Help Finding War Diaries Reference Numbers At Kew

Discussion in 'Network Information, Suggestions and Feedback' started by Drew5233, Jan 10, 2010.

  1. PsyWar.Org

    PsyWar.Org Archive monkey

    What might be more useful is a list of record groups rather than specific files, e.g. WO 219 - general files of SHAEF, WO 204 AFHQ files, AIR 14 Bomber Command (those examples are from memory and might be incorrect, but you get the idea).

    Also some search tips when using the online catalogue, like the use of "AND" and the wildcard characters *, etc.

    Lee
     
  2. AndyBaldEagle

    AndyBaldEagle Very Senior Member

    Andy,

    I have all the Airborne E & E Reports listed along with all the Files containing enquiries into Glider and Aircraft losses

    ADM

    You couldn't PM me the details could you?
    I dont think I have ever looked at those, and still have a few hundred other files to go through!:D:D when I get the time!

    Regards

    Andy
     
  3. James Daly

    James Daly Senior Member

    What might be more useful is a list of record groups rather than specific files, e.g. WO 219 - general files of SHAEF, WO 204 AFHQ files, AIR 14 Bomber Command (those examples are from memory and might be incorrect, but you get the idea).

    Also some search tips when using the online catalogue, like the use of "AND" and the wildcard characters *, etc.

    Lee

    I think this is definitely thinking along the right lines: giving some idea of the broad structure and content without listing every single military history file in the Archives.

    The Archives themselves have printed handlists of every document in their reference library: if memory serves me correctly just the WO folders stretch to a couple of long bookshelves, wall to floor with A4 folders. Even more for ADM, probably even more than that for FO. Just to put some perspective on what a task listing them all would be.
     
  4. dave3164

    dave3164 @davidcarter1978

    After about 30 minutes searching I found wo166/661 the 53rd Div Recce battalion war diary. It wasn't straight forward though!!!

    What other files could be held at the archives on a specific regiment?
     
  5. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    After about 30 minutes searching I found wo166/661 the 53rd Div Recce battalion war diary. It wasn't straight forward though!!!

    What other files could be held at the archives on a specific regiment?

    You've only got 1941 there so you'll need to search for each year that they were in existence.

    How much further you search depends on the detail that you're looking for. There could be references to your unit in any of the Divisional, Brigade and Battalion diaries. Sometimes these single paragraphs are a great help. If it were me, I'd look at 53 Div GS (Divisional HQ), Salvage, ADOS (Ordnance) and perhaps CRE (Engineers). Any of these could give additional info on their equipment and co-operation within the Division. I've no doubt that there are others.:unsure:
     
  6. dave3164

    dave3164 @davidcarter1978

    OK, this is a bit confusing, why don't they just put all of it together??

    I have a transcribed copy of the 53rd war diary purchased from the tank museum, this diary finishes in February 1945 so there is a fair bit missing until the regiment disbands, so I decided to look at the NA to find if they had the missing part didn't relaise it was going to be this difficult.
     
  7. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    OK, this is a bit confusing, why don't they just put all of it together??

    I have a transcribed copy of the 53rd war diary purchased from the tank museum, this diary finishes in February 1945 so there is a fair bit missing until the regiment disbands, so I decided to look at the NA to find if they had the missing part didn't relaise it was going to be this difficult.

    The diaries are arranged according to theatre and command structure which is logical but doesn't help those looking at a particular unit.

    Your file will be somewhere within WO 171 I suspect but it may be a long search as '53' and 'recce' didn't give me any results but I struggle with their on-line catalogue as well.
     
  8. GPRegt

    GPRegt Senior Member

    Andy,

    I have all the Airborne E & E Reports listed along with all the Files containing enquiries into Glider and Aircraft losses

    When you say files, do you mean just ref nos?

    Thanks

    Steve W.
     
  9. Buteman

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

    After about 30 minutes searching I found wo166/661 the 53rd Div Recce battalion war diary. It wasn't straight forward though!!!

    What other files could be held at the archives on a specific regiment?

    Found these for 53 Recce

    WO166/6370 - Jan - Dec 1942
    WO166/10642 - Jan - Dec 1943

    Didn't find anything else.
     
  10. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I've started to prepare for my trip next week and I'm struggling with a couple of diaries assuming they exsist.

    All are Royal Artillery and I'm looking between 1939-1940:


    1st Super Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery. I can only find 1st Super Heavy Battery, Royal Artillery which I assume was a battery within the regiment.

    1st Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery.

    6th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery.

    85th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery.

    Any help as always is mucho appreciated.

    Cheers
    A
     
  11. Buteman

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

    Andy

    There are 5 diaries relating to 6 AA Regt, (which was also known as 6 HAA Regt) and it's batteries, 3,12 & 15. I know this because I've helped a Forum Member check casualty details for this unit and it's batteries)

    The reference numbers are:-

    WO167/615 (6 HAA REGT - SEPT 39 TO JULY 40)
    WO167/624 (3 HAA BTY - SEPT TO DEC 39 & APR TO MAY 40)
    WO167/628 (12 HAA BTY - SEPT 39 TO JUNE 40)
    WO167/629 (15 HAA BTY - SEPT 39 TO APR 40)
    WO167/630 (15 HAA BTY - 1939 TO 1941)

    cHEERS - rOB
     
  12. Buteman

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

    85 AA Regt (Also known as 85 HAA Regt)

    WO166/2376 & WO167/621.

    Identified 2 batteries for this unit, 174 & 175, but found no seperate war diaries for these.
     
  13. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Cheers Rob,

    I need to get a proper Orbat for the BEF wiki is (as I suspected) listing the units wrong.


    Andy
     
  14. Buteman

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

    1st Super Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery. I can only find 1st Super Heavy Battery, Royal Artillery which I assume was a battery within the regiment.

    According to the RA39-45 site, 1 Super Heavy Regt was formed in Nov 40 and disbanded Dec 41. States that they had numbers 6, 9 and 10 batteries, not a number 1 battery.
     
  15. 2EastYorks

    2EastYorks Senior Member

    Andy if you don't mind me jumping in...

    I'm going to Kew on Thursday and Rob has already provided me with some invaluable tips. I'm looking to cover my Grandad's service with the 2nd Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment from the time he transferred from the West Yorkshire Regiment in 1942 until his demobbing in 1946 (I know that it is extremely unlikely that he'll be mentioned, I just want an overview of what the regiment was doing).

    Therefore, I think these are the war diaries that I need to be looking at:

    WO 166/8688 (1942)
    WO166/12781 (1943)
    WO 171/1397 (1944)
    WO 171/5293 (1945 January - September)

    However the next two WO 169/20113 and WO 169/23262 follow the 2 EY to the Middle East whereas from some postcards that I have indicate that my Grandad was stationed in Plon in Northern Germany. Is there anything document wise that might show a trail of why this is? I applied for his service records six months ago but am still waiting.

    Apologies again Drew.
     
  16. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    No need to appologise Matt.The thread is for anyone having difficulty not just me. I hope someone can help you out mate.

    Andy
     
  17. Buteman

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

    Andy if you don't mind me jumping in...

    I'm going to Kew on Thursday and Rob has already provided me with some invaluable tips. I'm looking to cover my Grandad's service with the 2nd Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment from the time he transferred from the West Yorkshire Regiment in 1942 until his demobbing in 1946 (I know that it is extremely unlikely that he'll be mentioned, I just want an overview of what the regiment was doing).

    Therefore, I think these are the war diaries that I need to be looking at:

    WO 166/8688 (1942)
    WO166/12781 (1943)
    WO 171/1397 (1944)
    WO 171/5293 (1945 January - September)

    However the next two WO 169/20113 and WO 169/23262 follow the 2 EY to the Middle East whereas from some postcards that I have indicate that my Grandad was stationed in Plon in Northern Germany. Is there anything document wise that might show a trail of why this is? I applied for his service records six months ago but am still waiting.

    Apologies again Drew.

    Matt - Only the service record would explain that mystery.
     
  18. Buteman

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

    I think these are the war diaries that I need to be looking at:

    WO 166/8688 (1942)
    WO166/12781 (1943)
    WO 171/1397 (1944)
    WO 171/5293 (1945 January - September)

    However the next two WO 169/20113 and WO 169/23262 follow the 2 EY to the Middle East whereas from some postcards that I have indicate that my Grandad was stationed in Plon in Northern Germany. Is there anything document wise that might show a trail of why this is? I applied for his service records six months ago but am still waiting.

    Apologies again Drew.

    All the above ref numbers seem to be the correct ones. You might see why they are going to the middle east at the conclusion of the September 1945 diary.
     
  19. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Can anyone help with the following unit (s)?

    52nd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment 1939-1940. They were part of I Corps troops.

    I can't seem to find any I Corps Royal Engineers either.

    102nd Army Field Companies

    107th Army Field Companies

    221st Army Field Companies

    105th Corps Field Park

    13th Corps Field Survey Companies.

    Cheers for any help
     
  20. gaspirator

    gaspirator Member

    Can anyone help with the following unit (s)?

    52nd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment 1939-1940. They were part of I Corps troops.

    I can't seem to find any I Corps Royal Engineers either.

    102nd Army Field Companies

    107th Army Field Companies

    221st Army Field Companies

    105th Corps Field Park

    13th Corps Field Survey Companies.

    Cheers for any help

    Hi Drew,

    assuming you're looking in WO 167 for BEF files, then search just for the number, not the unit text as the catalogue is hopeless with it.

    eg, searching WO 167 for '52' will find
    WO 167/650 52 Light Anti-Aircraft (LAA) Regiment Royal Artillery

    - Pete
     

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