Just a quick update I've finally got round to scanning in the rest of grandfather's RAOC notes. They are in an album on my profile page if anyone is interested. Will try and get round to doing his diary when i can. Cheers Scott
Missed this earlier in the year - thanks to ClankyPencil for posting these - very interesting and just the sort of thing I come to this forum for. Not my special area of interest and therefore all the more fascinating for that. I found some of those drawings quite poignant in a way even though they are meant to be technical in nature, there's something very touching about looking at them from this historical distance.
Hi Scott Found this today in the war diaries of 23rd Armoured Brigade Ordnance Field Park, also based in ROUF barracks at the time of your grandfather. "20 Dec 44 - 52 x 75mm shells landed inside the perimeter throughout the day. Casualties, 2 dead (1 civilian) , 1 seriously wounded and several minor injuries. Significant damage to many vehicles including 3 lorries BLRs (Beyond Local Repair). Very excellent shooting, but not appreciated” Gus
Thanks Gus for the additional information (and also your previous help regarding the Piraeus address) Cheers Scott
Hi Scott There were quite a few people in or around Rouf Barracks while your grandfather was there. Including: A detachment of 95th General Hospital (Surgical Team) 140th Ordnance Depot 23rd Armoured Brigade Ordnance Field Park (OFP) A Detachment of the Raiding Support Regiment (RSR) Rear HQ 4th Parachute Battalion & Medium Machine Gun (MMG) Platoon. 50th Royal Tank Regiment (RTR) Light Aid Detachment (LAD) 30th Reception Centre (soup kitchens for local populous - 300 meals a day issued) On 6 Dec 50th RTR took operational command of all troops at Rouf Barracks. I also found that 8th Beach Ordnance Detachment were 81st in the priority list to land in Greece and 68 personnel and 2 vehicles were scheduled to arrive by sea in Greece from ITALY on D+7 (23 Oct 44) under command of Force 140. According to a 3 Corps location statement for 28 Oct 44, 8 Beach Ordnance Detachment was located in a "military depot" at grid ref 344354, which is on the landmass south of Leondos Harbour in Piraeus. If you look at the map of Piraeus I emailed you, it's very close to the Customs House. They were still listed there on the location statement dated 9th Nov 44. If I spot any more stuff I'll drop you another note Gus
For those interested, Ammunition Technicians were also trained at the Army Apprentice School/College, Chepstow. After 3 years training they graduated as Corporals, aged 18 or so. I was at Chepstow (my avatar is badge) for 3 years, 63-66, training as Draughtsman Civil & Structural, all the RE trades graduated as Sappers which caused a bit of friction with the ammo techs, who thought they were smart, well they were !! I think after Chepstow the Ammo Techs had to do more technical training at RAOC Depot somewhere, maybe Kineton? The new Sappers went to a RE Training Regt. The School was later renamed College in 1966 operated right through WW2. It closed down in the 1990's. My apologies if I am off topic.
