Mikko, there is a list of some but not all 25th Dragoons Lee serial numbers in their 1944 War Diary on pages 201-202. However on another thread, another member of ww2talk provided some time ago some names and matching serial numbers of 25th Dragoons tanks. I'll have a look now.
I think you've seen this post from KevinT KevinTSenior Member Some Lee and Grant names:- A Squadron AUK ( Grant) ANGEL MANCHESTER OXFORD SURREY (turretless – possible ARV) B Squadron HQ BURY T25252 BALMORAL T25814 BARMING T25925 ( T25650 replacement ) BARNSLEY T25902 4 Troop BAGSHOT T26202 BERWICK T25860 BRISTOL T25654 ( T25928 replacement ) 6 Troop BATH T26136 BOGNOR T25801 BRIGAND T25236 7 Troop BEXHILL T25893 BURNLEY T25818 BUXTON T25237 Other B Squadron – Troop unknown NIL DESPERANDUM Squadron and Troop unknown BAMBER BRIDGE HELLCAT SHREWSBURY UNBEATABLE I hope this is of some interest and if anyone can add anything please let me know. Cheers Kevin
Hi Kevin, somehow I missed your answer so sorry for late reply! Yes I saw that namelist, terrific stuff! 3rd Carabibiers had at least Angel and propably also Auk(not sure thou as in pic name is pretty unreadable and is lee). Got Grounds some letter from Burma(other is still on it's way), exellent book. In that Unbeatable is mentioned in picture section as Lt. C Auchinleck(Lt col) pic and as all squadron mentioned in pic notes it's C. So can we assume Unbeatable being C sq? Or do you have info abt his squadron? Shrewsbury is either C or reserve squadron as Gen Briggs ride in it to box on 24th feb and C was opening pass on that day and reserve sq was coming from west. Naming place don't fit to 25th dragoons style as they had names either on side door or front armourplate next to drivers visor, or at least mostly. They got, according Grounds, extra tanks from disbanding 26th Hussars and they could form up reserve sq. So could some names be from their unit originally. Unfortunately good pics of dragoons tanks are hard to find. And only one film contains em, the on on iwm that tells Admin box battle. On start there is one C sq lee but name next to drivers visor is unreadable, could be Cannon but could be anything. Mostly rest film tanks are reserve sq lee's fighting their way from west side of pass. Search continues. Mikko
Ah, forgot. Grounds names only one B sq lee, Nil Desperandum, and as he served in B it could be his. Also if Auchinleck is from C then Bamber Bridge Hellcat can be placed also. Also Col Frink Defiant is missing from Kevins excellent list. Mikko
And as a postscript to my original question, yes it's 3rd carabiniers. Seems like info to them moved from dragoons testings and they started welding bars to roof also. Mikko
I have a photo of tank 25711 found among my father's memorabilia, I have posted it in the Gallery - he was in C Sqn 3 DG
Hi Kevin, I've come late to this thread, it caught my eye as I'm compiling a story of my father's service with C squadron 3rd Carabiniers. I'm interested to know where you found this data and if you have similar for the 3Rd Carabiniers best regards Paul
Hi Paul, 3RD Carbs all Lees as far as I know. A Sqn ANGEL B Sqn HQ T25814 BALMORAL, T25650 and T25925 BARMING, T25902 BARNSLEY, T25252 4 Trp T26202 BAGSHOT, T25860 BERWICK, T25654 and T25928 BRISTOL 6 Trp T26136 BATH, T25801 BOGNOR, T25236 BRIGAND 7 Trp T25893 BEXHILL, T25818 BURNLEY, T25237 BUXTON Above names mostly from AFV returns, this site and various sources. 25th Dragoons mostly from “British Tank Names” by BT White, National Army Museum website, this site and other various sources. If anyone can add anything or see any errors please let me know. Cheers Kevin
Thanks for that, disappointing that there's nothing for C squadron. Did you see the tank photo that I posted to the gallery? Tank in Burma by squawker posted Feb 7, 2020 at 2:18 PM
Great picture I remember my grandfather talking once about his time as a tank commander for Lee's and how awkward they can be during his time in the 3rd carbs/25thD