Post
by grimmy » Mon Oct 03, 2011 10:09 am
Hi Spreaders,
Monkey Blacker was initially 'C' Squadron Leader. We know the members of his tank crew because he names them in his autobiography 'Monkey Business': Bert Horrobin (operator), Sam English (driver), 'Oscar' Ward (gunner) and 'Buttons' McGrath (co-driver).
In July 1944 Blacker was promoted to be the Regiment's 2nd in Command, which involved his transfer to HQ Squadron and a change of tank - almost certainly your father's. Blacker's place in 'C' Squadron was taken by Bill Shebbeare, who had just arrived from England having been in charge of the 'Left Out of Battle' (LOB) group.
Although Blacker was disappointed with his move (he regarded 2IC as a 'non-job'), it was a fortunate one. On July 18th, during Operation Goodwood, his old tank took a direct hit on the turret. Shebbeare and Horrobin were killed instantly (Shebbeare was initially listed as 'missing' - no trace of him was ever found); English, Ward and McGrath were badly burned and evacuated back to England.
If your father was with Blacker for 18 months, that would take us to early 1946. This rings true as the Regiment was finally disbanded around this time at Husum (Blacker was now in command of the whole Regiment).
It also makes sense that their tank was 'old' - HQ Squadron tended not to 'mix it' with the enemy so their tanks didn't suffer damage to the same extent as the 'sabre' squadrons.
Unfortunately, Blacker does not mention his crew during this period (indeed he describes the entire advance of the Hussars through Belgium, Holland, Germany to Denmark in a single page!).
Another possible source of info is his 'other' autobiography 'Soldier in the Saddle' which I have just ordered online.
In addition, on November 13th there will be a small gathering of Hussar veterans at Bridlington, starting with a Service of Remembrance at the Parish Church (which houses the Hussars' Roll of Honour). This will be a first for my Dad and I'm hoping there may be another five vets there, plus relatives of men who are no longer with us. You would be very welcome.
Sorry I can't be more helpful with names. At least your father can't have had a better commander than Monkey Blacker.