Found an old group photo is 61st Reconnaisance some time after January 1944. See post for Browning's Boys - Chotie Darling. I posted it thinking it was 1st Air Landing because I'd read 'Browning' instead of 'Brownrigg' D.S.O as the C.O.! Writing on the reverse of the photo appears to say (from left to right): ‘Capt (Om) Joe M…… (can't make out the writing) Technical Adjutant Gordon Chapman 2l/t A Sqn HQ Sqn Cmdr. B Sqn Cmdr 2l/t Lt/Col Brownrigg D.S.O. C.O. Adj.’ I also know that 2nd Lt B J Heitman, is in the lower of the two photos (had to split to scan) 7th person from the right in the back row and Lt. R.K Williams is at the far end of the right flank (i.e. left end of photo) in the back row. Any other information very welcome!
It would help if you could post the photo here at a greater resolution to enable a better view of the people in the photo. Cheers Paul
I hope this works! The text on the photo says: ‘Once again I find myself holding the Right-flank!’ so Richard Kelner Williams (Dick) is at the far end of the back row on the right. Reading left to right Dick has also written: ‘Capt (Om) Joe M……. \Technical\Adjutant Gordon Chapman\2l/t A Sqn HQ Sqn \Cmdr. B Sqn \Cmdr 2l/t Lt/Col Brownrigg D.S.O. \ C.O. Adj.' where \ indicates text below preceding text. http://www.chotiedarling.co.uk/.a/6a0120a806ba42970b015435fd2fe4970c-pi’ http://www.chotiedarling.co.uk/.a/6a0120a806ba42970b014e8c1da2f0970d-pi
My father John Duke served in C squadron 61st Recce and attended a couple of reunions after the war in London. He is shown here seated in the second row from the camera, fourth from the right. He is still going well and just passed his 91st birthday. This photo I believe was taken at the 1947 event. The tall gent standing at the back second from right is Sir William Mount.
My father John Duke served in C squadron 61st Recce and attended a couple of reunions after the war in London. He is shown here seated in the second row from the camera, fourth from the right. He is still going well and just passed his 91st birthday. This photo I believe was taken at the 1947 event. The tall gent standing at the back second from right is Sir William Mount. Welcome to the forum Chris - an excellent first post! What information have you got about the 61st Recce? I realise this is probably a big, blunt, open question, but there is a good reason for it; the bulk of 61st Recce's War Diaries for its time in action - 6 June 1944 to February 1945 are missing... and a lot of people - including me - are inetrested in filling in the detail. A bit of trivia now - did you know that Sir William Mount is the grandfather of our Prime Minister?! Please ask your father if he recognises my avatar... and please pass on my thanks and respects to him for his service. Best, Steve.
Hi Chris welcome to the forum, excellent photo, do you have any more information on your father that either of you would like to share about his time serving with 61st Recce Corps. My father served with 56 Recce. Cheers Paul
Welcome to the forum Chris - an excellent first post! What information have you got about the 61st Recce? I realise this is probably a big, blunt, open question, but there is a good reason for it; the bulk of 61st Recce's War Diaries for its time in action - 6 June 1944 to February 1945 are missing... and a lot of people - including me - are inetrested in filling in the detail. A bit of trivia now - did you know that Sir William Mount is the grandfather of our Prime Minister?! Please ask your father if he recognises my avatar... and please pass on my thanks and respects to him for his service. Best, Steve. Steve, we certainly know the avatar....I have the Tyne Tees shoulder flash that was worn on my Dad's battle dress during most if not all his 'European tour'. Also aware about Cameron's grandfather. Some people connected with the Recce in the UK have made contact with No10 on a couple of occasions hoping for a response, but alas without success. I will be endevouring to get detail about his wartime exploits recorded. Cheers, Chris
Hi Chris welcome to the forum, excellent photo, do you have any more information on your father that either of you would like to share about his time serving with 61st Recce Corps. My father served with 56 Recce. Cheers Paul Paul, it could fill a book! I will be getting more photos stored and cleaned up electronically and hopefully some taped detail. It's just going to be a while! If somebody has a specific request I could pass it along. Cheers, Chris
Steve, we certainly know the avatar....I have the Tyne Tees shoulder flash that was worn on my Dad's battle dress during most if not all his 'European tour'. Also aware about Cameron's grandfather. Some people connected with the Recce in the UK have made contact with No10 on a couple of occasions hoping for a response, but alas without success. I will be endevouring to get detail about his wartime exploits recorded. Cheers, Chris Hello Chris, Regarding the Prime Minister - do you think he is being 'political' It would be really good if you/your dad could record his exploits and I look forward to reading about them... Best, Steve.
Thanks very much for posting Chris. Before you write the book take a look at "Beaten Paths are Safest - Memories of the 61st Reconnaissance Regiment 50th 'TT' Northumbrian Division" by Roy Howard. Lots of fascinating and moving snippets but plenty of gaps to fill for history. Welcome to the forum, Chotie's daughter
Thanks very much for posting Chris. Before you write the book take a look at "Beaten Paths are Safest - Memories of the 61st Reconnaissance Regiment 50th 'TT' Northumbrian Division" by Roy Howard. Lots of fascinating and moving snippets but plenty of gaps to fill for history. Welcome to the forum, Chotie's daughter I agree. I have the book, but believe there is so much more to add! Best, Steve.
Hi i am looking for any information on the exploits of the 61st recce C company. My father passed away leaving little to trace his war service. Medals and paperwork had been thrown away. i have many stories he told but never asked questions. I know he trained in Ireland and was on gold beach on d day. I know some names of places he talked about and have a small pair of wooden clogs (hand made). These are marked with the name of a village in Holland. His name was Roy McClure and was made up to corporal in charge of three armoured cars he called Humber ets, He also drove bren gun carriers. Any information given will be of interest.
Hello Royce and a warm welcome to the forum. Great to have another Recce on here! My dad served with 56 Recce. From the book The British Reconnaissance Corps in WW2 by Richard Doherty:- 61 Recce- Allocated in January 1944 to 50th (Northumbrian) Division. Landed in Normandy on 6th June 1944, and served in the NW Europe campaign until January 1945, when the regiment was broken up for reinforcements. Another very good book to read is Only the Enemy in Front (The Recce Corps at War 1940-1946) by Richard Doherty. Other forum members will be along soon to help you more than I can on 61 Recce. Lesley
Welcome to the forum Chris (handle 'royce'). You will see from this and other threads on 61st Recce (via the 'Search' function) that the War Diaries were lost. This means there is a dearth of information in the public domain about the regiment. The books mentioned in this thread and contributions on this forum are the best sources of information available, at present. Good luck with your search. Best, Steve.
I have this photograph as well. My father Major JEM Cave (C squadron 61 then A squadron 52 Recce) is seated in the front row 4th from R (with head inclined and clearly not paying attention ! I have been working on the account of "his war" for a while now and hope to be looking for a publisher soon. Simon Cave
Hello and a warm welcome Simon. Great to have another Recce on board! I am so pleased that you have identified your father on the photo. Have you any other photos you would like to post? Lesley
Royce/Simon, Hello and welcome to the forum. The forum appears to be attracting more Reconnaissance Corps oriented members and all information is welcome as the Corps are not very well documented and suffered due to being only a wartime unit which was quickly disbanded. Regards Tom