22nd Dragoons or 1st Lothian & Borders

Discussion in 'RAC & RTR' started by wotno, Aug 29, 2022.

  1. wotno

    wotno Junior Member

    Hello All

    I've joined the forum to try and find some information on how to find out more on a family relative that was attached to either 22nd Dragoons or 1st Lothian & Borders during the Normandy Campaign. All I know is that he is listed as being REME, but was a driver of Sherman Crab / Flail tank hence pressumed 'attachment'.

    I have his drivers diary and have been able to see where and when he was through out France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He crossed to France on 12th July '44 and was involved in various actions including Escoville, Caumont, Caen, Bretville, Losing a tank during the attack on Le Harve, crossed the Seine near Elbeuf, was involved at Westkapelle and various actions near the Rhine.

    His Tank no was T150481, 'Marchmont', which they lost to mines at Le Harve, then their replacement tank was T140415.

    If anyone could give me some leads as to regimental diaries which maybe on accessible on line, that would be much appreciated. I'm planning a trip to Normandy this September and plan to follow as much of his route through France as I can in a week.

    Again any leads would be greatly appreciated.

    Ian


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  2. Welcome Ian,

    Thank you for sharing this with us. MARCHMONT was Flail turret number 62, i.e. the third tank in 4th Troop, "B" Squadron, 1st Lothians & Border Yeomanry. 4 Tp initially consisted in:

    No.60 MELLERSTAIN
    No.61 MERTOUN
    No.62 MARCHMONT
    No.63 MAKERSTOUN
    No.64 MONTEVIOT

    A couple of stills from IWM film A70 85-2 showing MARCHMONT (starting 04:06):
    A70 85-2 04.09 - 1 - No.62 MARCHMONT 1 LOTHIANS MSN 7020.jpg
    A70 85-2 - 04.12 - No.62 MARCHMONT - 005.jpg

    Michel
     
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2022
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  3. wotno

    wotno Junior Member

    Wow. Thank you Michael.

    The hours I’ve spent looking through the IWM photos and films to actually see these are amazing.

    Thank you again.

    Ian
     
  4. A few more IWM photos/screengrabs showing the other Crabs in 4 Tp B Sqn:

    No.60 MELLERSTAIN (B7538):
    B7538 - No.60 MELLERSTAIN LOTHIANS, GOODWOOD, 18 Jul 44 [Laing].jpg

    No.60 MELLERSTAIN in back (B7510):
    B7510 - No.60 MELLERSTAIN LOTHIANS, STAFFS YEO, GOODWOOD, 18 Jul 44 [Laing].jpg

    No.61 MERTOUN on right (B7521):
    B7521 - No.61 MERTOUN LOTHIANS, GOODWOOD, 18 Jul 44 [Laing].jpg

    No.63 MAKERSTOUN (A70 85-1 from 05:46):
    A70 85-1 - 05.50 - No.63 MAKERSTOUN.jpg

    No.64 MONTEVIOT (A70 85-1 from 05:31):
    A70 85-1 - 05.42 - No.64 MONTEVIOT.jpg

    No.64 MONTEVIOT with No.60 MELLERSTAIN (A70 85-1 from 00:33):
    A70 85-1 - 00.33 - No.60, 64.jpg

    Michel
     
    Cee likes this.
  5. Tolbooth

    Tolbooth Patron Patron

    Ian,

    You might be able to spot your relative on this photo of No4 Troop, B Sqn

    No 4 Trp B Sqd.jpg

    I've transcribed some of the war diary and they are in the Resource section of the forum here
     
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2022

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