168th Field Ambulance - Attached to 8th Armoured Brigade

Hello Gentlemen,

I'm looking for information about the 8th Armoured Brigade in Normandy and its units.
Do you know where I can find out the War Diary of the 168th Field Ambulance RAMC in Normandy.
I'm also looking for pictures or portraits to be sure of what kind of insignias they wore.

Regards
Fred

 

The War Diary will be at the National Archives in the WO 177 Medical Series. I'll tell you the ref when I get home if you need it. Regarding the other units in the Brigade is there anything specific you are after?

 

If you search the forum for the following units, which made up the 8th Armoured Brigade at the start of the Normandy campaign, you will find lots of information.
Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry ( also known as the 'Nottinghamshire (Sherwood Rangers ) Yeomanry'
24th Lancers
4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards
147th(Essex Yeomanry)Regiment (also known as either 147th Regiment Royal Artillery or Essex Yeomanry)
12th Kings Royal Rifle Corps

 

Hi thanks.
Yes, I'm also looking for information about the 552nd Coy RASC, the WD firstable.

 

Thank you SDP, I've already read all the topics you mentioned.
Regards

 

Hi Fred - I've a digital copy of the History of the 8th Armoured Brigade 1939 - 1945.

If you PM me your email-address I will forward it to you.

 

Thanks very much !!!

 

Hi SDP, I didn't find out the topic about the 12th Bn. KRRC...

 

They were the Motorised Infantry Regiment in 8AB. Saw their first action in the Battle for Tessel Wood on 26th June 1944 (if memory serves me right). If you do a google search for Creully Club (the Old Comrades Association for the 4/7RDG) and then search their website, you should find some good accounts including one by my old friend the late Ernie Wiles who had a narrow escape at Tessel Church (the shell dent is present in the church wall to this date....as is his graffiti if you know where to look!).

Edit: Ernies account is in Volume 37 February 2012

 

Would you have a portrait of Ernie Wiles ? I try to know what kind of insignias and Cap Badge the 12th KRRC wore in Normandy.
I already read most of the Creully Club website. (I worked 5 years at the Tilly-sur-Seulles Museum)
Thanks

 

I'm not aware of any period photos of Ernie.

Small World. I know the Tilly Museum quite well!
Steve Pannell (formerly Hon Sec of 24th Lancers Old Comrades Association until we disbanded at a rather splendid Reunion at the National Army Museum in 2007). The last time I was in Tilly was for the 70th Anniversary of D-Day. Say 'hello' to everyone for me!

 

Hi,

I think I might have some of the RASC war diary.

Tom

 

SDP, I work from 2008 to 2012, every summer. I'm a good friend of Stephane. We probably met each other at the chapel.
I spent hours and hours on the internet trying to get any pictures of the 12th Bn. KRRC but I never found out one…
Did the Bn have a association after war? Reunions? etc… That's strange, isn't it?

Yes Tom, that'd be brilliant. Thanks

 

LBD

You ask a good question and, thinking about it, I've never seen anything (photographs) on the internet about the 12KRRC either. The only times I have had contact with their veterans and families has been courtesy of the Creully Club and Cecil Newton in particular. I remember there were a number present, including Ernie, when we dedicated the Memorial Plaque and Roll Of Honour at Tessel Church which was some time ago (1999 or 2004? Can't remember now!). As far as Associations are concerned, probably their descendant Regiment (The Rifles) would cover this?

 

I have all the war diaries except the Brigade HQ diary and the 552 Coy diary for 1944.

 

Hi Drew,
Do you ask money for them and if it's the case, how much please?

 

Fred,

I've started to post up the war diary for 552 Coy RASC on the RASC section of the forum, and will add more as I get through it.

It is not enormously detailed, but there is some interesting stuff in there.

Cheers

Tom

 

Thanks, I'll take a glance.

 

Evening chaps,

My grandfather was also in the 168th and according to his account, there was 4 sections with him being in No.4.

From his writings I can piece together a rough map of the swing from Arromanches, to the left of Beyeux, then into Tilly, and finally into Thury Harcourt before advancing through Caen and beyond the Falaise Gap.

Did anyone manage to get the brigade diary and if so can they point me in the direction of obtaining a copy?

Hope you are all well and able to reply again to this thread.

 

Hi Fred,

Here is a photo of my Grandad Arthur Brendan Davenport, and his dog tag, medals and insignias.