I have a few photos to share of my Dad in what I believe this was his unit, until I have his records ( thanks to Trichy Dicky ) I know were he served but he cannot remember his unit No. But I have a now have a copy of Richard Doherty book and reading it has shed light on this possible unit, I also have the shoulder flash of a prancing panther. My dads name is Tropper Anthony Drake No 14658496 and was a driver. I know he has a certificate from his unit but I will have to find it but last seen it as a child but I remember his cap badge on the top. I also have the one for the 17/21 Lancers his final unit. There is also a unit photo of his company to find the only thing I can remember was it had one black service man on the photo? But again child hood memory. I have quickly taken photos on my phone of two pics one with my dad and 3 others at Catterick the other Africa or Itay sitting with fellow comrades on a armoured car. I hope this might help others and can recognise there relatives. As soon as I have searched dads house I will post what else I can find. In all my dad talks a lot about his service but has small details missing which I hope I can help him fill in again to keep them alive for himself. Opps forgot to say my dad group photo is back left and vehicle on the left sitting second in. Regards Tony
As you guessed the leaping black panther on yellow/green flash was 4th Reconnaissance Regiment, Have a look at the diaries posted by RecceMitch: http://ww2talk.com/index.php?forums/recce.75/&order=title&direction=asc
Thanks for your help, If any one could put names to anyone I will happily ask if he has any memories, Also the vehicle in the photo with my research is a humber ? I will be seeing him tomorrow, so a chance to see if he has the other photos ect. Thanks Tony56 I will look through the journal and pass on to dad see if anything jogs his memory Regards Tony
There are a few articles, but in particular look at Volume 2, number 4, which has an officers group photo. Reconnaissance Journal
Cheers for that Tony56 I will see if he can remmember the names his eyes are not so good for photos. I will have to do a round 2 to find the other photos, had a limited time this week so fingers crossed. Here is another picture with local children from Italy ? Dad far right. Some one forgot the sun tan lotion hope this is of some help Regards Tony
Hi everyone, trying to get any detailed info on my father who was in 4 Recce B Sqn. This site is huge when you start researching it so I was looking for a few pointers. Is there a dedicated thread for each Sqn or photographs I could search? His name was Second lieutenant Clifford Craven. He started with them from the inception and stayed with them throughout the war and ended up a training Major. He told me a lot of funny stories but I want to fill in the gaps. If someone could provide any help it would be much appreciated. Thank you, Iain Craven.
Iain, welcome. There is no dedicated threads along the lines of your question, but the form does have a search facility, box top right. Reseaching a serviceman must always start with their official service records, only available here: Get a copy of military service records: Apply for the records of someone who's deceased - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) There is not a great deal of personal information for WW2 in the public domain but would be good to post whatever detail you have i.e. service number. Once full details of the units are found the next step would be war diaries, regimental histories etc, have you looked through the Reconnaissance Journals post #7. Edit. He is in the photo.
My dad has had to go into a home but clearing his home found some more pictures and paper work, letters from home, pay book ect
Here he is now, unfortunately a covid out break has stopped visiting. Looking forward to seeing him in a couple of weeks
Jaf4fa. 4 Recce Regt were the reconnaissance unit for 4 Infantry Division so he went wherever the Division went. Their five big moments in Italy were the Fourth Battle of Cassino in May 44, the drive north to Florence in Jun-Jul 44, the assault on the Gothic Line at Rimini in Sep 44, the push towards Bologna in Nov 44 and their deployment to Greece tackle the Communist insurgency. Regards Frank
Thank you Frank, he said his last place was Trieste before going to Greece and then when disbanded into 17/21 Lancers. One thing over all these years we never knew, was he spoke fluent Itallian he has been entertaining the residents singing itallian songs . We did know he was fluent in Swahili spoke it all the time, it was like listening to old Tarzan movies. Last year I mentioned the D day dodgers song and he just started singing it.
The D Dodgers song is well worth a listen. It is really biting in its condemnation of Lady Astor. The YouTube version by Hamish Imlach is by far the best. Regards Frank
