"A" Force in the desert WW2

Im not sure how many men were in A Force but I dont seem to be able to find details of names or numbers. I can understand if they kept this hidden but Id have thought there would be some details somewhere?

 

Might be worth contacting - The Military Intelligence Museum - Sharing the secret

Searching The National Archives for 'War Diaries' may provide some answers to your last question - see post #7. There are members on here who regularly visit Kew and can copy documents for very good prices.

It might be worth re photoing the documents and reposting, they are a little difficult to read clearly and most of us are 'old' - thanks
TD

 

Ive tried to blow the pics photos up a bit, hopefully that may be easier to read....Im going to update my dad about how we are getting along on here. As a family we are grateful for what we've learnt so far and would welcome any more info. I cant imagine there are any secrets to be kept concerning this work after such a period of time?
Thanks again Ron

 

Ive sent an e mail off the the Military Intel Museum. If I get a reply Ill keep you posted.

 

I would not bet on that

Most of what you need to do now is follow up on every lead you have, search the TNA for diaries and perhaps some of the top men even wrote private diaries or papers on their time. Need to put on your Sherlock Holmes hat and cloak

TD

 

OK TD
Thanks and hope I havent said too much already!
Ron

 

Hi,

Did you get his papers from MOD or RHQ CG?

Did you get any forms B103 or any other papers?

Steve Y

PS

Best bet for No Dishonourable Name book if you are UK based is an inter library loan as it is out of print I think.

PPS

By coincidence my father "dipped his toe" into Military Service by joining Border Regiment TA on the same day your gf enlisted CG.

The 3 month emergency deployment to Palestine from UK in late 1936 was considered a "holiday" as by the time they arrived after a 10 day sea trip the "local difficulties" - Jewish unrest - had passed.

No so during the 6 month deployment from Egypt in mid Oct 1937. Within a week 3rd CG suffered casualties during their 3 day operation to occupy the "old city" of Jerusalem. - sniper fire from Arabs hidden in the Mosque minarets . They suffered further casualties elsewhere in Palestine. My father went on a 50th anniversary return trip with 3rd CG colleagues in 1988.

 

Thanks Steve,,I got my grandads service papers direct from the CG. I am in the UK.
Theres clearly still a shroud of mystery surrounding their work after all this time. Great stuff!

 

Hi Ron,

As CG papers you've posted are stamped "certified copy" - and if you haven't got any B103 forms or a stamp on the attestation papers you've posted indicating his WW2 Medal entitlement I would suggest that there are likely further papers held by MOD at Glasgow.

It was the norm when a soldier transferred out of a Foot Guards Regiment that his original papers went with him and after his service those updated papers for the whole of his service would be held by MOD.

If you paid for CG papers I would still apply to MOD - enclosing covering letter you likely got from RHQ CG - and ask for any papers MOD hold (which will cover his whole service). I woukd enclose covering letter with the application form and point out to MOD that you have already paid CG and ask that their usual £30 fee is waived.

Good Luck

Steve Y

 

Hi Ron,

Your "Disellers" is likely Count P F De Sallis - served as Captain in 3rd CG. He was Transport officer in HQ Company 3rd CG Sept 1939.

Here is a link to CG Order of Battle in WW2 - you may see other names you recognise in 3rd CG lists

Orbats: Coldstream Guards

Steve Y

 

Brilliant,,Thanks Steve,,Im going to have a look through my grandads stuff again tonight. There's a great pic of them dug in with what I think is a Lewis gun. I have some great memories from our chats and some of the accounts he gave but there were plenty of things he wouldnt mention. Still havent found any other A Force members..
PS,,Thanks for the info about approaching the M.O.D. I have a few lines of enquiry now. Wished I had all of this available before my grandad died.

 

Ron,

Photo of my Dad in Palestine early 1939 with covered Lewis gun - the latter CSM Peter Wright VC in the background.

CSM 2657545 Peter Wright VC, 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards

Steve

 

Ive found a photo in my grandads stuff of 3rd Batt Coldstream guards at Pirbright camp 16/11/1937. Full parade.
I have a "Tobruk truth" also which I believe was a newsletter they produced whilst under siege.
Theres a letter from Major General DAG some silk maps of course medals and loads more. Im pleased to have gone through some of these things again

 

Hi Ron,

I for one would like to see it....taken a week before they sailed for Egypt.

Steve

 

Do you know if there are any links between A Force and the SAS in the desert or where this can be found?
Would it be expected to be on someones service record if they were part of the SAS in the early days?

 

I have already asked our forum SAS expert and your relations name does not come up in any sense. To be honest we have had many researchers state categorically that their relation was in the SAS when in fact they only knew someone, or met one of them somewhere in the desert. They would be the largest regiment, in numbers of personnel around if all the people who have said they were SAS were in fact SAS.

TD

 

@TD,,Thanks for the reply. I wasnt sure as to the official side but there are some things in my grandads belongings that suggests he may have been. One item has "SAS BRANCH" and a year on it..Thanks again for your research

 

Can you post that item

TD

 

@ TD . Im just a little nervous about doing so at the moment. I have a few enquiries to make for some reassurance and if all is well I will post the picture of the items. Thank you. Ron