Greetings everyone. I am NICK writing this for my dad Dennis Froggatt who is now 89 and looks better than some 60 year olds. Although he has prostate Cancer we have decided to both share and track down info about his units and experiences in WW2. So here goes. Called up in Oldham Lancs, Dec 1941 and Serving from 20 Jan 1942 to end of War he was initially sent to Bolton then Dalry in Scotland for an assessment, 29th Jan 1942 then to Rhyl for Signals training and driving and subsequently to Epworth in Lincolnshire joining up with the Royal Artillery. As a young sign writer he was asked to do various tasks on guns and vehicles. He recalls huge WW1 guns firing out to sea before being scrapped and replaced by lighter 25 pounders? He was then on various training around Skipton and then up to Glasgow on a HUGE convoy Jan 1943 to Freetown with the Sussex Regiment aboard the California as part of a Tactical "Independent Field Battery." He says it was 523 /87 (1st West Lancs?) Reg Royal Artillery MEF. but I haven't as yet found info. He then travelled all the way up to Basra via Egypt and was involved on the convoy runs to supply the Russians through IRAQ and IRAN up the Paitac Pass as PAIFORCE. Attached to the Indian Army at times. Returning after war he was again called up to Bolton but short lived. I have a number of Reg / Battalion photos from Palestine 46, Basra45, Tripoli 44, Barnoqin 1944,Battery football team from Tripoli cup and Regimental team including Teddy Buchan who despite getting shot later played for Everton. Pyramids 1944 Nile, faded Paitac pass photo.postcards and his own artwork on letters home. Also one or two with our Indian Army comrades. If any use to anyone or can point in right direction for historians please say. SADLY FORGOT A BIT SO ANY REMINDERS WELCOME. Regards Nick on behalf of Dennis Froggatt 1136660 SIG GNR (ANY INFO WELCOME THANKS)
Hi Nick Can you apply for your Dad's service records. He can get them for free. Just stress the urgency due to age, as they can normally take up to 12 months. I'm sure they would speed things up for a Vet. To identify his unit from the variety of places you describe would be difficult. Click on the link in Mike L's post, below mine. Regards - Rob
Futher to my previous post. This looks like a good possibility. See link for 87 Field Regt. RA 1939-45 87 Fld Rgt
Hi Nick, welcome to WW2Talk. Best regards to your Father. Link to army service records: service records army
Nick and Dennis-A very warm welcome to the forum. Please post any photos you have-they will be much appreciated. Lesley
Hi + Welcome Nick and Dennis As your dad is a vet, he will get priority with a sevice records application. Best Rob
Many thanks for warm welcome and already made progress. Back tomorrow with some info and photos. Thanks for pointers as dad remembered quite a lot with a prompt. Basics Royal Artillery via Bolton 532 / 87 1st West Lancashire's later part of Indian Army. Had a very interesing week discovering about my maternal grandfather in WW1 in 1/10 Manchester's for five years 1914-1919, My dads uncles both killed in Gallipoli and now know where and how. My father in law on crew of Submarine HMS Seal (worth a google) captured by the Germans only Royal Naval vessel to be captured but extreme circumstances. Geoff the last of crew to survive until 2010. His recent passing prompting the interest in dads exploits before its lost forever. He was so lucky in many ways to just miss major conflicts but still lost good friends along the way. So back soon with some photos I hope of interest. Regards Nick
Link to some photos of 532 Battery 87 (1st West Lancashire) Reg 1943/1944. Palastine, Persia/Iraq. Lot more to add. ON WAY fault with upload.
