Can anyone help me. Grandad in Royal Artillery

Hello,

I'm trying to piece together infomation my Gran has given to me regarding my Grandad you died 15 years ago.

William henry Redgrift

His army number was 1792047

He was a Gunner for the 160th field regiment Royal Artillery

She also said he was in the second battle of Monte Cassino, but all info regarding the 160th are about Burma and the chindits

Not one reference connects the 160th regiment at all to the italy campaign

I know my gran isn't mistaken as he recieved the Italy star amongst other medals..

I want to display his miniature medals his picture and info regarding this famous campaign so any help would be very grately

appreciated.

I also want to display his formation badge he has on his arm from his pic..(looks like a black upside down aircraft on a yellow background)

i will post a pic if this helps..

again many thanks in advance anyone who can assist

lee

 

There really is no substitute for applying for a copy of the Service Records in a case like this. His service number does indeed indicate that he enlisted with the Royal Artillery.

The formation sign sounds like one of those used in the UK by several of the divisions of Anti-Aircraft Command. Did he perhaps spend some time there before being transferred to a field regiment ?

Are you able to post a copy of the picture ? There are likely to be clues as to when and where it was taken.

 

Welcome to the forum Lee
https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records
As mentioned, apply for a copy of his service records

Lesley

 

Step 1 is to apply for his service record. This will give you all the important dates, units and locations. From there you can research unit histories, war diaries, etc.

You can apply for his service records using the forms at this location:
https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records#how-to-apply-for-service-personnel-records

I received my father's records in about 5 weeks. They came from:

Army Personnel Centre, Support Division
Historical Disclosures, Mail Point 555
Kentigern House, 65 Brown Street
Glasgow G2 8EX

Their email is: APC-Sp-ParlDiscl-Dis4-Mailbox@mod.uk
Telephone: 0141 224 3515

Have fun, it will become a really interesting detective hunt for you.

Tim.

 

Is this newspaper article any connection to your family ? It mentions a William (Billy) Redgrift fighting at Monte Cassino with HAA Battery, R.A.
http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/Billy-boiler-man-father/story-11525939-detail/story.html

Could you post any photos of your grandfather please?

 

Yes thats my Grandad..

What do you actually get when you buy the service records ?

 

[sharedmedia=gallery:images:26315]

The formation badge identification..

Also when my Grandad was alive he told me he was on the ack ack guns in and around London before going to Italy

 

[sharedmedia=gallery:albums:70]


Lee

Have a look at this album on my Gallery


Edit: when you do apply, make sure you ask for the FULL records-the images above show my father's full records, quite a lot of detail

 

I applied for my fathers service records 5 weeks ago. I received a letter this week stating that due to a very high volume of urgent welfare requests on behalf of former soldiers, family interest enquiries may take as long as three to six months to complete. I was offered a refund of my £30 if I did not wish to wait. Disappointing news I'm afraid, but understandable.

 

That's the MOD's usual letter to anyone applying. Sometimes it takes 5 weeks, others 5-6 months. Makes me wonder sometimes what system they use :wink:
It is still worth the wait even if it takes months in my opinion, because you won't get the details anywhere else.

 

Haha You shouldn't have asked for the money back, research takes time and rushing just leads to red herrings and wasted time and research. My advice would be to apply for them again asap and swallow the 5 weeks you wasted asking for a refund.

Where do you get 160 Field Regiment from? They served for the duration in Burma. There is also a 160 HAA but it looks like they never deployed from the UK. If he has a Italian Star it's likely he changed units though the war....Which is why Service Records are so important when you start your research so you know what units he served with.

Good luck
Andy

 

Glad you found it amusing Andy but I didn't ask for a refund. still waiting! at least you were able to bump your service which is great!!!!

 

AA Gunners service personel & documents usually refer to the Battery, not the Regiment.
54th (City of London) HAA Regt RA, had the only 160 HAA Bty.
They did serve in London & the MEF, but i can't see Italy!
Still a bloody mystery.
Best
Rob

 

I'd agree that's (a heavily retouched) 5 AA Division sign - it came in various shades of light blue, but there was also a version with a khaki background.

 

Glad to hear it...Five less weeks to wait for you.

Just for the record I wasn't trying to bump my service, I was just inquiring where you got 160 Field Regiment from as they never went to Italy, neither were the HAA unit that was another possibility. I call it trying to help a forum member out with their research....If you care to look through some of the posts I've made over the years you'll see I've helped quite a few out over the years for free, without charging anyone.

Anyway good luck with your research, I'll bail out and I hope the other forum members can help you and you don't have to wait too long for the records.

Cheers
Andy

 

Many thanks guys, i'm on with getting the service records

Little more info i found out. My Grandad was in the definately in the 1st AA Div, which comprised of the 54th city of london HAA Regiment which like Rob Dickers said had a 160 HAA battery..



With my Grandad coming from Grimsby Lincolnshire would the 160 HAA battery pull men from the Royal Anglians which i assume he would of been in..

Please mind my ignorance, just getting my head around how Div,regiments,batterys work.

so from 1st AA Div - 54th City of London Regiment - 160th HAA battery - ?

Anybody know,

 

His sevice No. 1792047 denotes he was enlisted into the Royal Artillery ( Field, Coastal, Anti-Aircraft), so no he was'nt in the Royal Anglains & could be posted to ANY RA Regt anywhere they saw fit, no matter where he came from.
Your right with the AA Div Command struture, but his Sevice Record won't usually tell you what section, detachment of 160 Bty he was in, unless he is mentioned in the war-diary which is rare for OR's.
Best
Rob

 

This is the flash of the 1st AA Division responsible for a defense of London. I can check their diaries for references to this regiment and battery in a week or two.