Hi I'm trying to find some information for a friend who's Grandfather was killed 21 November 1944 while serving with the Ayshire Yeomanry RA. Could anyone tell me where they were on this date. Any help would be appreciated. Regards Doug.
151 Field Regiment 3 men killed L/Sgt Goulden, Gnr Price and Pte Smith 21 November 1944: Y Truck of 125 Battery blown up by a mine on verge of road whilst moving to new position. One man killed (Gnr B.F.Boileau) and three wounded (GPOA's). Truck burned out and all stationery,tgt records, gun history sheets etc of 125 Battery lost. Regiment moved to new area at Griendtsveen (Brabant).
Doug There is a Regt history avalible, priced about £16.00. Rob I. A. GRAHAM YOUNG, AND R. I. GRAY " A SHORT HISTORY OF THE AYRSHIRE YEOMANRY ( EARL OF CARRICK'S OWN). 151 ST FIELD REGIMENT, R.A. 1939-46" AnitaBooks: Military PS. 152nd Field Regt RA. were also Ayrshire Yeomanry RA, but fought in the Italian Campaign.
Philip and Rob Thank you very much for your replies,it is apprecited. Philip, the man I'm interested in is not one of those mentioned. The info I have is Thomas Edward Roberts 1124446 Gunner 151 (The Ayrshire Yeomanry) Field Regt Died 21/11/44 buried in Mook War Cemetery, so he may well have been wounded and died on that date as opposed to being killed on that date. I wander if he was the man wounded. 29 October 1944: Enemy aircraft attacked Helmond approx 21.00Hrs and on attempting to bomb canal bridge hit A echelon area, causing casualties, one man killed and one wounded and two vehicles destroyed. www.royalartilleryunitsnetherlands1944-1945.com Regards Doug.
From The Proud Trooper, the 'verbatim' extract of the WD reads: OPs of 123 & 124 Btys issued with 'Weasels' fitted with w/t sets. Regt recd orders to move back into action at 1500. In full action by last light. 'Y' Truck of 125 Bty blown up by mine. Gnr T. E. Roberts killed. Gnr B. F. E. Boileau died of wounds. Wounded - Sgt G. Goulden, Gnr S. Price, Gnr J. Smith. All Bty records being destroyed when truck burnt out. The Y truck was the Battery Survey officer's vehicle. This would probably stayed on or around the gun position so would have been as good a place as any to keep the records safe. Having read the question properly: 20 Nov: Regt pulled out of line to rest area near Swimming Pool at Zeilburg complete in rest area by 1300... It looks like the Regiment had been "1000x W of Ijsselstein" since 29 Oct; it's most likely that the Y truck was mined en route from there to the rest area.
Thanks Idler Your information confirms that Thomas Roberts was killed on the 21/11/44 when the truck he was in was blown up by a mine. Just to clarify was he in a "weasel or a truck? and can you explain w/t sets. Regards Doug
Almost certainly a truck. The Weasels went to the Obervation Posts (OPs) that would go forward with the infantry/armour to direct the guns' fire. W/T = wireless telegraphy.
