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.
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
Hello, Did the 147th Field Rgt used the 25 pounder during D DAY and the Battle of Normandy ? Thank you, Guillaume
RA 1939-45 147 Fld Rgt Normandy Batteries Jun 44 - 413, 431, 511 Equipment Jun 44 25 pdr SP Sexton (Sexton (artillery) - Wikipedia) TD
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.
It’s my pleasure. I’m hoping someone has a photo with him on, I don’t have any in his military uniform.
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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