throughout the war.

Whilst in Italy, there were involved in a number of the big set piece events. Salerno in Sep 43, the crossing of the Volturno in Oct 43, the Second Battle of Camino in Dec 43, the First Battle of Cassino in Jan 44, the occupation of the heights beyond the Garigliano in Feb-Mar 44 and the attack on the Gothic Line in Aug-Sep 44.

46 Inf Div had a brutal war.

Regards

Frank

 

Sounds a grim task.
I have another group photo I will dig out

 

Anything anyone can tell me about this one?
My grandfather is on the left.

 

Have you contacted the Regimental Secretary at HQ RA in Larkhill? The RA Historical Society might be able to help. Do you get Gunner magazine?

 

Dids.

That looks like a group photo outside the Motor Transport Office. Perhaps he was a driver in the Regiment?

Regards

Frank

 

Hi
I haven’t contacted them lately as most records appear to be mothballed at present. I remember being told that after he and capt boreman survived at sidi nisr he was his driver for the remainder of the war.

 

Hi minden
Why do you think it’s the motor transport office?

 

And would anybody be able to tell me more. The white overalls , who would be wearing those?

 

Hi Dids,
I'm sorry for the very late response but I haven't been following these threads so here's the photo

 

So I’m very late to the party, but here goes.

My grandad was in 155 Bty, listed as Missing on the day after Sidi Nsir. Bdr John “Jack” Mercer. Ended up eventually in stalag ivb. He died in 2000 and was royally messed up after his experiences. Does the name ring any bells with anyone on the forum? I never got him to talk about his experiences which is a shame. I have his medals and a few postcards he sent from ivb but other than that, nothing. If anyone has any info I’ll bite your hand off!

 

Perrett's "Last Stand: Famous Battles Against the Odds", from Cassell, features an account of the Sidi Nsir action.

BTW, Admin please delete if the attachment is a tad too much against copyright laws...

 

Thanks Warlord some great resources there. I was hoping someone here may know the name of my grandad, or have any photos from that unit. I appreciate it’s highly unlikely any of his comrades are around now

 

Just looked in havent time to go through this thread at the moment.

Has this thread been posted on here.

Sidi Nsir - 155th Battery/172 Field Regiment RA