Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) Preservation Society
We are a group of enthusiasts from around the globe actively researching all aspects of the LRDG. The unit has lots of myths and legends associated with it that we research, and frequently dispel. A major part of the research is into the personnel of the unit, and we have members who have extensive databases on this. If you are looking into your family history you are among friends. There are a significant number of veteran family members who are part of this group. Please post your enquiries with as much detail of the family member as possible, full name, date of birth, Army number, parent unit, and any photographs (we love photographs!), as well as any anecdotes, friends, Patrol, dates of service as this will help track down any details we may have. Please be aware that not everyone who claims to have been in the LRDG was, and that includes the late Christopher Lee!
We operate a broad church, looking at all aspects of the unit, history and operations, vehicles, equipment, navigation, signalling, and desert skills, and include in our ranks researchers, desert expedition leaders, authors, modellers and reproduction vehicles makers. We accept posts on associated units, as long as they have relevance to the LRDG, such as Popski’s Private Army, and the SAS, but please remember this is a group focused on the LRDG!
We also publish a magazine, ‘Tracks’ currently every year, full of a diverse range of information by the leading researchers/writers/authorities of the LRDG. On that point we are extremely lucky to have every significant LRDG author as members, and we also have members that are consultants to the model and film industries, as well as helping many groups and individuals making accurate reproduction LRDG vehicles. The many relatives of veterans add vital details and the personal touch to the LRDG story, as well as copious amounts of anecdotes and photographs.
We are very active and successful with our research, and this, I believe, is down to the overwhelming level of courtesy and respect shown by this group to each other, and their willingness to share their knowledge, information and opinions.
Let's welcome our new members!
Charlie Down - Admin
Click here for our Facebook Group
For more information contact us at: lrdg@prodigy.net
To learn as much as possible about the unit, the men in it and the
equipment and tactics they used. Then to share that information with all whom wish to learn. To
that end this group has built a replica of a classic WWII LRDG truck (1942 Canadian Chevy, right hand drive,
India format) and outfitted it with "historically correct" military equipment, gear, provisions, and
uniforms. The vehicle was
built by Rick Butler in Yreka California from several vintage trucks and parts from around the world.
Converting a left hand drive vehicle to right hand drive was one of many challenges.
The LRDG Preservation Society is the inspiration of Jack Valenti who was the chief historian, coordinator of equipment and artifact procurement and show organizer. The truck is displayed several times a year throughout the California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington areas and staffed by "LRDG clad" volunteers. This is a non-profit organization that survives through its volunteers whom donate equipment, historical information, time and money. Our society includes LRDG enthusiasts from countries like England, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Portugal, South Africa and more. The only requirement for membership is an interest in history, get on the mailing list!
For more information contact Us at: lrdg@prodigy.net
A Brief History of the LRDG
The Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) was a reconnaissance and raiding unit of the British Army during the Second World War. The group was founded in Egypt in June 1940 and was initially called long Range Patrol (LRP). Interestingly, the majority of the men were from New Zealand.
The Long Range Desert Group was the first of the many units of Special Forces raised by the British during the Second World War, and like so many of the later groups came into existence because of the unusual nature of the war in North Africa. On this front the majority of the fighting took place in the narrow coastal strip, with a wide open southern front created by the vast North African deserts. The Long Range Desert Group was formed around a core of men with a great deal of experience of travelling in the desert, and its role was to use the desert to get past the front lines and into the enemies rear areas, where they carried out a mix of reconnaissance and raids.
1942 LRDG Canadian Chevy truck, India variant