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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: Niksmum on Friday 29 February 08 18:43 GMT (UK)
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My father was in the 115th HAA RA during world war 2 and I would like to find out more about them. I have tried google but cannot find this reg anywhere. Any information would be good.
Thanx
Irene
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Hi Irene
I believe HAA stands for Heavy Anti Aircraft. If you follow this link you can see what they got up to. It even tells you how much ammunition they expended.
http://www.mail-1.connectfree.co.uk/artill1.htm You can search the page (Ctrl F) for "115th"
ken
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:) Hi
I see what you mean, tried googling them under 115th RA Heavy anti-aircraft, and found zilch.
This site did mention a 115 - need to scroll down quite a bit and the number 115 found under Field Regiments:
http://www.rootschat.com/links/02u9/
Hope it opens at the number for you.
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Hi Ken
Thank you so much for finding that I really appreciate it
Hi Atom
Thank you as well for your time, but I believe this is not the right unit as it says Ceylon, India etc. and I know this unit was in the European theatre
I wonder why there is nothing about them on the web??
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Hi Irene
Looks like nobody has contributed toward their activities in WW2 meantime. Still it is always worthwhile trying again after a period of time.
What about their museum! they might be worth getting in touch with to see if they can shed some more light on things for you.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/02ua/
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Hi Atom
Many thanks for the link. I have e mailed the museum and will wait and see what happens.
I have put this at the top of my list of places to visit next time I am in the UK.
Irene
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:) Hi
I see what you mean, tried googling them under 115th RA Heavy anti-aircraft, and found zilch.
This site did mention a 115 - need to scroll down quite a bit and the number 115 found under Field Regiments:
http://www.rootschat.com/links/02u9/
Hope it opens at the number for you.
Hi,
a Field Regiment is not a Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment. Try looking at the research guides on The National Archives web site. www.nationalarchives.gov.uk You should be able to find the Reference to the Regiments War Diaries.
Good Luck
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Hi,
a Field Regiment is not a Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment. Try looking at the research guides on The National Archives web site. www.nationalarchives.gov.uk You should be able to find the Reference to the Regiments War Diaries.
Good Luck
Perfectly aware of this myself
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Irene,
Good afternoon. My grandfather served in the same Regiment. As a serving army officer and someone who has taken a gander through the Regt'l War Diary at Kew, I may be able to assist. What do you need to know?
Rgds
Jonny
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Sorry about that but didn't get that impression.
Hi,
a Field Regiment is not a Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment. Try looking at the research guides on The National Archives web site. www.nationalarchives.gov.uk You should be able to find the Reference to the Regiments War Diaries.
Good Luck
Perfectly aware of this myself
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Hi Jonny
I really would like to know where he was and when. In fact anything you can tell me would be great. Dad never spoke about the war and as we were young when he died we never had the chance to ask.
Irene
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War Diaries for 115 H.A.A. Rgt.
WO 166/2405 Apr.- Dec 1941 -- WO 166/7483 Jan. - Dec 1942 - WO 166/11598 Jan.- Dec 1943
WO 171/1159 Jan - Dec 1944 - WO 171/4922 Jan.- Dec 1945.
WO 166 Are the War Diaries for Home Forces and WO 171 are those for Allied Expeditionary Forces.
So it looks as though the Regiment was in the U.K. until after D.Day.
Hope this helps.
Brian
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Thanks Brian. Any idea how I can get copies of the diaries as I am in the US so a visit to Kew is not possible.
Irene
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To get Kew to copy the Files is usually very expensive.
I make regular visits but from Sunday I am out of the Country for a couple of weeks or I would have copied them for you.
I would think that the two that would be of most interest would be the WO 171 Files which would cover his time overseas.
Brian
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Irene,
You can get copies of the War Diaries but it will not be cheap. I have similar for a RAF Squadron and obtained them on CD, but you are probably talking a few hundred dollars.
My interest starts when my grandfather joined the Regiment in May 1944, so please forgive the lack of information prior to that point. John Henry Hipkins (aka 'Jack') had been Coastal Artillery, but the need for Coastal gunners diminished as the war dragged on and he was re-rolled as an AA Radar Operator. You are probably aware that the 115th Heavy Anti Aircraft (HAA) Regiment was a Territorial Army unit raised for service in the war. It was equipped with the excellent British QF 3.7 inch (94 mm) Anti Aircraft gun, primarily used in the Anti Aircraft role but also capable of engaging ground targets using High Explosive air and ground burst munitions. Broadly speaking the Regiment consisted of a Regimental Headquarters and 3 Batteries (numbered 361, 365 and 367) and like most HAA Regiments at the time was controlled at a very high level i.e. they were Army or Army Group troops and were very rarely commanded by any smaller formation. They used the Tactical Number of ‘169’ on all their vehicles.
The Regiment moved to the Southampton area in May 1944 as part of 74th Anti Aircraft Brigade (AA Bde). They came under temporary command of Southern Command and Regimental Headquarters (RHQ) was located at a house called 'The Walls' in Nursling. In preparation for a deployment to the Continent, all ranks were recalled to the unit on the 3rd August 1944. A total of 36 Officers and 910 Other Ranks (ORs) embarked at the port of Tilbury on the 9th. The ships they boarded were 'SS Ignatius Donelly' (carrying the CO, Adjutant, part of RHQ and 361 Battery), the 'SS Robert Heize' (carrying 365 Bty, part of RHQ and the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) Detachment) and the ‘SS Ocean Strength’ (carrying 367 Bty). The vessels anchored off the town of Graye-sur-mer, Normandy on the 12th and landed across Juno Beach on the 13th of August. On the 26th of the month they were in action around the town of St Julien. On the 29th they came under command of 107th AA Bde, part of 1st Canadian Army, 21st Army Group and were employed in the AA role defending the Normandy beach head. Like most units at this time, they moved around quite a lot, but at various times they defended Caen and were in action around Falaise. With the break out from the beach head in late August, they moved into Belgium and by the 21st of September were in action around Antwerp. At this stage of the war, the Regiment was being used in a dual role; engaging both air and ground targets (the latter mainly in support of Canadian formations). An extract from the War Diary dated 3 Oct 1944, states: “Since the Regiment has been in their present location there has been increasing requests for the engagement of targets by HAA both by Field Artillery and Infantry. Tasks that have been accepted and successfully engaged have been; Harassing Fire, Counter Battery, Barrage, O.P. controlled both by ground and air O.P.” (O.P. standing for Observation Post). Throughout the remainder of the year they were fairly static in Holland and when one understands the operational and tactical situation at the time you can understand why. The following is a transcription of the War Diary and gives a flavour of what they were doing and where:
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1 November 1944: Regiment in action at Oud-Gastel (Brabant), ground targets engaged in support of 49 Division.
3 November 1944: Ground targets engaged by 361 Battery, 32 rounds fired. 361 Battery fired further 32 rounds against enemy re-forming for counter attack. Emergency target engaged in support of 104 US Division. 104 US Division report air burst effective and enemy mortar fire considerably relieved as result.
4 November 1944: Ground targets engaged throughout day.
6 November 1944: Regiment moved to area Fijnaart. Batteries deployed in area. RHQ established in Fijnaart. Ground targets engaged in support 104 US Division and 49 Division.
7 November 1944: Ground targets engaged by 367 Battery throughout day.
8 November 1944: Ground targets engaged by 367 and 365 Batteries throughout the day.
9 November 1944: 361 Battery deployed in support Polish Armd Division.
10 November 1944: Regiment less 361 Battery moved to rest area at Roosendaal. RHQ established at Roosendaal.
11 November 1944: L/Sgt W.H. Cragg killed by bomb whilst in Antwerpen. Gunner H. Bennett of 361 Battery injured by mine. 361 Battery engaged ground target in support Polish Armd Division.
13 November 1944: 361 Battery moved to rest area at Roosendaal.
15 November 1944: Regiment moved to Nijmegen area and took over from 90 HAA Regiment under comd 74 AA Brigade. RHQ established in wood. 361 Battery shelled during occupation of gun position. No casualties.
16 November 1944: 365 Battery fired 12 rounds against ground targets.
19 November 1944: ME 109 flying low engaged by 361 Battery. 17 rounds fired.
20 November 1944: 361 Battery BHQ and gun position subjected to consistent shelling throughout night. BHQ received direct hit, no casualties to personnel. One three ton lorry damaged.
21 November 1944: ME 109 flew low over 361 Battery gun position. Unable to engage. 365 Battery engaged, 2 round fired. 365 Battery engaged ME 262, 26 rounds fired. ME 262 flying out of cloud dropped on 361 Battery gun position. Bomb failed to explode.
26 November 1944: 365 Battery fired 6 rounds against ground target.
1 December 1944: Capt H.W. Plucha was appointed adjudant vice Capt Francis posted to 365 Battery as Battery Captain. H3 ground targets engaged by C. D. E & H Troops 288 rounds fires including airbursts - percussions. 367 Bty fired 126 rounds against ground targets. 361 Battery gun position and BHQ subjected to continuous shelling.
2 December 1944: Shelling of 361 Battery continues and intensified. Sgt Chadwick and Sgt P. Lyon (REME) killed. Considerable damage to vehicles and equipment. Secret telephone line was laid to CBO. Great difficulty was experienced in locating hostile batteries.
3 December 1944: Major E.H. Bigland assumed command of the Regiment during illnes of Lt. Col R.O.E. Eve. E Troop fired 24 rounds against ground targets.
4 December 1944: Shelling of 361 Bty continued. All Transport moved out + BHQ moved, less Bty Comd and BQMS.
5 December 1944: 365 Bty fired 15 rounds for calibration. 367 Bty fired 69 rounds against ground targets.
6 December 1944: Shelling of 361 Bty continued. No further damage of casualties.
7 December 1944: 367 Bty fired 36 rounds against ground targets. 361 Bty moved from present position + occupied new positions.
8 December 1944: F Troop fired 39 rounds against ground targets
9 December 1944: 365 Bty fired 11 rounds as practice ranging from OP. 369 Bty fired 120 rounds against ground targets.
10 December 1944: 365 Bty fired 6 HE Tasks. Expended 40 rounds airbursts and 40 rounds percussions. 367 Bty fired 105 rounds against hostile aircraft. Aircraft dropped bombs in Nijmegen and was afterwards destroyed by fighters. Two ME 262 aircraft engaged by 365 Bty 4 rounds fired.
11 December 1944: HE Tasks fired by 365 Bty as follows 16 rounds airbursts. F Troop fired 40 rounds on HE Tasks.
12 December 1944: 365 Bty fired 16 rounds on HE Tasks.
13 December 1944: E Troop fired 3 rounds against ground targets. 365 Bty fired 6 HE Tasks, 48 rounds fired. 365 Bty fired 8 rounds against ground target. 365 Bty fired 3 HE Tasks, 24 rounds fired. 365 Bty fired 16 rounds on HE Tasks.
14 December 1944: 365 & 367 Bty fired 7 HE Tasks 84 rounds fired.
15 December 1944: 365 Bty fired two rounds only as practice OP ranging owing to poor visibility. F Troop fired 3 rounds against ground targets.
16 December 1944: Lt A.H. Higgins RA proceeded on course to school of Signals Gatwick. 365 & 367 Bty fired 3 HE Tasks, 48 rounds fired. 365 Bty fired 2 HE Tasks, 16 rounds fired. 361 BHQ moved to new location. 365 Bty fired 8 rounds on HE Tasks.
17 December 1944: 365 Bty fired 5 HE Tasks, 20 rounds fired. 365 Bty fired 49 rounds for practice op ranging.
18 December 1944: 365 Bty fired 49 rounds for practice op ranging. 365 & 367 Bty fired 1 HE Task, 64 rounds fired.
19 December 1944: 365 & 367 Btys fired 72 rounds on 3 HE Tasks. Sporadic shelling adjacent to 361 Bty BHQ during night, no damage or casualties.
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20 December 1944: Lt. L.A. Wade proceeded on Radar course to UK. 367 Bty fired 116 rounds against ground targets.
21 December 1944: Information received of many Para Troops and Transport aircraft concentrating in North Holland. Ground defence schemes received and adjacent units contacted with view to coordination. F Troop fired 100 rounds against ground targets.
22 December 1944: F Troop fired 37 rounds against ground target.
23 December 1944: E Troop fired 96 rounds against ground targets (HE Tasks). 365 Bty fired 7
rounds against aircraft, height 3500 ft. B Troop engaged ME 262. Ht 3200 ft Results not known.
24 December 1944: 365 Bty fired 13 rounds at aircraft, heigth 10,000ft.
25 December 1944: Hostile a/c (F.W. 190) engaged at tree-top height by B Troop with Bren gun. A/c was engaged by LAA guns and crashed.
26 December 1944: 361 and 365 Btys engaged ME 262 Ht 30,000. Results not known, 14 rounds fired. B Troop engaged unseen hostile aircraft Ht 3200, fired 32 rounds. JU 88 afterwards reported crashed. Claim submitted for Cat I. 367 Bty engaged unseen hostile aircraft Ht 3200. Results unknown.
27 December 1944: 365 Bty fired 20 rounds as practice O.P. ranging.
29 December 1944: Four Typhoons attacked power station at Nijmegen, four rounds were fired by 365 Bty. Typhoons dived to 800 ft and were escorted away by Spitfires.
Apart from a move to Njmegan, things didn’t really alter that much for the men of 115 HAA Regt in the New Year. They supported various formations during the spring e.g. 3 (Can) Div in February and 49 (West Riding) Div in March and ended the war with the Regimental Rear Party at Njmegan and the Btys at Alkmaar (North of Amsterdam) and Zwartebroek (East of Amtserdam).
I hope this helps in your quest for information.
Rgds
Jonny
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Oh my this is wonderful....thank you sooo much.
I have printed this off and will read it again later when all is quiet. This is a lot to take in and I am amazed that you have done this for me....
Thank you again for your kindness
Irene
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Irene,
You are most welcome. Always happy to help someone interested in this Regiment.
Rgds
Jonny
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I have just recieved this estimate from the National Archives for photocopying the diary
Document(s) to copy Copying cost
WO 171/1159 £681.20
Your instructions Copy all pages in this document
Comments from staff
Copying Process No. of Units Unit Cost Process Cost
A3 Mono. copies (from original documents) 96 £0.45 £43.20
A2 Mono. prints (from digital scans) 116 £5.50 £638.00
Needless to say its waaayyy, waaayyy out of my budget. So I really really thank you all for you help as I would never have been able to get this information
Irene
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Irene,
I fully intend to get back to Kew when I return to the UK and copy some of the war diary. I shall bear you in mind, maam!
Rgds
Jonny
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Hi Jonny / Irene,
My Grandfather also served with this regiment (Capt. James L. Laidlaw) during the war and following recent conversations with my mother she had very little knowledge of where / when he served as he spoke very little about the war to my Mother. So finding this thread has been like striking gold and I would like to thank you for posting this information.
My Mother has a copy of a Regiment photograph that I fully intend to scan and post on here in the near future, It's been a while since I looked at the photo but there are a lot of names on the back of it that just may be of interest to you.
Hope to talk soon,
Angus
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Hi Angus :D
What a wonderful surprise to find another descendant of this regiment.
There is nothing on the web so anyone who can supply information or indeed a photo for us all to share is wonderful.
Thank you for posting and I look forward to seeing your pic.
Irene
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Rootschat at its finest...
Excellent int and contacts
;D ;D
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Hi everyone
I'm delighted to find this thread. My Grandfather served with REME during WW2, and all we have ever known is that he landed in Normandy soon after D-day, and drove a stores van through France and Belgium to the Netherlands. We always suspected there was more to his service than just driving a van, but he didn't really want to tell us. He was Mentioned in Dispatches, but again wouldn't discuss what he did to earn the honour. I found have recently found a certificate which says:
"21st Army Group
7648138 Cpl Tomlinson E
115 HAA WKSPS REME
It has been brought to my notice that you have performed outstanding good service and shown great devotion to duty, during the campaign to France. I award you this certificate, and I have given instructions that this shall be noted in your record of service.
Date 8th December 1944
BL Montgomery
Comander in Chief 21st Army Group"
I'm presuming that 115 HAA means that he served with the Regiment being discussed here. I've asked my sister, who lives in London (I'm up in Wales...) to see if she can get to the NA to have a look at the regimental diary. If anyone finds a mention of Cpl E Tomlinson please do let me know. Apparently he was known as Curly - because he went bald at a very young age!!
Ruth
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Just found this site, includes 115.
http://www.royalartilleryunitsnetherlands1944-1945.com/index.html
ruthiejane - he would have been attached to 115 HAA (RA) , so you are right in following this unit.
Pete
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Thanks Pete
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Pete thanks for posting the link. It makes for some interesting reading
Irene
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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
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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.
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Isnt the headgear in the 2nd photo from a Scottish Regiment?
Pete
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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?
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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
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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
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Fair enough.
I wonder whose idea it was - not someone who had to wear it I'll bet!
Pete
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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
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I've just found this conversation again. I'm still trying to find out what my Grandfather did, and why he was mentioned in dispatches. We will be sending away for his MOD record soon, as my Mum can now sign the paperwork. My Grandmother wouldn't sign so we've had to wait.
My Grandfather talked very little about his experiences but did talk about being holed up in a farmhouse with a Dutch family, playing bridge and drinking illegal calvados while separated from his regiment. No idea when this happened, but believe it may be linked to the Mention in Dispatches. Does anyone have any ideas where or when this may have happened?
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Hi all,
Sorry, I said I was going to dig out the old photos of this regiment but I'm afraid it slipped my mind completely. Next time I'm visiting my mum I'll look them out and try and post photos here.
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Hello,
My grandad was a BDR in 361 Battery of 115 HAA and I was delighted to find this excellent thread - are people still active on here?
Cheers
Ollie
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Hi all,
I’ve finally found the photos I’ve spoken about.
The photo is a regiment photo but seems to be mostly officers.
The regiment commanding officer (CO) is Lt/Col. Nicholson, 2nd in charge Major Bigland, 361 Battery CO is Major Waterfield, 365 Battery CO is Major Forbes Hunter, 367 Battery Major C.E. Wate (or Watt?).
I’ll try and upload photo when I get home to a computer, struggling via the phone.
Regards,
Angus
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115 HAA Regiment, Royal Artillery. Photo is not dated
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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
John,
I've just posted a photo of this regiment, in which there is a man named only as "Q", middle row 11th from left.
Would I be correct in assuming that Q is an army term for BQMS? if so is the man in the centre of this photo your father?
Kind Regards,
Angus
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Q could mean anyone with a quartermaster connection, officer, RQMS and lower.
A
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Thanks for the information Ainslie.
Regards,
Angus
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In this case, 'Q' means Quartermaster. The man in the photo has pips on his shoulder and is therefore an officer (Captain?). He also looks to be older than most, so is probably a former ranker (a Late Entry Officer), which also makes sense.
Many thanks for posting the photo Gus. It certainly looks like a group photo of the officers of the Regiment.
Rgds
Jonny
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Hi GusW,
Received your note about the photo.
All the men in your photo are officers - a BQMS is a Battery Quartermaster Sergeant - each battery was looked after by this person and he was responsible for the battery - he in turn reported to an officer. As I understand batteries were then grouped in three's my father was for battery 361 and with them were batteries 365 and 367. Do not know at present how many guns per battery.
Have a look at www.RoyalArtilleryunitsnetherlands1944-1945.com and look under 115th. It is a Dutch sight and they have listed actions & battery movements thru' Belgium and Holland together with officers and men & casualties. There are some from the 361 who were personally known to my father.
Hope this helps.
JohnA
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My Grandad Alan Gray was in the 115th RA HAA regt and was a gunner. All I know is he was in Holland and Germany during the war. Like so many he never really talked about the war to me, some information came from my mum but very vague. Its good to read everyone else's stories and information.
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Hi all,
I've recently received my grandfather's personnel files which gives a very interesting insight to his time in this regiment. It mentions initial mobilisation in Dunfermline, some time training in Shrivenham before being posted to Stromness in Orkney in 1941/42 then onto embarkation / disembarkation in NW Europe in August 1944 up until he was "moderately / severely" injured in a battlefield accident resulting in a compound fracture of his elbow and lacerations December 1944. Once I decipher all the handwriting I'll share some more information / images.
I've now requested quotes for obtaining the relevant war diaries for his time in the UK and in Europe. hopefully not prohibitively expensive!
Hope you're all well,
Best wishes, Gus