23rd Field Reg. RCA, Sexton Question

[kevinT]

I have just been forwarded the following details by Paul Middleton.
It will be be of interest to some but can anyone add anymore info?
Batterys, WD serials?


23rd Fd Regt RCA, 4th CADiv, Netherlands 08/06/45
AGATHA, coded AC
ARLENE coded AD
CORREEN II codedCB
COLLEEN coded CC
MISS COBURG 36th Bty C Tp
MISS TORONTO 31st Bty
Sexton GPO DARLING coded TLD T-204815
Sexton II DOFFIE coded DD

Thanks to Paul.

Cheers
Kevin

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally Posted by kevinT

It will be be of interest to some but can anyone add anymore info? Batterys

Hi Kevin;

AGATHA, coded AC - No. 3 gun - "A" Troop - 31st Field Battery (Self-Propelled), R.C.A.
ARLENE coded AD - No. 4 gun - "A" Troop - 31st Field Battery (Self-Propelled), R.C.A.
CORREEN II codedCB - No. 2 gun - "C" Troop - 36th Field Battery (Self-Propelled), R.C.A.
COLLEEN coded CC - No. 3 gun - "C" Troop - 36th Field Battery (Self-Propelled), R.C.A.
MISS COBURG 36th Bty C Tp - belongs to 36th Field Battery (Self-Propelled), R.C.A.
MISS TORONTO 31st Bty - belongs to 31st Field Battery (Self-Propelled), R.C.A.
Sexton GPO DARLING coded TLD T-204815 - Troop Leader - "D" Troop - 36th Field Battery (Self-Propelled), R.C.A.
Sexton II DOFFIE coded DD - No. 4 gun - "D" Troop - 36th Field Battery (Self-Propelled), R.C.A.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally Posted by kevinT

Sexton GPO DARLING coded TLD T-204815

Hi Kevin;

CT204815
- was issued to F Sqn, 25th Armd Del Regt (First Cdn Army Del Sqn) on 19 Feb 45 from 164 Veh Pk
- was issued to E Sqn, 25th Armd Del Regt (2 Cdn Corps Del Sqn) on 21 Mar 45 from F Sqn, 25th Armd Del Regt (First Cdn Army Del Sqn)
- was issued to 23rd Fd Regt, RCA on 24 Mar 45 from E Sqn, 25th Armd Del Regt (2 Cdn Corps Del Sqn)

Cheers

[kevinT]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the additional info for my database.
But I have a question.
The WD was sent to me as T204815 not S204815. Were GPO's Sextons (C)T numbers or (C)S numbers?
I see that CS204813 was also isuued to 23rd Field.

Cheers
Kevin

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally Posted by kevinT

But I have a question. The WD was sent to me as T204815 not S204815. Were GPO's Sextons (C)T numbers or (C)S numbers?
I see that CS204813 was also issued to 23rd Field.

Hi Kevin;

Census Number: S204813 - was issued to 23rd Fd Regt, RCA on 14 Jun 44 from F Sqn, 25th Armd Del Regt (First Cdn Army Del Sqn)

I have CT204815 as being a RAM OP, not as a GPO.

Cheers

[kevinT]

Hi Mark,

Do you mean Sexton OP?
I have CS204782 - CS204821 for Sextons
and CT205122 - CT205181 for RAM OP's
Admittedly nothing inbetween and I know that there are odd batches of WD serials that do not "fit" the Chilwell listing.

Cheers
Kevin

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally Posted by kevinT

Do you mean Sexton OP?

Originally Posted by Mark W. Tonner

I have CT204815 as being a RAM OP, not as a GPO.

My mistake Kevin, T204815 was a Sexton GPO with the census number T204815, not CT204815, I had forgotten that I have a photo of the bloody thing ...

Cheers

[Ed Storey]

Here are some heavily half-toned images that I have of 23 Fd Regt Sextons.

[kevinT]

Hello Ed,

Thanks for the photos. A few more names and numbers to my database.
But there are a couple I cannot quite make out any chance you could confirm them for me please?
I cannot make out them WD on the Sexton to the right of ROGER.
S234132 (?) looks like RUSS or ROSS.
Thanks again.

Cheers
Kevin

[Gunner]

Hi Kevin:

To the best of my knowledge, T204815 would not get an "S" as it was not a self propelled gun. If it was converted from a gun to a GPO vehicle then it was re-lettered. If it was built at the factory as a GPO vehicle then it was a "T" from the get go.

I hope you will post all your research when you're done... its invaluable for historians, modellers and restorers alike.

Mike

[kevinT]

With thanks to many for their contributions and advice. So far I have managed to compile the following details of vehicles used by 23rd Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery.

Sherman M4A4 All probably GPO
T147252, T148457, T288695

Ram Mk II GPO
CT205144, CT205151

M7 Priest
S219850 B Troop, 31st Battery, No. 1 Gun

Sexton Mk I GPO
T204815 “DARLING” D Troop, 36th Battery, Troop Leader

Sexton Mk II GPO
S233647, S233651, S234673, S234690, S234749

Sexton Mk II
S233771, S233853, S233918, S233926, S233992, S234076, S234083, S234097, S234132,
S234159, S234161

I also have the following names:-
“AGATHA” A Troop 31st Battery, No. 3 Gun
“ARLENE” A Troop 31st Battery, No. 4 Gun
“COLLEEN” C Troop 36th Battery, No. 2 Gun
“CORREEN II” C Troop 36th Battery, No. 3 Gun
“DOFFIE” D Troop 36th Battery, No. 4 Gun
“MISS COBURG” C Troop 36th Battery
“MISS TORONTO” 31st Battery
“ROGER”

If anyone can add anymore names or WD numbers or perhaps match any of the of the above names and numbers it would be much appreciated.
Thanks again to all for their comments and contributions.

Cheers
Kevin
Son of a Gunner

[Perry Kitson]

Is there a way to determine the WD and serial number from the shop (hull) number. The Sexton I am restoring is missing the data plate, but I have the shop number-2115. If Clive or Kevin has a list with all three sets of numbers, I would be very interested in getting a copy.

Perry