Alfred Donno 413 Batt 147 Field Regt RA

Discussion in 'Royal Artillery' started by peter.t, Jun 21, 2016.

  1. peter.t

    peter.t Member

    I am trying find any information on behalf of my Wife & Mother in Law. My Mother in Law's Father Alfred William Donno was in 413 Battery 147th field artillery.
    If anyone has any info as to where they fought in Europe or any photos I would be most grateful if they could pass them on.
    Thanks.
    Peter.
     

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  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    I'll post some basic info to bump the thread.
    http://nigelef.tripod.com/regtsumm.htm#fdregt
    147 (Essex Yeo) Fd Regt
    TA
    Fm 147 Fd Regt RHA 6/40
    SP regt 5/44
    UK 1940 - 11 Corps Troops (Army Fd Regt)
    UK 1941-3 - 42 Inf/Armd Divs
    D-Day 6/44 - att 50 Inf Div
    Normandy 1944 - Army Troops att 8 Armd Bde
    NW Europe 1944-5 - 2 Army Troops
    Disb 47

    edit: war diary ref number from another thread.
    http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/54335-147th-essex-yeomanry-d-day/
    WO 171/995 147 Regiment, Royal Artillery 1944 Jan.- Dec
     
  3. peter.t

    peter.t Member

  4. Gold

    Gold Member

    Hello,

    Did the 147th Field Rgt used the 25 pounder during D DAY and the Battle of Normandy ?

    Thank you,

    Guillaume
     
  5. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

  6. Gold

    Gold Member

    Thank you !
     
  7. Daniel Green

    Daniel Green Member

    In case anyone is still picking up posts from this thread, hopefully I can add a bit of info.
    My wife’s grandfather was in 413 battery and was interviewed for the IWM archives. Once you get past his personal background, he talks about the formation of the battery from its origins of the TA Essex Yeomanry up to the end of the war, covering action through France and Germany, as well as the activities from the outbreak of war up to D-Day.
    Search ‘Arthur Parsonson IWM’ in Google and give it a listen.
     
    Owen likes this.
  8. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Thank you Daniel for the information

    TD
     
  9. Daniel Green

    Daniel Green Member

    It’s my pleasure. I’m hoping someone has a photo with him on, I don’t have any in his military uniform.
     
  10. IanTurnbull

    IanTurnbull Well-Known Member

    There are photos of 413 Battery in the book "One Man's War" by Ron Davies, edited by his son Bill Davies in 2008. Ron was in "A" Troop and it looks like the pictures concern just them, I am not sure. I got my copy 2nd hand and there may be some still available
    Ian
     
  11. IanTurnbull

    IanTurnbull Well-Known Member

    Daniel
    Do you have a copy of your wife's grandfather's obituary from the '05 EY Journal?
    I may have had a hand in Arthur Parsonson's i/v moving online. I listened to it at the IWM in Sept '19, before it was online, and reported a missing/mis sequenced reel. Its an excellent account of life in the Regiment with some valuable insights into some of the actions of "B" Troop on D-Day & later. He clearly appreciates his officers Sidgwick & Culley
    Ian
     
  12. Daniel Green

    Daniel Green Member

    Hi Ian, I was kindly provided a copy of his obituary. I obviously went to his funeral, but there was also a service of remembrance (as he was an honorary Alderman and former Mayor) which was attended by the surviving wartime colleagues. There was a very moving speech given by Major-General Richardson.
    I also have a copy of ‘One Mans War’, which is next on my reading list. All I need is a photo, but having pored over all the photos, there is no sign.
    Thanks for the comments.
    Cheers,
    Dan
     
  13. IanTurnbull

    IanTurnbull Well-Known Member

    There is also an article by/about Arthur in the Colchester Evening Gazette and East Anglian Daily Times from December '04. I don't have copies but they are in the the EY Archives so retrievable once the virus allows. I dont know of any pictures however
    Ian
     
    Last edited: Mar 3, 2021
  14. Daniel Green

    Daniel Green Member

    Having reached out to family members, I finally managed to get a couple of photos of Arthur in his uniform. Hers is one with some other sergeants, which I assume are form the same troop. I have the names, as they are written on the back. It was taken in Kiel in July 1945.
    Please feel free to shout up if anyone recognises the names.
    Left to right: -
    Jack Brown (looks like a CSM/RSM)
    'Mac'
    Jim
    Les Baker
    Bill Willy
    Harold Gladwell
    Seated - 'Charie' and Arthur Parsonson himself (with the moustache)
     

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  15. IanTurnbull

    IanTurnbull Well-Known Member

    I so pleased you could find a picture in uniform. I know a couple of these soldiers
    Jack Brown was 413 Battery Seargent Major
    That must be Sgt Bill Wilby a No 1 in an "A" Troop Sexton (wounded and repatriated on D-Day but rejoined in Holland)
    Les Baker was 413 Battery Quartermaster Sergeant
    I'd be guessing with the others however
    Having said I was not aware of any pictures, I have just come across a picture of "A" Troop with Arthur in uniform. It is from the 1989 EY Journal & I am sorry my photo of the page is such poor quality. There is also an article in that edition by Captain Larry Marshall "Some amusing memories" that accompanies the picture, about the early years of the War in 413 Battery. I am sure the EY Association could provide a mint edition. If you need a link just message me
    Ian
    upload_2021-3-7_0-2-25.png
     
  16. Sheldrake

    Sheldrake All over the place....

    The Royal Artillery Institution commissioned Gunners In Normandy in order to help people understand what their Gunner relatives did in Normandy. There are lots of mentions of 147 Field Regiment and details of where their fallen comrades are buried. It is modestly priced with the Kindle version under £10. The History Press | Gunners in Normandy
     
  17. IanTurnbull

    IanTurnbull Well-Known Member

    Just realised that Harold Gladwell was in the Herts & Essex Yeomanry, 191st Field, and was also a Seargent as a No 1 in that Regiment. They were disbanded in December 44 so he must have joined up with the 147th. Ian
     
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2021

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