Grandfather's WW2 records in National Archives

Discussion in 'Burma & India' started by David Legg, Nov 17, 2022.

  1. David Legg

    David Legg Member

    Hello Everyone,

    I am currently researching my grandparents' roles in WW2. I am still awaiting service records for my Grandmother but I have received information on my Grandfather. Before I ask for help, let me tell you what I know already.

    Name: Kenneth Kay
    Service Number: 151329
    August 1937 - Joined TA with 4th Survey Regiment RA (training Larkhill)
    September 1939 - Call up for service and promoted to Sergent
    May 1940 - Attended 122 Officer Cadet Training Unit (OCTU)
    September 1940 - Received his commission and Joined 139 Field Regiment RA
    February 1941 - Joined 1st Survey Regiment Royal Artillery
    June 1941 - Joined 441/58 Field Regiment RA
    March 1942 - Arrived in Bombay and Joined 1st Indian Survey Regiment
    June 1944 - Assumed Appointment of 2nd in Command of 1st Indian Survey Battery IA
    August 1945 - Arrived back in UK
    November 1945 - Demobbed in Germany

    Whilst this has given me a great general view of his wartime service, I am finding it difficult to get information on his movements/actions while he was in India/Burma.
    I believe he was helping to train soldiers in Deolali/Kashmir/Khyber pass in 1942- June 1944, though I am not sure.
    I also believe that he was with XXXIII Corps in Kohima and Imphal, but the Osprey books make no mention of his unit.
    There is a little more information in Massimo Mangilli-Climpsons book "Larkhills Wartime Locaters", but still I would like more.
    I contacted the Royal Artillery Museum who can help with his UK service, but records for the 1st Indian Survey Regiment are not held there. It was recommended I contact The National Archives in Kew.

    This leads me to my question:- I don't want to miss anything so what documents do I need to request?

    I am going to request everything under the search "Indian Survey Regiment", but am not sure if I am missing anything?

    Many thanks

    David Legg
     
  2. Uncle Jack

    Uncle Jack Member

    I can help with his earlier service with the 4th. Was he a Tynesider?

    I have the War Diaries for the Regiment
    in 1939 and 1940 and can check for any specific dates for you.



    I will also have a look at Max Magnelli Climpson’s book on the Survey Regiments for 1st Survey and to see if he covers the Indians
    Will post info on Friday

    Regards Robin
     
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  3. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Have you seen: 20 SATA Regiment (India) - Wikipedia It includes their predecessor 1 Indian Survey Regiment?

    Very short summary:
    From: The Official Home Page of the Indian Army

    They appear in this summary of the XXXIII Corps: 33rd Indian Corps - Burma Star Memorial Fund and Slouch Hat: O/Rs, 33 Indian Corps (Royal Artillery)

    This appears on what could be a Russian website, so not link is given and where does it come from:
    I expect his relatively early return to UK, under Operation Python, was due to his length of service overseas and his professional qualification in civilian life.
     
  4. David Legg

    David Legg Member

    Yes he was. Northeast born and bred! I don't know exactly what to ask for. I suppose, is there any mention of his name in the following months:-
    September 1939 - Call up for service and promoted to Sergent
    May 1940 - Attended 122 Officer Cadet Training Unit (OCTU)
    September 1940 - Received his commission and Joined 139 Field Regiment RA

    I don't know how large war diaries are, so I don't know if this is an easy look or something more difficult. If, through ignorance, I have asked for too much, please let me know and I will look for more specific dates.

    Thank you for your help either way.
     
  5. David Legg

    David Legg Member

    His return to the UK was definitely under operation Python due to time served. Would it help if I uploaded Some of his war records?

    Thank you for your help!
     
  6. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    David,

    Yes, it would help - as some here are truly experts on them.
     
  7. David Legg

    David Legg Member

    Wonderful, I will upload them tomorrow.

    Thank you!
     
  8. Uncle Jack

    Uncle Jack Member

    Early return perhaps as needed for civilian Survey work... Max says he worked at the new NCB in 1947.
     
  9. Uncle Jack

    Uncle Jack Member

    I have scanned through the 1939/40 War Diaries. No mention of him. At this time the WDs are rather sparse.
     
  10. Uncle Jack

    Uncle Jack Member

    P2040762.JPG
    May is typical of the 1940 ones
     

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