Alec George Horwood: Commissioned as an officer

Discussion in 'General' started by elfinblues, Aug 20, 2015.

  1. elfinblues

    elfinblues Member

    Hello! I'm wondering if anyone might be able to help answer a couple of queries that I have. The man I'm researching was initially a Sergeant with the Queen's Royal Regiment but was later commissioned as an officer with the 1st Northamptonshire Regiment. I know that he was posted to 166th Officer Cadet Training Unit - would anyone happen to know where this particular unit was located, and what might have been involved in the course that he would have been sent on? Secondly, would anyone know why a man from the Queen's would have been transferred to the Northamptonshires? Would it simply have been the case that he'd have been sent to whichever regiment needed manpower at that time, or would there likely have been any other factors in play?
    Many thanks in advance for anyone who might be able to help!
    Best wishes,
    Steve
     
  2. Lotus7

    Lotus7 Well-Known Member

    Do you have a name of the man you are trying to research?
     
  3. Guy Hudson

    Guy Hudson Looker-upper

    166 OCTU was in Douglas on the Isle of Man.
     
  4. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Last edited: Sep 30, 2023
  5. amberdog45

    amberdog45 Senior Member

    Not much in the press about the 166th. This is all I could find.
     

    Attached Files:

  6. elfinblues

    elfinblues Member

    Thanks very much, everyone. The man's name is Alec Horwood, Lotus7; I can't see his name in the press cuttings, amberdog45, but thanks very much indeed for posting them.

    dbf - ah, I didn't know that it was usual practice to be assigned to a different unit after receiving a commission. Thanks very much for the heads-up. Much appreciated.
     
  7. Lotus7

    Lotus7 Well-Known Member

  8. elfinblues

    elfinblues Member

    Yes, that's Alec.

    Actually, further to his being assigned to a different unit, his service record shows that he was transferred from the 1/6th Battalion, Queen's Royal (West Surrey) Regiment to the 2/5th Bn, Queen's. it was about 20 months later that he joined the 1st Northamptonshires. If anyone could give me any insight into why this is likely to have occurred, if possible, I'd be really grateful. Thanks very much.
     
  9. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Alec Horwood in the UK, Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945
    Name: Alec Horwood
    Given Initials: A G VC DCM
    Rank: Lieutenant
    Death Date: 21 Jan 1944
    Number: 165583
    Birth Place: London (not otherwise specified)
    Residence: London (not otherwise specified)
    Regiment at Enlistment: Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
    Branch at Enlistment: Infantry
    Theatre of War: Burma
    Regiment at Death: Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
    Branch at Death: Infantry

    Alec George Horwood in the UK, Victoria Cross Medals, 1857-2007

    Name: Alec George Horwood
    Birth Date: 6 Jan 1914
    Birth Place: Deptford, South London
    Death Date: 20 Jan 1944
    Death Place: Near Kyauchaw, Burma
    40104_258646-n1254.jpg

    TD
     
  10. BFBSM

    BFBSM Very Senior Member

    It is highly likely that the Alec's transfer to the 2/5th was based on need of a good Sergeant. His transfer to another Regiment after his commission is again probably one of need, and that once commissioned it was not often that a return to the original unit was on the cards, as it was believed that it would be bad for discipline, as the newly commissioned officer would not get the respect from his former peers.

    Mark
     
  11. mapshooter

    mapshooter Senior Member

    1 Queens Royal Regt was in 33 Indian Inf Bde of Messervy's 7 Indian Division.
     
  12. amberdog45

    amberdog45 Senior Member

    Steve, some articles naming Alec.
     

    Attached Files:

    Tricky Dicky and BFBSM like this.
  13. BFBSM

    BFBSM Very Senior Member

    This post of Andy's will clarify the transfer to 2/5th and what Alec was doing prior to that transfer. http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/58734-25th-battalion-the-queens-royal-regiment-1941-1942/?p=681611

    Mark
     
  14. elfinblues

    elfinblues Member

    Thanks very much indeed, everyone, for the information and the clippings. Enormously appreciated - thank you.
     

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