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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: hunkyhywel on Wednesday 22 May 13 21:23 BST (UK)

Title: Long Range Desert Group / LRDG / "Desert Rats"
Post by: hunkyhywel on Wednesday 22 May 13 21:23 BST (UK)

Is there anywhere or anyway I can find out more about the LRDG's members during WWII? I have a family member who was in the group.

Title: Re: Long Range Desert Group / LRDG / "Desert Rats"
Post by: mmm45 on Wednesday 22 May 13 21:39 BST (UK)

http://www.lrdg.org/LRDG-Photo-gallery(other).htm

Theres some info here.His record will still be with MoD and cost £30 to get a copy

Ady

Title: Re: Long Range Desert Group / LRDG / "Desert Rats"
Post by: hunkyhywel on Wednesday 22 May 13 21:46 BST (UK)

Thanks Ady,
I'm new to Rootschat and only saw your reply by chance; in the future, how would I know if a post has had a reply?

Title: Re: Long Range Desert Group / LRDG / "Desert Rats"
Post by: alanmack on Wednesday 22 May 13 21:50 BST (UK)

Hi Hywel,
            Welcome to Rootschat before I forget. Does your party have a name please? I have limited resources but I'll try to look him up.

Alan

Title: Re: Long Range Desert Group / LRDG / "Desert Rats"
Post by: mmm45 on Wednesday 22 May 13 21:51 BST (UK)

In your profile settings there is a box you can tick that will send you a notification when theres a reply.

Ref LRDG ive read a couple of good accounts on their work true pioneers and a separate role to the SAS in the desert.

Ady

Title: Re: Long Range Desert Group / LRDG / "Desert Rats"
Post by: hunkyhywel on Wednesday 22 May 13 21:54 BST (UK)

His name was Ernest Frank George b.1921 in Wiltshire.
If it helps, I believe that he was involved in Operation Flipper, but this may be untrue.

Title: Re: Long Range Desert Group / LRDG / "Desert Rats"
Post by: alanmack on Saturday 25 May 13 21:25 BST (UK)

Hi Hywel,
         Sorry to be slow in coming back but I've had to do an awful lot of reading! My own limited resources provided no clue so I went to the Library.
 
In a book called "Sting of the Scorpion" by Mike Morgan (pub. 2000) there is a near complete list of the personnel of the LRDG but no one named George. However, tucked away on page 66 in a short passage about the Indian Long Range Squadron (which was part of the LRDG from 1941 to 43) there is mention of a "Signals Sergeant 'Jargesab' George". No christian names or parent unit but might this be him?

PM me if you'd like more details.

Alan

Title: Re: Long Range Desert Group / LRDG / "Desert Rats"
Post by: alison ogorman on Friday 01 May 20 15:00 BST (UK)

Hi there, I'm looking for any information anyone might have about my Uncle Bill who was in the desert rats 8th Army, according to my dad. Unfortunately my uncle bill is no longer with us, I have checked for his name and am sure I found him listed once on a site, William D Smith as Signals, but I can't for the life of me find it again!
Any information would be great
Many thanks

Title: Re: Long Range Desert Group / LRDG / "Desert Rats"
Post by: nanny jan on Friday 01 May 20 16:31 BST (UK)

His service record is with the MOD and not online but you can apply for a copy; cost £30.

www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records 

Title: Re: Long Range Desert Group / LRDG / "Desert Rats"
Post by: pc99 on Friday 01 May 20 21:42 BST (UK)

Hi,
In 1958 there was a book published titled 'The Phantom Major' by Virginia Cowles. It gives an account of many of the exploits of the LRDG and S.A.S. with a list of names of those who took part. The name Smith is shown as taking part in one of the raids but no other detail. It is a good read and I believe that it is still available at Amazon but probably a used copy.
pc99

Title: Re: Long Range Desert Group / LRDG / "Desert Rats"
Post by: alison ogorman on Friday 01 May 20 22:46 BST (UK)

Thank you very much for this I'm going to check the book out on amazon now :) thanks again