617 Assault Squadron Royal Engineers

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by MarieElena, Jan 31, 2021.

  1. MarieElena

    MarieElena New Member

    I'm trying to trace my father's war record. I'd be grateful for any information about 617 Assault Squadron
     
  2. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Best to add as many details of your father here, for the experts to help and of course apply for his service record (even if there is a long turnaround time). PM sent with another, longer pointer.

    It appears there is only one thread here which has mention of the unit: Op Overlord unit patches

    That may be as they formed part of the 79th Division, with their "Funnies" on D-day and beyond. There are many Google hits on them, have you looked through them? Good luck.
     
  3. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Welcome

    if you supply your fathers name forum members might be able to add further
    service records are the way to go Get a copy of military service records
    require date of birth and death certificate
    currently a long wait due to the pandemic

    you will not find any info on the pay for sites on the internet



    regards
    Clive
     
  4. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    617 Sqn. | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 171/1816
    Description:
    617 Sqn.
    Date: 1944 Jan.- Dec.
    Held by: The National Archives, Kew
    Legal status: Public Record(s)
    Closure status: Open Document, Open Description


    617 Sqn. | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 171/5332
    Description:
    617 Sqn.
    Date: 1945 Jan.-July
    Held by: The National Archives, Kew
    Legal status: Public Record(s)
    Closure status: Open Document, Open Description

    There are some members on here who offer a copying service at very competitive rates to those of the TNA (The National Archives), but obviously the situation either way is difficult at the moment

    TD
     
  5. MarieElena

    MarieElena New Member

    Thank you for your suggestions. Do I add details as a new post on here or can I edit original post? Thank you
     
  6. MarieElena

    MarieElena New Member

    His name was ( Cecil ) Eric Symonds and he enlisted as a British Latin American Volunteer in 1940. He was in 617 Assault Squadron RE and his service number was 1941472. From documentation he left, I believe he took part in the Normandy Landings D Day + 6.
     
  7. Kram

    Kram New Member

    My father,R.E.Stubbs,was the seargeant major of 617 assault squadron,RE,through to the end of ww2. the unit was equiped with petard churchill tanks. He was radio opperator whilst in tank,call sign 2-Fox,i seem to remember him telling me. he also used a M3A1 White scout car for reconnaissance work etc,and had a gunner whilst so employed. I remember many fascinating stories,but only remember the names of captain White,sgt Finan,i think his tank commander,and a man,an officer i think,named Savage. he appeared on the front cover of a publication called the Sphere,i think,driving armoured car on bridge crossing river maas,although i have never tracked this down. My father obviously,would have known your father. unfortunately i have no photographs.
     
  8. Historic Steve

    Historic Steve Researching 21 Army Group/BAOR post VE day

    Have movements post VE Day 8 May 45 – changed from Assault to Squadron at the end of WW2

    617 Armoured Engineer Squadron of 42nd Armoured Engineer Regiment – 30th Armoured Brigade command 1st Canadian Army
    Officer Commanding: Major PB Dunham
    Headquarters: Meppen north-west of Osnabrück
    10 May 45 – Coevorden-NL north-east of Zwolle-NL
    4 Jun 45 – Erbstorf north-east of Lüneburg – Hesteburg north-west of Lüneburg
    9 Jun 45 – regiment command 1st Armoured Engineer Brigade of 79th Armoured Division
    19 Jun 45 – Bucholz south-west of Hamburg-Harburg
    13 Jul 45 – United Kingdom – rear party to 25 Jul 45

    21st Army Group later British Army of the Rhine (under construction)
     

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