Hi, I've been trying to find out information for two of my relatives that served in WW2. The first is: Edmund Harry Hambly Service no. T/5439745 Royal Army Service Corps Medals awarded were 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45 I would be particularly interested in finding out where in Italy and Africa he served. He apparently drove tank transporters. The second is: Frederick Charles Tregunna Service no. KX172210 Royal Navy Medals awarded 1935-45 Star, Atlantic Star and War Medal 1939-45 This information is from relatives and although I have tried searching on numerous websites I haven't found a thing. I'm at a dead end and hoping someone can help Thanks Paul
With any service personnel the only way to research is to obtain their official service records from the MOD, there is very little online. here is the link: Request records of deceased service personnel - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
For info: Frederick Tregunna. Service No. (in the RN actually called Official No.) the KX indicates he was in the Stoker Branch. The No. is also incomplete as there should be a prefix letter indicating his Port Division (Welfare Authority) most commonly a D/ (Devonport), P/(Portsmouth) or C/ (Chatham). Tim
Hi Tim, Yes, you are right there is a C missing from my grandfathers Official No. Thanks for the info. I've also heard from my Uncle who confirmed he was a stoker on MTB720 which suffered a friendly fire incident on the 4th May 1944. With regard to obtaining their service records I have ordered their death certificates so once they arrive I'll send the application to the MOD and wait.... Paul
Hi, I have received the service records for my Grandfather and have been going through the locations of the numerous shore establishments at which he served. These include HMS Arthur, Cabot, Attack, Nemo, Westcliff, Aggressive, Hornet, Pembroke and Odyssey. However, I am struggling to find much info on HMS Royal Albert. One site suggests it was a shore establishment based in Cuxhaven, Germany. This would make sense as this is not far from Nienburg where he also served. Also what does Lent: Detention duty mean? HMS Royal Albert----------Stoker 1st Class----------10 Dec 1945 to 03 Jan 1946 Passage----------------------Stoker 1st Class-----------04 Jan 1946 to 19 Jan 1946 HMS Royal Albert----------Stoker 1st Class-----------20 Jan 1946 to 22 Apr 1946 Lent: Nienburg--------------Stoker 1st Class-----------23 Apr 1946 to 24 May 1946 HMS Royal Albert----------Stoker 1st Class-----------25 May 1946 to 21 Jun 1946 Passage----------------------Stoker 1st Class-----------22 Jun 1946 to 25 Jun 1946 HMS Royal Albert----------Stoker 1st Class-----------26 Jun 1946 to 10 Jul 1946 Lent: Detention Duty-------Stoker 1st Class----------11 Jul 1946 to 12 Jul 1946 HMS Royal Albert-----------Stoker 1st Class----------13 Jul 1946 to 02 Aug 1946 Lent: Detention Duty-------Stoker 1st Class-----------03 Aug 1946 to 04 Aug 1946 HMS Royal Albert-----------Stoker 1st Class-----------05 Aug 1946 to 08 Aug 1946 Lent: Detention Duty-------Stoker 1st Class-----------09 Aug 1946 to 09 Aug 1946 HMS Royal Albert-----------Stoker 1st Class-----------10 Aug 1946 to 13 Sep 1946 His records also shows he served on MGB 56, MTB 720 and MTB 739. Does anyone have any info/pictures of these? I am still waiting for the records of my other relative. I've been informed that they've been transferred to the National Archives and am awaiting news from the MOD personnel access team. Thanks Paul
Naval Museum of Manitoba have crew photo of MTB739 (website seems down at present) https://naval-museum.mb.ca/mtbs/motor-torpedo-boat-memorial/crew739/ Kyle
I believe HMS Royal Albert was a naval port party, formed in 1945 to repair/get back into service ports in Occupied Germany, both on the rivers and sea coast. It may well had a depot ship of the same name, as I've found a photo of a smallish, one-funnel (motor?) ship of the same name, probably taken over from the Germans. By late 1945 it was working on the Elbe, either Hamburg or its nearby downstream outport at Cuxhaven. "Stoker 1st class" may mean he was on the ship, but just as likely either shore or on (say) a tug or launch controlled by the shore party. I was interested in HMS Nemo earlier in the war. Any idea why he was there?
Hi, thanks for the info. That would make sense as he was in Naval Party 1528/1732 which was a port repair section in Alost, Terneuzen, Rotterdam and Breda. As for HMS Nemo, i'm not sure. He was only there from 21st to 28th October 1943. He spent a short amount of time at most of the shore establishments along the south coast. The exception was HMS Attack at Portland
From Naval Party, Royal Navy, 1942-1991 by Ben Warlow 1749 Flag Officer Berlin - *formed Princes Garden Kensington 02.45/ to Minden 06.45/there to 07.09.46, then to Hamburg* (reported as Norfolk Ho 04.43 – to DRYAD 26.06.44) 39 Princes Gardens, Kensington SW 7 03- 06.06.45/Minden 06 – 08.45 (Brit Naval CinC Germany & Staff 07.45)/ROYAL ALBERT09.45- 06.51/(see also 1645 * 1812) {ROYAL ALBERT opened Princes Gardens 01.01.45 – Commissioned 01.04.45, from Minden to Hamburg 15.09.46, to Cuxhaven 01.03.51, PAID OFF 16.07.57) HMS Royal Albert was a shore base. However it had various small craft attached as nominal depot ships. From 'Shore Establishments of the Royal Navy' by Lt Cdr B Warlow these were: Steamboat Breiranbach 01.04.45- Warnow to 03.10.45 Diesel Lch Columbus II 03.10.45- P6030 ex German ML 1952 Tim
So almost 9 months after the application for my relative Edmund Hamblys' service records things came to a conclusion today. The National Archives are unable to release his records as they contain medical records that were given in confidence. They cannot be released until 25 years after the date of death, which is 2029!!
Hi, Standard reply quoting refusal to release medical papers so won’t release anything I’m afraid. Have a look through these topics - MOD ALREADY TRANSFERRING WW2 SERVICE FILES TO UK NATIONAL ARCHIVES 2021 Service Records application - MOD response timescale You need to submit a freedom of information request. The file will be reviewed and hopefully a partial release will follow. They will only release medical documents 116 years after the subject was born. Steve
The e-mail stated that if I didn't supply proof of death with my initial application I should re-apply. I did, however supply this so I'm not sure if there's much point in doing it again?
Standard reply? You need to be sure that MOD forwarded the Death Cert to National Archives. Don’t take it as a given……communicate further. Alternatively if you’ve got a copy of the death certificate submit a FOI request and attach the copy death certificate - Request MOD Personnel Records Steve
