Help understanding Battalion on service recorsd

Discussion in 'Service Records' started by kim987, Sep 15, 2020.

  1. kim987

    kim987 Junior Member

    Hi all
    I have another uncle that served with the 1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment.

    A few years ago Steve Mac kindly helped me with his service, he translated most of it for me but never finished it.

    If anyone can help i would be interested in knowing what battalion he was serving with in Korea. ( Steve thought it might be the Northumberland Fusiliers) and what he might have done over their.

    He received the U.N Service medal and the Korean medal. I have uploaded the relevant page

    Any help would be appreciated

    Regards

    Kim


    m a v s 10216 (Large).jpg
     
  2. Richard Lewis

    Richard Lewis Member

    Hello Kim,

    As Steve said “NF” stands for Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. They were given the distinction “Royal” in 1935 but the abbreviation “NF” continued to be used. (Could it be to avoid confusion with Royal Navy units or establishments?)

    The 1st Bn Royal Northumberland Fusiliers served in Korea. This battalion was the former 2nd Battalion, the 1st having been reduced to a cadre in 1947 and the 2nd renumbered 1st in 1948.

    On arrival in Korea your uncle was posted to J Reinforcement Base Depot from 31 May until 11 August 1951. He was then taken on the strength of the British Commonwealth Forward Maintenance Area & Transit Camp until he embarked for the UK on the 9 November 1952. He is on the ERE 2 List, i.e. Extra-Regimentally Employed, so posted away from his regiment.

    In spite of being “severely reprimanded” for being out after curfew hours he was promoted to Acting Colour Sergeant two months later.

    On return to the UK he is at the East Yorkshire depot from 18 December 1952 until 13 February 1953 when he is posted to 4th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment, a Territorial Army unit, as Permanent Staff. Although a TA unit, as Permanent Staff, he would be in the Regular Army.

    War diary available at the National Archives:
    WO 281/1197. J Reinforcement Base Depot. Date: 1950 Nov-1951 Dec.

    Richard
     
  3. kim987

    kim987 Junior Member

    Hello Richard

    Thank you so much for for taking the time to look at my post.

    So he served with the 1st Battalion Fusiliers while in Korea,

    Would he still have been with the Fusiliers when he was at the British Commonwealth forward Maintenance Area & Transit Camp, or is that a daft question. I only ask as i might get in touch with the R.N.F museum, they will perform a little search for about 20.00 and might have more information.

    Also thanks for the link to the diary, that will come in very handy when the Archives open.

    Kim
     
  4. Richard Lewis

    Richard Lewis Member

    Hello Kim,

    It looks as if he was on the strength of the Northumberland Fusiliers for the purposes of pay and administration, although not physically with the 1st Battalion. So might be worth trying the museum.

    Regards,
    Richard
     
  5. kim987

    kim987 Junior Member

    Hello Richard

    Thank you for that information, i shall try the Museum and see what they say.

    Kim
     

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