He was transferred to 3 Royal Tank Regiment at the end of July No real mention in 3 RTR's war diary of reinforcements arriving though
Thanks Drew, Something new I've just learned from reading around on WW2talk on that: http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/16211-british-army-rank-wwii-wsgt/ It's interesting as I think I've seen some pics of my granddad dressed as a Lance corporal or corporal (but as I'd always assumed he'd been a sergeant mostly) I wasn't sure. I think from the looks of it though w/sgt was a rank only applied during war. At the end of the war they didn't want to be left with thousands of NCOs who wanted to stay in the army, so they designated them as W/SGT [war only] (No need to reply - esp. in the Lancer thread as I'll post this in the above link too ) - and I think the answer is covered here? Rm.
http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/publication/35222 Dad's war [a tank commander in Europe, 1844-45 with the XXIV Lancers and Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry] ..... Did a bit of a search to see if there was an "easy" way to "notify" someone at the IWM of the date typo in the above but I couldn't really see an easy way to get in touch with someone / anyone there. I'm pretty sure that they wouldn't want to be "routinely" bugged by such things (who would!!!) but it would be nice if someone knows of some "comments" bucket such "observations" could be hassle free "posted to? so they might get "seen" and fixed eventually? i.e. trawling through these links: http://www.iwm.org.uk/connect/contact-us http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections-research/managing/offer-material/how-to-offer http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections-research/managing I did find how to make an appointment: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections-research/research-facilities (something else I'd been looking for) ...but you have to trawl through a lot of pages to find a "live" email link and whilst the Photo, artworks and film archives have emails you can "approach" the book section is just to an automatic appointment scheduler. Which is not applicable here. I think if they made it all "too easy" though they'd never get through a hassle free day - without a bit of hand holding though I don't know how "easy" an experience a day there would be though? I guess it depends on how much you know before you start out. Rm.
Hi I'm trying to put together the history of my Fathers time in the 24th Lancers including up to the wars end. According to my memory of the brief conversations I had with him prior to his death 5 years ago he landed on Gold Beach (not sure when, D+1??). He was a tank driver, first in Stuart tanks, then Sherman's (probably after the 24th Lancers were disbanded) and lastly in Comets. His Tank Commander in the 24th Lancers was Captain Voller later to become a Major. I think my Dad was his driver for the remainder of the war. Mr. Voller is mentioned several times in the 11th Amour Brigade book for daring exploits and I always assumed that my Dad was driving him during these perilous forays. What I am unclear about is what Squadron my father was in during his time with the 24th Lancers and what Corp he transferred to after the disbanding of the 24th Lancers. Any Idea how I can find out? I'm hoping that knowing this will allow to me to trace his journey to Germany and the various campaigns he was involved in. Thanks for any help.
Looks like the poster is likely called 'Shearing'. So, 5504310 Tpr PH Shearing, attached 270 FDS (Forward Delivery Squadron?) from 5 August 1944.
Ishearing If the following is correct: ....then, accordimg to the 24th Lancers Nominal Roll, he was a Gunner/Operator in HQ Squadron. Lt David Voller was also in HQ Squadron so it makes sense that, certainly at some stage, they could have been in the same crew. If Tpr Shearing served in Comet tanks during WW2 itself then he can only have been eventually transferred to one of the Regiments in the 29th Armoured Brigade of the 11th Armoured Division as only the 11AD used Comets during the War itself. Final confirmation can, of course, only come via his Service Records and/or his RAC Tracer Card.
Hello all, I am a newbie and have just found this forum and already have found out plenty of great info. I am tracing my family tree with an emphasis on military history. My great uncle was Gordon John Webster and as a youngster he sent me a copy of a book,”none had lances", which I sadly cannot now find, but he did tell me it was who he served with.I have now found a photo of him in uniform and am hoping that someone may be able to help me out with some more info about where he served, serial number etc. Did he for example serve with anyone beofre or after the 24th lancers? I know its a long shot but hopefully I may be able to find something out. Cheers Dan.
Dan Welcome to the Forum. I hope I'm not getting confused with another Webster, but John and his wife used to attend our Annual Reunions in London until John died a number of years ago. I'll see what other detail I can find out when I get back home in a couple of days or so. I will be able to tell you his Army Number and his basic trade but, unfortunately, that's all the information I have. Steve Hon Sec 24th Lancers OCA until we disbanded in 2007.
Hi Steve, We knew him as Uncle John, only found out recently his real name was Gordon!, he died in 2004. He could well have attended the reunions, my family are all from London, he lived in Bristol when i knew him but he made regular trips to London to visit his sister, my nan, so could well have coincided the two! Thanks for having a look at the details, much appreciated. Dan.
Dan Definitely the same Webster. Like you, I was thrown by the Gordon bit. Bristol confirmed it. Many people from that era were referred to by their middle name. I will need to dig deep in my files but I think he went on an 11th Armoured Division pilgrimage to Normandy many years ago which would mean he was transferred to one of their Regiments after he left 24L (unless he just joined their group for that particular trip, which is possible). I can cross check that against the 24L disbandment list anyway when I get back home. Steve
Steve, That is fantastic if you do have the info! And its lovely you knew him too, he was such a lovely guy, I have such wonderful memories of him. Ive always been a military history fan ans and after finding his photo it has driven me to find out his story along with other family members. I'm trying to add the photo I have of him too but cannot seem to work out how to add one. Dan.
Dan Photos confirm absolutely the same Webster! A pity we can't see any badges or patches although the one just showing very slightly at the top on his right hand shoulder appears to be an 8th Armoured Brigade 'foxes head' patch. He also has medal ribbons so this is a late War or post War photo. I'm not sure of the significance of the lanyard and, to the best of my very limited knowledge, I don't think 24L wore lanyards. My guess is that this photo was taken after he transferred out of 24L when they were disbanded late July 1944. The unit (and any other units including 24L and with appropriate dates) to which he transferred will be documented in three places: His Service Record His RAC Tracer Card (a copy of which you can get from the Tank Museum when we have confirmed his Service Number), and The 24L Disbandment List of which I have a partial copy. All for now Steve
Steve, Many thanks for the guidance so far. I will now start poking around for the 8th details. Glad we are talking about the same chap! Would you by any chance have any photos of him at any of the reunions or anything? Dan.
Dan I'll see what I have photo wise. Won't be much as we didn't take group photos at the Reunions but he might be in a less formal shot. The only group photo I personally took was at the final 'farewell' Reunion and John didn't attend that one (working from memory here but I'm pretty sure I'm correct). Is his wife still alive? She may have some photos. I'm thinking more about the 11AD pilgrimage now as far as my own collection goes. I suggest that before you do too much digging, with the risk of false garden paths, you get a copy of his Tracer Card. I will look up his service number tonight and let you know it. I think the Tank Museum charge £5 for locating it and emailing a scanned copy. Well worth it and, while it doesn't show as much detail, it's far quicker than applying for his service records which are also only available in full format to next of kin. Steve
Steve, Cheers for that. Now, please excuse my ignorance, but what is a tracer card? It is one that I know nothing about!. I am not too sure about his wife tbh, think my mum may still be in contact with one of his sons so I'll try her for some details etc. I will also be looking for my copy of "none had lances". Looks like I'll be able to get some decent details from there. Dan.
