Hi, when I was a nipper my grandfather didn't really talk that much about his wartime experience. However, after his and my father's death, I inherited some of wartime letters back to my grandmother. Theres not a lot of detail in the actual content, but I do have some of his details from the posting addresses. Most of the letters were headed: 817889 BSM Bowes, E. 289/93 Hy.AA. Regt R.A. Army Post Office 4375 (this one was dated in 1942) Although I have one in 1940, where he was part of the B.E.F. in the 220/85th A.A. Regt. R.A. 817889 Bdr Bowes, E. "B Troop" 220/85th A.A.Regt RA B.E.F. France 15/5/40 And one after that when he was back in England 817889 Bdr Bowes, E. 220th AA Bty R.A. Rame Head efr Causands Cornwall 9/8/40 Finally I have a letter from 1945 817889 CSM Bowes, E. 1st BN, E / Surrey Regt. 'A' bay 8th BN. No1. I.R.T.D. C.M.F. 1st June 1945 I'd really like to learn a lot more about the operational movements of my Granda's regiment, and also about his time in the B.E.F. and what happened to him in 1945. I've only got the odd vague memories of where I was told as a kid, things like he was at Dunkirk and served in the North African campaign, possibly at Tobruk. I don't really know if he took part in the invasion of Sicily or Italy. Any information regarding the 289/93rd Hy A.A. Regt, or pointers to information sources would be very much welcomed.
This is a start: 93 HAA RA 1939-45 93 HAA Rgt And 85 HAA RA 1939-45 85 HAA Rgt There is a difference between the two - I suspect that 85 was a pre-war territorial infantry battalion, converted pre-war to AA, whereas 93 was a war formed unit. This could indicate he was a pre-war territorial. Hopefully someone here will post the link for you to obtain his service history, you have all the detail you need. The Cornwall posting - Cawsands (note spelling), I am very confident that the position is still there, if you are inclined to visit the South-West. Dont know what the last post refers to, dont recognise the acronym. Good luck Pete
Will add....the first numbers are his battery of 3 guns ie 289 battery, this is the number you need to follow as they may not have been stationed with other batteries from the same regiment. Pete
Hi, when I was a nipper my grandfather didn't really talk that much about his wartime experience. However, after his and my father's death, I inherited some of wartime letters back to my grandmother. Theres not a lot of detail in the actual content, but I do have some of his details from the posting addresses. Most of the letters were headed: 817889 BSM Bowes, E. 289/93 Hy.AA. Regt R.A. Army Post Office 4375 (this one was dated in 1942) Although I have one in 1940, where he was part of the B.E.F. in the 220/85th A.A. Regt. R.A. 817889 Bdr Bowes, E. "B Troop" 220/85th A.A.Regt RA B.E.F. France 15/5/40 And one after that when he was back in England 817889 Bdr Bowes, E. 220th AA Bty R.A. Rame Head efr Causands Cornwall 9/8/40 Finally I have a letter from 1945 817889 CSM Bowes, E. 1st BN, E / Surrey Regt. 'A' bay 8th BN. No1. I.R.T.D. C.M.F. 1st June 1945 I'd really like to learn a lot more about the operational movements of my Granda's regiment, and also about his time in the B.E.F. and what happened to him in 1945. I've only got the odd vague memories of where I was told as a kid, things like he was at Dunkirk and served in the North African campaign, possibly at Tobruk. I don't really know if he took part in the invasion of Sicily or Italy. Any information regarding the 289/93rd Hy A.A. Regt, or pointers to information sources would be very much welcomed. Hi Spelk One thing that I would comment on is the fact that he was in the 1st Bn/East Surrey Regt in 1945, having previously been in the RA. In July/August 1944 the British had a severe shortage of men in Infantry Regiments. They way they helped overcome this was to take men from Anti-Aircraft Regiments and transfer them into Infantry units. They were able to do this due to Allied Air Superiority. I know for sure that they did this with Light AA Regiments and presume they did this with other type of AA Regiments. Hope that helps a little. Regards - Rob. PS - The 1st East Surreys were in the Med in 1945 according to the war diaries listed at the National Archives. I would also apply for his service record as that would tell you all of his postings.
Thanks for replies folks, some interesting information there. I've considered applying for his service record, but I've lost touch with my Grandfathers 3rd wife, so I'm not sure whether she is still alive or not, and whether she is considered his direct next of kin as opposed to me. If she is still alive, presumably that would put the mockers on my application for his service record?
I thought to add some flavour to this thread, I'd post the only images I have of my Grandfather. He was wounded and one of the images shows the bandaging over his leg. I presume this first one is earlier in the War than the other two. My Granda is the one on the left. I'm guessing from the shorts, this is during his North Africa posting.
Well after 10 months of waiting, I've finally got his war service records. A lot of information to digest on there, although most of it seems to be obscure numbering and what not. When I get some time, I'll post up some of the details and hopefully someone might be able to help me decipher some of the army conventions. I'm chuffed to have finally unlocked this part of my family's history, so thank you to all those here who directed me to the right place.
Ok, heres the info I'm trying to decipher from the postings card: and I've transcribed the textual info here: Code: 1. Surname: Bowes 2. Christian names: Edward Dated: 31 Oct 44 3. Army number: 817 889 4. Regiment or Corps: R.A. (A.A) 264 (crossed out) - THE 264 SURREY REGIMENT 5. Nature of Engagement: TA (N) 6. Date of Joining (Army Class) or Date of Enlistment (Others): 18.3.38 7. Date of Birth: 15.1.14 8. Nationality: E 9. Religion: Re. 10. Industry Group: AB 11. Occupational Classification: 014.02 12. Cause of becoming Non-effective: Released to Class L(T) Reserve 12a. Date: 13 Feb 46 13. Single or Married: M 14. Home Town and County (U.K.) HARTLEPOOL, DURHAM A. Rank: WOII CSM B. Service Trade: Attended No4 Gas __________? Classified Q 17.9.42 to 24.9.42 C. Medical Category: A1 D. E. F. 21 FK G. 4/302 FK G. 2/311 11.9.45 Part II Order Postings Offr's Inits - 206 Hy AA Ta Rgt 95/41 10,7,41 451 Hy AA Bty GB (lbef 6.10.41) 3/41 133.hy.A.A. Regt PS 14/41 93rd HAA, 8.12.41 289 BTY 53/44 X LIST IV M/E.12.8.44 X4ME 381/44 Gast Surrey Regt 13/8/44 1/22/44 C.M.F 9/9/44 1/54/44 X(IV) 3 CRU 24.9.44 1/9/45 X(II) 18.2.45 X49/45 X/4(A) 30.4.45 X55/45 X/4(A) 8IRTD 29.5.45 X60/45 X4A 2CRLI 17.6.45 1/28/45 1ST. BN 24.6.45 12.H BN Lc.K 12.9.45 205/45 12 H BN 12.9.45 POSTED TO 'Y' LIST (E) DATE 13 Nov 45 (CLASS 'A' RELEASE) RELEASED to CLASS 'Z' (T) ARMY RESERVE DATE 13 Feb 46 (CLASS 'A' RELEASE) Part II Order Promotions Offr's Inits 3/40 W/BDR 1/1/40 62/41 A/SGT(P) 12/1/41 114/41 WOII A/BSM 28.12.41 HWF 136/41 P/A/BSM 28.11.41 106/42 W/BSM 25.8.42 FMA Dates on which Amendment Slips were send to Central Card Index 19) 16.3.43 4) Bulk Amdt. 19) 28.7.43 (K60243) 19) 26.10.45 Ideally I'd like to come up with a list of date, who he served with, whereabouts in the campaign and then understand his promotions. Theres a lot of coded information on the card, hopefully some kind soul can help me decipher it
