1st Lothians & Border Yeomanry

Some photos attached. Any info on any of them would be welcomed>

Cheers
Alistair

 

Alistair,

Responding somewhat belatedly, I wonder where the photos you mention are? I can't see any attachments...

Michel

Edit 31 Jan 18 - Stupid me! In your Album page of course:
John A S Tait Photo Album | WW2Talk

 

I copied this list verbatim (typos included) from a document in the 1 LOTHIANS War Diary, and so far all other info found on 1 LOTHIANS tank names, including photographs, concurred.

You must bear in mind however that this is the initial repartition within troops, which changed following losses and also after the regiments reorganised on 5 Aug 44 to only 3 troops of Flails per squadron and no Roller Troop. There is photographic evidence that at least some of the Roller tanks were transferred to other units, apparently only to those already using Sherman tanks of the same Mark (Sherman V), such as the 11th Armoured Division.

See for example IWM B9821 here:
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205202508
where we can see Roller tk No.67 T147573, formerly of 5 Tp B Sqn 1 LOTHIANS, now with 11 Armd Div on 31 Aug 44. Note the shape of the turret number, characteristic of 1 LOTHIANS. Unfortunately the name is not readable even at maximum zoom, but its apparent length makes me think it might be SCHIEHALLION.
Note also the camo pattern, quite uncharacteristic of 1 LOTHIANS, which was probably applied by its new 11th Armd owners, and of course the peculiar plates welded to the hull sides, where the Roller device was to be bolted.

Another (?) former Roller tank now with 11th Armd, maybe also from 1 LOTHIANS, but possibly from either of the other two Flail regiments (difficult to tell given its rather thorough 'gift wrapping'!), in B10291 here:
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205202534

Michel

 

Found a Pathe newsreel with some nice footage of, what I think was probably, A Sqn at Heinsberg in Jan 45.

Invasion Scenes

Flails start at about 4:30 mark


John

 

Another of my fathers photos has re-emerged that I'd never seen before;

Inscribed on the back "Cpl 'Happy' Woods and St Giles. Gelsenkirken in the Siegfried Line"

St Giles was a tank of 1 Troop, B Sqn.

Don't know if Cpl Woods was particularly happy trooper, or whether it's one of those traditional nicknames like 'Chalky' White or 'Smudger' Smith ?

 

Some kind user has posted a L&BY group photo on FB. I think it's B Sqn as I can spot my Dad, Tpr Fred Bagley, second from right, 2nd row and his tank commander, Sgt Reg Rackham, 7th from right, 2nd row.

The original poster has identified 7th from left, front row as Sgt Dave Arbuthnot, 8th from the left, front row as Capt M J L Stevenson and Harry Mitchinson, back row, 13th from the left


[Edit: photo fixed]

 

And another...


{Edit: Photo fixed]

 

Original poster identifications:
Back L to R: Drummond; Charlie Robinson; Harry Mitchinson; Unknown; Cruikshank; Gregg;

Front L to R: Shaw; Hart; Sgt Anderson; 2nd Lt. MJL Stevenson; Hay; Collins

 

I am hoping on of you Lothian experts you may be able to assist me in regard to my research into Lt/Capt. Ernest George Howe. This soldier was commisioned into the 1st Lothian on it being reformed in 1940. He previously served in the RTC/RTC reaching the rank of RSM with the 3rd Battalion. I believe he was awarded the OBE in the 1944 Birthday Honours list.

I have no further information as regards this officer and wonder if you can shed any light on his service career with the Lothians and particularly if anyone has a photo of him.

Thanks

Tanks3

 

There are just two mentions of him in the 1944 War Diary:

May 1944
Wickham Market Suffolk
1st
Capt. (QM)EG. Howe and 12 ORs of "B" and " RHQ" moved to "B" Sqn and Advanced " RHQ" concentration area (Weybridge, Surrey). Capt.Howe rejoined Regt at Wickham Market late same night.

June1944
"B" Sqn&RHQ. Weybridge
8th
WS/Capt E.G. Howe (143640) awarded the M.B.E. in the Kings Birthday Honour Lists.

The various Field Returns of Officers show him as taken on strength on 2.9.40 and holding the Appointment of Q.M. ever since.

This is confirmed on 17 Sep 40 by the London Gazette (in its supplement dated 19 Sep 40):
Page 5566 | Supplement 34948, 17 September 1940 | London Gazette | The Gazette

REGULAR ARMY.​

EMERGENCY COMMISSIONS, ETC.​

ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS.
Ist Lothians & Border Yeo.

R.S.M. Ernest George HOWE (143640)​

to be Lt. (Qr.-Mr.). 2nd Sept. 1940.

He was awarded the MBE on 2 Jun 44 (gazetted on 9 Jun):
Page 2579 | Supplement 36544, 2 June 1944 | London Gazette | The Gazette

His Recommendation for award is at the National Archives:
Recommendation for Award for Howe, Ernest George Rank: Captain Service No: ... | The National Archives

On 8 Nov 45 he was "Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in North-West Europe:"
Page 5436 | Supplement 37340, 6 November 1945 | London Gazette | The Gazette

His post-war career is also traceable via the London Gazette:

Page 3197 | Supplement 38012, 8 July 1947 | London Gazette | The Gazette

The War Office, 11th July, 1947.

REGULAR ARMY.​

ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS.
R.T.R.
Short Serv. Commns.

Lt. (Qr.-Mr.) (War Subs. Capt.) (Qr.-Mr.) Ernest ​

George HOWE, M.B.E. (143640), from Lothian &
Border Yeo., Emerg. Commn., to be Capt. (Qr.-Mr.),
1st Apr. 1947, with seniority, 2nd Sept. 1943.

Page 4653 | Supplement 38725, 30 September 1949 | London Gazette | The Gazette

The War Office, 30th September, 1949.

REGULAR ARMY.​

ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS.
R.A.C.
Short Serv. Commns.

Capt. (Qr.-Mr.) E. G. HOWE, M.B.E. (143640), to ​

be Maj. (Qr.-Mr.), 19th Aug. 1949.

Page 1937 | Supplement 40443, 29 March 1955 | London Gazette | The Gazette

ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS.

R.A.C.​

REGULAR ARMY.
Short Serv. Commns.

Maj. (Qr.-Mr.) E. G. HOWE, M.B.E. (143640)​

relinquishes his commn. on completion of service,
1st Apr. 1955, and is granted the hon. rank of
Maj. (QR.-Mr.).

Page 3803 | Supplement 40525, 28 June 1955 | London Gazette | The Gazette

GENERAL LIST.​

TERRITORIAL ARMY.

Maj. (Qr.-Mr.) Ernest George HOWE, M.B.E. ​

(143640) (late R.A.C.), to be 2nd Lt., 1st Apr.
1955.

2nd Lt. E. G. HOWE, M.B.E. (143640), to be ​

Capt., 1st Apr. 1955.

Page 4160 | Supplement 40538, 15 July 1955 | London Gazette | The Gazette

GENERAL LIST.​

TERRITORIAL ARMY.

Capt. E. G. HOWE, M.B.E. (143640), resigns his ​

commn., 1st June 1955.


Michel

 

Michel

That's brilliant thank you so much. Fillled a huge gap. Just need to find a photo of him now!

Tanks3

 

Below is Capt Howe's Recommendation for award. There are some parts I am not quite sure of, and a couple of words I could not read at all. The watermark does not help:


Here's my attempt at transcribing it:

30th ARM'D Brigade 79th ARM'D Division
1st Lothians & Border Yeomanry
W/S CAPT. 143640
HOWE. ERNEST. GEORGE

Served in the reserve? of the RTR for 21 years & during the latter time was RSM of the Westminster Dragoons & the RAC OC ??? at Blackdown. Since Sept 1940 has been QM of this Regiment during which period has carried out his duties in an outstanding & exemplary manner. Is a man of forcible? character, full of resource & never gets flustered by ???????? ????? moves? or frequent changes of equipment. Has never spared himself for the good of the Regiment.

(Signed)
Lt Col JG Crabbe – Comdg 1st Lothians & Border Yeomanry
Brig N Duncan – Commander, 30th Armoured Brigade
Maj Gen Percy Hobart – Comd 79 Arm Div

Any addition/correction is welcome!

Michel

 

There's a few more references in the 45 WD. Unfortunately my copy/transcription doesn't give locations.

23 Mar 45
Capt E G Howe MBE left RHQ to go to UK on Messing Officers course, followed by leave.

7 Jun 45
Capt A J P Scott and Capt E G Howe MBE went up to new area to recce accommodation and harbouring area for night en route.

13 Sept 45
Capt E G Howe left to go on UK leave.

29 Sept 45
Capt E C Howe MBE returned from UK leave.

7 Nov 45
Capt Howe MBE assumed comd of RHQ Sqn.

23 Nov 45
Farewell party to Lt Col R K Watson MC and Maj L J S Sim, OC A Sqn, held in Nip Inn Officers' Club, Gifhorn. All available Lothian officers attended, including Maj J H L R Miller MBE, ex-DAA&QMG 30 Armd Bde. Maj R G Bennett and Capt E C Howe MBE made speeches; Sgts Wilkie and McKay piped for the 'Eightsome Reel', 'Strip The Willow' and 'Dashing White Sergeant'.


Also seems to have been a fair pistol shot;

43rd (W) Div Small Arms Meeting
(Wyvern Range near Luneburg 5-8 Sep 45)

Match 4 (Class B). Individual and Team Pistol Championship
Capt J A McDowall A 22 21 21 64
Capt E G Howe MBE RHQ 16 29 25 70
Tpr Nightingale J A 13 19 23 55
Tpr Pickles D A 21 28 24 73
Tpr Beech W A 16 23 24 63
Tpr Pocock A A 12 17 18 47
Team Place - 2nd 372

 

Thank very much gents. For what it is worth, here is my take on the MBE award transcription:

30th ARM'D Brigade 79th ARM'D Division
1st Lothians & border Yeomanry
W/S CAPT. 143640
HOWE. ERNEST. GEORGE

Served in the ranks of the RTR for 21 years & during the latter time was RSM of the Westminster Dragoons & the RAC OCTU at Blackdown. Since Sept 1940 has been QM of this Regiment during which period has carried out his duties in an outstanding & exemplary manner. Is a man of forcible? character, full of resource & never gets flustered by eleventh hour moves or frequent changes of equipment. Has never spared himself for the good of the Regiment.

(Signed)
Lt Col JG Crabbe – Comdg 1st Lothians & Border Yeomanry
Brig N Duncan – Commander, 30th Armoured Brigade
Maj Gen Percy Hobart – Comd 79 Arm Div

Tanks3

 

Picture of the Officers of the Regiment taken some time in 1946. Believe there may be some officers from the 2nd Regiment here too, as I think the 1st and 2nd were amalgamating about this time. This is from the '46 War diary.

 

Thanks so much for this. Really grateful. Brings the man to life

Tanks3

 

Alas though, I'm no nearer to finding a photo of Lt Peter Carter, my dad's Troop Commander!

 

Hello,

I'm looking for the WD of September 1944.
Can you please help me?

Thank you.

Flo.

 

Hello, I am new to the forum. My late father, Michael James Pomeroy, served with the 1st Lothians in Normandy in 1944. He landed sometime after D-Day (he was due to land with the American forces but they chose not to take the "Funnies" on D-Day) and was invalided out in September 1944. I am hoping to find out more about the dates my father was in Normandy, the route he took, where he was injured etc. I would be very grateful for any information you have or for ideas as to where to look. Thank you.

 

Welcome GMP

The only mention I can find of your father in the Lothians War diary is in the field returns of Sept 44

It at least gives you his army number should you want to apply for his service records which is always a good first step

Good hunting!