Calling all R.A. members, and anyone with possible details

In searching for details to update/add to the main site, I have come across many references to "Locating Batteries".

Were these units "stand alone" or detached from main units.

Help, please, to sort this one out

Paul.

Not sure at all Paul, but I do remember visiting 94 locating battery on ex one time, not much help I know!

Paul,
The Locating Batteries were mostly Independent, but could be part of a
Locating (or Observation) Regiment.
I served in 115 Loc Battery in Dortmund
in early 50s and seem to recall 22(Ind) loc Bty
and 9(Plassey) Loc Bty (part of 94 Loc Regt.
Pip

Pip wrote:

Paul,
The Locating Batteries were mostly Independent, but could be part of a
Locating (or Observation) Regiment.
I served in 115 Loc Battery in Dortmund
in early 50s and seem to recall 22(Ind) loc Bty
and 9(Plassey) Loc Bty (part of 94 Loc Regt.
Pip

Many thanks Pip, for that info.

Do you remember, by any chance, which barracks you were in whilst in Dortmund?

Paul.

Paul,
I feel sure it was "Ubique" Barracks, we shared with Z (ind) Mortar Battery and also
18 Field Ambulance. The Barracks faced what was known then as the Ruhrschnellweg or Westfalendam and playing fields beyond.
Pip

Pip wrote:

Paul,
I feel sure it was "Ubique" Barracks, we shared with Z (ind) Mortar Battery and also
18 Field Ambulance. The Barracks faced what was known then as the Ruhrschnellweg or Westfalendam and playing fields beyond.
Pip

Pip,

The mention of "Z" Battery ties in with another reference I have. The reference shows 115 Battery as being in Dortmund, as was "Z" Battery before they apparently moved to Menden in 1953. Unfortunately no barracks are mentioned.

Were the KOYLI around in your time Pip?

Paul.

In a reference for BAOR in 1951, 115 Battery is part of 2nd Inf Division, based in Dortmund. "Z" Battery is also part of 2nd Inf. 94 (Loc) Regiment (210 and 211 Batteries), coming under HQ BAOR rather than a particular Division or Brigade, is shown as being in Munsterlager moving to Hildesheim in 1955, being reduced to one Battery in May of that year.

A reference for 1956 shows 115 Battery as still being part of 2nd Inf, but location unknown. As for "Z" Battery, it looks as though they became part of 58 Medium Regiment R.A. in 1956 re-roling as a Medium Battery. 94 (Loc) Regiment (112 Battery) is shown as being in Celle, under HQ BAOR.

In 1957, 115 Battery seems to have disappeared, and "Z" Battery is still with 58 Medium Regiment in Menden. 94 (112 Battery) is in Celle, where the Regiment spent the reminder of its life, still under HQ BAOR.

In 1958, 94 is shown as being re-organised to contain 14, 73, 152, and 156 Locating Batteries, and came under 1 AGRA (Field) whose HQ was Hildesheim. "Z" Battery has disappeared from 58 Medium Regiment, fate not known at this time.

That is as far as I can find out at the moment, until I can get my hands on a certain book

There is a photograph of 115 Battery, date unknown, here:-

http://www.servicepals.com/index.cfm/pcms/site.gallery.view_image/imageID/42337/

Paul.

Paul,
Cant remember KOYLI being around then...I have been poring over the 115 photo -can't recognise a single face! May be a bit later than me though.
Pip

During the period 1956-1984, 94 Loc Regt RA was stationed in Taunton Bks, Celle; 29 yrs in total. For the greater part of this period it comprised: RHQ, 57 (Bhurtpore) Loc Bty, 73(Sphinx) Loc Bty, 156 (Inkerman) Loc Bty, Wksps REME and a Stores Sect RAOC.
The Loc Btys were equipped with a Met Tp (AMETS), a Drone Tp and a Sound Ranging Tp.
On deployment, the 3 Loc Btys effectively became independent, moving to support their own Div Artillery (1, 3 and 4 Divs).
I commanded 73 Bty '82-'84 and was present at the Farewell Pde when the Regiment was disbanded into its component parts for re-deployment into what were then called Depth Fire Regiments.

Locator wrote:

During the period 1956-1984, 94 Loc Regt RA was stationed in Taunton Bks, Celle; 29 yrs in total. For the greater part of this period it comprised: RHQ, 57 (Bhurtpore) Loc Bty, 73(Sphinx) Loc Bty, 156 (Inkerman) Loc Bty, Wksps REME and a Stores Sect RAOC.
The Loc Btys were equipped with a Met Tp (AMETS), a Drone Tp and a Sound Ranging Tp.
On deployment, the 3 Loc Btys effectively became independent, moving to support their own Div Artillery (1, 3 and 4 Divs).
I commanded 73 Bty '82-'84 and was present at the Farewell Pde when the Regiment was disbanded into its component parts for re-deployment into what were then called Depth Fire Regiments.

Sir,

You are a gentleman and a scholar, and no offence is meant by my reply/comment.

It adds to the details that the webmaster is trying to collect. Would you have any objection to the details you have given being added to the main site?

Paul.

Pip wrote:

Paul,
I feel sure it was "Ubique" Barracks, we shared with Z (ind) Mortar Battery and also
18 Field Ambulance. The Barracks faced what was known then as the Ruhrschnellweg or Westfalendam and playing fields beyond.
Pip

Pip,

Thank you for your reply, and for taking the time to look at the photograph.

Paul.

Paul wrote:

In searching for details to update/add to the main site, I have come across many references to "Locating Batteries".

Were these units "stand alone" or detached from main units.

Help, please, to sort this one out

Paul.

Thank you Paul and Pip .At last my old regiment, 58 MEDIUM REGT has been mentioned on the net.I served in this regiment in 1958/59,which is when they were disbanded.Yes they were in Northumberland Barracks,Menden.
RHQ,118 Battery,175 Battery and Z Battery. All were medium batteries.115 Locating battery were also in the same barracks.Are there any old members out there somewhere??????

Paul wrote:

In searching for details to update/add to the main site, I have come across many references to "Locating Batteries".

Were these units "stand alone" or detached from main units.

Help, please, to sort this one out

Paul.

See my posts yesterday and today:58 Medium and Northumberland Barracks
signed Locating

Paul wrote:

In a reference for BAOR in 1951, 115 Battery is part of 2nd Inf Division, based in Dortmund. "Z" Battery is also part of 2nd Inf. 94 (Loc) Regiment (210 and 211 Batteries), coming under HQ BAOR rather than a particular Division or Brigade, is shown as being in Munsterlager moving to Hildesheim in 1955, being reduced to one Battery in May of that year.

A reference for 1956 shows 115 Battery as still being part of 2nd Inf, but location unknown. As for "Z" Battery, it looks as though they became part of 58 Medium Regiment R.A. in 1956 re-roling as a Medium Battery. 94 (Loc) Regiment (112 Battery) is shown as being in Celle, under HQ BAOR.

In 1957, 115 Battery seems to have disappeared, and "Z" Battery is still with 58 Medium Regiment in Menden. 94 (112 Battery) is in Celle, where the Regiment spent the reminder of its life, still under HQ BAOR.

In 1958, 94 is shown as being re-organised to contain 14, 73, 152, and 156 Locating Batteries, and came under 1 AGRA (Field) whose HQ was Hildesheim. "Z" Battery has disappeared from 58 Medium Regiment, fate not known at this time.

That is as far as I can find out at the moment, until I can get my hands on a certain book

There is a photograph of 115 Battery, date unknown, here:-

http://www.servicepals.com/index.cfm/pcms/site.gallery.view_image/imageID/42337/

Paul.

[quote]Dear Paul,
115 Locating Bty was in Menden when I was posted there in Feb/March 1958. CO Major Fraser Scott. We wore the 2 Division flash of Cross Keys.
Merger with 94 Locating Regiment was mooted a while later than my arrival. I have a vague idea that I heard of it first in 1959 ( but they would hardly have been consulting me!).
I recall not fancying having to swap the Keys for the Spear of 1 BR Corps. Nor did I fancy moving from comfortable Menden to Celle (unkknown or almost unknown to me)! I sensed that an agreeable life under the leadership of Major Scott could well come to an end.
Anyway 115 did join 94 and we did replace our flashes. I do not recall knowing (before I was demobbed in September 1959) that the battery would definitely move to Celle.
Best Regards. Locating

Paul wrote:

In a reference for BAOR in 1951, 115 Battery is part of 2nd Inf Division, based in Dortmund. "Z" Battery is also part of 2nd Inf. 94 (Loc) Regiment (210 and 211 Batteries), coming under HQ BAOR rather than a particular Division or Brigade, is shown as being in Munsterlager moving to Hildesheim in 1955, being reduced to one Battery in May of that year.

A reference for 1956 shows 115 Battery as still being part of 2nd Inf, but location unknown. As for "Z" Battery, it looks as though they became part of 58 Medium Regiment R.A. in 1956 re-roling as a Medium Battery. 94 (Loc) Regiment (112 Battery) is shown as being in Celle, under HQ BAOR.

In 1957, 115 Battery seems to have disappeared, and "Z" Battery is still with 58 Medium Regiment in Menden. 94 (112 Battery) is in Celle, where the Regiment spent the reminder of its life, still under HQ BAOR.

In 1958, 94 is shown as being re-organised to contain 14, 73, 152, and 156 Locating Batteries, and came under 1 AGRA (Field) whose HQ was Hildesheim. "Z" Battery has disappeared from 58 Medium Regiment, fate not known at this time.

That is as far as I can find out at the moment, until I can get my hands on a certain book

There is a photograph of 115 Battery, date unknown, here:-

http://www.servicepals.com/index.cfm/pcms/site.gallery.view_image/imageID/42337/

Paul.

I tried to access the photo but got the response "page does not exist". Have you another reference? I would like to see whether I recognise anyone. Best wishes
Locating

Hi Paul,
I served in 94 locating Regt RA from 1963-1968.I was in 73 Sphinx Bty,a sound ranging Bty.
I run a website at http://94regtra.multiply.com/.Please feel free to have a look.
All the best,
Denis.

Just checked out your site Denis .. priceless video of little guy saluting the Canadian troops ..

Len (Ciphers)

Very nice Denis!

Well done Canada, that kid will remember that for the rest of his life.

Denis,

I've just been looking through your photos.
That picture "Robert Radars". They look like Command Post RA Saracens that the radar is mounted on, is that right?
Does that radar belong in the same family as Green Archer and Cymbeline?
I was around in that era and have never seen those before.

brum

Hi Brum,
Sorry can't help you on that one mate,I was with the sound ranger Bty.If you care to leave a message in the guest book on my site I am sure one of our members will be able to help you.
All the best,
Denis.

Cheers

Hi guys,

I`ve been reading your posts, in relation to Z battery, and if permitted, would offer my two-pennyworth, and support (Pip) on this one.

For i also recall Z battery as being in West Riding, though be it to the bottom of the bank. Which is where, "Ubique barracks" were located.

For what it`s worth, Abu Clare Battery, was also down that way, although they formed part of 45th Field/Reg R/A. I seem also to recall `that the shoulder flash, as worn by the Z battery independent troupe, was in the shape of a "triangle" and coloured red.

`Pip` when i read your descriptive comment, which you described as the outlying area to Ubique barracks, i could not have been more surprised, (Ruhrschnellweg) i take it to have been the tramlines, to which you were relating. If so, there are a number of pictures, of the same tramlines on various Web-sites, in particular that of "Ubique Barracks".

I also have two or three, including the junction, and that of the tramcars, as ran upon them.

Stitch,

Denis....liked the clip of the little Belgian kid in his kilt and (if I can make it out correctly, Canadian battle dress jacket) saluting Canadian troops. I especially thought it priceless the Sgt. Major (?) returned his salute!

And, I agree, while the boy is perhaps 4 or 5 years old, maybe 6, that few moments will likely be ones he will always remember.

With respect Stephen and not wishing to be pedantic, I don't think the lad is wearing a replica of a Canadian battledress jacket. I'm sure one of our Scottish contributors can help with the tartan of his kilt, (Cameronians?) but I don't see the famous Canadian "Red Patch" on his sleeve.
All that said, it's a magical clip and one that can only increase my respect for the Canadians.

brum

I think the regiment is the 48 Highlanders of Canada although it is a bit difficult to distinguish the tunic titles ..

Len(Ciphers)