53rd Reconnaissance Regiment

Thanks Andy.
I've already got the August 1944 entry and as that's the one I'm most interested in, I won't order any more at the moment. I may take you up on your offer later, as my enquiries require.
Cheers,
Jamie

 

No worries - I suspect the answers to your Qs will be in the missing men file rather than the units war diary, if they are anywhere. These files contain all the investigations into missing men from a unit whether dead or taken PoWs.

Good luck

 

It will be uploaded (here or elsewhere). Just need to reduce file sizes... lets see if I can have it done by Sunday night... I rarely seem to get things like that done on time!

 

https://imageshack.com/a/gvAz/1

All Missing Personnel files.

 

Thanks for posting these Swiper. Very interesting reading. Unfortunately, there seems to be no mention of Trp. D. H Newell, so the search goes on. What a mystery!

 

To David Carter:

 

To David Carter

Hello David,

I am replying to the thread you started in December 2009.

My Dad, Harry Worthington, was in the 53rd. He never wanted to talk to me about the war much when I was growing up, but in later years, he did a bit. Really wish I had made notes, or even better recorded some of his memories on tape. But can't go back. Dad died at age 80 in 2005, after many trips to us in Germany in his last years. We took him once to Luebeck and to Hamburg, of which he had many memories from the occupation years after 1945.

He is in the photograph in the Welsh Spearhead regimental book of a row of soldiers on guard or on parade. I have his copy of the book now and if anyone would like a scanned copy, I would be happy to provide one.

Does anyone have anything on their time in Luebeck?

All the best,

Paul (Worthington)

 

Hi Paul, welcome to the forum. Great to have another Recce on Board. Do you have any photos of your father that you might like to post. Have you applied for your fathers Service Records? I would be interested in a scanned copy of the book.

Cheers
Paul

 

Hello Paul and welcome to the forum. My father was a Recce too

Link here to apply for service records if you don't have them
https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records

Lesley

 

Hi

I'm looking for information about John Thomas Lucas, known as Jack he was a great family friend. He sadly passed away in January and I want to know more about his service history. He regularly told me stories of his time during the war but only the funny or memorable stories.

I know he learned to drive the 100weight Bedford trucks and he said he drove for the officers in a jeep. Looking through the posts I guess they would've been the adapted humbers? He told be that Sir Henry wrote a book and had to leave when he broke his leg?

I have many more stories that I would like to link to his service. I was just wondering if there is any mention of him in your records. Also where would I be able to get copies of his service history?

I noticed you were transcribing a diary is this available yet to buy?

Any help would be great

Thanks

Jo

I've attached a picture of him but I have no idea when or where it was taken. I think it was when he first joined up

 

Our local magazine includes an interview with a 53 Recce veteran, see September issue, page 17.
AAH - All About Horsham

Edit: As time has moved on the article has been archived and can now be found here:
http://en.calameo.com/read/001633083f562afb399ad

 

Tony thanks for posting

Cheers
Paul

 

Hi Tony,

Thank you very much for sharing this! What a great read it really gives some context to the rest of the thread having a first person account like this.

Dave

 

That was a great read. Many thanks for posting it Tony.

 

Jamie,

They are both original, I have no doubt, and in superb condition.

Regards,

Les.

 

Thanks Les. That's really nice to know. I guess they were given to my Dad by Uncle Don, as presents, and that's why they're in such great condition.

 

Hello everyone,

now I do some research regarding Trooper ROBERT GEORGE HORNER BAXTER 14375568 recce of 53 "C" Sqn Who died age 20 on 02 September 1944 and buried at YAUCOURT-BUSSUS COMMUNAL CEMETERY.



I am in contact with the trooper Baxter brothers and I would like to know if anyone has any information regarding the events of September 2, 1944 in Yaucourt Bussus area.

Below the items I collected.



Mr & Mrs Baxter
61 Dansfield Place
Radcliffe
Received official information that their Second son George Robert Horner Baxter had been killed in action in Europe, Baxter who was 20 years of age was serving in the RAC. He went to France on D.Day and was killed in September.
Before joining up almost two years ago he was a motor lorry Driver. Another brother James is a Prisoner of war in Japenese hands.



best regards

Mathieu

 

From 53 Recce War Dairy

September 1944
CO Lt..Col L Williams

Fry

Aug 31 Regt moved to area FRY M5122.

Warlus

1 Regt with 340 (SP) A/Tk Bty under command moved greatest distance yet in one day from area FRY M5122 to WARLUS M8564 - a distance of about 55 miles via route - FORGES LES EAUX M8564 - BEAUFRESNE M6442 - across R.BRESLE at BEAUCHAMPS LE VIEUX M6855 - LIOMER M7556 - WARLUS M8564.
Casualty - Lieut Deans wounded.

2 During the night 1/2 Sep 44 orders were received for the move across R SOMME. Commanding Officer left at 0200hrs for Div HQ in the area HORNOY 8155. Regt was ordered to be ready to move at 0500hrs. Commanding Officer returned at 0600hrs and start time was postponed until 0900hrs. It was later postponed again until 1200hrs when the Regt moved across RSOMME at Br. PICQUINGY M9965 with orders to proceed to conc. area nr ERGNIES 9382. The enemy situation north of RSOMME was extremely vague, and it was not known if the Div conc. Area was clear of enemy. Under comd of the Regt were One Coy 1 MANCH (M.G.) and 340 (S .P.) A/Tk Bty. The Regt crossed the bridge at approx 1500hrs and turning west B Sqn who were leading, met opposition immediately west of FLIXECOURT M9573. The opposition consisted of a number of 88 mm guns supported by Infantry. An Armd Car Tp was· sent to work round the S. flank of the enemy position, and with the assistance of hy Mortar and MG fire the enemy was induced to abandon his position after about 2 hours delay. The Commanding Officer then decided to attempt to clear as far as possible the Div conc. area; A Sqn given the right of the area north of DOMART M9979 completed their task and harboured for the night. B Sqn found themselves at last light completely held up by craters caused by RAF bombing of a flying bomb site at GORENFLOS M9382. The Sqn had to harbour on the spot. C Sqn followed by RHQ advanced to AILL Y LE HAUT CLOCHER M8980 and thence to ST.RIQUIER M8786. C Sqn entered the latter town at dusk and immediately engaged in confused fighting with a considerable number of enemy in the houses. Some enemy horse drawn transport and a 75 mm gun in the Market Square were destroyed and numbers of enemy shot up. Eventually the majority of the Sqn with the exception of No.5 Carrier Tp led by Lieut T E Miller succeeded in extricating itself and went into close laager for the night one mile south of the town. RHQ and 340 Bty harboured immediately north of YAUCOURT M8883. During the night the Carrier Tp of C Sqn succeeded in joining its Sqn, and it was found that considerable casualties had been inflicted on the enemy for the loss of only two carriers.

Yaucourt

During the night the Commanding Officer accompanied by the I.0. went into the Village of YAUCOURT and had a narrow escape when they were fired on at close range by a party of about 20 enemy who had come back into the Village.
Casualties - Tpr Cook E (A), Tpr Hoadley (A), Tpr Baxter G (C) and Tpr Williams G M (A) killed, and 2 ORs wounded.

Cheers
Paul

 

Hi,

excellent, thank you very much, I can start my field survey in Yaucourt and Ribeaucourt.

Thank you very much Paul.

 

Dave, wondering if you could help me. I am researching a story of three dead soldiers who were killed when their vehicle hit a german landmine in August 1944 in the surrounding forest here in upper Normandy. The incident that I am researching took place in the forest of Lyons which surrounds the village of Lyons La Forêt, about 30Kms from the city of Rouen.

Now, according to a photocopy of a letter written in 1945 by a local resistant and a report writen by a local Forester, on August 29th 1944 a mine destroyed a vehicle killing all on board. According Mme Huguette Verhague there were two men on board but according to the Forester their were three. The incident happened at a place known locally as the Chapell de St Catherine which is a spring, near the Abbeye De Mortemer, located just west of the village of Lisors in the department of Eure, Normandy.

When I first received this information in May of this year I had nothing else to go on, no regiment name, nothing. Since then I have been researching the story in order to have something done such a plaque or monument to honour these men. Thanks to an article in the local press about two weeks ago and thanks to a speech I made on behalf of the British people (I am a British ex-pat and member of the Royal British Legion-Paris branch) at the remembrance ceremony on November 11th the wheels are slowl starting to turn. One person is suggesting that my men may be related to the 15th (Scottish) Regiment and the other has not only suggested that my guys may have been in the 53rd (Welsh) Reconnaissance Regiment but has also given me some names to work on. The names are corporal Walter Ware 4077788, Trooper Arthur Dick 14566053 and trooper Aubrey Drew 5777408. I want to investigate the nature of the death of these men and the location. From what I understand looking at this thread you say you have a copy of the Regimental War Diary. If that is the case can I ask for a copy of the pages relating to the weeks leading to the end of August 1944 and the beginning of September 1944? Any help you can give in solving this mystery will be much appreciated.