7899642 Frederick SPEAKMAN, MM, 15/19 The Kings Royal Hussars 1939-1945

Discussion in 'RAC & RTR' started by Jackie Speakman, May 12, 2021.

  1. Jackie Speakman

    Jackie Speakman New Member

    Hi,
    Im new to this forum, and not quite sure who to turn to for help....I am researching my family history, and I know that my Grandfather served in 15/19 The Kings Royal Hussars, I am just wondering if anyone has any pictures of C Squadron, he was Sergeant Frederick Speakman, and was awarded the M.M. for his bravery when tending to a broken down tank, as this was his trade, a mechanic.....hoping someone may be able to help me...
    Thanks In advance
    Stay safe
    Jackie
     
  2. Jackie Speakman

    Jackie Speakman New Member

    Hi,
    Im new to this forum, and not quite sure who to turn to for help....I am researching my family history, and I know that my Grandfather served in 15/19 The Kings Royal Hussars, I am just wondering if anyone has any pictures of C Squadron, he was Sergeant Frederick Speakman, and was awarded the M.M. for his bravery when tending to a broken down tank, as this was his trade, a mechanic, I have copies of the book that Major Guy Courage wrote where there are actually quite a few references to my Grandfather, but I was wondering if anyone had any other information/pictures, etc .....hoping someone may be able to help me...
    Thanks In advance
    Stay safe
    Jackie


    Mod edit, dbf: Some posts moved from another thread
    321280 Lance Corporal THOMAS KELLY HUGHES, 15th/19th King's Royal Hussars: 18/05/1940
     
  3. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    dbf likes this.
  4. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Hello Jackie see this link to apply for his service records
    you require date of birth and death cert only Get a copy of military service records
    cost £30
    there is currently a long wait due to the current situation
    you will not find his records on pay for sites on line


    regards
    Clive
     
  5. Jackie Speakman

    Jackie Speakman New Member

    HI Clive,

    thanks for this, I think I have looked before at this, but, it says I have to be the next of kin.....??
    there are still some of his children alive, so would I still be able to apply for his records?? I always thought I couldn't
    Regards
    Jackie
     
  6. battleofassche

    battleofassche Well-Known Member

    Jackie, I will have a look for you. Can you supply some further information on your Grandfather.

    When and where was he awarded his MM. Do you have further details of his award.

    Do you have a date of birth and location and any picture of him.

    Cheers Steve
     
  7. battleofassche

    battleofassche Well-Known Member

    Ok found him....

    He was in C Squadron in September 1944... Check Courage's History of 15/19 KRH 1939-1945 for several mentions of him..
    History Downloads

    From Courage
    ..." It is worthy of record that C Squadron had still eighteen out of its original nineteen tanks operationally fit, in spite of the distance covered and having done its fair share of fighting. This is good proof of the excellence of the Cromwell tank under active service conditions. But the greatest credit must also be given to Sergeant Speakman, the C Squadron Mechanist Sergeant, who was largely responsible for this result by his able and ingenious methods, backed up by his fitter staff. All the tank and lorry drivers of the Regiment too deserve praise : by the time that we landed in France they were all very skilled and experienced and the few mechanical casualties which the Regiment's vehicles had suffered had been reduced to a minimum by their good and careful driving and maintenance..."

    .." Meanwhile C Squadron had started recovery operations and by last light all the tanks had been recovered except one, Lance Corporal Pritchard's, which went over another mine as it was being
    towed out and was rendered quite useless. Sergeant Speakman, who had been sitting in this tank at the time, had particularly distinguished himself in directing these recoveries for three hours under
    fire-the bogged tanks were within three hundred yards of the enemy and the fitters were working under SA fire for most of the time. Sergeant Speakman stopped work on one occasion in order
    to return the enemy fire with a Bren gun. For this excellent work he was later awarded the MM..."

    Cheers Steve
     
    Last edited: May 13, 2021
  8. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Looks like Evelyn Barker, Commander VIII (BR) Corps pushed him up to DCM although the final decision was MM.

    Either Dempsey or Montgomery must have overturned Barker’s decision.

    Regards

    Frank
     
    Last edited: May 13, 2021
  9. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    If you read the forms then there are 2:

    Part 1 next of kin application form:

    for use by immediate next of kin/those applying with the consent of the next of kin.

    Next of kin form:
    Next of kin form (v6.2) (PDF, 117KB) or
    Next of kin form (v6.2) (MS Word Document, 158KB)

    Part 1 not the immediate next of kin forms:

    for use by third party applicants


    Application part 1 form:

    General enquirer's form (v6.1) (PDF, 106KB) or
    General enquirer's form (v6.1) (MS Word Document, 134KB)


    TD
     
  10. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

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  11. Jackie Speakman

    Jackie Speakman New Member

    Thank you all so much for taking the time to look for my Grandad!!, its very much appreciated.
    Back when I started my research he gave me some little pictures that he had taken of some kind of allotment that was near where he was "staying". I've moved over the years, and although Im pretty sure I've still got them somewhere, they could be anywhere.
    I was wondering if anyone had any pictures of this particular time and place?
    I can't seem to find anything at all, or im just not looking in the right places.....??
    TIA
    Jackie
     
  12. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Jackie

    If you check out the form https://assets.publishing.service.g...a/file/913064/NOK_request_service_details.pdf

    It states
    • The immediate Next of Kin whose consent is required for disclosure of the record is the
    first Person in the following list that is still alive.
    Read the list below and when you come to the first living relative of the deceased subject
    place an ‘X’ in the box and write their full name next to it. This process will enable you to
    identify the person who the MOD will regard as the immediate Next of Kin.


    You can apply and mark the box for Grandchild - when I requested my fathers there was a photo of him in the file that was included - so you never know your luck

    TD
     
    Jackie Speakman likes this.

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