Battery 205,206,437 Manchester Field Regiment RA?

Good morning.

I am currently researching Gunner E J Greathead Service Number 1439636. Attended D and M RAC School. Deployed August 1942 on troopship HMS Highland Monarch and held in reserve in Egypt.

I’m applying for his service record but are there any researchers able to clarify which Battery he was assigned to?

Thank you in anticipation of a reply.
Angela

 

Welcome Angela,

I noticed you Profile Post that has extra information:

You asked: Which battery was he assigned to? That is often difficult to find, especially he was an Other Rank they rarely get a mention.

Yes, your subject's record is held by TNA, but it is 'Closed' as their procedures require an official document recording his death (CWGC entry will do). Follow the link and TNA explain: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/mod-closed-foi-request-step1/C19248003 A Death Certificate can be ordered via: https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/

There is a short history plus source run by two members: 52 (Manchester) Field Regiment RA (TA) - The Royal Artillery 1939-45 This shows the three batteries were assigned after March 19141 (possibly from this site?). They arrived in the Middle East by October 1942; that would mean a voyage via South Africa.

You may be able to identify the convoy via: ConvoyWeb

See: Q Battery 52nd Field Regiment Highland Monarch 1942 | WW2Talk Plus a previous thread on the unit: Captain Ernest Thomas COLE, 52nd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

There are a few threads here id'd with: "highland monarch" site:ww2talk.com and for his unit id'd with: "52nd field" site:ww2talk.com

This thread should help, apart from the ship left from Liverpool (most of the convoys I've looked going to the MIddle East left from Glasgow): 52nd Field Regt/ R 437 Battery

A couple of members have the unit War Diaries and LMC2489 IPost 9) serves with their successor unit and has helped others. He was last logged on April 2026.

Hope that helps.

 

David,

Thank you for your quick response. I have applied for my father’s service record with a copy of his death certificate. I did see however the record was ‘closed’.

Having researched the batteries I have managed to put together a timeline for them but wish to establish his actual battery. 437 wasn’t static they served as a permanent artillery unit for the 8th Indian Infantry division throughout the Italian campaign. I have a photo of him wearing the 8th Indian epaulette. He spoke of the Gurkhas’ so I’m leaning towards 437 battery.

Regards
Angela

 

Angela,

Often in North Africa research I found individual field regiments were assigned to a brigade, often staying with them. I expect that continued in Italy. Not all the brigades had a Gurkha battalion, slight snag. See: 8th Infantry Division (India) - Wikipedia

This is a useful explanation of the choices offered by TNA for service records: National Archives Service File Applications - Pre Feb 2026 v Post Feb 2026 Process

 

Hi David.

My research shows during the winter of 44 to Spring of 1945 the 8th Gurkha rifles were attached to the 8th Indian division to provide extra support. They did not have their own artillery and were attached to different divisions. The 25 pounder guns of the Manchester artillery provided direct fire support to them by laying down smoke screens. 437 battery had a gruelling war of mountain and river crossings.

I will keep you updated if I manage to get his records.

Thanks again.
Angela

 

Angela,

The Gurkha Rifles were multi-battalion regiments and it was the 2/8th GR who were in Italy and was assigned to the 43rd Indian Infantry Brigade (Lorried). See: 43rd Independent Gurkha Infantry Brigade - Wikipedia

There are a few threads here id'd with an online search: "2/8th gurkha rifles" + "italy" ww2talk.com

 

Thank you David, I will take a look.