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”
Tag Archives: “87th Anti-Tank”
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”
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”
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”
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.
John Green
Some time ago I found a web entry by Stephen Corcoran about his grandfather, John Green, who served in 7th Devons/87th Anti-Tank. Before joining 7th Battalion, he served in 1/9 Manchester Machine Gun Regiment, then after 87th, 60th Anti-tank Regiment. Stephen sent me the below images. Unfortunately the Troop and Company information is unknown, but theContinue reading “John Green”
Alfred & Leslie Jones
This little blog is already having some success. I’ve been contacted by two people in the last couple of weeks who had family in 7th Devons/87th Anti-Tank. The first is Lin Sharland. Lin’s father, Alfred James Jones (1919-2002, from Teignmouth) and his brother Leslie Frank Jones (1921-2002), were in the regimental band. Both played drums.Continue reading “Alfred & Leslie Jones”
The Wilcox Citation
There are few surviving accounts of 87th’s war in Tunisia. The Devons by Jeremy Taylor offers little beyond the content of the War Diary. What I can find, I will share. The Wilcox citation came from the National Archives. It’s not a great copy, so I will transcribe what I think it says. The GazetteContinue reading “The Wilcox Citation”
10 Platoon, C Coy, 7th Battalion, Devons, 1941
10 Platoon, C Coy, 7th Battalion, Royal Devonshire Regiment. Bulford Camp, 1941. (Photo from the collection of the late Mr Freddie Friend) Back Row Left to Right. W.Clark,J.Mumby,H.Bower,C.Busby,L.Maxwell,C.Jordan. 4Th Row Left to Right. R.Webber,W.Locke,R.Tyler,J.Bulley,R.Smerdon,B. Lorraine,D.Gunter,T. Elton. 3rd Row Left to Right. J.Anderson,E.Pickford,T.Elders,C.Haddrel,L.Locke,E.Uerson(?),D.Jessop,L.Edwards. 2nd Row Left to Right. Cpl. Elison,G.Walker,J.Mollholand, Henry ‘Harry’ Marsh,T.Merrifield,C. Merrifield,L.Febe(?),T.Tweedle. Front RowContinue reading “10 Platoon, C Coy, 7th Battalion, Devons, 1941”
87th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery (7th Devons) 