James Grindrod Desert rats

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by Bradley Walker, Mar 16, 2021.

  1. I do
     
  2. Stu79

    Stu79 Member

    Can you help saying names I'm searching similar
     
  3. Unf
    Unfo
    Unfortunately there aren't many records for him.
    You could try Llewellyn Garnett grindrod, his dad
     
  4. Stu79

    Stu79 Member

    I have a Barbara and Brian
     
  5. That's right, Brian is my grandad
    Thank you
     
  6. Stu79

    Stu79 Member

  7. Hello,
    Quite a few weeks ago now I posted something about my great grandfather but unfortunately didn't know much about him.
    I have now obtained James Grindrod's service number from my grandads birth certificate.
    His service number is: Trooper 3455139RAC.

    I would very much appreciate it if more information is found.

    Many thanks
    Bradley
     
  8. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    See post 2 - obtain his service records from the MOD

    TD
     
    Tony56 likes this.
  9. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    His service number is from the Lancashire Fusiliers block of numbers: Lancashire Fusiliers 3433001 - 3511000

    He had service prior to joining the RAC.
     
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  10. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    Senior Member
    Hi Bradley

    I had my father's photos, his pay book, release docs, currency from Algeria, Egypt and Italy, his Africa and Italy campaign medals, badges of 23rd Armoured Brigade and some family stories of his adventures in Egypt. So I thought I had almost all of his wartime history too.

    Then I posted a question here and the forum advised me to apply for his service record.

    Only after receiving his service record, did I find out he:

    1. Sailed to France in Jan 40 with a Dundee based RAOC Army Field Workshop, on the SS Contractor and returned on the SS Killarney on 29 May. Two of his unit were killed during their evacuation.

    2. Defended RAF Syerston, in Lincolnshire in preparation for a German invasion.

    3. Was on fire watch keeping duties in Liverpool during the Blitz.Two of his unit were killed during air raids.

    4. Went to North Africa on Convoy WS-12 with 1st Armoured Division and was very nearly taken prisoner during the Gazala gallop.

    5. Left the RAOC and joined the REME in October 1942.

    6. Missed El Alamein due to an illness.

    7. Joined a Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment after coming out of Hospital.

    8. Only joined 23rd Armoured Brigade 10 months before the end of the war whilst training in Palestine, so never went to Italy.

    9. Went to Greece in November 1944 just two weeks before the start of a civil war, during which, over a hundred of 23rd Armoured Brigade were killed or wounded.

    The research into my father's involvement in the Liberation of Greece in late 1944 turned into a book published in Greece a few years ago. I am currently researching for my second book covering the civil war in Athens.

    So getting my fathers service records was the best £30 I have ever spent.
     
    Chris C, Steve Mac, Tony56 and 2 others like this.
  11. Im in the process of getting his service records currently.
    Sorry, forgot to say he was in the Lancashire fusiliers. He also may have served in the territorial army before ww2. After the lancs fusiliers, he served in the Royal armoured corps. I've emailed the tank museum and asked if they have his tracer or transfer records, which will suggest where he was and when.
    I've ordered his death certificate, which should arrive sometime next week
     
    Owen and gmyles like this.

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