Hi My grandfather was in 'C' Squadron 24th Lancers and killed in action June 10 1944. I've been able to find some generic information online but someone has posted letters from and to Trooper Minson about him and I would like to find out more. His name was Cyril Arthur Brindley but was known as 'Jim'. Any information you might have would be gratefully received - you all seem a friendly bunch so look forward to hearing from you Many thanks
DollyB Welcome to the Forum. Lots of information here about 24th Lancers: just search in Forums for 24th Lancers and you will see what I mean. Do you have a reference/link for the letters you mention. It's ringing a few bells but that's all at the moment. The information I have in the Nominal Roll is: 14293501 Trooper C A Brindley Trade: Gunner/Mechanic in C Squadron For information, the 10th June 1944 was a particularly difficult day for 24L with lots of action and sadly, quite a number of casualties. Their position at the time was at Point 103 which is a couple of miles north east of Tilly sur Seulles. What other information do you have that could help us to help you? Feel free to start a 'Conversation' if you feel its more appropriate (this is a Public Forum after all so this message can be seen by everyone, as you would reasonably expect). As it's a Bank Holiday, I'm pushed for time today: I will have more information but can't check it at the moment. Kind regards Steve Pannell Hon Sec 24th Lancers Old Comrades Association ( until we disbanded at a rather splendid Reunion at the National Army Museum about 10years ago). Note: I was not a Lancer but my late father was.
Welcome Casualty List No. 1495 Dated 11 July 1944 Expeditionary Force ~ North West Europe Wounded Royal Armoured Corps 14293501 Brindley Tpr CA ~ 24th Lancers ~ 9.6.44 Casualty List No. 1590 Dated 30 October 1944 Previously reported wounded 9.6.44 now reported wounded and missing Royal Armoured Corps 14293501 Brindley Tpr CA ~ 24th L ~ 9.6.44 Casualty List No. 1685 Dated 19 February 1945 Casualties named on previous lists with a date incorrectly reported, occurred on dates now shown RAC 14293501 Brindley Tpr CA ~ 10.6.44 Casualty List No. 1789 Dated 22 June 1945 Previously reported wounded and missing 10.6.44 now presumed Killed in Action Royal Armoured Corps 14293501 Brindley Tpr CA ~ 24th L ~ 9/10.6.44 Casualty List No. 1964 Dated 19 January 1946 Killed in Action RAC 14293501 Brindley Tpr CA ~ 24th L ~ 9/10.6.44 Casualty details
DollyB Basic details about the action in which he was killed are provided in None Had Lances (the Regimental history). It involved the very difficult capture of St Pierre with heavy casualties on both sides The Graves Concentration Report indicates the location of his initial burial: judging by the map reference and knowing what was happening in that area at the time, I'm not surprised there was initial confusion about his status (missing, wounded, KIA etc). Intriguing that they had him associated with 11th Armoured Division: that is clearly an error! Do you have a photo of his grave Headstone? Note: I think I have a photo albeit taken in about 1998-9. All for now Steve
Hi DollyB the war graves photographic project also have a photograph of your grandads headstone online (Photograph of the final resting place of Brindley, Cyril Arthur - The War Graves Photographic Project) which you can purchase a copy of however. If you would like a new photo for free and can wait a month. I would be happy to take a photo and send you a copy when I'm in Normandy in June. I was planning on photographing many of the 24L headstones anyway and then posting them on the roll of honour thread on here. Just let me know. Shaun
There doesn't seem to be a memorial page set up for your grandad on this website Fallen Heroes of Normandy | List Should it be of interest to you and you would like a page set up I could email the site owner and ask for one to be set up. If you have a photograph of your grandad whether war time or pre war and would be happy send it to me I could have it added to the site. You can of course do it yourself but I know the site has been struggling to thwart hackers lately and they are fairly overwhelmed so it may take months but I am in contact with the owner directly. Its totally your choice so I will leave it with you. Shaun
Many thanks for this Tony - everyone on here has so much information to share. I just need a bit more time to give it all justice Thanks again Michelle
Hi Shaun I already have a copy of this photo from your link. However, I would love a more recent one and I'm sure my Dad would also like to see this. If you could kindly take a photo and share with me that would be much appreciated Regards Michelle Brindley
Hi Shaun This sounds like a great idea and we would love a memorial page set up for my Grandad. I'll ask my Dad to dig out any old photos and I can send them to you Thank you so much for all your help again Michelle Brindley
No problem at all Michelle Im happy to help. I will let you know as soon as I'm back with the photos around abouts the 20th June. I shall private message you my email address later so when you have had a chance to get the photos you can forward them to me whenever you like And I will send you the headstone pictures. Kind Regards Shaun
Also with the help of Steve (SDP) to help me find the exact spot. I will take a photo of the original resting place of your grandfather as the cwgc have a card stating the location of the spot they were first buried before being transferred to the war cemetery. It was only last year I found the original site where my grandad was buried and i am planning on visiting there. Of course now it's just a quiet corner of a field but it's still part of my grandads history. So I feel I'd like to go there. Shaun
Michelle The initial burial report (Graves Concentration Report Form) Map of the area near Tilly-sur-Seulles and St Pierre (Sheet 7F/1) Closer view of the area with map reference shown Satellite image courtesy of Dr Google with map reference shown Google maps Streetview of the area (looking down the road towards St Pierre On the basis of where others were interred (reference the Concentration Report Form) I feel that, on the balance of probability, Cyril will have been interred in the land to the left side of this image. Of course I could be wrong but only slightly wrong! Three 24th Lancers were interred at that location, Brindley, Newnham and Compton (reference again the Graves Concentration Report Form). All KIA on the same day and all from C Squadron. Steve
Hi DollyB, As promised a couple new photographs of your grandfathers headstone taken on the 18/06/17 in glorious sunshine. I had to screen shot them to reduce the file size so I could upload them to the forum page. So if you wish for a higher resolution image just private message me an email address and I'll attach one and send to you. All the Best Shaun
