Military Chat

A very long shot which I post more in hope than expectation as there are now so few left that might remember an incident that took place about 1944.

My Father, Thomas David Edwards served with the 132nd Welsh Field Brigade Royal Artillery (Army No 883551) and was escorting a column of refugees along an embankment when a German plane started firing on the column, everyone was running for cover and shelter but he dropped to one knee and started firing at the plane, He must have hit the pilot as the plane crashed probably saving numerous lives.
I have no idea if the incident was recorded but it was remembered by another individual in the same regiment (Arthur Smith) but unfortunately he has also now passed away. I would be pleased to receive any information that might be available. Thankyou David L Edwards..

Try the Regimental Museum.

Apply for his Service Records.

https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-records-of-service

Welcome to the boards, David.

As ErikaH says, you can apply for a copy of his service record - which may take many months to arrive.
However, if my father's service record is anything to go by, I fear it is unlikely to give such detail, unless perhaps he was commended for his action.

Where did this take place?

Fold 3 result on Service number search

Full Name
Edwards, T D
Rank Name
Bombardier
Service Number
883551
Authority
A.O. 69/46
Authority Date
1946
Service
British Army
Primary Unit
Royal Field Artillery
Archive Reference
WO102_36
Conflict Period
Other Service
Served For
United Kingdom

award
Territorial Efficiency Medal

No other Medal award recorded.

*** I did have a chuckle at the title of your Post, when you then went on to describe how you father shot down an aircraft !!!!! ***

There are 219 results for Thomas Edwards in London Gazette 1665-2018

Search parameter 1942 +- 5 years


EDIT 24 results for 1944 - None match information being sought

There are no exact matches against your Dads service number at the National Archives website

I was checking to see what War Diaries were available at the National Archives, but unfortunately 1944 was not covered by searching for 132 Regiment or 78 Infantry Division to whom they were attached

Held by: The National Archives, Kew

1941-1943 War Office: Allied Forces, North Africa (British Element): War Diaries, Second World War

WO 175 - ROYAL ARTILLERY

Subsubseries within WO 175 - Field Regiments
Date: 1942 Nov.- 1943 June
Reference: WO 175/337
Description: 132 Regt.

Subsubseries within WO 175 - 78 Infantry Division
Reference: WO 175/170
Description: R.A.
Date: 1942 Nov.- 1943 June

It appears 78 Division landed in Sicily in late 1943....

Italy appears to be the most likely place of his "incident that took place about 1944."

National Archives website

WO 373/90 - North Africa (First Army). 1943-1944. Sicily. 1944-1945. Italy. 1946. North-West Europe 1944-1945.

Reference: WO 373/90/1
Description: WO 373; Mentions in despatches (incomplete series)
Date: 1935-1990

If your Dad had an oak leaf attached to any of his medals, it would mean he had a Mention in Despatches.

The above reference is where you find his MiD if he was recommended

There are only 1073 single page documents to review.......

Although you would except to see a MiD in the Gazette

Hi All,

Thank you very much for your comments. I now wish I had questioned him far more on his time in the services, He, like a lot were involved in WW2, never raised the subject much. and the Plane incident was only mentioned when many years ago I asked about shooting and casualties. He explained that for the most part everyone was shooting blind so had no real idea if they had hit anyone or not, He then mentioned the plane incident as he was the only one firing so was responsible for that.

I have his service records. He was a member of the TA so was enlisted early on 18/05/1938 and released to the Royal Army Reserve on 02/03/1946. He served in the N African campaign before being transferred to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in 1944. He was awarded a Defence and Territorial Efficiency medal, An African star with clasp, an Italy Star and another Star.

I know He served a lot of time in Italy so that might be where the incident took place, but he also spent time in France so Italy is my by best guess. It would appear that that the incident was never formally recorded.

I appreciate the humour of Jinc20. :-) I missed that when I typed it

Thanks again David