Dear All I'm trying to research the units and histories of the Argylls' TA and Hore-Belisha etc units in the war. In particular, I'm having difficulty with the 9th Argylls. As I understand it, the 9th Batt was converted to 54th LAA RA just before the war and with TA expansion, duplicated itself to form the 58th LAA. Both units were with the BEF in France/Belgium in 1940 and their survivors evacuated from Dunkirk. After being sent to Cornwall just after arriving back in England, the 58th suffered 22 dead and more wounded when a lone Luftwaffe bomber dropped its load on their camp. According to one source I've read, the 58th was disbanded soon after this, with its personnel going to other units. However, other sources show the 58th being the LAA unit of the 11th Armoured Division in NW Europe 1944-45 (possibly replaced by another LAA unit at some stage). I understand the 54th was attached to the Canadians in Normandy. I would appreciate any info members can give me regarding these two units.
I can only help with the diaries on this. I have 54 LAA unit diary that runs from Oct 39 to June 40 covering their time with the BEF. There doesn't appear to be any pre war diaries for 9 Argylls. You might want to get copies of the following files from Kew: WO 166/2801 54 LAA 1939 Aug.-Nov. WO 167/652 54 LAA 1939 Oct.-1940 June WO 166/2727 54 LAA 1940 July - 1941 Dec. WO 166/7647 54 LAA 1942 Jan.- Dec. WO 166/11698 54 LAA 1943 Jan.-Dec. WO 171/1117 54 LAA 1944 Jan.- Dec. WO 171/4944 54 LAA 1945 Jan.- Dec. WO 171/9115 54 LAA 1946 Jan.- Mar. WO 166 is UK Home Forces and WO 171 is North West Europe. Cheers Andy
According to one source I've read, the 58th was disbanded soon after this, with its personnel going to other units. However, other sources show the 58th being the LAA unit of the 11th Armoured Division in NW Europe 1944-45 (possibly replaced by another LAA unit at some stage). They are listed in Taurus Pursuant the 11th Armd Div history. There are 9 names in the Roll of Honour for them. Lt FN Bell 17 Nov 44 Gnr LH Down 3 Jul 44 Sjt M Gladwin 5 Sep 44 Gnr RR Hitchens 25 Jul 44 Gnr A Marshall 23 Mar 45 Cfn SJ Salter 15 Sep 44 Gnr L Seaton 7 Apr 45 Gnr GR Unit 8 Aug 44 Sjt GE Wheatcroft 11 Aug 44 This chap is a 1940 casualty from Geoff's Search Engine. Cyril Nutter RASC attd 58 LAA CWGC :: Casualty Details Bit of background info here. 54 LAA >RA 1939-45 54 LAA 58 LAA >RA 1939-45 58 LAA searched here. Geoff's 1939-47 Search Engine Unit text use: 58 Lt Regiment Corps select : Royal Artillery 50 results havent got time to copy & past them all.
Here's the 58 LAA war diaries: WO 166/2731 58 LAA Regt 1939 Aug.- 1940 Feb., July - 1941 Jan., June - Dec. WO 167/655 58 LAA Regt 1940 Mar., Apr., June WO 166/7649 58 LAA Regt 1942 Jan.- Dec. WO 166/11699 58 LAA Regt 1943 Jan.- Dec. WO 171/1118 58 LAA Regt 1944 Jan.- Dec. WO 171/4945 58 LAA Regt 1945 Jan.- Dec. WO 171/9116 58 LAA Regt 1946 Jan.
I can help with 9th. Argylls/ 54th. & 58th. LAA histories. Please call me on 07810-450-419. Regards, Stuart.
Stuart-It might be a good idea to remove your telephone number-members can contact you by pm if they need to get in touch with you.
