5 RHA Sexton

Discussion in 'Weapons, Technology & Equipment' started by redtop, Dec 17, 2014.

  1. redtop

    redtop Well-Known Member

    Picture of my Father Gnr Albert Burnikell (Standing 2nd left with civvys arm around him) with liberated Belgiums.
    He was serving with Mercers Troop G Battery 5 RHA.
    Was hoping for any info on the Sexton by using part ID number.
    The Sexton he was crewing was destroyed at Echt.
    I wondered if this was the same one and trying to find more info on the incident.
    Nothing in G batterys war diarys.
     

    Attached Files:

    Owen likes this.
  2. KevinT

    KevinT Senior Member

    I take it you know of this site.

    http://www.royalartilleryunitsnetherlands1944-1945.com/5-regiment-rha.html


    Other G Battery Sextons

    S233815

    H Battery

    S233704
    S233781
    S234682 D Troop

    Unknown Battery
    S233415
    S233686


    Cheers

    Kevin





     
  3. redtop

    redtop Well-Known Member

    Hi Kevin
    Thanks for that.
    Yes I am aware of site.
    In fact Paul Reinders has recorded the incident I mention at Echt on the site.( Also the above picture.)
    I am trying to find out more about the incident.
    The dates I have do not quite tie up

    Dads service record states he was wounded at Echt on 4th Feb 45.

    G battery War Diaries record that on 5/6 Feb 45 :-

    Fired harassing fire for K Battery from 1100 to 1130 hrs.,Ammo exp. 107 HE.

    Gunner Burnikell evacuated sick.

    This seems somewhat an understatement as he came to in a hospital in Lille in France ,was medically downgraded and never returned to 5 RHA.
    I have yet to find what happened to rest of crew,he thought they were all killed but could have been mistaken.
    I have records of 9, RHA servicemen killed on the 8th who are buried in Uden cemetery but if it were any of these they would need to have died of wounds to make the dates right.
    I was hoping that if I could get more info on Sexton I might find the rest of the crews names.
    Bryan
     
  4. BrianM59

    BrianM59 Senior Member

    redtop - your dad was doubtless a very fit bloke - could he have succumbed to wounds or even shock the next day when the adrenalin wore off?
     
  5. redtop

    redtop Well-Known Member

    Hi Brian M59
    Yes he was very fit as you seem to remember from post about his boxing
    His injuries were quite severe,but he might well have been held in a RAP before being evacuates back down the line.
    Its just the use of the word sick rather than wounded.
    Of courses one tends to think that Diaries are written up at the time but I suppose that if a lot is going on they could be written up retrospectively and errors in dates and times occur..

    Just as Dad arrived back at the gun it had a blow back in the breech,
    this ignited the pile of propellant, which exploded killing all of the
    crew apart from dad, the gun brewed up, and the flash of the explosion
    burned all the skin from dads face and hands, his beret was burned from
    his head but his cap badge protected one small area of skin, Years later if his face got sunburned the exact outline of the RHA
    badge could be seen on his forehead


    .I awoke and had a mask over my head and shoulders with small slits for
    eyes and mouth, and my hands covered in bandages. I later found I was
    in a hospital in France, Lille. Later sent to Munster. I was downgraded
    waiting for a group discharge.
     
  6. Gerboa

    Gerboa Gerboa Desert Rat History

    5 RHA consisted of G Bty (Mercer's Troop) RHA, with A & B Troops; K Bty RHA with D & E/F Troops and CC Bty with C & H Troops.
     

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