I have a handwritten account of a former signaller. The author is deceased and the family have asked me to comment - they aren't ready to share yet. My problem is the account falls into the category of 'potential exaggerations with hindsight' (not uncommon) and I am trying to pick the genuine bones out as there are interesting bits. Ronald Shaw 14395233. Served 1942 to 1946. The only unit mentioned is "No. 30 Line Section" I have some movements including training in ground to air at Thirsk Racecourse and a posting for an RAF excercise at Pinkhoe, Devon (1943?). Discipline issues may mean he moved units at this time. D-Day landed on Juno Beach by mistake rather than Sword (my error originally posted Gold)- with officers McPhearson and Davis and a jeep. Seems to have generally followed XXX Corps route through Europe mentioning different Divs. My confusion is that I'm erring on the side of XXX Corps HQ Sigs. However he writes as if he's at the sharp end - advancing into occupied villages and such (as well as being up telegraph poles under fire). Help? (Please Post to Royal Signals thread if more appropriate)
30 Line Sec was part of 2 Army Sigs in May 44. By May 45, it was part of 30 Corps, according to a 21 AG Orbat. The 30 Corps War Diary of Feb 45 says that 30 Line Sec was part of Army Tps under command of 30 Corps Sigs........... Dave
Thanks Dave. I've found a reference to a theoretical complement of 64 personnel compared to the numbers left on D+3 which figures. I'm still trying to work out movements - Certainly 30 Corps from September with increasing higher HQ roles e.g. Luneburg Heath and Potsdam Conference.
The D-Day challenge is that he was on a 'barge' commanded by a 'naval rating' (from the 4th). As they were passing HMS Black Prince it fired "a broadside which nearly swamped the boat" causing it to be swept off course from Sword beach to "Juno Beach near Courselles". I know about Trux loading charts however figuring out a landing craft which failed to be where it was intended is proving difficult to locate.
To add to Dave's post for post VE Day 30 Line Section is recorded as a 2 Army Signals unit moving to 30 Corps Signals 5 Jun 45 then to 1 Corps District Signals 5 Jul 45, the last record is 17 Oct 45, only have Corps War Diaries so unable to confirm locations you will see units were spread over a wide area. Best of luck with your research https://britisharmyingermany.com (under construction)
Thanks Steve. I've re-read the account with a 2nd Army slant and it works.He does talk of post armistice roles which have some anecdotal interest. I am trying to work out the D-Day bit - Why were higher formation line signallers going ashore D+1 (wireless I could understand). Apart from that the account works, it seems coming ashore on Juno rather than Sword wasn't an issue although it wasn't until the end of D+3 that the unit became "cohesive" (his words). His D+3 account is frankly graphic of fighting off counter attacks with Canadians and the locations mostly ring true to contemporaneous accounts rather than post event history - I'm sure he was there - but why?