Hi everyone, I stumbled upon this site whilst trying to find my grandad's regiment and service history online. I don't have much to go by. Like so many servicemen, he didn't talk about his experiences, and for some reason the family can find no trace of his service no or any medals. This is the information I have, and if this rings a bell with anyone, I would dearly love to hear from you. Mr Leslie Charles Speller. Born 21 May 1914 I found an officers cap badge from the Royal Sussex Regiment and my mother thinks that was his regiment but we cannot verify this. He was in france on 6 June 1944 where he was wounded after several days and returned to recover in Halifax. A couple of postcards sent home to his wife were of Basildon Park where he said his headquarters were. I can only find American activities there. Like I said, this is all the information I have, and don't know where to start. Help!!!!!!!!
Hi Jane and welcome to the forum. I would say your best bet is his service records which you will be able to apply for assuming you haven't already. From what I can make out there was no Sussex Battalions in France during 1944. Most seem to have been in Africa, Italy and Iraq although there was a battalion in France during 1940. However the original 2nd Battalion and some volunteers from the 4th and 5th Battalion formed the 10th Parachute Battalion which took part in Market Garden in Sept 1944 where Queripel (A member of that Batt) won a Victoria Cross. There's a couple of members that are quite hot on 'Home County' battalions and hopefully they will be able to shed more light on this for you. Regards Andy
Welcome to the forum. Tried to look for him on London Gazette website in case he was an Officer but can't find him. Have you got any photos?
Hi guys, thanks for your notes. I have just uploaded a few photos. They are all I have of him in his uniform. My nana wrote in her diary 'Les in france 6 June' and then a week later she wrote 'have heard from Les at last'. When I tried to look up Basildon Park, it mentions something about American Parachute squadron, so maybe he had something to do with that? Can't understand why he would be at Basildon.
I found this entry in the London Gazette: The undermentioned to be 2nd Lts.: — 8th Mar. 1941: — Lt. Charles SPELLER (178016). ROYAL ARMY PAY CORPS. Lt. Charles SPELLER (178016) to be Lt. 8th Mar. 1941. (Substituted for notifn. in Gazette (Supplement) dated nth Apr. 1941.) May be nothing and I'm not sure how accurate they were with using middle names in the gazette.
Hi guys, thanks for your notes. I have just uploaded a few photos. They are all I have of him in his uniform. My nana wrote in her diary 'Les in france 6 June' and then a week later she wrote 'have heard from Les at last'. When I tried to look up Basildon Park, it mentions something about American Parachute squadron, so maybe he had something to do with that? Can't understand why he would be at Basildon. That may tie in with 10 Para.
lovely pics, not an officer a Full-screw.( Corporal) http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/album.php?albumid=140 http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=140&pictureid=1231
Yes I thought that too, until I looked at the dates and locations. Market Garden was in September 44. He was still recovering from being shot in the chest at that point.
trade badge shows he was qualified as a driver. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=140&pictureid=1230 Trade & Profiency badges of WW1 & WW2 Page 2
If he's not an officer then the only way you'll be able to trace him is via the Ministry of Defence and apply for a service record.
Greetings and welcome to the forum, Jane, from Canada. cheers and best wishes on the search. MOD is your best starting point. phil
White Lanyard -Royal Artillery? Or were there other regiments who wore white? Quite a few units wore Lanyards, and it's hard to tell whether this is white given it's a b/w photo.
Thank you everyone. I really appreciate your help. I'm really chuffed just knowing that he was a Corporal and that he was a driver. That's the most I've ever known about his service.
Just found these few entries in my nana's diary. 1943. 14 July at Crowborough. 6 October at Thetford. 1944 - 18 January Northumberland. Wish I had a date for his time at Basildon Park.
