Hi all, my first post here. I'm after any records to do with my father. He joined the 12th Lancers from 1935 to 1939. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 14/9/1939. Then he went to the 52nd Heavy Training Regiment from 2/8/1939 until 5/7/1940. From the 5/7/1940 he served with the 27th Lancers until the end of the war. I'm interested in every aspect of his service (he also went on to Japan, Malaya and then Korea. He returned to Malaya as an English teacher and served in the Malayan Police Force). I'm also interested in his demotions (for "offences"), and also an accident whilst driving an armoured car that was deemed "not his fault". Any and all info would be fantastic. My dads name is Richard William Piper 6913693 If anybody has anything I would be very grateful indeed Cheers
Hello and welcome to the forum - I see he just missed out on the 12 Lancers do in France. I think there are a few threads on 27 Lancers on here so have a crack at the forums search engine. Have you considered visiting the National Archives to look at his units war diaries? Cheers Andy
hi and thanks Don't really have the time these days and I think it would take quite a bit of digging. Is there still a fee for searches? Yeah I think he missed France but was in North Africa and Italy I think.
Here's the 27 Lancers war diaries - The Italian Campaign diaries can be quite thick, over 500 pages. WO 166/1365 ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS: 27 Lancers. 1941 Jan.-June, Aug.-Dec. WO 166/6889 ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS: 27 Lancers. 1942 Jan.- Dec. WO 166/11077 27 Lancers 1943 Jan.-Sept., Nov. WO 169/15974 27 Lancers 1944 Jan.- July WO 170/833 27 Lancers 1944 Aug.- Dec. WO 170/834 27 Lancers, 'D' Squadron 1944 Nov. WO 170/4630 27 Lancers 1945 Jan.-Sept.
If I can't get there in person, then how do copies of the diaries come? I mean can I do a search for references to my father then ask for copies of that page? Or do I get copies of certain time periods and just hope that my father is mentioned?
Hi timbo and welcome. Drew (Andy) has given you the numbers of the war diaries above. If you cannot get to Kew he can copy them for you at a very reasonable price. The chances of individual soldiers being mentioned are quite rare but I see he was a Lance Corporal so you never know he could be mentioned somewhere in the diaries. The war diaries contain quite a lot of information and the appendices can be fascinating to read. Andy copied all the war diaries for my fathers war and although the Italian ones are quite thick I am very pleased I had them copied as it helped me to understand where and what he did during the war. Lesley
Timbo2410: I have scanned copies of the war diaries for 27th Lancers. There are 114 images in jpg format for a total size of about 132 MB. Included are nominal roles of officers at various times. There are some listings for other ranks at times. I found him listed on the following page:
Timbo2410: I have scanned copies of the war diaries for 27th Lancers. There are 114 images in jpg format for a total size of about 132 MB. Included are nominal roles of officers at various times. There are some listings for other ranks at times. I found him listed on the following page: 7 Diaries = 114 pages? I take it you didn't copy all the appendices etc?
I purchased these a number of years back from Bovington. They were hand transcribed by volunteers and seldom included most appendices. On the other hand, they have all of the daily logs and were the way to go when you live in the US.
wow that's fantastic is that the only page he is listed on? Ummm is it possible to get a copy of all the info that you have? It's a great start though
just looked it up and the hospital was located in Cancello at the time he was injured. So that's more info in 24 hours than what I've found in 24 years thank you so much Oh .. keep up the good work
Hi dryan67, I read that you have the scanned copies of the war dieries for 27th Lancers. Presumably my father was captured by them in the first days of (probably 2nd) May 1945 near Udine. Could you please be so kind to send me a copy of the war diary regarding the mentioned period? My email is: giovanni.maressi@gmail.com Looking forward to hearing from you, I thank you in advance for your kind support. IvanM
Unfortunately the war diaries for the 27th Lancers end in March 1945 (See cover sheet). David A. Ryan
