Help Please - 7 RTR, RAC Base Depot Abbassia and 3 RTR

Discussion in 'RAC & RTR' started by GraemeRowland, Apr 16, 2020.

  1. GraemeRowland

    GraemeRowland Member

    My uncle is 3768768 Sgt Dennis Henry Rowland MM 3 RTR KIA at the battle of Wadi Akarit 7 APR 43 though I have found he was actually killed at Sebkret en Noual after the Wadi Akarit break through and well north of the Wadi.

    I applied for his service record in January 2020 but have no idea when it will be received. From the Tank Museum I have his tracer card which is not complete.

    From his service number, it seems likely that he enlisted in The Kings Regt (Liverpool), no idea when, and then joined 7 RTR at Catterick before moving to Aldershot where he got married under special license on 27 APR 40 before likely going to France for the battle of Arras returning through Dunkirk to Aldershot and then Scotland for hys he moved to the Base Depot RAC on 12 NOV 40 and then went to 3 RTR 21 JUN 41. Then there is a newspaper article saying he was caputured in NOV 41 and escaped after two weeks being mentioned in despatches. The next entry is unclear but he was posted out of 3 RTR and then back again with dates: Out 10 NOV 42 and Back 21 NOV 42 though his Colonel put him up for a DCM at this time. The DCM was downgraded to MM which was gazetted 18 FEB 43.

    I have the 3 RTR war diary from the Tank Museum bt there are large gaps and no appendices.

    Any help with any information will be very much appreciated and photos would be just amazing, PLEASE. Who knew him? His best man at his wedding was Cpl S Scarisbrick, not been able to trace him, and Sgt Bill Jordan 3 RTR knew him and Bill's story about Dennis is on page 151 of Patrick Delaforce's book about 3 RTR.

    Three other 3 RTR tankies were killed at the same time as Dennis, 792857 Tps Sidney Barrat, 792 9256 Tpr Frank Fudgell and 7886539 Cpl Francis William Paul Mott. There are no known graves for the four of them. Did they meet Tigers that day? There are reports saying that there were eight Tigers there. Were they in Crusaders or Shermans. 21 Panzer was covering the withdrawal of the Axis forces from Wadi Akarit and 3 RTR cut the withdrawal road late that afternoon.

    Looking forwrd very much to comments

    Stay safe and healthy

    Graeme
     
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  2. Frank Flattery

    Frank Flattery Well-Known Member

    Hi Graeme, I see what you mean by the WD having little info. As for graves, you have this: Casualty , the other names you mention also appear. But that's about all there is. In the Bovington Roll Of Honour DB they also appear, albeit under Middle East, and not Tunisia. But I haven't been able to find any reference to the actual incident itself. Hope this helps.
    Frank
     
  3. GraemeRowland

    GraemeRowland Member

    Thanks Frank, I have the CWGC stuff and have tried to correct an error in it. It says his mother's name is Maragret but it is Mary but to correct it you need his birth certificate which I have not yet been able to find. He was born in India 11 JUL 1911 the same year as Bob Crisp who was also born in India. Both Dennis and Bob are the sons of railway engineers!

    I am wondering if 21 Panzer have a record of the small battle at Sebkret en Noual in which they were killed.

    Thanks again as everything helps.
     
    Frank Flattery likes this.
  4. GraemeRowland

    GraemeRowland Member

    Oops must be my typing but a section is missing from my thread.

    From his service number, it seems likely that he enlisted in The Kings Regt (Liverpool), no idea when, and then joined 7 RTR at Catterick before moving to Aldershot where he got married under special license on 27 APR 40 before likely going to France for the battle of Arras returning through Dunkirk to Aldershot and then Scotland for hys he moved to the Base Depot RAC on 12 NOV 40 and then went to 3 RTR 21 JUN 41. Then there is a newspaper article saying he was caputured in NOV 41 and escaped after two weeks being mentioned in despatches. The next entry is unclear but he was posted out of 3 RTR and then back again with dates: Out 10 NOV 42 and Back 21 NOV 42 though his Colonel put him up for a DCM at this time. The DCM was downgraded to MM which was gazetted 18 FEB 43.

    Second line, after Scotland: for training then on 21 AUG 40 departed Liverpool for Port Said. There is a newspaper clipping of a group of solidiers eating in the desert and Dennis is part of the group saying it was a Northern County Regiment. Then etc.
     
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