80th (Holding and Training) Reconnaissance Regiment
81st (West Africa) Reconnaissance Regiment
82nd (West Africa) Reconnaissance Regiment
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June 2010 - Please note we currently have a large backlog of submitted material, our volunteers are working through this as quickly as possible and all names, stories and photos will be added to the site.
List of those who served with the Reconnaissance Corps during The Second World War
Francis Arthur Edward "Frank" Olpin Reconnaissance Corps Read his Story.
Sgt Frederick Fitzherbert Harris 53rd Welsh Division Royal Armoured Corps 53 Reconnaissance
I am looking for information on the 53 Reconnaissance Unit which my father was transferred to in January 1941. I know they were attached to the 53rd Welsh Division Royal Armoured Corps Unit on 1st January 1944 and went to Normandy with them. What I am trying to find out is where they were from January 1941 until they were transferred to the Royal Armoured Corps and sent to Normandy. Did they see any action? (particularly in Africa as my late father said he was there) I think they may have been stationed around Maidstone in Kent during these years. I would be grateful for any information anyone has on 53 Reconnaissance.
Sgt Frank Herbert Briant Recconnaisance Corp
I was born on 20th August 1939 and two weeks later my father went to war with the 2nd Battalion. He became a Dunkirk veteran. In March 1941 he was in the Recconnaisance Corp
and later that year he became a sergeant. In 1943 he was in North Africa and in 1944 remained
with 1st Battalion although he transferred to the Royal Armoured Corp. He was later demobbed and in January 1946
drowned off Hengistbury Head with two other mates whilst fishing. As I was only 6 years old at the time I only
have two memories of him therefore my question is very relevant.
I have a newspaper photo taken in the Middle East dated 6th August 1945 which shows a group of Sgts an
S.S.M and a S.Q.M.S The names of these men are:- Sgts Brookes, Kenchington, Scarth, Nelson, Cresswell, Lorryman, Lance, Harding, Stratton,
Briant, Penny, Hancock, Morris, Masterman, Barrison, and Cole.
The SQMS's name is STRIDE and the SSM's name is DENNIS, can anyone tell me more about these men ie personal memories particularly if they involved my father.
There was another photo of my father standing in front of the Sphinx with another soldier but this photo has been lost over the years, does anyone know about that photo?
Trooper Stanley Gibbons 59 RECCE
My mother married Stanley Gibbons on 23rd January 1943 in Leeds. Stanley gives his rank as Trooper 59 R.E.C.C.E. 4543978. I am compiling a family history and wondered if anyone could give me any information about where Stanley may have served during WW2.
Thank you.
Francis Arthur Edward "Frank" Olpin Reconnaissance Corps
My grandfather, Francis Arthur Edward Olpin, known as Frank, used to tell me that he was in the Reconnaissance Corps and was one of the first wave who landed in France; he was parachuted in. He was shot in the back by a French sniper in a graveyard and sent back to the UK where he ended his war years in hospital. He died two years ago, still troubled by his wound (and his memories). He used to say that there were 6 men in his group and he was one of the only survivors.
He was based at Catterick just before he left for France.
He was living in Bristol at the time.
Does anyone know how I can find out exactly which regiment he was in?
I would like to complete his history
Sergeant Thomas " " Gibbings 'B' Squadron
Thomas Gibbings was my Grandfather, he served in the 46th Recce Regt and the R.A.C and as far as I know was at the Salerno Landings and eventually in North Africa. I would dearly love to hear from anyone with any knowledge.
Tpr. Leonard Peter David 10 Troop, B squadron 52 Recce Regiment
Cpl. Herbert " " Hoddy B Sqn. 61st Reconnaissance Regiment. (d. )
My late father, Herbert Hoddy served with the 61st Recce, B Sqn from 1941 and ended the war in Lipstadt in Germany as a Clerk (Sgt.) also serving with 7 Troop, B Sqn 59th Recce and 12 Troop, C Sqn 43rd Recce. I have 300 letters of his sent to my late mother and only read, by me, in 2008. I am compiling a history of the action that he, and many other, saw during WW2 and will be making this public at sometime in the future. I would love to hear from anyone who knew my father or has any info on his regiments.
Sgt. Peter Gardiner 53rd Reconnaissance Regiment
I am the grandson of Sgt Peter Gardiner, who enlisted in the newly activated Reconnaissance Corps 53 Regiment on January 19 1942. He saw action with his unit in France, Holland, Belguim and Germany. I am fortunate enough to hold on to his records from the MOD, as well as personal photographs and stories. I have recently visited Holland, and a city there that was liberated by the 53rd after heavy fighting. I have also found great info from books which talk about their actions.
My granddad was a bricklayer before the war, and what encouraged him to join the Recce Corps was that its soldiers were of the highest standard. Men had to come top on IQ tests before getting in and the press claimed they were as good as the commandos.
My granddad trained at the No 1 Reconnaissance Training Centre at Lochmaben, Scotland before heading down to Catterick. He landed in France in late June. In one incident he was leading a patrol that was recceing some crossroads. He got up on a hill and down below he could see a 88mm Flak gun, with about five Germans firing it unaware that they were being watched. He observed them carefully, and like all proper reconnaissance involved, reported their presence. With dread, he looked at each German through his binoculars then got on the radio to call in an artillery strike. In the next moment he heard the shells come ripping down killing all of those poor Germans and destroying the gun. Smoke was everywhere and what was left was a horrible stench of death and cordite which has never left my granddad since.
He lost his best friend in France too. His name was Sgt Alexander Grant, from Edinburgh just like my granddad. He was a middle-weight boxer in the regiment and my granddad was welter-weight champion. They both used to train together locally when on leave. Does anyone have any more info on Sgt Grant? I will be very grateful for any info anyone has.
Despite witnessing horrible things in the war, my granddad did have some funny stories. In Belgium, during the freezing winter of 1944 'The Battle of the Bulge' as many may recognise it, he was out on another patrol when they came across this old train carriage in the snow. They ripped off planks of wood from it to make a fire, when inside they discovered a stock of wine, cigars and women's fur coats! They were so happy they were smashing the necks off the wine bottles and letting it stream down their faces, but still managing a crate per man. They didn't care much for it though, and started to look for brandy, however I think they got drunk. They put on the women's fur coats and started smoking the cigars! When they got back to their lines like that, the entire regiment must have been laughing!
My granddad was finally discharged from the Recce Corps in 1946, at the time of its disbandment and joined the North Irish Horse until 194... He did win a medal but i'm not sure which one. I would like to find this out.
Please, if anyone has any info could they contact me. Are there any veterans who served in 53 Recce and knew my granddad? Also, does anyone have any information on a man called Paul Rockfeld? He was another friend of my granddad who served in the same unit who died in 1946. All I have is a photograph of him but nothing about his background.This would be kindly appreciated.
Thank you.
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