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21 Tank Brigade Signals - Italy Sep 1944 - war diary?

Discussion in 'Higher Formations' started by Rob Harrison, Jan 20, 2025.

  1. Rob Harrison

    Rob Harrison Murielson

    Evening All

    Just recently found the site and enjoying having a wander around and seeing some great content

    Ex military myself, finished 24 years in REME in 2004 and have enjoyed doing a bit of miltary research on my own family members and for friends when asked

    To the subject of my thread, my wifes family have recently found some letters from her Great Uncle who was killed in Italy 9 Sep 1944 and is in Gradara War Cemetery, Italy. He was with 21 Tank Bde Sigs (this is the exact unit he quotes in letters) in North Africa and then Italy where he unfortunately remains

    I can see there are some threads regarding 21 Tank Bde from years back that may have had war diaries etc attached to them but I don't seem to be able to locate the attachments on the site now.

    Happy to do further research if any links etc available but initial advice requested on where best to post with request for more details - Royal Signals area, RAC area?

    Thanks in anticipation of any advice offered
     
    Wobbler, Chris C, dbf and 1 other person like this.
  2. dbf

    dbf Member

    Hello and welcome to the forum.
    Are these correct details for your wife's relative?
    https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2078094/stephen-john-parsons/

    CORPORAL STEPHEN JOHN PARSONS

    Service Number: 2598188
    Regiment & Unit: Royal Corps of Signals, 21 Tank Bde. Sigs.
    Date of Death: Died 09 September 1944
    Age 22 years old
    Buried or commemorated at GRADARA WAR CEMETERY
    Grave Reference: II, F, 38.
    Location: Italy
    Additional Info: Son of Arthur John and Annie Parsons of Castle Cary, Somerset.
    Personal Inscription: PEACE, PERFECT PEACE
     
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  3. dbf

    dbf Member

    For reference:
    TNA, Kew holds 21 Tk Bde Sigs war diaries, one of which listed below is relevant to year he's known to have served with them.

    21 Tank Brigade: Signals | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 169/8902
    Description: 21 Tank Brigade: Signals
    Date: 1943 Dec.

    21 Tank Brigade: Signals | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 170/577
    Description: 21 Tank Brigade: Signals
    Date: 1944 Jan.- Dec.

    21 Tank Brigade: Signals | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 170/4440
    Description: 21 Tank Brigade: Signals
    Date: 1945 Jan.- Sept.

    If you can't get there yourself, or if others can't help, a few forum members routinely copy diaries at a much lower cost than TNA's services.

    I'll move this thread away from Intros to a more general research sub-forum but if you want it moved again at a later date, let me know.
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2025
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  4. Rob Harrison

    Rob Harrison Murielson

    Yep, that's him dbf

    Didn't post all details in my intro post as following the advice about not over posting details until in correct area of the site

    He was my wifes Mums Uncle who she never met as he didn't make it home. One of his leters poignantly mentions how he was looking forward to getting home to meet her for the first time
     
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  5. dbf

    dbf Member

    No worries. Threads & posts can easily be moved, titles edited, etc, on request. If you want his name put in the title, I can do that for you while you get your bearings.

    Sad circumstances for her family, the same happened to too many.
     
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2025
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  6. JimHerriot

    JimHerriot Ready for Anything

    Should you not have seen this one in your previous searches Rob.

    Guinness and gremlins

    Good luck with your research.

    Kind regards, always,

    Jim.
     
    Wobbler and dbf like this.
  7. JimHerriot

    JimHerriot Ready for Anything

    The National Archives also have your wife's great uncles service record Rob.

    An application and/or FOI request, notwithstanding the current "closed until" year date, might spring 'em. It will not be a quick process but your wife and family members may want to consider it (given Stephen is long since deceased the release of his service records should happen).

    Name: S J Parsons . Service number: 2598188 . Date of birth: 3 March 1922 . | The National Archives

    Kind regards, always,

    Jim.
     
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  8. Rob Harrison

    Rob Harrison Murielson

    Thanks Jim
     
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