Royal Artillery, 40 th Survey Regiment

[bleckie]

Hi All

As promised 1944 Christmas Card from Sally

Yours Aye
BruceL

[Nutley]

Thank you Bruce for posting the Christmas Cards.

I have discovered that there are more drawings by Frank Reynolds. All of which relate to the 2nd Survey Regiment and include such things as a drawing of a Christmas Lunch 1944, scenes from the troop ship etc. I found the complete listing at The National Army museum.
www.nam.ac.uk/inventory/objects/results.php?shortDescription

However, there are no images on line. I have E Mailed them so hopefully will get a response soon.
All the entries, it would appear have originated from "The Burma Memorial Collection".
I have E Mailed the Burma Star Association to see if they have copies.

I have a feeling though that the material is now kept at "The School of Oriental & African Studies at The University of London". I found it very difficult to make head nor tale of their web site, but, it does seem evident that detailed information is not available to the Public on line.

Meanwhile, I contacted the Gentleman who the author of "Larkhills" suggested I contacted. He has replied, but has had a spell in hospital and has just returned home and feeling a little below par, he has promised to get back to me later when he feels a little brighter.

 Spikey, you are right. Evidently my Father did correspond with Massimo Mangilli - amazing. The acknowledgements in the book make this very clear.

So , all a little frustrating as far as making headway in my research. But, I am not one to give up. 

Sally

 

[Ellac]

Hi

I know it's some time since the last post, but my grandad was Frank Reynolds, and the drawings are amazing! He was a commercial artist and the survey corps used his drawing talents to assist in maps and surveying.

He described to me (he didn't speak about much of the War) the outpost huts where the surveyors were based (ahead of enemy lines) that were basically mud huts with sharpened bamboo sticks pointing out.  There is a picture of this, exactly as he described. 

He said that he was ahead of his own 'line' mapping out transport routes, and to get to the huts, the African guides (May be Kenyan?) went barefoot and kept their army issue boots around their necks to keep them dry!

Because they didn't have all the colours, or good/spare paper, the drawings are on odd pieces and shapes and all have the stamp on them to approve them.

I'll try and upload one in the next few days - there are about fifty wartime drawings I think,

We did speak to the Burma Star / Imp War Museum etc but they weren't interested.... I guess they have a lot of pictures.... Burma always seems a forgotten part of the War (grandad was very cross about that too) he died a few years ago, so we are keen to keep this unforgotten.

Ella

[Ellac]

P.s.!

A couple of drawings were put into a book 'The Nomadic Soldier' by Cliff Russell

[Drew5233]

Just read the intro. on the book. Very interesting because I know my Dad was at Imphal. It would appear that my Father must have been in 1 or 2 survey groups. I wonder when the author of unithistories.com got the 40th survey regiment from?

Sally

Here's a list of his units war diaries from WW2. They are available to view or copy at the National Archives and he should be well documented in the files being an officer.

WO 166/1970 ROYAL ARTILLERY: SURVEY REGIMENTS: 2 Survey Regiment. 1940 July- 1941 Dec.
WO 166/7262 ROYAL ARTILLERY: SURVEY REGIMENTS: 2 Regiment. 1942 Jan.- Dec.
WO 166/11483 2 Regiment 1943 Jan., Feb.
WO 167/572 2 Survey Regiment Royal Artillery 1939 Sept.-1940 June
WO 169/9432 2 Survey Regiment 1943 Dec
WO 172/2401 Survey Regiments: 2 Survey Regiment 1943 Mar.- Dec.
WO 172/4751 Survey Regiments: 2 Regiment 1944 Jan.-Dec.
WO 172/7493 Survey Regiment: 2 Regiment 1945 Jan.- Dec.
WO 172/10124 2 Survey Regiment 1946 Jan.- Sept.

[Nutley]

Hello Ella and Drew, isn't it great when you stumble across a link to your family. Amazing your Grandfather was Frank Reynolds. I contacted The National Army Museum some time ago and they do have quite a number of your Grandfather's drawings - they are under copy right for years. The museum in Chelsea is currently undergoing a major refurbishment, once completed the drawings can be viewed but alas not on line.

Drew, I assume this is also the case with my Father's unit's war diaries. I suppose the only way I can see them is by going to Kew in person. Thanks so much for giving me the reference numbers. If I get over to Kew can I then take copies? Any idea if and when the information would be available on line?

[Spikey68]

Hi Sally

The files haven't been digitised but they are available to view at TNA in person. The procedure for a first visit is:

1) Get a Readers Ticket. You go upto the 2nd floor, and fill out a form. When presented at the desk, they take a photo and print out the card right there. You will need to take two pieces of ID with you.

2) Once you have the Ticket you can request the files. That is on the 1st floor and the reception desk are very helpful. The files take upto 45 mins to arrive but you can order upto 6 files at any one time. Once you return a file you can order another. So one can get through quite a few files if one gets the rhythm right.

3) When you order the files you want, you are asked to choose a table. Pick one with a camera stand. The stands use the universal camera screw and you can set it up so that you don't have to hold the camera. I've gotten excellent results using a simple point and shoot that has a 4x zoom.

4) Try to go on a Tuesday or Thursday.....they are open till 7 rather than 5. You'd be amazed how much one can get done in two extra hours.

5) Take sammies and snacks. The canteen isn't exactly cheap and there aren't any shops that close.

6) Take pencils (without erasers). They don't like pens.

[Drew5233]

Alternatively you could ask the National Archives to copy any of the files for you although their current rate is over £1.00 per page or you could commission me to copy any of them for you at 10p per page.

Spikey you can only order 3 files at a time up to a maximum of 21 files at anyone time in your locker. They are currently running around 60 to 70 minutes to deliver files.

Any questions about Kew just ask....I'm there most weeks doing research.

Cheers
Andy

[Spikey68]

Hi Andy

I was there last Thursday, and I was allowed up to 6 files. Admittedly, I already have a readers' ticket, so I pre-ordered the first batch of files online the day before. But this was only my second visit, and I remember being able to order 6 the first time too, back in Feb.

As for the waiting times, I suppose it depends on the files. All mine were AIR 29 files, and infact arrived within 20 mins. But I suppose it depends upon how busy they are and how obscure the files.