Hi, I'm trying to find some information on my Grandad. He died at the end of the war in Berlin, the records show his regiment is the RASC, 58 armoured div, troops coy. Can anyone point me in the direction of where I can find their war diary or more info on where they operated during the war? Many thanks
The best starting point would be to obtain his service records from the MOD - the forms are here Request records of deceased service personnel, all you need extra is a copy of his death certificate. The service records will tell you which unit he was with, when and where they were so that you can obtain the War Diary or that unit, alternatively as you mention in your post I would assume there is a War Diary for the Division but i would guess it would be rather vague, and without knowing your relations unit to check if and when it is mentioned, the Divisional Diaries may not be that enlightening - thats my opinion anyway TD
As far as I know the only British armoured divisions in northwest Europe were the 7th, 11th, and Guards. Are you sure about 58th?
Not entirely, the only thing I have to go on is from the CWGC records which shows: Regiment & Unit/Ship- Royal Army Service Corps 58 Armd. Div. Troops Coy. I know the regiment and he died in Berlin in 1945.
Really best to follow the advice and send off for his service records. It was not unusual for servicemen to transfer between units during the war and particularly at the end as units were disbanded and troops sent to other regiments, only his official records will reveal. It may well be that he served in just one unit throughout, but you could also end up researching the wrong regiment. Whilst there is very little personal information in the public domain it could be worthwhile posting his name and number.
If I have made the correct assumptions the casualty list record him as 'Died as a result of accident'. If you post his name/number I will confirm.
2 enteries on cwgc for that unit Search Results | CWGC PHILIP CAMPBELL Driver Service Number: T/6723306 58 Armd. Div. Troops Coy. Royal Army Service Corps United Kingdom Died 18 July 1945 28 years old BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY 3. E. 25. Germany More details HERBERT ARTHUR WILKINSON Driver Service Number: T/271722 58 Armd. Div. Troops Coy. Royal Army Service Corps United Kingdom Died 16 April 1945 23 years old HANOVER WAR CEMETERY 7. F. 7. Germany More details
Is it possible the Regiment here is Regiment: 58 Company Royal Army Service Corps (Armoured Division TPS) TD
58 Coy RASC were in 7th Armd Div. Organsation of other units (desertrats.org.uk) RASC and RAOC Unit Locations (desertrats.org.uk)
Post VE Day 8 May 45 58 Company RASC were under command 7th Armoured Division serving in Schleswig-Holstein HQ: Reher to Meezen north-east of Itzehoe 23 May 45 – Heide north-west of Itzehoe to Schenefeld north of Itzehoe 25 May 45 – Itzehoe 22 Jun 45 – north of Wolfenbüttel to the Berlin Troops concentration area 4 Jul 45 – British Troops Berlin as a General Transport unit 9 Jul 45 – billeted on Nieder Neuendorfer Straße later Niederneuendorfer Allee Spandau Hope this helps 21st Army Group later British Army of the Rhine (under construction)