Hi, I am researching my father's service from 1933 on wards I have his MoD records, I also have War Diaries which cover 1939 the BEF 2 Med., 1942 NWAfrica 127 Fd.Regt., 1944 D-Day 127 Fd.Regt. He was wounded 16 June and returned to duty 2 Oct 1944 and then posted to 171 Fd. Regt. I have the war diaries for 171 Fd. Regt. upto 31 Jan 1945 & 171 Hy. Regt. upto 28 Feb 1945 they changed to & fro Fd. ? Hy. but all are Home Forces, nothing else available. I know from his family and recollections he went back to Germany and the associated site RA 1939-45 show they were in NWEurope. Can anyone shed light on their activities upto Jan 1946 Neil
According to http://nigelef.tripod.com/regtsumm.htm they were only Heavy for 3 months in early 1945 converting from and back to Field and disbanded in Jan 46 all service being in UK. once the war ended there was a lot of individual mobility due to men being discharged some units disbanding and others being retained.
Hi, Thanks I should have checked this site, I had read quite a bit but there is so much, good stuff. I am coming to the conclusion as you explained there is a lot of change going on in this period. Although his record only shows his Tx to 171 from 127 as all that was going on in 171 perhaps he was on loan or the dreaded volunteer , hush my mouth. I am not sure I will sort this one as many refernces agree 171 was defunct by Aug 1944 or there abouts. Neil
I've had a look at the two reliable and comprehensive references for RA/RHA. The first in Joslen's Orders of Battle, part of the Official History. The problem is it only covers combined arms divisions and lower so lots of artillery units are missing. 171 Fd Regt was in 45 Inf Div from 11 Feb 42 to 30 Aug 44. During this period the division was under command 11 Corps District until 2 Feb 43, then Brit Tps N Ireland until 20 Dec 43 then GHQ Home Forces until 29 Aug 44. The only ref to 171 Hy Regt is under comd 47 Inf Div 27 Feb 45 to 29 May 45, the div was in UK under War Office Control. This means that from 30 Aug 44 to 26 Feb 45 the regt was under comd of an HQ above divisional level. The second source is in Kew, WO 212/494. This was compiled by AG 4 medals and deals with all RA regts that served overseas (hence eligible for campaign medals) giving dates and up to 4 levels of subordination so you know eactly where they fitted in the ORBAT. Neither 171 Fd not 171 Hy are mentioned, which means they did not serve overseas during hostilities.
Hi Mapshooter, I think that covers all avenues and perhaps puts to bed the NWEurope options for my fathers last war service. Thanks again for all the detail it's just what I need. Neil
