Hello I am a newcomer to the forum and been reading a lot of posts with great interest. I have a common query in that I have copies of my dad's army service records and am hoping for some help in understanding them. He died when I was 8 years old and didn't get to know much of his wartime exploits except from other family members. This is what I do know He joined up in Newcastle in 1939 with the Royal Artillery (came from South Shields) transferred to the ROAC and then REME (I believe he was a Radar technician). He had postings in N Africa and Western Europe, family talk also says he spent time in Italy which is not mentioned in his record but he was awarded the Italy star. I have attached his service records for anyone to have a look at. I would like to find out what units he was attached to and how to go about finding any war diaries. Many thanks Andy
Hello Is it possible to have another look at my recent post, it would be very much appreciated. I understand some things in the records like 21st army group but I am struggling with other acronyms. Thanks Andy
Hi Andy Its a bit difficult to zoom in and read some of the details - is there a chance you can scan and upload a clearer set From one of the sheet it looks as though he was awarded : 1939 - 1943 Star - later revised to 1939 - 1945 Star Italy Star France & Germany Star Defence Medal Medals: campaigns, descriptions and eligibility So that suggests he was in Italy then transferred back to NW Europe ending up as part of 21 Army Group, as said and dont think me rude but better readable copies would certainly help
Hi Tricky Dicky Thanks for having a look. I originally took pics of the records but the file size was too big to post so I used screenshots instead, leave it with me and I'll try and send some better ones.
If you could orient them so we dont have to stand on our heads - for others - yes I know I could download them as use software etc etc but then I have enough downloaded Thanks Andy TD
Hi TD I've managed to scan the records and should be clearer now. I have had to split the bigger copies but hopefully they are more readable. thanks for taking the time to look Andy
Thats better I can also see now he was awarded the War Medal to add to those I noted earlier - if you want to know more about them then read Medals: campaigns, descriptions and eligibility He started training after enlistment with 51st Anti Tank Regt 51 (West Highland) Anti-Tank Regiment RA(TA) - The Royal Artillery 1939-45 before being moved to 63rd Anti Aircraft (doesnt say Light or Heavy 63 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA(TA) - The Royal Artillery 1939-45 63 (Northumbrian) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA(TA) - The Royal Artillery 1939-45) It looks as though he started in Royal Artillery, tranferred to RAOC (Dec 1941) then to REME (Oct 1942). Departed for North Africa (15 Jul 1943) arrived (28 Jul 1943). He was then shipped back to the UK in Feb 1944. Then to NW Europe Jul 1944 - Aug 1945, then shipped back to North Africa Nov 1945 until May 1946 I will try to look later to see if there is any details of the REME time but also still cant actually see when he was in Italy Is there more you specifically need to know? TD
Aug 1944 hes designated back to RAOC (not sure what OPP means), and 6 days later he is on the 'x' list so presumably injured in some way x ii - comprises all ranks evacuated on medical grounds beyond RAP [Regimental Aid Post]. Personnel so evacuated cease to be on the effective strength of their units. Temporary or acting rank will be relinquished 28 days after being so transferred to X (ii) list. Personnel remain in X (ii) list until they are classified as fit for posting by Reception Depot (when they are transferred to the X (iv) list of their corps and marched out to the appropriate training depot), or until discharged by a medical unit direct to their original units. Personnel who, after evacuation beyond RAP are medically graded 1A or lower remain on X (ii) list until they are either (a) placed on Roll, or (b) posted to a Base establishment, or (c) transferred to X (i) list at the Base. Personnel of HQs, or extra-regimental units, may as a matter of convenience be posted direct from Reception Depot and need not be marched through their appropriate training depot. Any extra-duty pay will cease 7 days after transfer to X (ii) list, subject to the proviso that if prior replacement is made ED pay will cease from such prior date. then 25 Aug 1944 x iv - comprises all unposted reinforcements and incoming reinforcement drafts. Personnel discharged from Reception Depot (x(ii)) to Training Depots, fit for duty, are transferred to the X (iv) list of their corps, until posted to a unit, when they are struck off X (iv) and taken on unit strength. Reinforcements in transit between the Base and a unit remain on X (iv) (and the Base Depot strength) until they actually reach and are taken on the strength by the unit to which they are proceeding. Escaped PsW [Prisoners of War] who until such escape have been on the X (iii) list are transferred to X (iv) list on reaching their respective training depot TD
You might need to spend some time wandering around TNA (The National Archives) for relevant files if they exist.I have found some that sort of relate but none at the moment that coincide with details in the records you have posted This is from AA Command ANTI-AIRCRAFT COMMAND: ANTI-AIRCRAFT DIVISIONS: Headquarters 5 Anti-Aircraft Division,... | The National Archives Reference: WO 166/2166 Description: ANTI-AIRCRAFT COMMAND: ANTI-AIRCRAFT DIVISIONS: Headquarters 5 Anti-Aircraft Division, Radio Maintenance Company (HQ). This is a REME one Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers: 15 Radio Maintenance Detachment (REME) | The National Archives Reference: WO 169/12692 Description: Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers: 15 Radio Maintenance Detachment (REME) Date: 1943 July- Dec. On top of this you also have the problem that he was RAOC as well TD Possibly a useful document - http://async.org.uk/Tony.Davies/pubs/HISTELCON-ACDavies.pdf I would assume he would be more a radio technician rather than radar as that would be covered by probably the RAF or RN whereas the REME seemed to look after the equipment used by the Army - but I'm no expert
That's great, certainly made things a little clearer. I would imagine he would have seen AA action during the blitz. I've read on other threads that a some troops that were sent to North Africa ended up in Italy but wasn't reflected in their records could this be the case with him? By all accounts, by the time he landed in Africa the desert fighting was over and Sicily had been invaded. His time in Italy was common knowledge in the family, and while there he caught TB which could account for the time on the x list. Also I'm keen to know more of the time spent in NW Europe and would really like to obtain any war diaries but I think I need to know what units he was attached to in Italy and Europe, I did notice "HQ 12 corps OFP" on the records and wondered what the last bit meant. Thanks for the links you've sent, the help is much appreciated Andy
OFP - just found this link RAOC Field Force and at the bottom it states: OFP = Ordnance Field Park Seems they do exist Subsubseries within WO 305 Ordnance Field Park 6th Airborne Ordnance Field Park, RAOC During march OC unit deployed to report to DDOS 12 Corps at MECHELEN on arrival found 12 Corps HQ had moved. L/Cpl speaking German attached to unit as interpreter. REME AWD scaled with stores from ORD FD PK stock. Might be worth contacting - Royal Army Ordnance Corps | National Army Museum they may have more details TD Royal Army Ordnance Corps - Wikipedia Major changes took place after 1942 when the REME absorbed most of the RAOC repair functions and the RAOC in turn took over the RASC's vehicle organisation. The more mobile nature of the Second World War also led to the creation of units at divisional and corps level with higher levels of mobility. The most notable of these was the ordnance field park, principally carrying vehicle and technical stores spares