Information re 743 Company RASC - Normandy & 45 Company RASC after the Conflict

[Celticwrestler]

I am trying to find out information about my wife's father. He served with 743 Company RASC (TIPPER). Posted to Normandy in July 1944 until the end of conflict, returned to England in 1946, posted to Austria and Italy 45 Company GT. Then to York 22nd September 1947

Name: John R Wood
Service number: T/14711338

Any information on what the unit did in Normandy would be much appreciated or can someone help me to find the coys or his records. I have tried the internet but keep drawing a blank.

[nanny jan]

Hi,

Welcome to Rootschat. 

His records will be held by the MOD and not available on line; here's a link to a post by millymcb which gives details of how to apply:

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=651361.0

If he or his wife are still living then the records are free, others pay £30. 

[MaxD]

As far as unit records go, there are three war diaries for 743 Coy at the National Archives covering D Day to the end of the conflict. http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_aq=743%20coy&_nq1=engineers&_nq2=sheet&_cr=WO&_dss=range&_ro=any&_st=adv
They have not been digitised so you need to visit or have them copied. There is no diary for the 45 General Transport Company time.
MaxD

[Celticwrestler]

Nanny Jan and MaxD,

Thank you for your prompt replies which I have found very helpfull. I will follow up both leads.

 

[MaxD]

I have sent a PM.

MaxD

[Vintageangler]

A little late with this reply, I have the War Diary of the 743 Coy. from mid 1944 to 1946.
My father was transferred from a searchlight Coy of the RA to the RASC in mid 1944. I think that would have been at the formation of the Coy,and with the reduction in air raids men were more need to support the imminent invasion.

The Coy spent a month or so waterproofing vehicles, and were sent to Juno beach, arriving on 14th July. 204 vehicles, 40 m/cycles, 390 other ranks and 10 officers.
Form then on they spent much of the time rebuilding roads and supply other units .There seems to have been 4 platoons, and the locations and tasks differed day by day.
 The Coy seems to have been in support through Lille, Amiens into Belgium, on the the docks at Antwerp, and into Germany, Brunswick and Berlin.

I hope this helps,although late. The full story is in the diaries.

Vintageangler (Duncan)

[MaxD]

Welcome to Rootschat!

You reply will be useful I am sure to celticwrestler if they haven't already got the diaries.

MaxD