Sure on the source. The pictures are from NARA, through MLW. I am afraid they are too big to upload. But looking at them again, they are more likely from 1942, Gazala battle time. Neither of the tanks is wearing the white-red-white CRUSADER insignia, and could come from the last stand of 4/7 RTR outside Tobruk. GIRAFFE III has the number 16 painted on it, which could indicate it was one of at least 16 wrecks, and there is a Valentine in the series, meaning it cannot be pre-CRUSADER. Other tank numbers, no name on any of them: T6987 Matilda II T6970 captured Matilda II with German markings, square British squadron marking T173? Valentine T6854 Matilda II T100? Matilda II A black or red ring with a stencilled '17' painted inside it. Never seen that before. All the best Andreas
In addition to Andy's War Diary, you can see a map of the breakout plan, and a translation of the objectives here: http://rommelsriposte.com/2010/11/30/not-a-good-day-at-the-office-%E2%80%93-1-rtr-and-the-first-day-of-the-tobruk-breakout/ Some more info on what it felt like to be subjected to the not so tender mercies of 7 R.T.R.'s Matildas is here: http://rommelsriposte.com/2008/10/12/defending-position-19/ And the German view (filed under 'yeah, you wished that's how it had been'): http://rommelsriposte.com/2009/08/15/the-tobruk-breakout-from-the-other-side-of-the-hill/ All the best Andreas
Hi all, I am trying to identify whether 802231 Sgt Frank Hill MM MID 7 RTR is a relative of mine, his home town being Mossley. The kind people at the Tank Museum have a tracer card for him but it does not include a date of birth or home town, though they tell me that in the War Diary he does get two mentions relating to his awards. I will attempt to get his service record but that will take months. In the meantime, I thought that I would have a dig around to see if I could find a connection with this Sgt Frank Hill and Mossley. I have loooked to see if any recommendations survive in the National Archives, but can't find any, nor can I find anything in the London Gazette (not surprising, it always gets the better of me) Does anyone have any suggestions of where else I could look please? Thanks and regards. Steve
Londonnik, Thanks for your reply. You are right, I should have given the other details that I know and which would have helped. I have since dug a little further and at the moment I do not think that this man is my great uncle. Thanks for looking up the POW for me. Regards, Steve
I have just come across this thread which briefly mentions Lt Herbert Taylor, MC and Bar. He was an old boy of Bury Grammar School , Lancashire, where I teach. Sadly the school archives does not have very good records of our World War II old boys, a situation which I am trying to remedy. Any further information on Herbert Taylor would be gratefully received.
In September 1940 I have a 2/Lt H. Taylor M.C. in command of No.8 Troop, B Squadron, 7 R.T.R. in Egypt. He also commanded a troop in the attack on Bardia, as part of the composite squadron. It appears he received his Bar to the M.C. after Capuzzo (15 June 1941), at which time he was a full Lieutenant. All the best Andreas
Hiya Not sure how much of interest this might be. I was going through my grandfather's letters from Burma and found one sent to my great grandmother from: 2LT J.H. Bramley (my dad transcribed it as J.N but he's listed here as J.H. http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2224841/BRAMLEY,%20JOSEPH%20HENRY) 7th Battn RTR MEF 13/10/41 It's written on a christmas greeting card with Saint Nick riding a camel. Haven't been able to find much else but thought I'd share on the off chance it's of interest to anyone. Also, I was wondering if 7th Battn was previously cavalry. The fellow who wrote my grandmother seemed to know her. My step grandfather who was friends with my blood grandfather (and grandmother) was also in MEF in some sort of tank regiment but I am not really sure where to begin. All my dad knows is his name, (Edward Mitchell Seymour) and that his unit started off as cavalry and he ended up becoming a tank mechanic along the way. I have his war dictionaries, one says "Seymour, cairo '44" and the best part is that the spine is broken at "mechanic" Any tidbits appreciated as always.
Did 7 R/T/R receive any new replacement tanks in between the arrival of D Sqd in Dec 1941, and it's capture in June 1942?
David I don't think 'D' Squadron brought their tanks. In any case, they would not have been 'new', since the Squadron came from Tobruk. I will confirm this later. All the best Andreas
I doubt there were any. 'D' Squadron was working with the tanks they had entered Tobruk with, and the remainder of the battalion acted as tank delivery unit, if I recall correctly. WD entry of 18 December, 1000 hours: all Mk. IIs handed over to 44 RTR. Valentines and crews had already reverted to 8 RTR. All the best Andreas
So nothing at all for 7th R/T/R after it's initial allocation in N. Africa in November 1940? Or just nothing between Dec 41 & June 42? Thanks.
That I can't tell you. I would have expected them to receive some stuff after COMPASS ended, and of course 'D' Squadron would have been re-equipped after returning to the battalion in December 1942. But these tanks would presumably all have been hand-me-downs from other units, I doubt that there were any new Matildas delivered in 1942? All the best Andreas
I too would have expected them to, but can find no documentary evidence even to suggest it, much less prove it. Thanks for your input none the less.
Hello. Just to add something on replacement tanks for 7 RTR in 1941 following Operation Compass, from Jentz's "Tank Combat in North Africa" page 157: From the context they seem to have been from the Tiger convoy. regards, -Nuno