97th Field Regiment RA Kent Yeomanry

If he was wounded on the 6th it was either in the UK or he wasn't with the regiment-They left France on the 31st May from Dunkirk.

 

Hi Guys my name is Darren, I am doing some research into my uncles' service with the 97th field regiment, he served with the 385th Battery. I have done really well so far but I am a bit confused. I am trying to find out how many gun sections there were. I was told they were called corps but it seems I was told wrong could you help? Also I can't get my head around the tactical signs and battery markings did they change everytime they went into a new campaign?. Also has anybody got a copy of the war diary for the day of 29th June 1942 for the battery in question. I hope you can help, thanks for reading all this Darren.

 

With sadness I report that Captain Peter Ogilvy Gordon of the 97th (Kent Yeomanry) Field Regiment RA, Has passed away Aged 97.

Till the end he remained a great source of information on the regiment and its campaigns particularly in Italy. He was very generous with his time and his stories of the officer’s mess and its personalities were as interesting as his technical discussion on 25 pounders.

He followed his brother Ian to “war” who was KIA in the “white flag incident” in East Africa.

So as another veteran leaves, perhaps its time to pause and reflect, while we move from oral histories and are left only with written accounts.

He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.

Jim

 

Hi Darren,

I am also researching 385 Battery as my Granddad his brother both served with the Battery in France and Africa, contact me if you would like to share research,

Regards Jim.

 

Does anyone know when 97th Field arrived in Egypt?

Thanks

 

I think it was in June of 1942.

 

The regiment left for the Middle East in August 1941 and arrived in Iraq on 20 November 1941 and came under command of 10th Army.
It came under command of 10th Indian Infantry Division on 19 November 1941. 470th Battery left to help form 164th Field Regiment on 25 April 1942. The regiment moved to Egypt on 18 May 1942 under 20th Indian Infantry Brigade Group. It moved from Baiji to Taji on the outskirts of Baghdad on 19 May and left Baghdad for Cairo on 23 May. It arrived at Port Gambut by 4 June 1942. When it moved to the front it left 470th Battery in Cairo. With fifteen guns it fought with 25th Indian Brigade at Fort Capuzzo. On 24 June 1942 it moved to Mersa Matruh and took over from 4th Field Regiment, NZA and was attached to 21st Indian Infantry Brigade. It left the division on 5 July 1942 and came under command of British Troops Egypt. The regiment was reformed at Amirya after Mersa Matruh.
It came under command of 50th Infantry Division on 20 July 1942 temporarily. The regiment dropped the “Army” from its title on 13 September 1942 on joining 7th Armoured Division in Egypt. A new 470th Battery was formed on 7 October 1942 in Egypt. It remained with the division until 1 December 1942, leaving Egypt for Libya on 12 November 1942. On 15 January 1943 it left Cairo with the new 470th Battery for Beirut and then two days later landed on Cyprus and came under command of 10th Indian Infantry Division of 10th and 25th Indian Infantry Brigades.

 

Thank you David. That is especially interesting as I have the Regiment's two batteries as being 385th & 386th. (No mention of 470th Bty). Do you know which other battery made up the Regiment at this time?

 

Hallo fellas - sorry this conversation was a long time ago ....

I have only recently found out that my Grandad Lance Bomb Ernest Brentnall - served in 2/97th FR RA (he at on his army will filled out in the desert as A/T which I'm presuming is Anti-Tank!!

Anyway from his records I've obtained from Glasgow plus his Africa Star and Service and War medals - he signed up in 40 was shipped out to N.Africa as part of PAIForce to Iraq to protect the Oil Fields. I then know he was back and forth across North Africa with that advances and retreats through Tobruk, Benghazi and El Alemien.

I can't seem to find the Regiments diaries ... Can anyone shed any light for me to where to find the full story?

PS Anyone who may have had a Dad or Grandad who may have served with him I'd love to hear from you.

He was from London - Leyton E10 .....

 

Hi and welcome to the forum, good luck with your research.
You can obtain copies of the war diaries from Kew or some of the guys here on the forum may be able to help



David