My great grandfathers tracer card

Hi my great grandfather was in Kings Dragoon Guards I got his tracer card from tank museum at bovington a while back I need help in deciphering it he was out in North Africa, Italy and Greece during war he served in army for 11 years joined in 1934 was in 7 Hussars for a year before going over to KDG in 1935.

 

Looks like he was in North Africa 1942 and 1943 as the ME most likely stands for Middle East, NE possibly Northern Europe, I am sure there will be more knowledgeable folk posting very soon that will know all of the abbreviations.

 

Looks like he was in 1st KDG from 6 Dec 43 to 13 Apr 45.

When he joined the Regt they were patrolling the banks of the River Garigliano in preparation for the X Corps assault over the river on 17-18 Jan 44.

Regards

Frank

 

He was in KDG before that went to India before war and was in North Africa with them

 

It’s X abbreviations that confuse me

 

X lists here
X lists (Service Records)

 

Thanks

 

a question we always ask or at least I do
have you got his full service records?

 

I’ve applied to MOD for his full service history waiting to hear from them got his army certificate and pay book got where he was from his army certificate here.

 

Don’t think he drove them he was with horses mainly

 

Stephen.

The last horses were handed in in 1938 in the UK - they were retained for slightly longer in the Indian Army.

The British Army took the decision to entirely mechanise - except for the public duties in central London.

Regards

Frank

 

I’m not sure that’s NE, Gazz, if you’re referring to the third line down. I think it’s a disjointed M, so another ME, especially given the end of that line matches exactly the line above it.

When you think about it, unless he was back in Blighty, it would be highly unlikely he could have been in Northern Europe in 1943.

Welcome to the forum by the way, Stephen.

 

Actually I’ve just seen Stephen’s picture in post no. 9 showing his great grandad was in the Middle East from November 1940 to December ‘43, so clearly ME and I didn’t need to post above did I - I’ll get my coat…

 

Without his full records its all guesswork
soon as you get them upload here and the forum members will assist further

 

Hi Stephen

I have Kings Dragoon Guards: narrative of operations | The National Archives

If you would like a copy, start a new conversation with me (click inbox at top) and tell me your email address.

Hope this helps

Gus

 

they had horses in Italy as armoured cars could not get around roads and British army used horses in Italy.

 

waiting for them since May because of covid.

 

Hi Gus

I have a copy of KDG war diary from sept 1939 to August 1945 from tank museum at bovington which is transcribed wouldn’t mind a copy of original though.