4th Durham Survey Regt RA - Frank Barton

Hi,
I'm looking for information about my Uncle, Frank Barton, who served in WW2, and I remember stories about surveying up steeple's in the Netherlands.
I have photo's attached of him at:
4th Durham Survey HQ
with 16A Squad, at Larkhill in 1943
at Hofstadt (Belgium?) River/Canal Crossing September 1944
at a border with Soviet Area
Where can I find his Records? - I am in Forces War Records, but can't find him there

Any advice / information gratefully received
Best Regards,
Bill Cooke

 

No, Forces War Records is a little stretch of what they provide, NOT Service Records.
For those you need to apply to the MoD, the ONLY source of acquiring them.
The cost is £30 (refunded if nothing found) and can take several months even without the current virus issue.

Meantime, I'd guess that surveying from Church steeples would be very hazardous, both we and the enemy knew they provided the best lookout spots to arrange ambushes, provide hideouts for snipers, so often, they'd be the prime target for an artillery shoot.

Hofstade is a puzzle to me, there is one in Belgium (Hofstadt seems to be several places in Germany, which we hadn't reached by Sept '44) but there doesn't seem to be any major river near, canals yes, but that pontoon is over a very wide watercourse.

I'm sure more helpful Pals can add more for you.

 

Thanks very much Kevin,

I meant Hofstade - if my reading of what it says on the photo is correct. I see around there is "La Senne" River, a large canal, then the "Dyle" River. I have more photo's of this if anyone would be interested

I'll look towards asking the MoD for information thanks. If only I could find his number

Kind Regards

 

Happy to help if you repost or respond to my PM

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4th survey regiment royal artillery wwII