23rd Medium and Heavy Training Unit RA

Hi new member seeking info

On the 23 rd Medium and Heavy Training Unit, thought to have been at North Raglan Camp in May 1940.

My grandfather was in this unit at this time, but was evacuated from Dunkirk and was at Mill Bay rest camp after the evacuation.

We are unsure as to the unit he went to France with, he was an NCO at this time.

Any help gratefully recieved

 

Hi Owen,

Thanks for the reply. I'm still awaiting info on my grandfathers service record from the MOD.

So unfortunately details are a little scarce. What we do have is information off a drivers licence issued to him (William Robinson Morrell) on 5th May 1940 in Plymouth. Stating he was in this regiment at Nth Raglan, there is something that looks perhaps like a service number but is illegible.

We also know that he was stationed in Newtown Powys in 1939, prior to this he was in the TA Royal Artillery in Colwyn Bay Nth Wales, and transferred to regular service in 1939.

We have a photo of him taken at Mill Bay Rest Camp (Plymouth) after his evacuation from Dunkirk, with Corporal stripes on his uniform. Another photo taken at some time afterwards has him with Sargents stripes.

He was always with Heavy Ack Ack, and we believe he went in on D-Day +3 (not sure which beach). He also trained Newfoundlanders to drive heavy artillery tractors.

Any info you can help with, much appreciated.

Vic

 

Vic, welcome to the boards and thank you for your grandfather's service to Crown and Country.

A clue about your grandfather's service...he trained Newfoundlanders to drive artillery tractors...Newfoundland contributed the 59th Newfoundland Artillery Regiment to World War II, which fought in Italy. That's probably the regiment he trained. So you should get in touch with Newfoundland and Canadian archives and veterans' groups...they may have more information on their training.

 

Thanks kiwiwriter
The story goes they where as dangerous as drivers as the shells they delivered.
Vic

 

Thanks i am sure this mans experiences where much the same as my grandfathers