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Post by fortress on May 30, 2023 12:29:35 GMT
A friends grandfather died recently and while they were sorting out this possessions they found a photo album with pictures of his time in the Army. They know he "drove tanks" and was stationed in Germany, but that`s about it. As I do historical research into the WW 2 air war they have asked if I can use his photos to find out anything else about his service. I think this photo is a big clue as to who he "drove a tank" for and was wondering if anyone can tell where it was taken? Edit Hmm, I can`t seem to work out how to post the photo but It shows a soldier standing in front of a sign outside some barracks that says 6th Royal Tank Regiment
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Post by tankgirl on May 31, 2023 3:27:40 GMT
Hello, why not email your photos to me as I am the 6RTR 'historian', writing their Libya (and maybe later their Suez history) history up. Message me on here too, logging in to do it and see your replies. Give me a name too please, you never know! My email is in one of the 6RTR threads.
Glad you're not just a gawper, frustratingly, like most!
Regards,
TankGirl aka BlueBelle.
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Post by fortress on May 31, 2023 16:03:42 GMT
Thanks for the reply. His name was Terence (Terry) Michael Brown. According the the family he never went to North Africa, though. I`ve just written a long reply and tried uploading an image from a hosting site, but it was rejected as a possible forgery, (which I know it`s not) and deleted the whole message. Another attempt at adding a photo ibb.co/hsS8gJ6
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Post by fortress on May 31, 2023 16:09:02 GMT
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Post by tankgirl on May 31, 2023 19:31:51 GMT
The photo link worked. The scene is Portsmouth Barracks, Munster where 6RTR were located 1952-56 as part of 20 Armd Bde.
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Post by tankgirl on May 31, 2023 19:55:08 GMT
The 'add attachment' tool is non-functional. I now cannot post a photo of 6RTR's sign at Portsmouth Barracks. Admin/site owner asleep it seems and no direct contact to get it fixed.
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Post by tankgirl on May 31, 2023 20:11:51 GMT
A certain 23232505 A/Cpl T Brown was in HQ Sqn with 6RTR at Suez. Is this your fellow? Also there was a Trooper T Brown with 6RTR in Homs, Libya. If there is a Suez or Libya link with your fellow, please connect by email link within these 6RTR threads as I'd like to know more. The group photo you posted has some personnel I can name as they did go to Suez and then on to Libya. Are there any details on the reverse of the group photo?
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Post by fortress on Jun 1, 2023 18:53:13 GMT
I`ve already asked the family if he had been to Suez or Libya, because I had figured out at least part of the Regiment had been there, but they said no. However, they did say he had been to Tunisia, Which is on the north western border with Libya, but I was under the impression that was for a holiday. I will email you if it turns out he did go there, though
I only have access to the album at weekends, What I have at the moment is only photos of the photos, which is why they are not very clear, but have just messaged the grandson, to ask if the is anything written on the back.
Thanks for answering where the photo was taken. There are others of the barracks, one of them taken from one of the buildings, looking back towards the main gate. There is also a scene with what looks like an outdoor swimming pool in the distance.
I know lots about aircraft markings, but next to nothing about tanks, but I believe a lot can be told by those markings?. I wonder if you can help with that?. All the vehicles, jeeps, lorries and armour (Centurions) have a white 52, on possibly a coloured square background. On the rear of the turrets is the number 44 with a small A in the top right corner, another has a small C, bottom right corner next to the 44. I have also read that the first letter of a tanks name is significant. Two of these have the names Hero and Hercules, so H. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
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Post by tankgirl on Jun 2, 2023 3:53:46 GMT
I suggest you inform your fellow to obtain his grandfather's Service Record. He will learn without doubt where and when service was given. I can assure you that if the old fellow was in 6RTR in 1956 and completed his service (NS?) he would have without doubt been called back up as a Z Reservist and sent to Suez with 6RTR...as I've previously suggested to you. Tunisia? Visited on leave perhaps, from Libya....no RTR battalions served or exercised in Tunisia during the mid-1950s and beyond. RTR tank names beginning with the eighth letter of the alphabet, H, were the preserve of the 8th Royal Tank Regiment who moved from Barker Barracks, Paderborn to Portsmouth Barracks, Munster, in March 1956 to take over from 6RTR who then departed for Mooltan Barracks, Tidworth. 6RTR tank names began with the 6th letter of the alphabet, F. Other markings? I know what they were for 6RTR tanks and vehicles but I shall not speculate without full access to the original photos or very hi-res scanned images.... which you should be able to obtain. Their are active RTR regional associations where you may gain extra knowledge. You could also try the RTR RHQ at Bovington, the Tank Museum at Bovington and any of the RTR FB groups. Apart from myself, this forum is as good as dead and generally only gawpers look in without logging-in, without commenting or responding to my posts, not even posters who don't log-in to see or respond to Messages ...your appearance was a welcome surprise. Email please if you wish to draw more from me.... should I know it! Happy and successful researching! BlueBelle
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