42nd Royal Tank Regiment

[infinityann]

Does anyone out there have relatives who served in the 42nd RTR?  My Grandad served in the tank regiment throughout WWII and we know that he was in 42nd, although I think it was disbanded at some point??  He was an RSM and I feel someone must have some memories/photos of him and his colleagues.  All the family photos have gone missing.  His name was Frederick George 'Chalk' White.

Before joining the regular army he was a member of the TA in Clapham from 1932.

Hope someone can help

Infinityann 

[cpercival]

My Father served with 42 RTR and was captured at Tobruk.  I have some history of the regiment that may be of interest.  how do we get in touch?

[ery-mania]

My Father served with the 42nd RTR from July 1942 with the MEF and then in North West Europe from 12 August until 14 November when it was disbanded and he joined up with the 1st East Riding Yeomanry.

Would appreciate any information.

Jeff

[Rogue16]

My Grandfather also served with 42nd rtr, he was with the MEF and went through North Africa and North West Europe. Before joining the 42nd rtr he also served with an AA TA regiment before the war. I know that the 42nd rtr  was retrained before D-Day with specialised tanks.They joined  General Hobart and the 79th Armoured Division (Hobarts Funnies). Some sqns were given CDL tanks later on before the crossing of the Rhine. These were tanks with searchlights on the turret which were turned on at angles across the the Rhine so the Germans were unable to see the boats in the water approaching. They were in Matilda's and M3 Lee Grants in Africa. They were also given Matilda Scorpions for mine clearing during the battle of El Alamein. My Grandfather was SGT Victor "Tiger" Maytum, he was in C squadron whilst in Africa. My Nan has some photos of him and group photos in Africa in front of the pyramids.

[ery-mania]

Hi

My Father was also with C Sqd 42RTR and I also have a group photo of C Sqd with the Pyramids and Sphinx in the background. I looks like he was serving with your Grandfather at the same time. He was also in NW Europe until 42RTR was disbanded and he was re-assigned to 1st East Riding Yeomary in November 1944. He was a Tank driver of Matilda's and Grants and also was a driver for the CDL. He was driving the DUKW's in the first wave of attack over the Rhine.
Can we connect privately, I am happy to share the photo's of my Father, I have some smaller group photo's and maybe your Grandfather is on those. His name was John (Jack) Hurlstone

[cpercival]

I would be interested in any photos of C squadron pre 1942.  My father was captured at the end of May that year.  I have a group photo of C squadron taken at Warlingham in spring 1940 if anyone is interested.

[Tony2]

Yes; my father served with both 42nd and 44th RTR and I remember him talking about a Sgt White.  I have some letters written to him by Ted Tirbutt, who was 44th RTR after Ted was wounded around 30 th March 1944 and White's name is in it. I will find it and post again. Hope this is some help.

[Tony2]

My father was Eric N Irwin, and I quote a letter to him from Harry [who he?], dated  13.4.45 and written from Ward 4, Routswood Hospital, Newtown Road, Worcester:
"Before I end, I want to thank you, Eric, again for the grand way in which you looked after White and myself.  Getting him out of the tank and then getting us away while the road was still under fire - at least, so my memory tells me. I can only think what a good thing it was that the tank didn't brew, because I couldn't get White out myself.Thank yo more than I can say for what you did.  Cheerio now and all the best.
Sincerely yours
 Harry"

I think the letter is referring to a very nasty fight at the end of March, beginning of April 1945, after which my father was awarded an MC. the 42nd had by then been disbanded and half of the men sent to join with the 44th, with whom they were well acquainted, having fought in the Western Desert with them in 1941 and 1942.

Does anyone out there have relatives who served in the 42nd RTR?  My Grandad served in the tank regiment throughout WWII and we know that he was in 42nd, although I think it was disbanded at some point??  He was an RSM and I feel someone must have some memories/photos of him and his colleagues.  All the family photos have gone missing.  His name was Frederick George 'Chalk' White.

Before joining the regular army he was a member of the TA in Clapham from 1932.

Hope someone can help

Infinityann 

[tokay]

hi
I have just started looking around for info regarding 42RTR.  MY father was a member of the TA at Wandsworth was a tank driver in C squadron. I have a few photos of them in the Libya
 and Warlingham.  His name was Charles Mathews and lived Balham, his brother in law was also an officer there for s short time before transferring to the RAF his name was Basil Deal. Hope this may ring a few bells.