Meaning of Order or Authority numbers

Discussion in 'Service Records' started by munchkin, Jan 23, 2017.

  1. munchkin

    munchkin Junior Member

    Afternoon all,

    I have today received my Grandfathers Attestation papers and Service and casualty form B103-1/3 (I think). In the left margin there are numbers and letters like 2E21.1698/44. Now, I understand that these have a meaning, but I cannot find anywhere on the internet that can help me decipher. Can anyone point me in the direction of help or otherwise please?
    I also would like to know what the following mean if possible please:

    U/A/L/Bdr
    UA/Bdr
    PA/Bdr
    PA/Bdr
    UAL/Sgt
    PAL/Sgt
    UA/Sgt
    PA/Sgt

    Many thanks
     
  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Unpaid Acting Lance Bombardier
    Unpaid Acting Bombardier
    Paid Acting Bombardier
    Unpaid Acting Lance-Sergeant
    Paid Acting Lance-Sergeant
    Unpaid Acting Sergeant
    Paid Acting Sergeant
     
  3. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    Difficult to be specific without having sight of the B103 but in general terms
    they refer to the "authority" for the "activity" subject of the entry on the B103.

    They will more often than not refer to a long destroyed Battalion ( or as you've asked about RA ranks - a RA Regiment) Order - either Part One or more often a Part Two Order.

    Steve Y
     
  4. munchkin

    munchkin Junior Member

    Thanks Owen that clears that up.

    Steve, If I post them online would this help?
     
  5. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    I doubt it would help as they are usually just a reference to the unit order - which will have been long destroyed.

    However if you need any general help on interpreting the papers please post them as it always helps to have sight of the original documents.

    Good Luck

    Steve Y
     
  6. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

    The numbers in the left-hand column are of no importance whatsoever-only the Army understood what they were for:D

    Lesley
     
  7. Popswar

    Popswar Junior Member

    My father was in Italy with 175 Pioneer Corps via Salerno and Monte Cassino then later on to Normandy on 02/08/44. This is referred to as disembarking N.W.E. ( North West Europe?) At that time his records have numbers 2E21/4421/44. The 44 = year and wonder if the 2E could be second front Europe and the 4421 being the order? Certaily 2E21/4421/44 states embarked UK 02/08/44 then disembarked N.W.E 03.08.44. We believe that he landed on Utah or Omaha.
    From dad's notes he seems to have gone from Chichester to Southsea then Arromances, Bayeux, Caen, Paris, Rouen.
    Hope this helps or you can add to our understanding.
     
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2018
  8. sjw8

    sjw8 Well-Known Member

    Hi Popswar
    As stated in the above posts, these numbers relate to the Part 2 Order which recorded your father's overseas posting to Europe. Basically a unit or individual would be posted, either by a higher authority or an individual unit and a Part 2 Order would be raised to record the move. Without seeing his records I assume his whole unit was sent to Europe as reinforcements; this would be on the orders of higher command (e.g. GHQ).
    Breaking down the Part 2 Order further -
    2E - 2nd Echelon = part of the Adjutant General's Branch dealing with collation of unit strength records, postings etc.
    21 - 21st Army Group
    4421 - consecutive no of the order
    44 - year

    Steve
     

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