2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards Recce Troop -D Day

Good afternoon
I'm looking for information on the above Bn, my friends dad served in the Bn and kept a diary and he writes that he landed at 7am on Gold Beach and was tasked with clearing hotels behind the beach of Germans and describes the German's counter attacking 2 or 3 times.
I'm unable to find anything about the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards Recce Troop, I'm taking my friend along with others to Normandy in two weeks and would like to help my friend getting a better idea of what his dad did.
Later on his dad describes being with a Sgt R. Woods when the sergeant earned the DCM any information on this action would also be appreciated.

 

Have a look here.

Recommendation for Award for Wood, Robert Rank: Corporal Service No: ... | The National Archives


Regimental history on page 67 says "the 2nd Battalion did not leave England until 30th of June."

 

Hi,

I’ve had a look at the GG official history and there is no mention of any part of 2nd GG landing in Normandy 6th June 1944. The battalion landed 30th June 1944.

I have found mention of a Sgt R Wood being awarded the DCM - see screenshot. The 1946 date will be the date the award was announced in the London Gazette.

Here is a link to the helpful GG Reference thread compiled by forum member Diane - dbf. You will see a link to Vol 2 of the GG official history that contains the full honours list

Here is a link to Volume 1 that covers the actions of 2nd GG in Normandy.

The Grenadier Guards in the war of 1939-1945, by Nigel Nicolson and Patrick Forbes v.1.

Good Luck

Steve

EDIT TO ADD

I’ve looked up the DCM recommendation for Sgt Wood in the National Archives and attach the 2 page citation below. He earned the award in Germany in April 1945 whilst a Corporal.

 

In 1944 the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards were an armoured regiment and part of the Guards Armoured Division which did not land in Normandy until the end of June. Was he serving with the Guards at that time? Soldiers were seconded to other units or volunteered for service in special forces such as the Army Commandos.

You can find the organisation of an armoured regiment, including a recce troop on this website. ARMOURED REGIMENT PLUS ARMOURED BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS and TANK BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS. | WW2Talk

Whjat was your friends father's name and ranK?

 

Hi thanks for your response, I was aware that the Btn didn't leave until the end of June which confused me, so thought others on here might have an idea, I thought maybe the Recce section might have gone earlier but clearly not.

Regards Doug.

 

Hi Steve
Thank you very much indeed for all the information and the DCM citation it is very much appreciated.

 

Hi thanks for your response I was aware that the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards were an armoured regiment and part of the Guards Armoured Division, and that they came later than D-day. My friends dad served in the Recce Troop all the way through till the end of the war. I'm confused as to why he would be landing on D-day without being in a tank.
I will dig further and ask my friend if I can post his dad's details

 

Hi my friends father's name was John (Jack) Ley Service Number 2622825

 

I have an update, my friend had another look at his dad's diary which tuns out not to be a diary but his recollections written down in in 1991 of his time serving during the war. Clearly given the passage of time his memories of dates and times were not so clear.

 

I note that Jack Ley's service number was very similar to my fathers' = 2622731.
My father was Geoff Hunter, who was also with the 2nd Batallion GG and in the Recce Troop, together with Captain Michael Webster.
while he never talked much about his wartime experiences, I have pieced together little bits of info over the years.