Sapper Thomas E. D. JAMES 1943950. Royal Engineers Postal Unit

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by mike15w, Jan 27, 2023.

  1. mike15w

    mike15w Member

    Hi all
    I have what appears to be a service card (via Findmypast) of the above man. He worked for Post Office before joining up. I have his CWGC entries and have traced his life before WW2. However, I would really appreciate some help interpreting the entries on this card and his casualty card. Many thanks. Screenshot 2023-01-27 163749.jpg GBM_ROYALENGI-CARDS_RE-CASUALTY-CARDS-H-K_02431.jpg
     
  2. Temujin

    Temujin Member

    You may have this
    F786C7D9-AE43-4C58-AA47-88C037B6AD5F.jpeg
     
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  3. mike15w

    mike15w Member

    Thank you. Yes I do have it but thank you for looking. I am still looking for help on interpreting the abbreviations on the above documents though.
    Thanks again.
     
  4. Uncle Jack

    Uncle Jack Member

    It is likely that he sailed from Liverpool on Highland Princess in the "HP Convoy" which was an extra between WS8A and WS8B.

    The entry in Winston Specials has "arrived safely in Freetown during the afternoon of 24 May. " and "After fuelling and watering at Freetown, Highland Princess sailed on 26 May and proceeding by way of Takoradi and Lagos to Durban ...."

    There is a photo at British Armed Forces & National Service
    Captioned
    Highland Princess was built for Nelson Line in 1929. She passed to Royal Mail in 1932, with the take over of Nelson Lin

    Hope this of interest.

    Robin
     
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  5. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    REPS which appears twice is Royal Engineer Postal Section. See: History of the British Army postal service - Wikipedia

    RGFHK is one of those apparently weird draft codes for a convoy use; they are explained here regularly. See: Draft recognition codes.

    59/ A Coy FB 3/4/41 ? Could FB be FP aka Field Post Office and shortened by the RE Depot clerks? Or Force Base?

    If you search online with "post office" + "ww2talk.com" + "royal engineers" there are many threads to check; and without "royal engineers".
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2023
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  6. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Have you considered getting his full service records that may shed more light on his service?
     
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  7. mike15w

    mike15w Member

    That's great info - thank you. I will dig into this more.
    Mike
     
  8. mike15w

    mike15w Member

    That's really helpful. Thank you so much. Exactly the kind of expertise I was hoping for.
    Mike
     
  9. mike15w

    mike15w Member

    I have considered it. However, he is one of 9 men on our village war memorial I am researching, so he is not a direct ancestor (I understand you need this to order his record).. and it could get quite expensive!
     
  10. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    You don't!

    It could!!
     
  11. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Wait until after April 1st.
    Get a copy of military service records
     
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  12. timuk

    timuk Well-Known Member

    I may have got it wrong but the way I read it is that it will be free to apply for a service record but if you want the record you still have to pay. From Get a copy of military service records
    "When you apply online for a British Army or Home Guard record, the MOD will check if they hold it. If they have it, you’ll be sent a link to pay. If they do not, you’ll be told to check The National Archives."

    Tim
     
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  13. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Doh !

    I totally misunderstood that then.
    Thought it sounded too good to be true.
     
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  14. timuk

    timuk Well-Known Member

    I may have got it wrong. I've now come across Requests for personal data and service records: a detailed guide

    The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is currently in the process of transferring circa 9.7 million Service records to The National Archives. The transfer is expected to complete in 2027.

    In conjunction with this transfer, the MOD has conducted a review into the release of Records of Service for Deceased Service Personnel through the Publication Scheme and has decided that requesters will no longer be required to pay the administration fee from 1 April 2023.

    The MOD will not issue a refund for applications received prior to 1 April 2023

    It seems the MOD sites are contradicting each other.

    Tim
     
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