69th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

[Greaves]

I know that in the summer of 1943 the above unit was stationed in Monmouthshire, Wales. Can anyone suggest how I can find out more about this unit and its activities during WW2.

[Drew5233]

These are all the regimental war diaries held at the National Archives in London. If you can't get there and would like any copying drop me a message.

WO 166/1495 ROYAL ARTILLERY: FIELD REGIMENTS: 69 Field Regiment.  1939 Aug.- 1940 May
WO 176/324 ICELAND: Royal Artillery: 69 Field Regiment. 1940 July-1942 Aug.
WO 166/6990 ROYAL ARTILLERY: FIELD REGIMENTS: 69 Regiment.  1942 Sept.- Dec.
WO 166/11273 69 Field Regiment 1943 Jan.-Dec.
WO 171/974 69 Field Regiment 1944 Jan.- Dec.
WO 171/4820 69 Field Regiment 1945 Jan.- Dec.
WO 171/9063 69 Field Regiment 1946 Jan.- June

Cheers
Andy

[Drew5233]

Here's the May 1943 diary recording when they arrived in Monmouth


https://imageshack.com/i/f00Vf0tWj

[Greaves]

Many thanks for the suggestion. Are these available online? Or is a visit to TNA necessary?

I would take you up on your suggestion, but I'm not sure what I am looking for. I really just want to know what my father was up to during WW2. I know he was with the regiment in July 1943 whilst it was stationed in Monmouth, but have no idea when he joined or whether he saw active service overseas.

[Regorian]

69 Field Regiment RA was unit of 49 (West Riding) Inf Divivision. In Iceland for 2 years 1940 to 1942, so Monmouth deployment on return. Under 49ID 9/39 to 6/40 and then 9/42 to 8/45. The gap was the Iceland deployment.

49ID Theatres: UK 9/39 to 4/40; and again 8/42 to 6/44; Normandy and North West Europe 6/44 to 8/45. 

[Drew5233]

The diaries aren't available online - You have to go to London to see them in person or alternatively you could get someone to copy them for you. The National Archives charge around £1.25 per page. Off the top of my head I have around half of the diaries I listed above already.

If you are unsure how long your man was with the regiment your first port of call with all WW2 soldiers that are being researched is to get a copy of his original service records from the MoD at a cost of £30.

Moderator comment. Post edited. Please remember that Rootschat is a free genealogy forum and it is not appropriate to solicit payment for research

[Drew5233]

As a rough guide to help you regarding the war diary ref's

WO 166 are units that were in the UK
WO 171 were units serving in North West Europe
WO 176 are various smaller theatres in the case of this regiment Iceland.

Looking at the refs the Regiment was still in Europe in 1946 for sometime so they would have been BAOR British Army on Rhine.

Good luck with your research and shout if I can be of further assistance.
Andy