Bdr. L.J. Wilson 53rd(Worcestershire Yeomanry) Air Landing Light Regiment

Hi, I have WW2 and post war Palestine medals to 1133074 Bdr. Lyall James Wilson 53rd (Worcestershire Yeomanry) Air Landing Light Regiment, RA.
Are there any RA Airborne specialists that can help identify which battery Wilson was with? I am trying to find out if he participated in the D-Day drop or arrived later and what other areas he took part in. Any help much appreciated. I was sent this card and am struggling to understand it, but would appreciate some help deciphering it.

 

His name and number have not appeared here before your post.

For a short summary see this "go to" reference site by a member here: 53 (Worcestershire Yeomanry) Air Landing Light Regiment RA - The Royal Artillery 1939-45

It states it had three batteries: 210, 211, 212 and was always assigned to the 6th Airborne Division.

This Tracer Card maintained at RA HQ based on documents issued does not specify which battery he was assigned to. A unit War Diary might mention him if he was killed, badly wounded, due for a medal, mentioned in dispatches and transferred out if a bulk transfer. His official Service Record will show postings, probably not down to battery level - except if his battery was detached for a period away from the division / brigade.

He might be named in published works for the regiment, such as the regimental journal.

Sometimes Other Rank soldiers appear online in obituaries, local / home town press reporting, even Facebook. Be worth looking at A living history of The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces - Airborne Assault Museum

If you search online with: "53rd Air Landing Light Regiment" site:ww2talk.com that id'd three threads. Using: "53rd Airlanding Light Regiment" site:ww2talk.com id'd a few more.

You could alter the search factors, e.g. not using regiment.

Good luck. Some tips next via Private Message.

 

Thank you, I’m trying to determine which of the three batteries he was with.

 

I expect you are in for the "long haul" unless you are lucky. Thankfully the members can be a great help.

 

There is a book about the QOWH for the period 1922 to 1956. I do have a copy and will check to see if he appear in it. Although they were Airborne only 211 Battery went to Normandy by either gilder or parachute. The other two batteries were seaborne for D Day.

Cheers

Arnhem

 

That’s what I understand, 220 and 212 arrived by sea on the 14th. I am struggling to find out which battery he was in.

 

Hi,

Two Gunner Wilsons are mentioned in the Varsity war diary. One on glider 366 and the other on 401 with Lt. Brownlow-Wray of 210 Battery.

Regards ...

 

Thank you for the information. He was a Bombardier, so I am assuming that he would be shown as Bdr and not Gunner. Is that a fair assumption?

 

Hi,

The other Gunner Wilson was probably with 212 Battery. From the WD:

22nd March 1945

1400 to 2200 - Loading at various airfields. RHQ and Section of 210 Bty:- Dunmow (CNs 394-402). 211 Bty:- Shepherd Grove (CNs 287-314). 212 Bty:- Earls Colne (CNs 343-372).

Regards ...

 

He could have received the Bombardier promotion post Op Varsity ... don't know.

Regards ...

 

Hello,

Here's a group photo of 'A' Troop, 210 Battery. Not sure where and when it was taken but suspect a pre-D-Day period. A Gunner Wilson is one of the men behind the back row but not sure which. Of course this might not be the Lyell James Wilson being sought but thought it might still be of interest.



Regards ...

 

Thank you, no way of knowing. Very frustrating, so close and yet so far….. could you explain the numbers, on the left of the columns, on the card? 114/43 etc.

 

The equation-like numbers were obviously used for admin/record keeping purposes with the bottom numbers being year related. No idea what the top numbers might refer to. It would appear 53 A/T Regt. was converted to an Airborne unit in 1943 which suggest to me that he would have likely been involved in all the 6th Airborne Operations going forward. He would also have been a good man for promotion when sent to Palestine post war to replace others who were demobbed.

Regards ...

 

Hi
Here is his CS20 which should confirm the medals you have, although it wont include his GSM. Note the late request for the medals(1984) and also the lack of 1939-45 star????

Here is a link to paradata site:
211 Airlanding Light Battery RA, 1943.
This shows 211 battery and the names include 2 Wilsons but sadly no initials

If he is one of these he could have been in operation Mallard on D-Day, the Ardennes, Op Varsity before Palestine

Here is a link to pegasus archive which details Normandy, 53rd (Worcestershire Yeomanry) Airlanding Light Regiment, RA

and Rhine crossing(Varsity) go to War Diaries-Divisional Units for 53rd Worcestershire Yeomanry) The Rhine Crossing

Happy hunting

 

This is interesting to see what his medal entitlement was. I received his medals as a group, on a four medal bar, with the 39/45 star looking like it was added. Clearly he wasn’t entitled to this star, but somewhere along the line one was added. Do I leave it or remove it, to make the group correct?

 

I would leave the medals as they are at the moment until you are certain of his entitlement, sometimes there is a further application if the awards are disputed. I can't see one at the moment but not sure everything is available online yet.
I would try to get his service records from the MOD and see if there is anything there that helps.

 

Apply here: Get a copy of military records of service

You will need a copy of his death cert, it could be the one on the attachment which is available from GRO??

It will take months to process but hopefully it will resolve some questions.

 

I believe that indicates the 114th set of Regimental Daily Orders for 1943 in which the posting etc was propogated. Probably by the new unit, but I'm not certain of that.

 

Interestingly, I've just applied for the service records for a William Leslie Wilson, 53 Airlanding Light Regt.

With two Wilsons named on the Paradata 211 Bty photo, and two Wilsons named on the glider nominal roll lists (Pegasusarchive), I'm hoping William is at least one of them.

Best.
John.

 

John, very interesting, I’d be interested to see your results when they appear.
Cheers Ian