4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, 8th Armoured - 1944

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by SamG, Nov 10, 2014.

  1. SamG

    SamG New Member

    I'm new. Researching my mums cousin Trooper Raymond Edwards 7663777, 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, 8th Armoured also 265 forward delivery. He was killed aged 24 on 23 sept 1944 whilst, we believe, in his tank in an orchard in Elst, near Arnhem during Operation Market Garden. He is buried in the war cemetery at Oosterbeck, next to his friend Robert Arthur Armstrong aged 22 who died with him. I cannot find any details of his time here or any actual report of his death. I have copies of some letters he sent home and a photo of his troop. Any info or advice gratefully received! I'm off to the National Archives at Kew to search there. image.jpg image.jpg
     
  2. SDP

    SDP Incurable Cometoholic

    Have you contacted their Old Comrades Association aka The Creully Club? They might be able to help. You could also search their Club Newsletters, which are on line, for information. Contact me via PM if you want contact details for their Hon Sec.
     
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  3. TTH

    TTH Senior Member

    Your mother's cousin would have been in action in support of 1st Worcesters of 43rd Division. http://www.worcestershireregiment.com/bat_1_Elst_1944.php
    Drew on this site has copied a great many war diaries and you could ask about the diary for 4th/7th DG or check it at Kew, but individual privates/troopers are not often mentioned in war diaries. If you know who his tank commander was (sergeant or officer) that might give you a start in tracking down the details.
     
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  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I'll save you the journey :D

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  5. SamG

    SamG New Member

    Thanks for advice. I've read the 1st Worcesters thing, very interesting indeed. Many thanks!
     
  6. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    The Regimental History by Brereton suggests he was in either A or C Squadron:

     
  7. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    He is listed as C squadron in The First and the Last by J D P Stirling
     
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  8. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    Drew - it would be interesting to see the full War Diary entrance for 24 September 44. It mentions no tank losses on the 23rd.
     
  9. idler

    idler GeneralList

    Andy - have you got the After the Battle Market-Garden, I think that's got coverage of Elst?
     
  10. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Yes and Yes :lol:

    Hang on !
     
  11. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

  12. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Here's everything from ATBs OMG on 4/7 RDG

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  13. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    Still no tank losses reported in the War Diary.
     
  14. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

  15. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

  16. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

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  17. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    And Finally a report from B Squadron. I think a lot of the appendices are missing from this file.

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  18. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    Drew - Does it have a Casualty Report?
     
  19. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Nope - Thats pretty much it. It lists how many 17 Pounder and 75mm Shermans each Squadron has at the end of the month.
     
  20. SamG

    SamG New Member

    Thanks. I tried to buy a copy of this book on Abe books but it was very rare and extremely expensive!
     

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