Regimental signs from the BEF RA

Discussion in 'Royal Artillery' started by 3mileSnipper, Aug 16, 2012.

  1. 3mileSnipper

    3mileSnipper Member

    Hi
    I am currently reading the War diary of 2 Med Regt RA and have just struggled through 2 pages for 8 Oct 1939 which start with a problem of 4 Med Regt RA displaying the wrong signs on their vehicles. :unsure: The diary continues to quote, what I would think was the War Office (full:huh:) instruction including virtual conversation of how it came obout. This ends with these lines:- "...this Regts number was 12 on a red & blue background with a White bar at the top. The white bar indicated I Corps Troops. The I Corps sign (a White spearhead vertical) was painted on near side mud guards".
    I am using the excellent 1939-45 RA site as my guide through my fathers war and the diary seems to contradict their information.
    Formation BEF; I Corps;White Spearhead vertical, 5 Med Regt RA white 12 on Red over Blue square with a white bar above.
    GHQ; 2 Med Regt RA white 18 on Red over Blue square with a white bar below.
    The diary appears to describe 5 Med Regt RA but the pages and content are clearly 2 Med Regt RA. I have been told on several occasions that regimental numbering is a law unto it's own but would like to understand if the diarist has it right or what.
    Thanks Neil
     
  2. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    It's perhaps not as odd as it sounds (if I'm reading it correctly). There were numerous changes to formations between September 1939 and May 1940. There is an earlier 1 Corps markings booklet which has been posted on the forum* which shows 2 Med. Regt. as 1 Corps artillery together with 3 Med. Regt. but there is a handwritten amendment from '2' to '5' - it appears that 2 Med regt were replaced by 5 Med regt and became GHQ troops. They would then have changed from '12' with bar above to '18' with bar under.

    If you read further, you'll probably find mention of the change from Corps to GHQ troops.

    I'd be really interested to see a scan of the whole section relating to the markings, if that's possible. There may be more clues. :)

    *Have a look at post #68 on this thread :- http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/1940/8586-bef-1940-vehicle-markings-7.html
     
  3. 3mileSnipper

    3mileSnipper Member

    It's perhaps not as odd as it sounds (if I'm reading it correctly). There were numerous changes to formations between September 1939 and May 1940. There is an earlier 1 Corps markings booklet which has been posted on the forum* which shows 2 Med. Regt. as 1 Corps artillery together with 3 Med. Regt. but there is a handwritten amendment from '2' to '5' - it appears that 2 Med regt were replaced by 5 Med regt and became GHQ troops. They would then have changed from '12' with bar above to '18' with bar under.

    If you read further, you'll probably find mention of the change from Corps to GHQ troops.

    I'd be really interested to see a scan of the whole section relating to the markings, if that's possible. There may be more clues. :)

    *Have a look at post #68 on this thread :- http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/1940/8586-bef-1940-vehicle-markings-7.html
    Hi,
    Your absolutely right, just a few pages on infact, (perhaps I should read it all before asking for help) as I was about to pack in for the night. Diary read as follows "13 Oct 1939 .........This afternoon the Q.M. (Lt & Q.M. GUNN) went to draw rations from I Corps Troops supply Coy and was informed that the Regt no longer belonged to I Corps but was posted to GHQ Troops. The QM went to GHQs I Corps at CUINCHY near DOUAI to verify this statement and was shown (by Q branch) a secret letter dated 6 Oct by which 2 Med Regt was transfered to GHQ Troops. The QM eventually got rations "by favours" from ST LEGER and on his return to RACHIES the matter was refered to C.C.M.A. I Corps with a request that the Regt might be informed as to the formation to which it really belonged!" I don't think he was very happy, a secret letter :( Thanks alot the post on your link looks very interesting too.
     
  4. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

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