Research Assistance
Request to Members
Richard Burgess writes:
Over the last few years I have been doing a lot of research
and interviews in advance of a book I have been slowly putting together. It is
relative to an early detection radio and searchlight position near my village
as well as the general anti-aircraft defences of the Thames mouth including
Luftwaffe routes into the East End of London. As such I am very interested
in any information that colleagues or some of the more hard core historians may
be able to provide on the following detachments:
• 82nd Heavy
Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA – Particularly TN5 stationed at Belfair’s Farm (in
particular)
• 459 Essex HAA
Regiment RA (TA)
• 193 AA Battery
(Part of 59th Essex TA)
The time period is WW2 and I am particularly interested to
procure any evidence of wireless stations attached to searchlight and
anti-aircraft batteries, particularly in the vicinity of Belfairs Farm locus in
the Castle Point and Leigh-on-Sea districts of Essex. I am aware that all of
the TA searchlight units were transferred to the Royal Artillery (RA) in August
1940 and the general formation of the units etc. It is specific detail I am
looking for, including individual accounts. Battalion diaries are quite
difficult to research (although I will go back to Kew soonest) due to the
territorial nature of much of the regiment.
Bosworth Validation Event
Chris Finn writes:
Validation Weekend 12 & 13 September 2015. Because
of MoDs new policies on using their estate for "non-core" business we
cannot hold a validation event at RAFC Cranwell. Instead there will be a
Validation Weekend based at the Bosworth Hall Hotel on the same weekend.
The cost will be £120 per head, and cover all facilities, one nights accommodation,
meals from Saturday lunch to Sunday breakfast and refreshments during the
weekend. We also hope to be able to visit the "new" Bosworth
battlefield site on the Saturday afternoon. This will now be the autumn
validation event to fill the gap left by the delayed AGM and the November
validation event held in reserve. Will those who wish to attend this event
please let me know ASAP as we have to finalize a contract with the hotel.
Best Regards
Tony Smith
Guild Secretary
International Guild
of Battlefield Guides
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