A History of the Queen's Bays (The 2nd Dragoon Guards) 1929-1945 Beddington, Major General W.R.

Hi, I stumbled across this forum whilst trying to research the Queen’s Bays as my Grandad served in WW2.
Is there any reference to an Edward (Jack) Morten? I recently saw a book on eBay regarding the travels of the Bays but it was going for silly money.
I still have my grandad’s beret badge which I proudly wore on my suit on my wedding day wishing he was there still with us.

Any nudges to reference guides regarding the regiment would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.

 

james,

No better place to start reading, this thread and I expect others on the regiment.

Go to the 1st pg. of the thread above the 1st post is a line, what we call tags, click on the one with the regiment's name, that will reveal a good number of threads where they appear. Next beside that is one which has their name and war diaries, click on that. They may be duplicates.

Getting late so back tomorrow. Enjoy and take your time. Your subject may appear - with luck - if he was an 'Other Rank', not an officer, he may appear.

Update 10/10

Edward Morten has not appeared here before your post. Currently no trace wit The National Archives (TNA). That may mean his record is still with the MoD or it is being processed by the TNA amidst a huge amount. You can ask online where it is via the link below.

We always recommend applying for the subject's full service record. Yes, it may take a year to arrive - either from the MoD or National Archives (TNA). It is not available online and is the definitive record. There is nothing you can do about the wait. The records were never intended to be read today. See: Get a copy of military records of service

Can you provide his full name, date of Birth and Service Number that can help?

I suggest you start a new thread on your grandad in this area: Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy In the title name etc include his regiment and cross refer to this thread where you started. A new thread usually gets more help.

 

Many thanks for your reply David. It’s really appreciated. He was known as Jack Morten to all and didn’t know if that had appeared either?

I’m delving into the archives of the forum and it’s fascinating to think that some of the photos of men he may well have served with and knew fondly.

I hope you have a great rest of your day

 

James,

TNA No trace on Jack Morten.

 

James.

The Queen’s Bays are the only armoured regiment in Italy that, in all my years of battlefield guiding in Italy, have erected a memorial to their troops.

It is on the Gothic Line near Rimini and commemorates their brutal experience there in Sep 44. If you want the story then I have it.

Funnily enough, I was there on Wed explaining the battle. It was truly horrific.

Get me through my website www.cassinobattlefields.co.uk and I will happily share it with you.

Regards

Frank

 

Long shot, but looking for any info on 7902282 Serjt. Roderick MacRae 2DG, kia at Coriano. I know he was B squad, but would there be a roster of his squadron and troop/tank number? He was from Aberdeen and had been with the regiment right from the start in the BEF, Desert, Libya etc..

 

He isn't in the B Squadron crews listed on the 3rd September, but is recorded as a casualty on 20th as being with B Squadron. Of the other three B Squadron KIAs on 20th, they were all in different tanks.

 

To jump in on this thread; does anyone have any info on 7880880 Edwin Robert Arthur Fidler, a fitter with the regiment who received the MM for replacing the tracks on two tanks that had been damaged on mines whilst under fire. I will post his citation as soon as Possible .

Many thanks

Mark

 

Mark,

This event occurred following the Regiment’s loss of vehicles on 24th October, 1942. There is a short paragraph in the History, on page 102:

 

Very Many thanks

 

MMCitation

24 October 1942

WS Cpl 7880880 Fidler Edwin Robert Arthur



This fitter was called up to repair the tracks of two tanks blown up in the last minefield. Despite the fact that a major engagement developed in that immediate area and that during the whole period of his task he was subjected to heavy and accurate shellfire he continued work without a break, with the result that both tanks were again in action that evening. This devotion to duty regardless of personal safety provided the highest example of gallantry.



Recommended for an immediate Military medal

Does anyone know if there is a photo of Fidler in existence?

I am waiting for his service papers from Kew

 

Mark,

FB indicates he was from Darlington, with his name on a memorial - with hundreds of others; so, perhaps a local newspaper will have a photo? Try the British Newspaper Archive (BNA) most UK public libraries allow in-person access.

 

David,

Thank you for that, I have tried looking at newspapers but alas have been unable to find a photo. I hadn't thought of using FB to find info on him how did you do the search?

 

Mark,

I used an online search with: "Edwin Robert Arthur Fidler" and the 2nd hit was a FB post. Then I dropped the middle names and added + "darlington". Third time I added "military medal".

You do have to be a FB member to access the posts and sometimes you discover it is hidden from view.