Royal Norfolk 5th Bn 1940/41

Discussion in 'User Introductions' started by holyboy, Oct 5, 2013.

  1. lionboxer

    lionboxer Member

    Yes, lucky chaps indeed. I've just checked dads service record and it was Edinburgh not Glasgow where he was hospitalised (13 RAMC coy). Not sure if it was a re-occurance of malaria or whether perforated ear drum do to boxing that laid him up. He had been an instructor at Britannia Barracks from 1939 training all the recruits, (" I was their father in their recruit stage. I knew hundreds of them who came to me from the land, factories and all walks of life"), he may have even trained your dad!! He was medically downgraded to B1 but this didn't stop him from going to India and fighting at Imphal.

    Lionboxer
     
  2. holyboy

    holyboy Member

    Well funnily enough LB, Dad WAS a boxer, he didn't have much choice as his Dad was was a PTI Sergeant Major Arthur Chandler. If a squaddie stepped out of line he would offer them jankers or a round in the ring with him! He was in the 5th at the outbreak of the war but I guess because of age ? he ended up as OC North Walsham Home Guard. Will post a picture of his Company if you are interested. I also have a picture of Sergeants Mess Dibgate Camp 1937. I really must get hold of Dad's service record and find out when he was hospitalized.
     
  3. lionboxer

    lionboxer Member

    They were soldiers of the old school obviously as my dad apparently preferred to issue his own discipline too rather than put a man on a charge. They knew that a charge would cause a loss of pay which could be ill afforded especially if he was a married man. Dad was a PTI as well having passed a course in Kailana in India 1936 and eventually made WO1. It would be great to see your granddad's picture though we are digressing from your original posting!!
    Lionboxer
     
  4. RCG

    RCG Senior Member, Deceased

  5. holyboy

    holyboy Member

    Lionboy, thanks so much for the link, haven't been able to identify so far. The picture of my Grandads' Coy has quite a few names, many of them I remember and I went to school with many of their sons.
    Sergeants Mess Dibgate 1937_0001.jpg A Coy 5th Bn NW Home Guard.jpg
     
  6. holyboy

    holyboy Member

    RCG...I was just checking the faces on the picture of Sergeants' Mess 5th Bn and I am wondering if that's George Gristock VC on the far right, standing?
     
  7. RCG

    RCG Senior Member, Deceased

    Yes I would say that's him.
     
  8. holyboy

    holyboy Member

    Oh Good, I thought so. I was a bit surprised to find him there (with the 5th), but of course there was an awful lot of moving around once they were mobilized. I remember one old soldier I met some years ago who was very grateful to my Grandfather for a prod in the back which he got when they were looking for men to 'volunteer' transfer to other units.
    Very much enjoying the Forums, a huge amount of information from chaps that really know their stuff.
     
  9. Osborne2

    Osborne2 Well-Known Member

    5th Battalion Marbury Park Northwich 1941
    I am researching the 5th's time at Marbury Park Northwich in 1941. Does anyone have access to personal papers or diaries (besides TNA records which I have) who can help me with some of the personal side of life in the Northwich area, training, equipment, camp life etc. Thank you for your interest.

    Ozzie
     
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  10. holyboy

    holyboy Member

    My Dad always said that he bunked in the hall and his bed was right underneath a Van Dyke ! Sorry. probably doesn't help much Osborne2, but will be watching closely to see what you are able to discover.
     
    Osborne2 likes this.
  11. Osborne2

    Osborne2 Well-Known Member

    What rank was your father? There were over 60 bedrooms and as far as I know, the officers were in the Hall and ORs in the huts built from October 1940 onwards. Are you prepared to PM me with your father's name? I may be able to find him in the War Diary, if you have not looked..
     
  12. holyboy

    holyboy Member

    Thanks Osborne2. Dad was John Derek Chandler, a humble corporal. Don't know how he wangled a spot in the hall. !I have the war diary and he does not appear.
     
  13. Osborne2

    Osborne2 Well-Known Member

    He may have been batman or orderly room staff.I am not sure about Van Dyke.The valuable paintings were removed or sold a few years before when the last private owner sold up. It was a country club from 1932-39. Sorry about the delay in replying.
     
  14. holyboy

    holyboy Member

    Just going through some of my old.posts and wondered if you made any progress with Marbury Hall?
     
  15. Osborne2

    Osborne2 Well-Known Member

    Holyboy, sorry for the delay in replying. Just back off holiday. I have done plenty of work on the 5th at Marbury Hall. I really don't think he slept under a Van Dyke. The last owner of the hall, when it was stuffed with paintings, sculpture and books, only left sculpture behind that was too large to bother moving.

    I have used the War Diaries of the battalion, brigade and Western Command to get an overview of what they did. The unit diary is rather sparse. The WD of the 6th battalion is far more entertaining. They were based down the road a few miles west.
     
  16. holyboy

    holyboy Member

    Many thanks for getting back to me. Surprised about the Van Duke as I remember my father telling me about it. Must have been in a different place. I have the 5th bn diary, as you say a bit sparse.
    Is your particular interest in Marbury Hall or the Norfolk Regt. ? if you have any photos of the Norfolks, would love to see them

    Thanks again
     

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