Vehicles & Guns from 1930-40s

Hi thanks for that information, can you say what that battery sign is? I don't have better views of it and I keep describing it as a bowed 'H'
My father started in 12 Md Bty. 2 Md Regt. in the BEF, after Dunkirk, 301 Bty. 127 Md. Regt. in NAfrica

 

I'm afraid that RA signs are a mystery to me and I don't know if there is a definite reference source. It looks 'Chinesey' to me. Did the battery spend any time in China or Hong Kong during the inter-war years ?

 

Hi,
I do not know about the unit history and as he switched from 12/2nd. Med to 301/127 Med after Dunkirk, so not a lot of info on this I am only just realising having posted a number of images that a lot of his photos are from this pre war period and therefore his Running, Boxing other sports were obviously from this same period, they show a simple version of this symbol on his kit. Will post some more soon. Thanks again.
Neil

 

Hi,
I do not know about the unit history and as he switched from 12/2nd. Med to 301/127 Med after Dunkirk, so not a lot of info on this I am only just realising having posted a number of images that a lot of his photos are from this pre war period and therefore his Running, Boxing other sports were obviously from this same period, they show a simple version of this symbol on his kit. Will post some more soon. Thanks again.
Neil
Delayed again with so much info from this site, Here's some more to gently stir the grey cell(s)
SCAN-303 A Dragon? tractor on a flat bed rail car. Would these have been post 1939 BEF as my interest 2 Med. Regt. RA with 60lb guns used Scammell tractors I think.
SCAN-305 Notes on the back of this by dad "60th. Battery ready to move off Salisbury Plains 1700 1932 I don't know if this is a time 1700 and a date 1932 and a small Swastika" This can just be seen on the rear of the tractor as on a previous vehicle I posted.
SCAN-402 A Dragon, Limber, 60pdr. in a bit of trouble. I hope the gnr. between the wheels has the ignition key safe in his pocket. Again would this be post BEF right gun I think but wrong tractor for 12/2 Med. Regt. RA All detail greatfully received.
Neil

 

SCAN-303 I thought this would have been after 1939 (post), as according to other info they are using Scammells in France & Belgium.
SCAN-402 Again I thought this would be after BEF 1939 (post) using Scammells not Dragons. Please put me right, I have only just found out he was using 60pdrs not 25pdrs as Dad's later activities.
Neil

 

Thanks Owen, Dragons are used before the introduction of Scammells and the open wheels again indicates before the BEF. Dad signed up 1933 - training etc. to 1938 so most of the images I am looking at so far are training before recall 2/9/1939 Thanks again.
Neil

 

That's a magic picture 6x4 Scammell etc. I can now look a fresh at some Garage / Service / area images in a different light. Will post some, thanks again.

 

Yup, I'd go with that, a superb collection of Pre-war Royal Artillery photos.
Have you contacted the RA Museum to see if they'd like copies ?
I assumed that these images would be in public circulation, are these likely to be his units / friends own photographs?
Neil

 

Owen they were obviously quite exicited to receive the 'New' tyred vehicles, they receive special mention in the 2 Med. Regt. RA BEF war diary "LONGMOOR 12 Sep 1939 Pneumatic Tyred Trailers No. 28 began to arrive all 16 arrived by 20-9-39 direct from works"
They also mention that they (2 Med) are using Scammell tractors but as this entry records "COIGNEAUX 4 Oct 1939 1215hrs. DOULLENS - & DULLENS - ALBERT road, the Regt. passed it's 16 guns & two armoured OPs hidden in fields west of DOULLENS: by the 'Dragons' of 1st Medium Regt RA" some retained Dragons for some time.
Your pictures have helped me sort out what order dad's pictures need to be arranged in. Thanks again.

 

Owen they were obviously quite exicited to receive the 'New' tyred vehicles, they receive special mention in the 2 Med. Regt. RA BEF war diary "LONGMOOR 12 Sep 1939 Pneumatic Tyred Trailers No. 28 began to arrive all 16 arrived by 20-9-39 direct from works"
They also mention that they (2 Med) are using Scammell tractors but as this entry records "COIGNEAUX 4 Oct 1939 1215hrs. DOULLENS - & DULLENS - ALBERT road, the Regt. passed it's 16 guns & two armoured OPs hidden in fields west of DOULLENS: by the 'Dragons' of 1st Medium Regt RA" some retained Dragons for some time.
Your pictures have helped me sort out what order dad's pictures need to be arranged in. Thanks again.

SCAN-602 Close up of a 6ins Howitzer of 2 Med. Regt RA showing the breach block and Sighting / ranging adjustments.
SCAN-803 Showing a Staff car Morris 6x4? (1935ish) being serviced, actually polished by Dad. The G on the front means ? but what. Later 1944 in a letter to Dad (wounded) there is a refernce to ...our G12 truck was hit, which is handy as all the lost kit, every one remembered that's were it was stored.
SCAN-901 Training / Display / Testing? Notes by Dad "Woolich May 5 - 33. Squad 6/3. Sgt. Bilton, Lt. Hooper, Major M. Taylor, Capt. Pike, Colonel Rawson from 31 to 26" Dad is No.1 gun nearest 18pdrs I belive.
SCAN-603 This is a close up of SCAN-901 with added positions;
No.1 Sgt. RR Wainwright, No.2 to No. 6 I believe I know what they did from another post but what in RA terms are they called?

 

Oops!

 

Handbook of the 18 Pr QF Gun



Early publication