Defence Medal missing? Completed

[ptdrifter]

hi Ourbill
Very kind offer.

Dad joined in 1942, and was posted to the 72nd ATK.
I have uploaded the relevant page to

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/fredzhedz/images/posting.jpg

Thanks

Fred

[ptdrifter]

The medal list

[scrimnet]

Oh dear....I forgot to mention....

http://d-daydodgers.com/

[ourbill]

I’ve had a look in two books, I hope I’m not telling things you already know, when I finished writing this and read your post again it is plain that you know where your dad was till the end of the war. Still, I will send it regardless of the fact that you might know these details such as they are from my limited searchings and knowledge of RA.
1.   Orders of Battle by Lt-Col H.F Joslen
2.   the Official History of WW2 Vol. IV by Maj-Gen Playfair

72 A/Tk Regiment
From number 1. There are two references.
a.   The 72 A/Tk was part of the 6th Armoured Division from 1.6.1942 to 31.8.45. As you say the main theatres of operations were UK, North Africa, Italy and Austria. There is also a list of battles, I can send this if you want later.
b.   The other reference is the 6th Support Group which was disbanded in UK        1 June 1942 and was also part of 6th Armd Division.

From number 2. There are three refs.
a.   Concerns fighting in Tunisia in the Kasserine area February 1943. 72 A/Tk is mentioned as being part of the force in the Sbiba area.
b.   This ref. is quite a coincidence. April 1943 in the area of Pichon 6th Armoured Division was part of 9th Corps. In the formations were the 1st Derby Yeomanry, the 51st RTR (less a squadron) my father-in law’s regiment and the 72nd A/Tk Regt. RA.
c.   This ref.  mentions 72nd A/Tk as part of 46th Division in the Djebel bou Kournine area. 1st Army begins the offensive April 1943.

The first book will give the bare outline of Army units and the second book will put some detail. If you can get your hands on a copy of Playfair’s book, IMHO is is worth the read, it is only about the war in North Africa till the defeat of German forces. Have you tried to get the War Diaries of the 72 A/Tk Reg. ?
All this doesn't help much with your Defence Medal but I found it interesting all the same.

[ptdrifter]

Hi ourbill
Thanks for the info. I have only recently got a copy of my Dad's service record, and that only states the countries he served in, no mention of specific actions/battles.  If you do have a list I would appreciate it .
I have not found the war diaries yet.
I will look for a copy of the books you mention, may fill in the gaps. Dad talked very little about the war, we don't even know what he did with his medals, no one ever saw them

Regards
Fred

Modified :  Have been sent this link http://battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/6th_armoured_division.htm

seems to list the battles

[Pels66]

ptdrifter

My father-in-law was also a gunner in the RA with the 1st Army ( George Moore Cooper ), he served in North Africa, France, Germany, Italy, Austria.
He was awarded the North Africa Star with the 1st Army Clasp, France & Germany Star, Italy Star, 39-45 Star and the 39-45 War Medal.

No Defence though, as he served in Europe, however...my Grandfather was in the AFS/NFS all through the war and he was awarded the Defence Medal.

All I know so far is that he was part of 'Torchwood' in North Africa, so I'm hoping to trace his war movements. 

Pels 66