Colin.hardy35 Posted 24 May , 2013 Share Posted 24 May , 2013 In his book 'A Company of Tanks' Watson mentions on page 27 :'Jumbo, my reconnaissance officer'. Can anyone identify Jumbo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 24 May , 2013 Share Posted 24 May , 2013 General Sir Henry Maitland "Jumbo" Wilson was originally commissioned in the Tank Corps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 24 May , 2013 Share Posted 24 May , 2013 I didn't realise that - it does not appear in most biographies http://www.geni.com/people/Field-Marshal-Henry-Maitland-Wilson-1st-Baron-Wilson-GCB-GBE-DSO/6000000015609498038 When did he join the tanks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin.hardy35 Posted 25 May , 2013 Author Share Posted 25 May , 2013 I could not find him in the Tanks either. In 1917 he was a major. This rank is too high for a RO I believe. But thank you for responding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 25 May , 2013 Share Posted 25 May , 2013 I have been trying to identify Jumbo for a number of years with no success either Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 25 May , 2013 Share Posted 25 May , 2013 General Sir Henry Maitland "Jumbo" Wilson was originally commissioned in the Tank Corps Errr ... is this the same Henry Maitland Wilson who was commissioned into the Rifle Brigade in March 1900 (according to O'Moore Creagh and Humphris' DSO 'Bible')? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 25 May , 2013 Share Posted 25 May , 2013 Errrrrrrrmm, Sir Henry Maitland "Jumbo" Wilson born 5th Sept 1881, educated Eton & Sandhurst. 2nd Lt 10/3/00, Lieut. 18/03/01, Captain 2/4/08, Major 1/9/15, Bt Lt. - Col. 1/1/19, Lieut. - Col. 15/6/27, Col. 1/1/28, Brigadier 16/1/34, Maj. - Gen. 30/4/41, F-M 29/12/44. 2nd RB South Africa 1900 - 02, Egypt/India 1902 - 06, 3rd RB Tipperary 1907 - 11. Adjutant Oxford University OTC 1911 -14, BM 48th Inf Brig 1914 - 16, GSO2 41st Div 1916-17, GSO2 XIX Army Corps 1917, GSO 1 NZ Div 1917 - 19, SCS 1919 - 20, Comd Coy RMC 1920 - 24, 2nd RB in UK 1924 - 27, Commanded 1st RB in India 1927 - 30, GSO1 SC Camberley 1930 - 33, Commanded 6 Brigade 1934 - 37, etc. etc., GCB 1944, GBE 1941, DSO 1917 etc. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
17tankman Posted 27 May , 2013 Share Posted 27 May , 2013 I have Capt H S Elton as 1st Battalion RO & 2nd Lt AB Nichols as C - 2 Coy RO, of 1st Battalion. 17tankman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 27 May , 2013 Share Posted 27 May , 2013 Would that be Jumbo Elton, as F/M Sir Henry Maitland "Jumbo" Wilson sure as hell was not in the tank corps despite what someone posted Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin.hardy35 Posted 28 May , 2013 Author Share Posted 28 May , 2013 Thank you, 17tankman. Might I ask your source for these names? Also can anyone identify the (Company?) RO who recced the ground at Achicourt, outside Arras, 8-9th April, into which C Batt. tanks floundered? Apparantly Williams-Ellis, Bgde. RO, turned up afterwards. The various accounts offer different explanations (responsibilities) for the incident. Whilst on the subject of identifying ROs, who was the 'London lawyer', Baker-Carr's first RO when he was appointed to command of C Batt.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
17tankman Posted 31 May , 2013 Share Posted 31 May , 2013 Colin Regimental Diaries 17Tankman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin.hardy35 Posted 31 May , 2013 Author Share Posted 31 May , 2013 Thanks again Tankman. Will descend on TNA soon to view Brigade & Battalion diaries. I find the changing lettering/numbering of the tank units confusing. I thought at Arras Baker-Carr,s brigade was numbered 1. It consisted of two battalions, lettered C & D. C (later it was designated 3) Battalion was largered at the Citadel in Arras. Two of its companies, 8 & 9, then went on the approach march south of Achicourt. Someone (who? The battalion commander?) made the decision to take the short cut across the Crinchon valley. 9 Coy led & six of its tanks ditched. ('Tanks & Trenches' by David Fletcher). Hence I am not clear where Elton's '1st Battalion' figures. I am pursing this since this was the first action when the new ROs were employed & Browne blames the RO (which? Battalion or Company?) for the problem since the recce had been'perfunctory' & this was an 'inexcuseable calamity'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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