Men of Arnhem

[CraigTbone]

Hi All,

I'm currently researching my great granddads WW2 records I have a file which might be of personal interest to any members of family mentioned. It was for the PT Corp who trained the 1st Airborne Division

My Great Granddad was William Prince. I know he escaped from a POW as I have the evasion report index number where he is mentioned I’m in the process of getting the actual report (fingers crossed). If anyone as any other information about the PT corp. in particular my great granddad any help is appreciated.

I'm going to list the 23 members of the corp. for any family members doing searches as it won’t be picked up from the PDF attached. If anyone’s relatives are mentioned on the piece it would be good to know any information they have found.

Thanks Craig Taylor

[CraigTbone]

365433 Bullock C, 2879034 Collie J, 6198713 Connett F,4689266 Cook A G M, 822731 Green TC, 3767430 Harris GW, 5439430 Howse C HR, 2816631 Innnes E, 4749697 Jones GR, 7884764 McKinnon N, 2019034 Mahoney, 2338631 Markey PJ, 1655618 Middleton TW, 5824995 Milsom EA, 4692750 Moreton W, 4073431 Morgan L, 6844927 Nutter E MM, 1551725 O'Halloran E,3524270 Prince W, 3710537 Pugh GE, 4856768 Riches AF, 2040611 Roberts R, 9355502 Snow H E, 4977465 Wain F

[von Poop]

Welcome Craig,
I think it's a very good idea to get lists of personal names up when researching these documents/logs/letters It makes the likelihood of them being picked up by a similarly interested 'Googler' who may have further info much higher.

I've attached those 2 documents for you, (there's some info on how to do it here).

pt corps.jpg craig2.jpg

Good luck,
Adam.

[Philip,ABRG]

I am working on a booklet about the APTC at arnhem which will be hopefully ready end this year

[CraigTbone]

Thanks for the info Adam.
Phillip could i ask if you find anything during you work on the booklet that you let me know.

Regards

Craig

[Philip,ABRG]

I have gathered already most of the information for the booklet, still have to get news for the APTC museum to check for final information-documentation

[CraigTbone]

i have had an update from APTC just thought i would post it to keep it updated

just trying to post it but getting error messages about images confused can anyone help!

[von Poop]

Hi Craig, Just PM-ing you.

[CraigTbone]

DoB: 14.12.1913
Enlisted: Territorial Army on 7.4.1930 in Manchester Regt Royal Artillery and then enlisted for the duration of engagement on 6.9.1939 in the Royal Artillery (trade on enlistment Electrician)
Transferred to APTC: 25.11.1940
Volunteered for Para Troops - parachute course 12.1.1943
Units:
20.12.1940 - 65th HAA Regt RA Orkney
1.6.1941 - 60th HAA Regt RA
(1.1.1941 - 16.5.1941 Orkney and Shetland Defences)
1.10.1941 - 65th HAA Regt RA, Erdington
2.12.1941 - HQPT
12.1.1942 - 95 LAA Regt RA, Aberdeen/Glasgow
1.4.1942 - 95 LAA Regt RA, Ross-shire
1.7.1942 - 135 LAA Regt RA, By Johnstone
5.10.1942 - ASPT, Aldershot
26.10.1942 - 12.12.1942 - South Africa
1.1.1943 - Middle East, Geneifa, 156 Bn Parachute Regt Army Air Corps
10.10.1943 - UK
22.11.1943 - Embarked Taranto
10.12.1943 - Disembarked Liverpool
18.9.1944 - Disembarked Arnhem
25.9.1944 - Missing
15.1.1945 - POW (another record we have in the museum states that he escaped capture twice and was aided by French Resistance Fighters)
24.4.1945 - reported freed by Allied Forces
Spent some time with his family in Manchester on his return to the UK
15.6.1945 - Army School of Physical Training (ASPT), Aldershot
8.8.1945 - 118 Convalescent Depot, Ascot
23.8.1945 - ASPT, Aldershot (reported to Cambridge Hospital for a medical review)
27.8.1945 - 118 Convalescent Depot, Ascot
29.9.1945 - School of PT, Winterbourne
4.12.1951 - Discharged
5.12.1951 - Re-enlisted in TA in 465 HAA Regt RA as Gunner, new Army number 22785162

(Winner 42nd Division Novices Champion Boxing - bantam weight, 1933
and finalist 42nd Division Novices Champion Boxing - bantam weight, 1934)

A letter records that he was wounded in the left leg at Arnhem and after being taken prisoner he escaped twice. On his return to the UK the bullet was still in the old calf wound and was then removed.

There is also a letter from your great-grandfather dated 7.5.1945 telling how SSI Roberts died in his arms. There had been no news of SSI Roberts, CSMI Morgan, CSMI McKinnon and SI Collie and the HQ APTC had asked your grandfather if he knew what had happened to them. As you may know all of them died but your grandfather only knew what had happened to SSI Roberts and CSMI McKinnon who was shot whilst making the descent

[CraigTbone]

I have had an update, WO file and letter. if anyone has any info on the people, story etc i would be gratefull for any help

Thanks Craig