HAA RA

[Niksmum]

Pete thanks for posting the link. It makes for some interesting reading

Irene

[jonny]

Ruthiejane

Not many Mention in Despatches citations still exist I am afraid, but if you had not already done so, I would write off to the MoD and request a copy of your grandfather's service records. It will cost you £30 but is well worth the effort. As an aside, I have compiled a Record of Honour for the Regiment and it shows a '924627 Sergeant Philip Douglas Lyon REME attached 115 HAA Regt - KIA during shelling of 361 Battery on 2 Dec 1944'. The REME fitters were there to service and maintain equipmet and there were not that many of them (I am not sure of the exact establishment, but would estimate 20 or so in a Regiment of this size). As a fellow REME NCO your grandfather would almost certainly have known this man.

If you (or anyone else reading this thread) have any photos appertaining to this unit, I would very much like to get hold of copies please. 

Rgds and thanks in advance

Jonny

[ruthiejane]

Hi Jonny
Thanks for your message. I would love to send off for my grandfathers service records, but it requires a signature from a next of kin. My Grandmother isn't interested and won't sign. I know at sometime in the future my Mum will.

I'm hoping to get to Kew to read the regimental diary during September.

My Grandfather didn't talk very much about what he did, but I know he landed at Normandy. When my sister visited that area before Grandpa died he asked her to take pictures of some of the graves near Juno beach of his friends and comrades but was in tears when he realised he didn't know the names she should look for, only their nicknames.

I know there is menu from a regimental Christmas dinner (1944 or 1945 I can't remember) at my Grandmothers, but I won't be able to take it from her house to scan for a while. It had a Christmas greeting and some signatures on the back. I think any pictures we have only show my Grandfather, but I will look through when I can.

[Pete Keane]

Isnt the headgear in the 2nd photo from a Scottish Regiment?

Pete

[ruthiejane]

Grandpa (Eric Tomlinson) was in REME, but from his certificate which I've detailed above he was with the HAA 115 regiment at least during 1944. He was from Derbyshire if it makes any difference?

[jonny]

GusW,

Did you ever get around to scanning that photo of the Regt, my friend? I would very much like to see it.

Seasons greetings

Jonny

[scrimnet]

Isnt the headgear in the 2nd photo from a Scottish Regiment?

Pete

No mate...Cap, Ridiculous (GS) worn as a beret with economy bakelite  cap badge

[Pete Keane]

Fair enough.

I wonder whose idea it was - not someone who had to wear it I'll bet!

Pete

[JohnRA]

Hi Jonny,

Read with interest your info for Irene about the 115HAA and copied it for further reading & have now joined the forum.

My father was BQMS for the 115 - battery 361 - having started with the TA & posted to the 207th AA Training Regiment in Nov 1940 & then posted to the 361 HAA Battery.

As the 115th Gunnery Training Sergeant he spent time with all 3 batteries.

Like many he did not talk much about his time in Europe but when I was younger did hear some stories from his battery mates who came from the Surrey area whilst still alive.

I think the Falaise pocket was particularly bad for them and from here on up to St Omer.

On a visit to St Omer with him he said that 361 battery had a call to take out a German OP in the St Omer church spire which they did with one round.

Hope this is of interest.

John