Another year passes and the site continues to tick along. The stats aren’t astounding, as I don’t blog and the page is very niche, in fact we only had 233 visitors this year and the majority of those I suspect were disappointed Chinese. If just one person finds it useful that’s enough for me. ThisContinue reading “The site summary for 2024”
Author Archives: 87thantitank
87th RSM Edward Winter
The following is based on content provided by Cathryn, RSM Winter’s granddaughter: “Edward Alex Winter enlisted 30 June 1920 at Winchester as a Guardsman in 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, aged 17. He was chosen to be batman for Crown Prince Hirohito of Japan during his 1921 visit to England. Edward took part in many rifleContinue reading “87th RSM Edward Winter”
The RSM
The 87th website doesn’t get a lot of visitors and very few contact me directly. When they do though, the information is priceless and it helps justify the maintenance of the site. This post is short but I’d just like to acknowledge the one new contact this year and thank Cathryn for the photos. AContinue reading “The RSM”
eBay Photo
I successfully bid for this image of an ‘unknown’ member of 87th. There was no provenance unfortunately, apart from it coming from a house clearance in Rhyl (no other 87th linked items). A fellow Twitter User thinks the inscription says “H Baltham”. There is a service number anyway, 4126766 which I can use for theContinue reading “eBay Photo”
The Walker Brothers
Paul Walker first sent me his research on his father and Uncle’s service a couple of years ago and before I begin this blog entry I’d just like to say thanks to Paul for his patience! All photos via Paul Walker. The four Walker brothers were from Carlton, Nottingham. Frank Walker, Frederick George Walker (Paul’sContinue reading “The Walker Brothers”
Chagford Officers Photo
I took this photo when we visited Freddie Friend in 2014. In my recording of our meeting Freddie remarked that Lt Gray is the only officer not wearing the peaked hat. The image has been resized and flattened to fit this page. This photo and others remain with Freddie’s family. Unfortunately I didn’t feel itContinue reading “Chagford Officers Photo”
Disbandment
87th’s disbandment date is something I’ve written about before because it’s not always recorded correctly. According to the regiment’s last war diary the official disbandment date was 26 June 1944. The documents below include the disbandment order, a directive on what should happen to personnel (including the band) and the programme for the farewell serviceContinue reading “Disbandment”
Freddie Friend
It’s St George’s Day today and a good day to write about Freddie Friend, as it’s his birthday. I was lucky to meet Freddie in 2014, two years before he passed. In his role as secretary of the Torbay branch of the Devonshire & Dorset Regimental Association and 87th Anti-Tank, he communicated with many peopleContinue reading “Freddie Friend”
The IWM Photo Mystery
I’ve been meaning to tackle this for a while. The Imperial War Museum (IWM) photo library contains two images that purport to show 269 Battery, 87th Anti-Tank Regiment in Italy at the Foglia River. The photos are below. 87th Anti-Tank did not deploy to Italy as a combat unit. The band stayed together on disbandmentContinue reading “The IWM Photo Mystery”
Christmas Cards
A few cards from Christmas 43. My grandad’s to his brother (Paul Turner collection) and two from the Walker brothers to Billy’s wife. (Paul Walker collection).
The Walker Brothers
This post is long overdue as I’ve been sat on a treasure trove of information sent by Paul Walker. His father, Frederick George Walker and Fred’s two brothers, Herbert Walker and John William (Billy) Walker all served with 87th Anti-Tank. All survived the war. This post will be updated but firstly here’s another excellent photoContinue reading “The Walker Brothers”
Chagford Memories
Lin Sharland kindly sent me these cuttings from her Dad’s collection describing the unit’s time in Chagford. There’s some great little insight, not least the reference to 87th using French 75mm guns in North Africa. I’m not sure this is correct as my understanding is they were using 6-pdr guns only. They trained on 2-pdrsContinue reading “Chagford Memories”
Freddie Friend and Harry Marsh
When Freddie Friend first recounted the story of Harry Marsh’s death I was slow to react. It was only after meeting him at his home that I decided I could do something to help him and in that sense I was lucky everything came together, with a lot of help from the excellent folk onContinue reading “Freddie Friend and Harry Marsh”
Site News Update
It’s been a bit quiet on the site for a while as I try and work out how to be a father to two children and manage to do anything else. Recently I’ve been contacted by Paul Walker who has kindly sent me a DVD of his research into “The Walker Brothers” which I willContinue reading “Site News Update”
The Chagford Photos
The regiment had a series of photos taken during it’s time in Devon. It’s clear a number of men held copies of these and I’ve featured the ones sent to me on this site. It wasn’t until I received the band photo (below) from Lin Sharland that I had could place the images. All ofContinue reading “The Chagford Photos”
“A Stylish Batsman”
This week I was contacted by Mark Rogers, who is researching men on Worcester’s King’s School war memorial. Lieutenant Thomas Norman Gray is listed on this memorial. Gray was killed with his batman, Gunner Richardson, by enemy shelling at Testour, as they were having breakfast on 4th May 1943. Mark kindly provided the following information:Continue reading ““A Stylish Batsman””
Gunner Marsh’s Unit
Researching granddad’s regiment had two positive outcomes. One was correcting an error in Harry Marsh’s burial records and the second, via the help of the members of ww2talk.com, was putting Freddie Friend in touch with Harry Marsh’s family. I will cover that story in another blog post. Gunner Henry “Harry” Marsh, 4126455, was killed onContinue reading “Gunner Marsh’s Unit”
More Photos
Lin Sharland has kindly sent me more photos of Alfred and Les Jones along with post-war news paper cuttings which I will add soon. Hyderabad Barracks, Colchester, Essex, December 1941. Les Jones is second from left. Original caption: “7th Haytor, Devon Regiment, Bianino near Naples, Italy, 1945. Isle of Thorns, Sussex, May 1940. Les JonesContinue reading “More Photos”
The Band at Carthage
Photo taken during the First Army Thanksgiving Service (likely June 1943) at Carthage Ampitheatre. Photo from the 87th Anti-Tank Regiment War Diaries, July-Dec 1943. National Archives WO 169/9631 Photo numbered BNA 3081.
My Grandfather
My grandfather, Bill Turner, died in 1988. I grew up thinking he was in the Gurkhas. The truth of that little bit of family folklore is that he was more than likely firing guns in support of Gurkhas at some point, likely in Italy. Apparently he had a kukri in the loft, but only myContinue reading “My Grandfather”
87th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery (7th Devons) 