53RD Medium Regiment June 1944

I have already applied for them. here's what looks like to me a unit posting history

 

Would be better to upload the full record

TD

 

There are no other documents that list his movements. the other documents I have are B200b, a driving test pass, and an index card

 

That shows some details up to Sep 1944, and nothing after that - there seems to be something missing here because the other sheet shows activity from 09 Nov 1944 until 20 April 1945 when he is 'posted' to the X2 list as I would assume he was injured/wounded

TD

 

So what is the X2 list?

 

THE X (ii) LIST comprises all ranks evacuated on medical grounds beyond Regimental First
Aid Post. Personnel so evacuated cease to be on the effective strength of their units. Temporary
or acting rank will be relinquished 28 days after being so transferred to X (ii) list. Personnel
remain in X (ii) list until they are classified as fit for posting when they are transferred to the X (iv)
list of their corps and marched out to the appropriate training depot, or until discharged by a
medical unit direct to their original units.

TD

 

So this then is a "sick" list until you go back to your original unit or get discharged. I know that he got a war pension and spent some time in a hospital called Roe Hampton, but again I have no information other than he had a silver war badge

 

Yes - also the Silver War Badge was I believe only for WW1

The Silver War Badge was issued in the United Kingdom and the British Empire to service personnel who had been honourably discharged due to wounds or sickness from military service in World War I.
A similar award called the King's Badge was issued in World War II. Although each was issued with a certificate, unlike its World War I counterpart it was not individually numbered.

There should be records for his war pension - I would suggest you ring Glasgow where the records were issued from and ask some questions and perhaps enlighten them to his pension - there may be other records/documents they have not sent you

TD

 

Looking at the unit movements in his documents, at the top it states O'Seas to No "BLA" date 30/6/1944. I've found a site that indicates that the BLA is home leave. It looks like in the lower area that he embarked for the UK on the 30/6/1944. Have I read this correctly? Also why is there no mention of going to NWE on the 6th June? On the form 200 it lists that he served in NWE from the 30/6/1944. This is so confusing! I remember him telling me that he took part in D-Day but these statements seem to contradict this.

 

Hi Teaclipper,

I think that many veterans used "D-Day" as a simplification of "Battle of Normandy". BLA is British Liberation Army (i.e. 2nd Army in Normandy - although some wags suggested that BLA actually meant 'Burma Looms Ahead') so that absolutely matches up with him embarking in the UK on 30 June 1944 to be shipped out to France to rejoin (or join?) his artillery regiment.

The 53rd Medium Regt war diary for 17 June 1944 notes that 'The Capt QM & “Second Residues” incl the greater part of B Echelon rejoined us' and it may be that your father went across to Normandy in a later Residue party. I've not got the war diary for July 1944, but there might be a reference in that in the first few days of July which explains which party he was in.

Regards

Tom

 

Thanks for the information Tom, it's really great to get to understand these documents. I clearly remember my father telling me about the landings and all the ships that were giving support, but from the documents and the information you have provided I have to admit that it matches up well. I can only think that he must have been trying to impress his son. I have copies of the war diaries for July and can not find any mention of anyone rejoining. I'll keep looking as I intend to transcribe the diaries to make them clearer and easier to understand. It's so hard to interpret the posting document and looking on the net you get many red herrings to the acronyms that the army use. The BLA that you describe makes so much more sense and again marries up with the dates on his B200. Do you know how I can find out which battalion and troop he belonged to? I have a photograph of him and some other members, but it does not give any information to a navy person like me! Thanks again for your help it's most welcome.