Remembering Today HUGHES, DAVID THOMAS Rank: Trooper Service No: 7899607 Date of Death: 29/11/1941 Age: 23 Regiment/Service: Royal Armoured Corps, 1st King's Dragoon Guards Panel Reference: Column 16. Memorial: ALAMEIN MEMORIAL Additional Information: Son of William Benjamin and Margaret Jane Hughes, of Penydarren, Glamorgan. http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2122521/HUGHES, DAVID THOMAS
Thanks for this. I have him as L/Cpl. Detail about his death here: http://rommelsriposte.com/2015/11/29/remembering-today All the best Andreas
Hi All, New member. I am researching my relative refered to in the above posts. I originally saw this post via the rommelsriposte site and it caused me to make a few visits to the National Archives over the last few years. He joined up in September 1939 based on his returned paybook..Although there is some talk in the family of his joining a tank unit before moving to armoured cars. I believe he may have arrived in Middle East in early 1941 and based on the Unit War Diaries I believe he may have served in the Tobruk pocket prior to A & B Squadron evacuation from there in May 1941? He served in "A" Squadron of 1/KDG and was likely killed during an attack/raid near Gasr-el-Arid on 29.11.1941 based on the War Diary for the Squadron and the Medal Citation for Sjt Dashper who was in command. He possibly was part of a Breda converted Marmon Herrington Armoured Car (based on an old photo held by the family). I believe the confusion on his rank originates due to a change (post his death) enacted across the regiment as its ranks were adjusted to reflect its armoured car status rather than tank unit. This is refered to in the War Diaries in general. As the War Diary refers to him as L/Cpl on 29.11.41 - that's good enough for me. I am interested in any information that can add to our understanding of his service. I have applied via FOI to the National Archives for his service record (pending). Many thanks in anticipation. Alun
Hi Alun, another KDG related person here - I'm sorry to hear about this death. I will give you a msg, will be good to chat. For Alun and others interested, they did move from tanks to armoured cars (after being horse originally); in fact they only handed over their Mk VI B tanks when they got out to N.Africa. They arrived there in Xmas '40/early '41 - the first group consisted of an advance party, followed by the rest of the regiment. During the Tobruk times most of the regiment was indeed withdrawn ('to the Delta') for re-equipping over May/June '41. Those that remained at Tobruk consisted of 'C' Squadron with their armoured cars, 'B' Squadron ('dismounted'), and two troops from 'A' manning light tanks (although not sure of the model). They were commanded by Major Drabble. They had Marmon Herringtons (among other A/Cs) roughly from 01/1940 until 02/1943 - so this ties in with the family photo. They had also received 30 new ones in early November '41. I have also seen him referred to as L/Cpl at the time of death, but sadly can't add much further to the event. It happened around Sidi Rezegh, when they were part of 4th Armoured Brigade/7th Armoured Division. All the best James
The light tanks would likely have been Vickers Mk. VI., in 32 Army Tank Brigade. They had quite a few of them. All the best Andreas
