HAA RA

[ruthiejane]

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?

[GusW]

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.

[olliepears]

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

[GusW]

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

[GusW]

115 HAA Regiment, Royal Artillery.  Photo is not dated

[GusW]

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

[ainslie]

Q could mean anyone with a quartermaster connection, officer, RQMS and lower.
A

[GusW]

Thanks for the information Ainslie.

Regards,
Angus

[jonny]

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