I was wondering if anybody had any information on the 57th Anti-Tank Regt RA and it's service in world war 2. I have a picture of my father with an Africa Star and 8th Army Clasp and what looks like a X Corps Divisional patch, which I believe places him at the 2nd Battle of El Alamein and later perhaps in Clarkes's 5th Army at Salerno. Any further information would be greatly appreciated.
The 57th (East Surrey) Anti-tank Regiment (TA) served with the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) in France in 1940, in the 44th (Home Counties) Division and was evacuated at Dunkirk. At that time it consisted of 225th, 226th, 227th and 228th Batteries. It arrived in North Africa in July 1942, with two Batteries serving with the 7th Armoured Division, during the Battle of El Alamein, with the regiment being part of 44th (Home Counties) Division. In September 1943, it saw service in Italy with 8th Army, where it remained unit the end of the war. By May 1944, it consisted of 192nd, 225th, 226th and 227th Batteries.
I ws going to say look here. Artillery Regiments Page But it is same as what Kyt posted, (without giving his source.) http://members.tripod.com/~nigelef/regtsumm.htm#atkregt <TABLE borderColor=white cellSpacing=0 borderColorDark=#999999 width=707 borderColorLight=olive border=1><TBODY><TR><TD width=112>57 ATk Regt </TD><TD width=38>TA </TD><TD width=111>Fm 5 E Surrey 1938 </TD><TD width=290>France 1939-40 - 44 (Home Counties) Inf Div UK 1940-2 - 44 Inf Div N Africa 1942-3 - 44 Inf Div El Alamein 10/42 - 44 Inf Div N Africa 1943 - GHQ & 2 NZ Div Italy 1943-4 - 10 Corps Troops </TD><TD width=122>To 381 ATk Regt </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Yes you are right that would be a X Corps patch. PS. WELCOME to the Forum.
After the 44th was disbanded the regiment's brigades were used by different divisions. The 131st was at Cassino. See: BBC - WW2 People's War - Reg's War: One Man and the War (satisfied Owen?)
Just to make sure I'm not barking up the wrong tree looking for the wrong regiment. The entitlement to medals shows the following: Africa Star with 8th Army Clasp 65/44/57/A/TK RA Am I right in assuming that the above refers to the 57th Anti Tank Regt?
The 8th Army clasp was awarded for service in that army between 23 October 1942 and 12 May 1943. The 44 would be the 44th (home Counties) Division, and 57th Anti-Tank. I don't know what 65 stands for.
good morning all my father was in 57th anti tank east surrey ... then in the 7th army and the 8th army he was one of the deserts rats I would love to know if anyone had pic of him in north Africa or ltaly his name was Richard {dick} macfarlane he drove one of the trucks I think with gun on the back..
Might I recommend The Story of the 57th Anti-Tank Regiment by Ray Goodacre. A very nice book with quite a few pictures
Ray Goodacre has just published the second volume of 57 A/Tk Regt's story as: The Story of the 57th (East Surrey) Ant-Tank Regiment, Royal Artilley (T.A.) Part Two: Home Forces and North Africa 1940-1943 ISBN 978-0-9555780-1-4 This smart paperback weighs in at 128 pages, approximately 20 covering the defence of the UK after Dunkirk, and 60 on the North African campaign plus appendices. Within the first few pages I'd learned something new - the use of Hotchkiss 6 Pdr guns on makeshift carriages. I knew they'd been used to arm some pillboxes, but wasn't aware of the mobile version. The Regiment were involved in most of the key desert battles including Alam Halfa, Alamein and Medenine and the author doesn't shirk from tackling the tactical aspects with the help of some clear sketch maps. The price is £12.00 plus £2.50 post and packing and can be paid by cheque of Paypal - please PM Ray57 for details, or have a look at the attached flyer.
