Hi, this the first time i have been on this site so please excuse me if i have posted this request in the wrong place. I am researching my Grandfather Malcolm Elwick, and all the information i have is that he was already in the army Cavalry Reg, and that he was then a Tank Commander and was rescued from the Dunkirk Beach. He lived in Yorkshire and was at one point stationed at Aldershot. Do you think he could have been in the Royal Dragoons? I would be so grateful if anyone can help because as well as researching my family tree my son is also doing a project on my Grandad's part in the WW2. I have enclosed the following photos
I wish you success, Benamore. If you don't get your answer here, try WW2Talk.com. There are a good many Limeys there.
Combined with the presence of Dobbin it does indeed look like 4/7 Royal Dragoon Guards. History and Commanders of 4/7 Royal Dragoon Guards [British Commonwealth] Royal Dragoon Guards Museum and Regimental Association None of the badges are quite distinct enough to be certain though... somewhat typically. Have you any other shots, or scraps of information? Could a service number be dug out? If he is 4/7 DG/RDG they were indeed present with the 1940 BEF, nominally equipped with 28 Light Mk.VIs & 44 carriers. Some shots from IWM collections, there are more if you search for 'Dragoon Guards' and restrict the time period to WW2: DESCRIPTION:Bren gun carrier and Light Tank Mk VI crews of 4/7th Royal Dragoon Guards mount up during an exercise at Bucquoy, 12 January 1940. DESCRIPTION: Light Tank Mk VIs of 4/7th Royal Dragoon Guards during an exercise at Bucquoy, 12 January 1940 And a rather famous shot illustrating the desperate re-equipping post-BEF: DESCRIPTION: The 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, Royal Armoured Corps, parade with their new Standard Beaverette reconnaissance cars, 25 July 1940. Edit: sorry, got locked out before finishing post & cross-posted with Jeff above. I'm no specialist at British Uniforms Ben, as Jeff's mentioned it first I feel safe to say it might well be worth talking to the chaps at WW2 Talk. Cheers, and good luck. Adam.
My moneys on the 4/7 as well, looking at the cap badge compared to other cavalry regiments at the same time period the 1st Kings Dragoons Guards had a kings crown and 7 points and the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards had a scroll underneath and 6 points.
Thank you for all your interest and replies to my questions. I do have other photos but can't seem to upload them, regards, Helen.
The location of the 3rd pic....is the spitting image of the barracks at Weedon the old Napoleonic training depot for cavalry in Northampton... I havent been to many cavalry barracks, but unless they are all designed in similar fashion, that looks like the couryard of the old barracks there.
Mark one eyeball...Ive seen that spot before....The barracks is gone as such now, but plenty of the original building still stand around the village. Ive stood there.