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(British army, ww2) I cant find any info on grandads regiment/unit.

Discussion in 'Those Who Served' started by Matthew Townsend, Nov 8, 2018.

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  1. Matthew Townsend

    Matthew Townsend New Member

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    Hi guys. I have recently recieved my grandads service record. There is quite alot of info in it, but i cant find info on the regiments/units that are mentioned in it. These are the ones mentioned....

    21st mountain regt royal artillery.
    71st field regt royal artillery
    R.E.M.E 16 base workshop??
    R.E.M.E 160 base workshop??
    R.E.M.E 355?

    It says he was..
    "home" 4/12/41 to 4/1/43
    "north africa" 5/1/43 to 26/10/46
    "home" 27/10/46 to 28/10/46
    "release leave" 29/10/46 to 23/12/46
    "o/seas leave" 24/12/46 to 6/2/47
    "reserve" 7/2/47 to 10/2/54

    He recieved the africa star and the italy star too defense medal, which makes me think he was in italy...but doesnt mention italy on records from what i can see. He also recieved the 1st army clasp? I would really love to know more if anyone one can please help.

    more details here

    Name. Charles Henry Townsend
    Army No. 1133385
    DoB. 1/2/1922
    Add. 9 Grant Street, Islington, LONDON
     
    Matthew Townsend, Nov 8, 2018
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  2. Matthew Townsend

    Matthew Townsend New Member

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    Last edited: Nov 8, 2018
    Matthew Townsend, Nov 8, 2018
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  3. Matthew Townsend

    Matthew Townsend New Member

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    Matthew Townsend, Nov 8, 2018
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  4. sonofacameron

    sonofacameron Member

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    His Royal Artillery Attestation from 1941.
     

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    sonofacameron, Nov 9, 2018
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    Matthew Townsend likes this.
  5. Matthew Townsend

    Matthew Townsend New Member

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    Thankyou for that. He died in 1996. I was only 11 years old, so didnt know him that well. He was just my quiet old grampy. He never spoke to us about the war, so was quite suprised when i saw his service record. Very proud of him.
     
    Matthew Townsend, Nov 9, 2018
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  6. Matthew Townsend

    Matthew Townsend New Member

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    Im still looking for info on where his regiment/unit went and what they did if anyone has any info.
     
    Matthew Townsend, Nov 10, 2018
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  7. sonofacameron

    sonofacameron Member

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    There are those that will search and copy the respective war diaries for you. though you might want to join ww2talk, the sister site of here, which is more British and commonwealth orientated. Here for one; Archive Research - www.arcre.com or Drew (Andy) a member on ww2talk.
     
    sonofacameron, Nov 10, 2018
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  8. Matthew Townsend

    Matthew Townsend New Member

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    Thanks again. I will try that again...i tried to sign up the other day but it wouldnt let me.
     
    Matthew Townsend, Nov 10, 2018
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  9. Owen

    Owen O

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    What message did you get on ww2talk when you tried to join ?
    @von Poop or I will look into it.
     
    Owen, Nov 11, 2018
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  10. Matthew Townsend

    Matthew Townsend New Member

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    When i try to sign up it wont let me "confirm im not a robot" when i click on the tick it just tries to load but doesnt accept im not a robot lol. It wont let me continue past that point. Ive tried quite a few times now.
     
    Matthew Townsend, Nov 12, 2018
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  11. Sheldrake

    Sheldrake Member

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    There was no 21st Mountain Regiment.

    He was enlisted into 21st Medium and Heavy training regiment at Larkhill, Wiltshire (Salisbury Plain) 4/12/1941. This looks like his basic training plus special to arm as a gunner rather than driver or signaller. After some 18 weeks he was posted to 1st Mountain Regiment at Criccieth on 5/4/1942 where he joined 451 Mountain Battery.
    Details of 1st Mountain Regiment here. 1st Mountain Regiment, Royal Artillery - 70 Brigade. (Mountain artillery was seen as part of medium and heavy artillery as the techniques were seen as similar. This was a carry over from the old RGA)

    In August 1942 he was posted to 3rd Reserve Medium regiment - possibly after the restructuring of the mountain regiments. He might have been surplus to establishment. This was a holding unit for medium and heavy gunners.

    He was then posted to 71st Field Regiment in September 1942. This regiment of Sheffield territorial soldiers was part of 46th North Midlands Division which served in Tunisia and Italy.
    Sheffield at War

    In April 1983 he transferred to the REME and ended up in 16 Base Workshop. At some point this workshop is based in Naples Italy.

    Hope this helps
     
    Last edited: Nov 12, 2018
    Sheldrake, Nov 12, 2018
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  12. Matthew Townsend

    Matthew Townsend New Member

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    Yes it does, and i appreciate it very much. I now have quite a detailed account of what my gramp got up to during ww2...or at least what his regiment got up to anyway. Me and my family are very proud of him...and my other grandad. He was too young to fight in the war, but he stuck at his paper round even through the blitz!! He lived in london and has some great stories about doodlebugs and stuff he would find the day after an air raid. Hes the only grandparent i have left and i cant wait to show him my other gramps war record now i have the information.

    Thanks again guys!
     
    Matthew Townsend, Nov 12, 2018
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