Hi I have just received my great grandads war records and I am having trouble deciphering them so was wondering if there were any people out there that I can send them to that will understand it more than me if I have to pay for it to be done I will.
Hi James can you post them up...I can't tell you most of the abbreviations and or what they mean but I should be able to tell you what units he was with and the war diaries you should look at. Cheers Andy
James Can you please post the second page (image 716) in your post #4, I cannot see the dates he was transferred to another unit on the right hand side. Units: 121 HAA Heavy Anti-aircraft Royal Artillery 13/2/42 220 LAA Light " " 121 HAA 10 Medium Regiment BAOR (British Army of the Rhine) If you can post the dates, someone can tell you which war diaries you need to look at if you are interested Lesley
I have added the pages I have received of my grandads war records I would be grateful for any info, Thanks.
Hi 4jonboy I have added it in 2 pictures hope this is the right image. Hope this helps it would be great if I could find out what war diaries to look for, Thanks for the help.
I'll make a start Enlisted 61st HAA - Heavy Anti-Aircraft unit, Royal Artillery 1940 Gnr - Gunner 387/121 HAA for O.C. 61st (Middlesex) HAA Regiment RA 27/6/41 385/121 HAA 7/7/41 Posted to 220 LAA - Light Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, RA 28/1/42 Posted to 121 HAA 12/2/42 Yeovil 388/121 Admitted to Black Notley (?), Braintree emergency hospital, Felixstowe 15/5/42 Posted to 388/121 HAA (after being discharged from hospital) at Rugby 30/5/42 104 HAA 29/6/42 138 HAA 10/4/43 Embarked for BAOR British Army of the Rhine 16/10/45
WO 166/2351 61 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (HAA) 1939 Aug-1941 May, July WO 166/2411 121 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (HAA) 1941 Jan-Dec WO 166/7489 121 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (HAA) 1942 Jan-Dec WO 166/7472 104 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (HAA) 1942 Jan.-Dec. WO 166/11587 104 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (HAA) 1943 Jan.-July WO 166/11619 138 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (HAA) 1943 Jan.-Dec WO 166/14797 138 Heavy Anti-Aircraft (HAA) Regiment 1944 Jan.-Dec. WO 166/16720 138 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (HAA) 1945 Jan.-July I'm assuming the 385, 387 and 388 are the batteries within the regiment. Cheers Andy
That's great what 4jonboy and Drew5233 have told me so he was in The Anti-Aircraft Regiment what other information should I be able to obtaint from this and where will I find out what specific regiment he was in, Sorry if this sounds stupid as I am new to this.thanks.
From the diary of the 902 Coy RASC while stationed in Finchley North London 9th July 1941 9.30 All officers in for a general talk from me & Capt Burn. 61st Regt are moving in today with their own transport. 14.30 Inspected White City w/s * Sec 1. Both very good. Capt Burn inspected Wandsworth. 11th July 1941 09.00 10 vehicles ??? To Hatfield to move 502 S/L Bty back from camp. 11.00 Called at 61st HAA RHQ & saw Col Bushman?? Who is in difficulties with his new transport. I suggested he should speak to C.R.A.S.C. & ask for a course for his drivers etc. 15.00 Brig Spafford arrived with CRASC & had a quick look round. He appeared quite satisfied. 20th July 1941 11.00 Capt Burn to Wandsworth & met Major Alderson there. 900 Coy are taking over & will run a junior N.C.O's course there for a fortnight commencing tomorrow. 17.00 2 Lt Arbery?? expected the move to be going all night but was having petrol trouble with the 15 G.M.C. vehicles on loan from 61st Regt. 20.00 2 Lt Ashbury?? reported his arrival at Nettlebed & requested a petrol tanker as there was not enough in the Regt. C.S.M. L?? left at 21.15 hrs with tankers & 6 more towing vehicles for Thame. 21 vehicles have been moving Home Guard today on local exercises. That may give some clue as to where he was based for at least part of the time.
Hi Have a look here to get some idea of AA Regiments and the guns they used and a brief idea of where they went - http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ regards Robert
Very interesting to me to see he was posted to Germany to join the 10th Medium Regt as a replacement in Oct 1945 after the regt had reverted back to 5AGRA & stayed till he was released from service on 12th Jan 1946 before the Regt was disbanded in the April of 1946. Also that Major Ferns the acting CO wrote his release reference for civilian life. He is not on my Nominal Role of the regt, but will now add him on. Many thanks Rob
Hi James Don't worry about asking questions-that's what we are all here for, to help. Believe me, we've all been in the same situation Andy (Drew5233) has given you a list of the war diaries of the regiments he was in, eg the regiment and the batteries. Just send him a message if you would like them. I notice that your Grandad was admitted to the emergency hospital in May 1942, maybe a training accident. Sometimes the war diaries mention things like these, although your grandad probably won't be named. The war diaries give day-to-day details of what your grandad would have been doing. I'm sorry I cannot help anymore as the Royal Artillery is not really the area I am familiar with. Lesley
Hi, I can't see any mention of any medals being claimed/issued although I note mention of a "Medal Certificate" on his discharge reference. With Home Service only he is probably entitled to the War Medal and the Defence Medal but the NOK can still claim them from MOD. Steve Y
