DVD has recently identified the crew of a 2nd (Armoured) Battalion Sherman V from the Battalion War Diaries. I wish to identify the crew of a Coldstream Sherman V T50721 52 from which 2 bodies were recovered 10 August 1944. One of whom could have been my Father. Does anyone know if Loading Lists of 1st (Armoured) Battalion Coldstream Guards are included in their War Diary please? Or indeed anywhere else. Thank you.
You're right of course. I should have checked before: 52 is indeed the AoS Serial of 1CG. As far as I know, tanks were not numbered but had the troop number inside the squadron sign instead, plus the usual code sign Tp number + letter on the turret rear.
Aye! T150721 is the vehicle census number & usually stencilled in white on the side of the AFV.* 52 is indeed the Arm Of Service Number for 1CG. * The census number was prominent enough to be read by the author of a report written 11 August 1944 on the recovery of bodies the previous day,from burned out AFVs. That information enabled dbf to identify from 2IG Pre-Embarkation Loading Lists,one of the AFVs as commanded by SGT MARTIN BRENNAN. BRENNAN & LT KEATINGE'S Shermans were knocked out 4 August 1944,by the same Panther. KEATINGE was IG, his crew Coldstreamers. Of which my Father was one. 3 of the crew,including my Father,have No Known Graves. Hence the the need to eliminate or otherwise-T150721. Any assistance would be gratefully received. Thank you.
Oops! "DVD" in my original post should have read dbf....sorry Diane. Though they do say that a picture is worth a thousand words!
