26 Tipper Coy

Discussion in 'RASC' started by James Gibbons, Oct 23, 2018.

  1. James Gibbons

    James Gibbons Member

    I'm trying to find out some information about my grandfather's unit. He was in the 26 tipper coy and it is believed that he went to Normandy after D-day and died in October 1944. He is buried in Bayeux War Cemetery.

    I would like to track his last movements during his time in Normandy.

    I also think that he was transported to France on either LTS2 3205 or LTS2 3204.

    Any information that you could give would be really appreciated.

    Thanks
     
  2. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    Hi James,

    I’ve got some of their war diary for 1944. I’m away from home for a few days but will have a look at it when I get back to see if there are any useful details for you.

    Regards

    Tom
     
  3. James Gibbons

    James Gibbons Member

    Thanks that's great
     
  4. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    James,

    Is Cpl McNee your man?

    Casualty

    I've attached a page from the war diary for November (see entry for 10th November) which hopefully will begin to provide some answers.

    Regards

    Tom 72dpi00041.jpg
     
  5. James Gibbons

    James Gibbons Member

    Yes that's my grandad Tom, I don't suppose that you have got anything else regarding where he was we killed or any places he was while in Normandy as I am going on Saturday to see his grave
    Many thanks James
     
  6. James Gibbons

    James Gibbons Member

    Did you have a relative who was in 26 coy.
     
  7. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    Hi James,

    No relative in 26 Coy RASC, just an unhealthy obsession with RASC unit vehicle types that has driven me to collect a surprisingly large number of company war diaries.

    According to the war diary, the unit began landing in Normandy on 10 June 1944 and the Coy HQ was first established in TAILLEVILLE (not sure that is the correct spelling but that's what the WD says) before moving to THAON on 18 June 1944. It's role was off-loading supplies across beaches and at PORT-EN-BESSIN. They stayed in THAON throughout July before moving to ESQUAY-SUR-SEULLES on 22-23 August 1944 and they were still there in late October 1944. I'll attach the two pages around the 27 October 1944. I would assume that he is one of the Corporals mentioned as being admitted to hospital at that point. 72dpi00037.jpg 72dpi00038.jpg

    I hope that is all of use.

    Unfortunately there is no mention of the particular ships that they sailed to Normandy in.

    Best regards

    Tom
     
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  8. James Gibbons

    James Gibbons Member

    That is fantastic, we are stopping about 5mins from there, I can't thank you enough, if you have anything more I would love to hear
    Cheers James
     
  9. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    James,

    No problem. I hope that gives you some context for your trip to Normandy. Contact me by PM (I think you just click on my name and then "Start a Conversation") when you get back.

    Regards

    Tom
     
  10. James Gibbons

    James Gibbons Member

    Hi Tom, found my grandads grave and also visited the places you informed me about, there wasn't much to see in the small villages but it was nice to think I was walking around where he might have done.
    Many thanks for the info .
     
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  11. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    No problem, glad to help.
     
  12. Neil Turner

    Neil Turner New Member

    Hi Tom

    I recently dug out my Granda's service records and whilst trying to dig up more information on his war service the wonders of Google lead me to your post.

    He was a driver for the '26 COY Tipper' (picture attached) and embarked for Europe on the day before D-Day (he never mentioned it!). His records show that he returned home in February 1946 after heading into Germany perhaps, since I've inherited a Swastika that he seemed to have acquired along the way.

    I also found some photos of him and his pals in a ruined town, and it would be fascinating if I could trace his footsteps through NWE.

    Any more information on the 26 Tipper Company would be gratefully received, as would any pointers for me to do more research.

    Regards

    Neil sc0008fa3902.jpg
     
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  13. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    Hi Neil,

    Great photo, thanks for sharing.

    I’m more than happy to share the bits of the war diary I have for 1944. It has been a year since I last looked at it but I seem to recall I have most of the monthly narratives for 44. The next step you could take would be to try to get hold of the 1945 diary - you can either go to Kew yourself or there are a few members of this forum who provide a copying service at excellent rates. I only normally copy the narrative pages so there will be more in the diary that you might be interested in - appendices include field returns of personnel strength but unless your gf was an officer it is probably unlikely to see him named - but not impossible especially if he was wounded, went sick, etc.

    Regards

    Tom
     
  14. Neil Turner

    Neil Turner New Member

    Thanks Tom

    Anything you have would be good to get me started.

    I think I'll plan a trip out to Kew to do some digging.

    Regards

    Neil
     
  15. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    Neil,

    Do you know when your gf joined 26 Coy RASC?

    At the beginning of 1944 they were based at Gear Sands, Perranporth, which is in a stunning part of Cornwall.

    Re photo in a ruined town - maybe Caen?

    The 1944 war diary is WO171/2475.

    Regards

    Tom
     
  16. Neil Turner

    Neil Turner New Member

    sc00093a9602.jpg Hi Tom

    From his 'Service and Casualty Form' it looks like he was in the 183 Coy (and before that the 61st) until it was re-designated the 26th in Feb 1943. No mention of sunny Cornwall.

    Yep, the photo might be the outskirts of Caen. Where ever it is it's truly shattered.
     
  17. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    Neil.

    Looking through the war diary, it seems the company was in Cornwall until mid April when they moved to Skegness - they embarked for Normandy in London at beginning of June 44. Diary entries mentioning Dodge vehicles match with the photo you posted.

    The company remained near the beaches in Normandy for months after landing, moving forward to Rouen in Dec 44.

    Regards

    Tom
     
  18. Neil Turner

    Neil Turner New Member

    Thank you Tom. Much appreciated.
     
  19. Tom Bennett

    Tom Bennett New Member

    I am trying to find out any information I can about my wife's father, William Fazenfield. He was in the 26 Tipper Company RASC as a driver.
    We think he was in the Normandy landings i June 1944 but know almost nothing from then until her returned to UK on 31/01/1946.

    We would be grateful for any information.

    Regards.
    Tom.
     

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