Hi, I am researching my late father's war service and am looking for some help from possible relatives of those who served with L Det during 1942. I have his Service and Casualty Form, medical records and have had contact with SAS RA. The problem I have found is that the SAS did not keep many records; they were a unit of action rather than administration. There are no personnel lists and little information as to the make-up of raiding parties. SAS RA has relied on former members or their relatives coming forward and providing documentation that someone actually served with the Regiment. Furthermore, unless you were an officer, you rarely got a mention in the Regimental War Diary. Raiding plans detail officers i/c (and navigators) but refer to the rest as O/R's (other ranks) The records show that my father was posted to L Det 1st June 1942 and then to 1SAS on reorganisation in September 1942. It also shows he was wounded on 20th November 1942 and placed on the seriously injured list. It does not show what squadron he was with or what raids he took part on. At that time it could only have been Mayne's A Sqdrn or Sterling's B Sqdrn. When he was alive he spoke very little about his war service and shunned opportunities to meet old comrades. More's the pity, I worked with a man back in the the late 1970's who was WWII SBS and said he knew my dad from Kabrit but regrettably I never followed it up. What I am looking for is any information/photos from relatives of former members that may contain references to my father. From what I have learnt, he was raiding in support of the El Alamein push. He was south of Benghasi when his jeep hit a mine and was evacuated to 12th Light Field Ambulance RAMC. I have established A Squadron were in the field from early November, operating north and west of Benghasi. It has been suggested that my father was in B Squadron but there is no formal record of B Squadron being in the field until leaving Kabrit on 20th November 1942 - the same day my father was wounded. That's the difficulty I have piecing the bits together If there is anyone who can assist, it would be very much appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read my thread. Tony
Hi In 1999 a World War II SAS war diary was discovered which was created by someone in the SAS, it contains a great many detailed records of operations, names locations, plans etc. They are now in the process of creating copies of this large leather bound book. 250 Limited edition copies will be offered to existing or ex SAS and then more copies will be produced and offered to the public, this should happen early next year. There may just be details of your father in this book as i hear it is very detailed and quite large. Regards John
