Research Forum

WW2 Letter from Royal Artillery
published by Pat Hase on Wed, 01/09/2021 - 9:45

This letter has been found in Weston behind a fireplace. It has lost the signature at the end but I would love to find out who wrote it. Can anyone help with suggestions?

It is probably dated in the 1940s as it later mentions

"when we leave Tidworth we start combined operations training, beach landings etc. - this is the only thing that prevents us being really browned off - the thought of landing on the continent, which I am sure will come off soon"

I contacted the Royal Artillery Museum who sent the attached document but I would like some advice on how to proceed.

Comments ..

Submitted by Pat Hase on Wed, 01/09/2021 - 12:51

This may be a coincidence - but could the writer be Bernard Sinclair CARTER who appears on the 1939 Register at 34 Severn Avenue with his parents and younger sister, Cynthia.

A Bernard CARTER of the Royal Artillery was reposted to LAA in May 1943 which might the year of this letter?

Enlistment to RA

Submitted by gricharduk on Thu, 02/09/2021 - 4:05

Hi Pat,

I hope you are well. A fascinating find - I think you are spot on with Bernard. There is this record of him in the National Archives where a letter of recommendation is sent in support of him applying for a colonial audit post. Fantastically, the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive has digitised the correspondence with the Foreign Office and put this letter online. So, in 1960, he is living at Eastertown, Lympsham, he has a BA in History from London, and has worked in various colonial posts. More importantly, he served with the Royal Artillery during the war and I think "Cranham Corner" is a good clue here. According to this first-hand account from the BBC "WW2 People's War" site, the RA were stationed at Cranham Corner to man anti-aircraft batteries on the Cotswolds.

Lastly, according to this report (p. 16, Lynn Advertiser, 23 September 1932 - see "Terrington St. John"), he was a clever pupil, and it confirms his father (Alphonse Bernard Carter) was also an officer in the civil service (HM Customs and Excise).

I hope this helps,
Richard

Submitted by Pat Hase on Thu, 02/09/2021 - 9:46

That's marvellous! - thank you Richard - That letter from the Foreign Office is a bonus. You've added to what I had found - I am very grateful and let you know the outcome. It was one of our relations who found the original letter so am very pleased to let him know as well.

Submitted by Pat Hase on Thu, 02/09/2021 - 11:15

Great News! We have made contact with a daughter of Bernard Sinclair CARTER who confirms his identity and we will be passing over the letter plus all the supporting research from Richard.