Hello seeking info about my father Royal Signals, 67th Medium Regiment. captured at Tobruk

Discussion in 'Royal Signals' started by Fred Hogger's Daughter, Jun 20, 2009.

  1. Fred Hogger's Daughter

    Fred Hogger's Daughter Junior Member

    Hello,

    I am seeking info about my father's WW2 experiences since sadly he died in 2000.

    Over the last few weeks I have pieced together the folllowing info and wonder if anyone can help me further please.

    Frederick Arthur Hogger
    Lived Ipswich, Suffolk
    Wireless Operator, Royal Signals,
    67th Medium Regiment Royal Artillery
    May 1941 Sevenoaks Kent
    July 1941 "Rangitiki" to North Africa via Suez Canal arriving Port Tewfik
    June 1942 captured at Fall of Tobruk
    POW Camp 54 Fara-in-Sabina, Italy
    Escaped autumn 1943 and with help of Italian Partisans made his way home to England

    Many thanks

    Susan
     
  2. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Hi and welcome to the Forum FH's Daughter.

    This link to a site about the Royal Artillery confirms the unit was captured in 1942.

    RA 1939-45 67 Med Rgt

    There are other Forum members that are likely to give you further information, so keep checking for further posts.

    Cheers - Robert

    Sorry for the personal question, but who is the next of Kin, as you could apply for his army service records.
     
  3. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Hi again FH's Daughter.

    Here is a link to a site dealing with POW matters. There is one item relating to the personal experiences of another Royal Artillery man, who was also captured same place, same month. It will give you a little insight into what went on at the time.

    Prisoner of War

    Regards - Robert

    Excuse me while I play around with this link, as it does not take you to where I want it to.

    Right, if you click on Camps, then Italy, then PG54, then Gunner John Mallen, you'll see the article I'm referring to.
     
  4. Fred Hogger's Daughter

    Fred Hogger's Daughter Junior Member

    Thanks Robert so much for your reply and link. very much appreciated.

    yes i am next of kin and have applied for his service records but it is going to take about 3 months

    Best regards

    Susan
     
  5. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Hi again.

    I got my Dad's service records last month and it took about 6 weeks. Another step would be War Diaries, but with his unit being captured, they would probably have been burned to prevent the enemy getting useful info. They don't tell you anything personal, but a good idea of what they were doing and where.

    I'll have a look at the National Archives database and see what comes up.
     
  6. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Hi again

    I found these war dairies lodged at the National Archives at Kew:-

    WO 166/1930 - Sep 1939 to June 1941
    WO 169/1493 - Oct to Nov 1941
    WO 169/4652 - Jan to May 1942.

    They take you up to the month of capture, so that's good.

    WO166 covers the UK and WO169 the area where your Dad's unit was captured.

    The only way to read these is to go in person or if you know someone to go on your behalf.

    I went myself yesterday and read those of my Dad's unit for the 3rd time (took a camera this time as this is the easiest way to retain copies) and got copies of another unit for a member of this Forum. Well worth it if you can get down there.

    I'll hunt again for the missing 4 months of 1941.

    Regards - Robert
     
  7. Fred Hogger's Daughter

    Fred Hogger's Daughter Junior Member

    I have got one report from nat archives on the finall moments of 67th Medium Reg on 20th June 1942 (anniversary today)!

    am trying to get an Escape and Evasion report at momennt but so far nat archives haven't located one. I'm assuming all POWs who made it home had to give a report

    Apppreciate your help

    Susan
     
  8. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Susan

    I thought they were debriefed when they returned.

    It might be worth checking other threads concerning POW's as it may have something about the subject.

    Robert
     
  9. ADM199

    ADM199 Well-Known Member

    Hi Susan,
    he doesn't seem to have escaped into Switzerland as there is no report in that name.My records of those who Escaped through the Lines is being Bound at the moment,so it is not to hand. Will have a look when it returns.
    The Regiment along with the 68th medium Rgt. lost quite a number of men as P.O.W. at sea in November 1942.

    Three or Four years ago I helped two ladies who were researching the Unit as it seemed that very little was known by the locals in Suffolk.
    They put an exhibition on in the Ipswich Library. Not sure whether they finally deposited everything they discovered in the Library or not.


    Brian
     
  10. Fred Hogger's Daughter

    Fred Hogger's Daughter Junior Member

    thanks Robert yes I'll do that

    Susan
     
  11. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Susan,

    Hello and welcome to the forum.

    I see that you are receiving excellent help already and wish you well on your quest for knowledge on your fathers movements.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  12. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hello Susan and Welcome to the forum.

    I've checked the Royal Signals nominal roll for awards and unfortuantely he's not listed on there.

    Rob,

    Do you know what the higher formation were for 67 Reg RA? If so I should be able to say what his parent Royal Signals unit is.


    Regards
    Andy
     
  13. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Andy

    The only thing I can find is 8th Army. That's obvious!!!

    No real help I'm afraid.:mellow:
     
  14. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    Welcome and enjoy.!!!
     
  15. ADM199

    ADM199 Well-Known Member

    Hi Susan,
    there is no Escapers Report in the Name of Fred Hogger. It is acknowledged that there were many Reports made in 1943 - 44 that are missing.
    There were some who Escaped and spent some time Evading that made Liberation Reports.
    I am not saying this happened,but in the absence of an Escapers Report I would look in WO344/147/2 just to make sure.

    The Regiment had 19 P.O.W. who Escaped into Switzerland and made Reports.

    Brian
     
  16. Rob Dickers

    Rob Dickers 10th MEDIUM REGT RA

    HI Susan
    Did your father go back to his unit the 67th Med after his escape, I have them as part of 3 AGRA with the 13th, 65th,and 72 Holland, Germany 45.
    Rob D.
     
  17. Fred Hogger's Daughter

    Fred Hogger's Daughter Junior Member

    thanks Brian for info I will do that. how could i get the names of those who escaped through switzerland or is that classified?

    Rob D - no I don't believe Dad went back again.
     
  18. ADM199

    ADM199 Well-Known Member

    thanks Brian for info I will do that. how could i get the names of those who escaped through switzerland or is that classified?

    Rob D - no I don't believe Dad went back again.

    - WO208/4239 Gnr AVIS J.915473
    - WO208/4244 Gnr CAPOCCI J.V.C.917414
    - WO208/4245 Gnr.COOKE N.J.943482 Gnr CLOUGH W.J. 906896
    - WO208/4246 Gnr.COOPER J.H.901216
    - WO208/4252 Gnr.Gould R.J. 891448 Bdr.GREY W. 794121
    - WO208/4253 Gnr HALLIDAY L.S. 1117984 Gnr HAWLEY F.J. 980238
    - WO208/4257 Dvr.KELLY A.D. 1100650 ????
    - WO208/4260 Gnr.MACKINNON J.E. 3777217
    - WO208/4263 Gnr.MORRISON R 962247 Bdr MURTON F.C. 920632
    - WO208/4267 Gnr.RICHARDS J.A.K. 980762
    - WO208/4269 Gnr.SCOTT D.L.M. 914771
    - WO208/4270 Gnr SKINNER H.C. 904789
    - WO208/4273 Gnr.TOPPLE J 920981
    - WO208/4369 Gnr BURTON J.D. 943497
    - WO208/4370 Gnr.CHAPMAN W. 940885


    All Captured 21/6/42 except Kelly (22/6/42)and TOPPLE (20/6/42)

    The Reports in this group of Files are in Alphabetical order, well almost.
     
  19. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Andy

    The only thing I can find is 8th Army. That's obvious!!!

    No real help I'm afraid.:mellow:

    Quite a few Signals units within the 8th Army mate.

    HGave you got his service records yet Susan?

    Regards
    Andy
     
  20. Hi again FH's Daughter.

    Here is a link to a site dealing with POW matters. There is one item relating to the personal experiences of another Royal Artillery man, who was also captured same place, same month. It will give you a little insight into what went on at the time.

    Prisoner of War

    Regards - Robert

    Excuse me while I play around with this link, as it does not take you to where I want it to.

    Right, if you click on Camps, then Italy, then PG54, then Gunner John Mallen, you'll see the article I'm referring to.

    Hi Susan

    John Mallen was captured at El Adem on 15 June 1942 and served in the 3rd Field Regiment RA, but as Robert quite rightly points out was at Camp PG 54 Fara Sabina, as was my Grandfather and a large number of his LAA Battery who were all captured at Tobruk.

    I have quite a bit of information on the camp if you are interested. I would thoroughly recommend the book Go Right Young Man by Eric Bull which has over 200 page account of life in the camp and another 200 pages about living with the Italians and hiding from the Germans following the Italian armistace and until the Allied advance reached the area.

    Hope this is some help.

    Chris
     

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