50th Royal Tank Regiment

Discussion in 'RAC & RTR' started by Buteman, Aug 28, 2013.

  1. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Does anyone have a copy of 50th Royal Tank Regiment Regiment, the complete History by Stephen D Hamilton?

    A distant relative of a Friend died on 21/71944 and is buried in Bari War Cemetery and before they purchase the book, I would like to check that his name is shown in the Roll of Honour in Annex A.

    The man who died is 7915292, Lance Corporal Geoffrey William Colman CLIFTON. I have just received the service record, so am aware of his movements and postings, etc.

    Many thanks in advance for a reply.

    Cheers - Rob
     
  2. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    Hi Rob

    L/Cpl Clifton is not mentioned in Annex A and the only Clifton mentioned in Annex F (those who served) says Tank Crew, Trooper, B Sqn,

    On 1st June 1944, 50 RTR arrived in North Africa preparing for OP MANNA, the second British expedition to Greece.

    This would suggest that if L/Cpl Clifton was indeed 50 RTR, that he died of wounds sustained in earlier operations in Italy. Although he's not mentioned in Annex D (Wounded in Action) either.

    Another alternative could be that he was hurt while training in Palestine & Egypt and flown to Bari where he died of his injuries.

    I have found a lot this happening with soldiers wounded during the troubles in Greece Dec 44- Jan 45 but buried in Bari. I found 20 that had died when their casevac aircraft crashed on descent into Bari.

    Hope this helps

    Gus
     
  3. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Thanks Gus,

    L/Cpl Clifton died in 204 RAF General Hospital of Acute Polio Encephalitus. I've been looking very closely at his service record and can now see that he was posted to the Mechanical Warfare Experimental Establishment in early 1944. He was a Driver/Mechanic (D/IC) at the time of his death.

    Cheers - Rob
     
  4. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Rob
    Something not quite right here as he was either a Driver Mech (tracks) OR a driver i /c (wheels)- two different trades

    Cheers
     
  5. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Hi Tom,

    Probably the way I've interpreted the service record. On the first page of his service and casualty form, It says Corps Trade & Grade - Driver Mechanic CII and Qualifications - DR - IC.

    Cheers - Rob
     
  6. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Rob
    Probably took his Driver Mech's training and tests FROM Driver i/c as his qualification - bit unusual though as I had wondered where the 23rd AB (40th - 46th - 50th RTR ) had gone after Rome...they were apparently back in North Africa - but your chap was not with them at the time of his death...

    Cheers
     
  7. IKE26

    IKE26 Active Member

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