154 Battery/172 Field Regiment RA

Discussion in 'Royal Artillery' started by ChrisO, Jan 25, 2021.

  1. ChrisO

    ChrisO New Member

    I am researching my Grandfather (Lance Sargeant Horace Chitty Bullard 1079138) who died of wounds received in Salerno after serving in Tunisia. He is buried in Bone. Does anyone have any of the following records to hand:
    WO 169/9532
    WO 175/342
    WO 166/7055
    Or any other records you think might be of interest. One point that intrigues is that my mother has a Beja badge. I have read of this heroic action which refers to the 155 battery. The only information I have for Horace refers to him being 154 battery.
    Thanks in advance.
    Chris
     
  2. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

  3. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Copy of casualty card that states that he died of pneumonia.
    Bullard.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2021
    4jonboy likes this.
  4. ChrisO

    ChrisO New Member

    Thanks for your reply. I have read about the 155 Battery at Sidi Nsir, but can find no mention of the 154 Battery. Hopefully someone has some info. Thanks again.
     
  5. ChrisO

    ChrisO New Member

    Thanks for this, most interesting. He was wounded in Salerno and the information attached was updated to show he died of wounds.
     
  6. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    Not trying to be smart but you may not have read this to the very end. I had not seen the article before and dont know how accurate it is.
    155th Battery R.A. hold German attack at Sidi Nsir – World War II Today.
    Last paragraph:
    "Then, for ten days, field and medium guns hurled thousands of shells upon them, smashing their tanks and vehicles on the road and mowing down their infantry when they tried to get round over the barren hills. The gunners of 153rd and 154th Batteries took a remorseless revenge for their comrades of 155th who had died at Sidi Nsir".
    Only a bit but they were at least mentioned in this article.
    Good luck in your search.
     
  7. ChrisO

    ChrisO New Member

    Thanks for following up. I guess this final part of the action would have been enough to earn a Beja Badge.
     
  8. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    In the absence of any response to #1 above which I presume are the War Diaries for 172 Field, have you seen this which I just picked up via google:
    Sidi Nsir - 155th Battery/172 Field Regiment RA
    This includes photographs and attached files etc.

    Someone else will no doubt come along in due course.

    There are members on here who go to the National Archives to copy such documents for very reasonable fees.
    You could probably request the relevant dates if you dont want them all.
    It is most unlikely that you will get Battery Diaries few of which exist for any Regiment. 155 Bty were no doubt taken from the Command Post by the enemy if they kept their own which is doubtful in active service.
    There is someone on New Postings at the moment asking if anyone wants copies from the NA.
     
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2021

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