25 Light AA Regt Royal Artillery

Hi everyone, I'm new to this Forum, so forgive me if I don't get everything right. I am researching the men on our local Memorial and wanted to add as much as possible for the relatives to know a little of what hapenned to their loved one.

I have
Bombardier
ASHBROOK, CHARLIE
Service Number 4205281
Died 27/03/1945
Aged 32
25 Lt. A.A. Regt. Royal Artillery

Buried at REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY
Location: Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

From what I have gleaned so far, I have the feeling that 25th Lt AA Regt had recently been moved to Germany, in 1945, so can anyone explain what battle or circumstances my soldier would have been involved in please. Any help you be gratefully received. Kind regards, Mavis

 

Hello Mavis
Where is your local war memorial
Regards
Clive

 

Post 4357 shows his headstone
Royal Artillery/Royal Horse Artillery - Roll of Honour, 1939-47

 

Connah's Quay and Shotton War Memorial, North Wales

 

Thank you both for your swift reply and I am so thrilled with photograph o his gravestone. There are remarks underneath that look as though they were from family. Would that be right? Thanks again

 

The 25th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA, were divisional troops of the 50th (Northumbrian) Division from 25 April 1942 to 1 December 1944, when 50 Div was broken up and returned home from NW Europe as a Training Cadre. Monty saying they’d done enough.

On 1 December 1944 the 25LAA joined the 53rd (Welsh) Division, which is somewhat poignant given Bdr Ashbrook was it seems Welsh or living in Wales and his service number indicates he was originally a Royal Welch Fusilier.

The 25LAA was formed in Liverpool on 1 June 1939 primarily for the defence of the Mersey, but spent most of its active life overseas; Western Desert, Sicily, NW Europe. The original batterys were 81st, 82nd and 225th. The 225th Bty was diverted to Malta at the time the regiment went to the Western Desert in February 1941 and never rejoined the regiment. It’s place was take by the 274th Bty, which had previously been ‘A’ Bty, 102nd (Northumberland Hussars) Light Anti- Aircract and Anti-Tank Regiment, RA, in September 1941. The 81st Bty was overrun by the Afrika Korps during the Gazala battles in June 1942 and never reconstituted. It was later replaced by the 138th Bty (which had been formed in Margate) in Novemer 1942.

It is unclear which Bty Bdr Ashbrook served with 82nd (Liverpool), 138th (Margate) or 274th (Northumberland).

Bdr Ashbrook died during or just after the crossing of the Rhine, which started on 23 March 1945 and they crossed on 24 March 1945. The 25LAA ceased to operate as a Light Anti-Aircraft unit on 27 March 1945 and were given other duties such as prisoner escorts, bridge protection, amateur RASC troops, HQ defense duties, etc. The circumstances of Bdr Ashbrook demise are currently unclear.

Best,

Steve.

 

Sorry words where

 

Thank you so much Steve, I have some Casualty Lists where he is mentioned and it seems he was wounded and died the same day. You have enabled me to add to his story and I have added a few of the Documents I got from FMP. I really appreciate it. Regards, Mavis

 

Hello Mavis,

The second attachment shows that he was posted to the 116th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment on 1 January 1942 and the link reveals that the 116LAA was formed from the 12th Bn Royal Welch Fusiliers: 116 Light Anti-Aircraft

The link also reveals that the 116LAA were Divisional troops of the 53rd (Welsh) Division and disbanded in NW Europe in December 1944. It is most likely the case that on disbandment of the 116LAA, Bdr Ashbrook transferred from the 116LAA to the 25LAA, which joined the 53rd (Welsh) Divsion in its place.

Clive (handle ‘CL1’) who posted the headstone link (above) may be able to tell you more about the 116LAA, as I believe his father served with them.

Best,

Steve.

 

Once more I am indebted to you Steve, I have only just started looking at the 2nd World War after doing the Great War, when I was always asking questions on 1914-18 Invision Army Forum, who were like you all on this - experts, and it is so nice to know I can ask and get help. Thank you - Regards, Mavis

 

This is the original photo I took in June 2013 (and shown in the link). A couple of other pics included.







A couple of general shots from 2014 & 2015.

 

Thank you so much for these wonderful photographs Ramacal, they are stunning and I am sure they will be very much appreciated by Charlie's family if they get in touch. Thanks again, Mavis

 

Apologies for coming into this thread some 7+ years late but I just thought I would correct the statement that 25 LAA Regt ceased to be in role from 27 March. The regimental war diary records troops being in action during the period 9 - 27 Apr either engaging ground targets or the Luftwaffe. Best. John

 

JDKR,

Steve Mac's info was given in 2018 and my "go to" reference site for the RA has an entry for 25 LAA that shows May 1945 being attached to the 53rd Division @ Hamburg. See: 25 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA) - The Royal Artillery 1939-45

That site is run by two members here (Derek Barton & Tom Cavadino), so I will send them your update.

 

Hi I’ve just started researching my Grandads wartime experiences, he was a liverpool docker who joined the TA, I believe 25th LAA, his name was Sergeant Patrick Kennedy of Hopwood St, Liverpool, he was sent to North Africa, was at Gazala, El Alamein, I believe he was 82nd battery but not sure if he was at Sicily but he definitely was in Normandy, Falaise gap and canal/river crossings at the end of the war he was attached to the SIB and had a detachment of DLI, can you point me to diaries or old comrades families? Thanks, Gary

 

Gary,

As this old thread is about another person who served in the regiment I recommend you start a new thread in the area dedicated to such research: Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy

Guidance is on: How to Start a new Thread / Edit Post / Upload Image With a visual guide to ‘Start’ is in Post 19 in: George William Knock

The title you use is important in attracting attention: full name, Service No. DoB (if known) and main unit.

By all means include a cross-reference to this thread, as includes some of the unit's history.

 

Thanks David