Hello All, Apologies in advance, this will be a pretty full post (with images). Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to look and try to help me. I have been digging deeply into my Grandfathers military history in the British Army during WWII. I have received his Service Records from the National Archives, his B.102, B.103-1, B.103-2, B199A and his B200D. Unfortunately, despite my many hours of searching through forums in an effort to spare the need to post for help, I am at a loss trying to confirm what I understand through notes, letters and his personal items. I understand he was in REME, trained as an Instrument Mechanic and was posted to Italy (C.M.F.) late '44, going ashore in Naples. I believe he was part of 6th Armoured Division and have the Division patches along with a photo of him riding a Division motorcycle to confirm this but I cannot find when or where he was part of the Division in the records. There is some redacted information while in Italy. I know he was captured by Italians and tortured, yet managed to escape using a screwdriver given to him by an Italian priest the night before he and his cell mates were set to be turned over to the Germans. Late in '45 he was posted to 161 Inf. (R.M.C.) O.C.T.U at Sandhurst and was appointed a commission with the Royal Sussex and sent back to Italy as part of the M.M.I.A, being M.T.O in charge of transport for the mission. He was a Craftsman with REME can anyone tell me more information on his skill/trade as Inst Mech? I see he was upgraded, sub-divided and reclassed on separate occasions but do know know what the text means: ( I/M A III ) ( I/M/FD III ), ( I/M/FD II )? Hopefully someone will recognize some of the abbreviations (or even be able to read the handwriting by recognizing codes etc.) and can shed some light on this for me. If you see anything you recognize, please let me know! Attached are images of his records. I have removed his DOB, Army & Personal Number along with home Address (White blanks), the black blanks are officially redacted information under Section 40(2) and Section 41(1)(a) and (b). Thank you for any light you can shine on this!
The bulk of your posting I will leave to others as my typing is very slow and these are often answered before I can post. I can however clear up his Trade description as I qualified in my apprenticeship as Instrument Mechanic way back in 1969. During the period before and after WW2 most measurements were displayed by mechanical instruments rather than electronics. The trade was particularly prevalent in RAF Aircrews as the Flight Engineer would have to pass the trade test before flying in Heavy Bombers to measure the height, speed and flight level instruments as they were paramount for the pilot to be confident that they were reading correctly. (My Trainer flew as Flight Engineer in Halifax Bombers). The REME did similar jobs measuring volts amps and ohms, Speed and height in such things as aircraft flight prediction to control the Ant Aircraft guns etc. As the war progressed these became more complex and necessary. Instrument Mechanics began to widen their knowledge as technology advanced studying electrics and electronics plus radio transmission /reception for radar etc.. The Royal Artillery spent much time developing Counter Battery and Counter Mortar fire measurement to locate where it was coming from 6th Armoured were in Italy, a country with many hills and valleys the location of enemy guns behind the hills was important. He might have not been part of them but attached. Naples was a centre for many Head Quarters due o its coastal location. I will look through the documents to see what he might have been doing ( bearing in mind much of this was secret) and if others don't turn up to transcribe the forms will begin to offer my suggestions bit by bit. The forum has many skills and associated knowledge so dont become alarmed if other jump in, we tend to work as a team on things like this. I will step aside if I see fit to do so or just plod along. All Service Records feature the same codes and acronyms one being the X List The ‘X List’ was used to identify a soldier and his status in the system for accounting and pay purposes. All time was accounted for particularly if the soldier was unavailable for duty, necessitating a stoppage of pay. Changes of trades/Qualification could also affect pay. The ‘X’ was followed by a Roman numeral, X(i) for all ranks waiting for a posting to a unit. X(ii) for all ranks held on medical grounds, wounded, injured or on a sick list. X(iii) was for prisoners of war, deserters, and soldiers held further to disciplinary action. X(iv) soldiers waiting to be posted to a unit from reserve holding / training camp. X(v) soldiers attending training/courses. Whilst not exactly correct, some records are written with arabic numerals X1, X2 etc. common acronyms SOS = Struck of Strength TOS = Taken on Strength ITC = Infantry Training Centre CMF = Central Mediterranean Force (Italy and surrounding countries) 1TTC- 1 Technical Training Centre
Uncle Target, your reply and information is very much appreciated. Rest assured, I won't be alarmed if others jump in as I have been a forum member for years and appreciate the wealth of knowledge here. Any and all help is appreciated. Also, I have located a copy of Craftsmen of the Army (Vol. 1), which I hope to receive soon so I can further explore what REME was all about during (and after) the war.
Thank you for the added info in your response! Enjoy the glass, I'll be joining you with a g&t in roughly 5 hours (Canada).
Looking to have another pair (or pairs) of eyes try to discern what is written on these three snips. Text in red I can't figure out. "Placed in sub-division as Inst/Tech (??) ??? Act II and Reclassified Wf(?)" "Posted to 13th A.A. w/s Coy R.E.M.E. Authy - ?? R.E.M.E. Records Posting Instructions Sital(?) to 806 Sub. ?? (12) ??. 28/June44 ---- "SOS Ghoo(?) Unit and posted to Mab Centre REME for Draft RDKGA Authy Remecords(?) P.I. 105819 Date 5.9.44" "Joined No. 17 I.T.C. for duty Det(?) C Motex(?) UK Posted to ??????? to head office Posted to 1 R Sussex P/A to HQ MMIA x(I)"
A few slight guesses, "Placed in sub-division as Inst/Tech (Field) Group A class II and Reclassified with effect from "Posted to 13th A.A. w/s Coy R.E.M.E. Authoriy -General i/c (in command) R.E.M.E. Records Posting Instructions Sital(?) to 806 Sub. ?? (12) ??. 28/June44 "Struck off Strength this unit and posted to Mobile Centre REME for Draft RDKGA (Random Embarkation Draft Code) Authority Reme records( Part.I. 105819 Date 5.9.44" Detached Chorley UK Posted to ??????? ????? Last line is illegible to me.
Det(ached) CMF ex UK posted to X4a - (not sure about this next part - perhaps: Ent(rained) to Head Office?)
Thank you RosyRedd and UncleTarget for your go at the scribbles for me. I have searched for clarification as to what the 13th A.A. would be but am still unsure (as I am not terribly familiar with Military structure). Does A.A. signify Anti-Aircraft? I have seen L.A.A. (Light Anti-Air) and H.A.A (Heavy Anti-Air) but not finding A.A. as often and don't want to assume it is a mix of both Light and Heavy using the simple A.A... And 13th being the "13th Group"? Also, I have been reading in several books the "Royal Engineers" being referenced (in Italy). Would this be a short form for REME or are the Royal Engineers a completely different group? Apologize for what may seem like silly questions to some. Thank you again.
Heavy Anti-Aircraft were entitled 'Anti-Aircraft' (AA or Ack - Ack) . In 1940 they were redesignated 'Heavy Anti-Aircraft' (HAA) to distinguish them from the Light AA units being formed. Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiments - The Royal Artillery 1939-45 Royal Engineer and REME are Different although REME came later in 1942. Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers - Wikipedia Royal Engineers - Wikipedia No need to apologise for asking silly questions no one knows everything.
