Hi - I'm new on here so wondered if somebody on here could help. My grandfather was a sergeant in the 83rd Field Regiment RA during the Second World War. I'm trying to piece together his movements and the movements of his regiment during the war. I'm looking at what's online but also I'm off to the National Archives at the end of the month to look at the regiment's war diaries. Going through the bits and pieces I already have, I've come across a photograph of what seems to be a memorial to the regiment. The photo isn't that clear but from what I can see in the middle is a list of those who died and then either side seems to be a list of where the regiment were from June 1944 to May 1945, ending up in Munchen Gladbach. It's quite a lengthy list but it could prove useful. My grandfather never spoke of the war so unfortunately I have little to go on. I know this is a long short, but does anyone know if/where this memorial may be? Many thanks Marc
Hi Marc & welcome You seem to be doing all the right things (war-diaries etc) for your research into your grandfather's arty regt. The 83rd (Welsh) Field Regt RA were always divisional artillery for the 53rd (W) Div, so go down their route as well for info. Also try the archives of 'Firepower' Museum Woolwich and the IWM. As to the memorial, if you could scan and post the picture on here it might help the chaps come up with an answer for you. 83 (Welsh) Fd Regt TA Newport 1938 - 53 Div UK 1939-4 - 53 (Welsh) Inf Div NW Europe 1944-5 - 53 (Welsh) Inf Div 44/45- 330 Bty 331 Bty Rob
Drop me a PM Mark, they were 158 (Royal Welch) Brigade's Field Regiment. 158 Brigade - 53rd Welsh I've got a reasonable amount on 83 Field Reg, and should be able to lend a hand. I know there is stuff at Firepower so they may know but its not jumping out at me right now I'm afriad. Can you post these pics here as I may be able to jog my mind.
Many thanks for your help both. Here is the photo I mentioned in my earlier post. As I said, it's not a clear photo but it seems to contain a wealth of information which could prove very useful.
Hi Marc welcome from the Netherlands Royal Artillery Units Netherlands 1944-1945 - 83 Field Regiment Not much, but maybe it will help out
Curses, I've never seen that Memorial before, will consult some notes but currently not too hopeful if I can dig up where it is. I had hoped it was the one at s'Hertogenbosch but seems not! N.B. (Marc sorry for keeping writing your name with a 'k'!)
I've been to the National Archives and photographed the 83rd regiment's war diaries so I may be in a better poisition to decypher what's written on the war memorial I attached in my earlier post. I think that there are twelve names listed in the middle so hopefully those twelve names will be recorded in the diaries. I'm still hopeful I can discover the location of this memorial someday!
83rd Field Regiment RA. BLA I am new to this site but hoping that someone may be able to help with a search I am making. My uncle was a member of F Troop 460/ 83rd Field Regiment and was killed on Easter Monday, 2nd April 1945 at Gronau in Germany. I have visited the Firepower museum and obtained copies of the Regiment's Diary from the archives there in which his death is recorded but he is not named. Throughout the diaries there are numerous grid references. In a letter sent to my grandfather by one of my uncle's colleagues he relates the events of that day and gives a grid reference for the place where my uncle was laid to rest. (His body was later moved to an official War Cemetery.I have been told by the staff at Firepower that it is not possible to make use of the grid references because it is not known which maps were being used and no maps have been attached to the diaries. In 8 days time I am setting out to visit the area and would like to try to understand the events of that day.I am just wondering if anyone has any information which might be useful to me?
Hi Peter, Unfortunately you haven't left yourself very much time. There is a web page that converts 1940's grid ref's to current day locations-not sure if it always works but it has for me. Owen is your man for that. I have used it a few times for trips to the Dunkirk area. Secondly I would go to the National Archives and pull the regiments original war diaries. I suspect Firepower just have the diary section of the file and not all of the appendices. Most RA diaries contain maps, traces or sketch maps of sorts. Failing that find out what Bde or AGRA they were part of-These have a even greater chance of having maps. Good luck. Andy
Dear Andy, Thank you for the prompt reply to my message. I do appreciate the time and trouble you have taken. As you say time is short but I am trying to be as well prepared as possible for my visit. I have just posted a message to Owen in the hope that he will be able to help with the grid references. I think that it will be possible for me to visit the National Archive during the coming week to have a look at what information I can acquire from the original war diaries. Best wishes, Peter Railton
Dear Andy, Thank you for the prompt reply to my message. I do appreciate the time and trouble you have taken. As you say time is short but I am trying to be as well prepared as possible for my visit. I have just posted a message to Owen in the hope that he will be able to help with the grid references. I think that it will be possible for me to visit the National Archive during the coming week to have a look at what information I can acquire from the original war diaries. Best wishes, Peter Railton Dear Andy, Just to let you know that I have receiveive responses from Owen which have identified the location of the grid reference I was enquiring about. I am delighted to have a focus for this part of my forthcoming visit; it will add to the significance of the trip as a whole. I am very grateful to you for putting me in touch with Owen. Best wishes, Peter Railton
my father was also in the 83rd/460 but dont know which troop.he then got transferd to to the 6th field regt RA. Anybody got any info on this regt much appreciated , yours heb52
this was at A field training battery/7th field training regt RA. in pembrokeshire . somebody must know about sgt COLQUHOUN. middle row 4th from right. thankyou heb52 ps. it was 1939
Hi Marc. I have only just found this site so this thread is probably a bit old and dead. My father was a Lt in 83rd Field Regiment RA from Normandy through to Hamburg, I have several photos and other memorabelia. There is a memorial to the 53rd Welsh in 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, to commemorate their liberation in Ocober 1944, still haven't got round to visiting! The photos I have all seem to be too large to upload here but I'm sure I could email them to you. Nick
