Does this 1st Airlanding L.A. mans disc numbering signify anything?

Discussion in 'Royal Artillery' started by oxlade, Oct 19, 2021.

  1. oxlade

    oxlade Member

    I'm researching Louis George Blinco, born 1923 Eton, Gunner, 14511011, 1st Airborne Light Artillery, Royal Artillery. His son is helping me pull together photos etc but no pay book or service records yet available, we do know he was at Arnhem he is listed in the Regimental History booklet which was in his possession and personal anecdotes from his son confirm he was there . This disc was also found and I'm wondering if it would give a clue to which Battery he was with at Arnhem? It seem that the 1st Airlanding L.A. were at the old kerk in Oosterbeek for the period of Monday 18 Sept onwards but not sure when they left this position though and anyone who can pinpoint that date and where they then went would be very helpful.
     
  2. Blutto

    Blutto Banned

    Found an identical item in an internet search that was marked with X 78 C rather than S 2321. There was no suggestion in the listing as to purpose, what do you think it was actually for?
     
  3. oxlade

    oxlade Member

    As he was a gunner with an artillery unit I was thinking of a key ring for keys to do with the guns or ammunition.
     
  4. Derek Barton

    Derek Barton Senior Member

    The Gunners at Arnhem makes no mention of any moves by the regiment after the 18th. Individual guns and some troop command posts were moved a few hundred yards to better positions but on the whole the batteries remained where they were until the end. 1 & 2 Batteries were in the fields just north of the church, 1 Bty in the eastern field & 2 Bty the western one. 3 Bty were immediately south of the church.
     
  5. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    For more info on 1st A/L Light Regiment read "Arnhem Bridge Target Mike One" which shows him as with RHQ - in terms of the disc I'm not sure it relates to his time in the Army, probably best person to ask if its related to a 75mm is Packhow75
     
  6. Blutto

    Blutto Banned

    As much as I can tell, I think its a 'red herring' in terms of his military service.
     
  7. oxlade

    oxlade Member

    Thanks for nice summary of positions
     
  8. oxlade

    oxlade Member

    I will read this thanks.
    Louis being with RHQ would explain some things. On return in 1944 and after being married in October in Boston he seems in 1945 to have been transferred as a motor bike driver to another RA? unit to Burma. His son sent this photo to me with anecdote that he had mentioned Burma malaria and a Francis Barnett bike. Louis is passenger in this vehiclei definitely looks warmer Lois Jeep Burma.jpeg
     
    4jonboy likes this.
  9. oxlade

    oxlade Member

    It could well be I agree. Look at my photo and comment on service in Burma maybe it was a key ring from that period odd that it would be stored in his pay book pouch if not related to the war.
     
  10. Blutto

    Blutto Banned

    I don't disagree, merely that after some time spent on searching I can find no positive correlation. In fact I was surprised to find only one other example as I mentioned in my post.
     

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