24th Lancer transfers to the Sherwood Rangers

Discussion in 'RAC & RTR' started by Ramiles, Jan 22, 2022.

  1. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    2 troops of 24th Lancers went to the Sherwood Rangers at the end of July 1944...

    The first troop went from "C" Squadron of the 24th Lancers...

    Cameron, Lt.* Arthur 308989 - WIA 14 Aug - post D-day but with a C crew.

    Symes, W/Sgt. B.W.A. 7880500 (C Squadron)

    Lambourne, C.F. 7927691 - L/Cpl - Wireless operator - C Squadron

    Burnet, L/Cpl. 7927885 KIA 10 Sept - Driver / operator - C Squadron

    Baxter, Tpr. R.C.H. 14231846 (C) KIA 14 Aug in Lt. Cameron’s tank - Gunner/mechanic.

    Beddow, Tpr. L. 14300394 - (C) Gunner - C Squadron

    Brooker, Tpr. J. 7933596 - (C) Driver / mechanic - C Squadron

    Eley, Tpr. F.W.J. 7957785 (C) KIA 14 Aug, in Lt. Cameron’s tank. Gunner/mechanic.

    Pelter, Tpr. J. 7933468 - (C) Driver / operator

    Pinfold, Tpr. H. 5112093 - (C) Unspecified - loader? C Squadron

    Randle, Tpr. Henry G. 7908460 - (C) Driver / operator - KIA 10/11 Sept, Sgt. Carr’s tank

    Robinson, Tpr. L.F. 5730058 (C) WIA 14 Aug, possibly in Lt. Cameron’s tank. Unspecified role.

    Ruffell, Tpr. J.V. 7920733 - (C) Gunner / Operator

    Simmons, Tpr. J.D. 7963177 (C) KIA 22 Nov - Gunner / mechanic

    Williams, Tpr. C.B.C. - 7920937 - (C) Driver

    The "other" troop of former 24th Lancers that went to the SRY seem to have been comprised of a mix of a variety of 24th Lancer Squadrons although one possibility, perhaps is that a reorganisation in mid July 1944 saw them all being put into "B" Squadron of the 24th Lancers, so that they transferred to the SRY as a complete former "B" Squadron troop, rather than a mix, from a variety of the 24th Lancers' Squadrons...

    From HQ =

    Cowan, 2/Lt. Henry 312305 WIA 10/11 Sept (known as “Harry”) - HQ?

    Carr, A/Sgt. C. 318861 WIA, PoW 10/11/12th Sept - Not on the pre-D-Day roll but perhaps went into HQ Squadron of the 24th L.

    Blaxall, Tpr. Wallace H. 14408976 KIA 10 Sept - Driver/ operator- HQ Sqd

    Heavens, Tpr. L.C. 14318823 WIA, PoW 10/11 Sept, Sgt. Carr’s tank - HQ

    Lake, Tpr. A.A. or A.F. 14318830 KIA 11 Sept - Gunner/ Mechanic - HQ

    McFarlane, Tpr. R. 1423342 - Gunner / mechanic - HQ Squadron

    Richardson, Tpr. A.S. 7914296 WIA 19 Nov, Cropper’s driver - HQ

    Tutin, Tpr. T.H. 14409269 (HQ) WIA 19 Nov, Cropper’s co-driver - HQ

    Not on pre-D-day roll -

    Carr, A/Sgt. C. 318861 WIA, PoW 10/11/12th Sept - Went into HQ? From crew?

    Cropper, A/Cpl. J. 14437601 WIA 18 Nov, subject of the book “Dad’s War.” - Not on 24th L's pre-D-day roll.

    Cornish, Tpr. Keith 14318909 KIA 19 Nov, Cropper’s radio operator - Not on Pre-D-day roll

    Gasson, Tpr. Fred 7930488 KIA 19 Nov, Cropper’s gunner - Not on Pre-D-day roll

    MacDonald, Tpr. J.A. 7890242 - Driver - Not on pre-D-day roll

    Riches, Tpr. E. 7960916 - Not on 24th L's pre-D-day roll

    Rose, Tpr. A. 7960027 WIA, PoW 10/11 Sept, Sgt Carr’s tank - Not on Pre-D-day roll

    Thomas, Tpr. Harry 14647318 KIA 10/11 Sept, Sgt. Carr’s tank - Not on Pre-D-day roll
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2022
  2. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    Additionally, prior to D-Day there were a(n) (as yet unknown to me) number of 24th Lancers that were transferred to the Sherwood Rangers... (possibly 8-12 individuals - not necessarily all in tank crews, some being in trucks or other roles etc)

    Re. Trooper Sidney Pownall - 14376364
    Gunner/ mechanic in "A" Squadron of the 24th Lancers.
    Transferred to the Sherwood Rangers (SRY) shortly before D-Day.
    Kia - 6d6m1944
    https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2328658/SIDNEY POWNALL/
    TROOPER SIDNEY POWNALL
    Service Number: 14376364
    Regiment & Unit/Ship: Royal Armoured Corps. The Nottinghamshire Yeomanry.
    Date of Death: Died 06 June 1944
    Age 22 years old
    Buried or commemorated at BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY. XIV. L. 24. France
    Country of Service: United Kingdom
    Additional Info: Son of Thomas and Emma Jane Pownall. of Nottingham.
    Personal Inscription: IT IS OUR HOPE IN HEAVEN TO MEET AND THEN OUR JOY WILL BE COMPLETE

    ----- x ---- x -----

    Re. ex-24th Corporal / Lance Sergeant Laurence Joseph Cribben - (316773)

    Driver/wireless operator - "C" Squadron 24th Lancers (316773)

    Just prior to D-Day - 23d5m1944 - he was transferred to the Sherwood Rangers...

    316773 Acting Lance Serjeant Leslie Cribben MM, Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry

    ...and promoted to acting Lance Sergeant - when with the SRY - 5d7m1944

    With whom...

    Recommendation for Award for Cribben, Leslie Rank: Corporal, Acting Lance... | The National Archives

    And...

    Lance Serjeant Laurence Joseph Cribben | War Casualty Details | CWGC

    LANCE SERJEANT LAURENCE JOSEPH CRIBBEN
    Service Number: 316773
    Regiment & Unit/Ship : Royal Armoured Corps : The Nottinghamshire Yeomanry.
    Date of Death : Died 01 September 1944
    Age 33 years old
    Buried or commemorated at FLESSELLES COMMUNAL CEMETERY. Grave 1. France
    Country of Service : United Kingdom
    Awards : Military Medal
    Additional Info :Son of Laurence and Bridget Cribben; husband of Margaret Cribben.
    Personal Inscription : NONE KNEW HIM BUT TO LOVE HIM. NONE NAMED HIM BUT TO PRAISE

    ----- x ---- x -----

    Following the disbandment of the 24th Lancers large numbers of former 24th Lancers were transferred to holding units, or in some cases were convalescing from wounds or receiving further training. Subsequently - a number of these that thereafter joined the SRY...

    For example...

    Re. Lt. Hubert C.Beddington - ex-24th Lancer
    Wounded whilst serving with the Sherwood Rangers 11th April 1945.
    The SRY War Diary has...
    11th April 1945 - Moved at 06.00, B Sqn leading advance guard. Got through HERZLAKE without opposition, but bazookas met in woods to the N.E. These were bypassed and advance continued to LONNINGEN, some road-blocks being removed on the way. More bazookas met in the woods west of LONNINGEN. B Sqn and ‘C’ Company made a firmbase in these woods while C Sqn and 4 Dorsets went through and took LONNINGEN. B Sqn lost 2 tanks to bazookas. Lt. Hunt killed, Lt. Beddington wounded, 1 OR killed and 4 OR’s wounded. Order to move at 12, 05.30 C Sqn leading. FXH
    P499 of "An Englishman at War"... see... 24th Lancers - Roll of Honour

    ----- x ---- x -----

    Re. Major Richard (Dick) Hamilton Radcliff - 94129
    (Nb. Radcliff is also occasionally seen spelt as Radcliffe)
    "HQ" Squadron of the 24th Lancers.
    After the disbandment of the 24th Lancers - returned to the UK for further training.
    Subsequently he joined "A" Squadron of the SRY in mid September 1944.

    He is mentioned on three pages of "None Had Lances" p25,44,198 and pictured in a number of them i.e. on p199.
    There is a December 1944 ref on p33 in "The Hutchins School Magazine" in the section titled "Old Boys on Active Service" - pdf doc:
    "Capt. R. H. Radcliff, son of Mr. C. F. Radcliff. of Sandy Bay, is probably the first Tasmanian in the Allied invasion armies who has crossed onto German soil. In an airgraph letter to his father written "from German soil," he stated that his unit was the first part of the British Army which entered Germany, and he was the only Tasmanian in the unit.
    Capt. Radcliff went to England about 13 years ago, and joined Metropolitan Vickers as electrical engineer. He volunteered for the Royal Tank Regiment, and afterwards was with the 24th Lancers. *He attained his captaincy in the Sherwood Rangers."

    * Nb. Dick Radcliff was Officer commanding H.Q. Squadron in the 24th L. And T/Major on the 24th L Regimental Roll at disbandment. Later it goes on to say "He attained his captaincy in the Sherwood Rangers" so it could be that he went from a "temporary" Major 24th L rank to a permanent SRY rank.

    ----- x ---- x -----
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2022
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