Sgt A E Ford Lincolnshire Regiment and Royal Engineers

I've just started research into my great-grandfather, Sergeant Albert Edward Ford, who served in the Lincolnshire Regiment from 1931 to 1937 and then again during WW2. I have his Certificate of Service from 1937, Certified Copy of Attestation from 1931, a copy of the Lincolnshire Regiment X Foot 250th Anniversary Book, his medals from WW2 and a number of photos from his time in the Army. I know he was a Private during his time served pre war in the UK, Hong Kong and India in the Headquarter Wing of X Foot whilst in Hong Kong during 1935. I have little information however on his time during WW2 and although I have applied for his service records I would appreciate any information people may be able to offer! I know that he was a Sergeant, Service Number 4799694, and was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star with North Africa 1942-43 clasp, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45. Please find the aforementioned photos below:

Lincolnshire Regiment Photo 5 by BonesJ posted Dec 16, 2018 at 8:31 PM

Lincolnshire Regiment Photo 4 by BonesJ posted Dec 16, 2018 at 8:31 PM

Lincolnshire Regiment Photo 3 by BonesJ posted Dec 16, 2018 at 8:31 PM

Lincolnshire Regiment Photo 2 by BonesJ posted Dec 16, 2018 at 8:31 PM

Lincolnshire Regiment Photo by BonesJ posted Dec 16, 2018 at 8:31 PM

Note in Lincolnshire Regiment Photo he is bottom right, Photo 2 he is bottom left, Photo 3 he is far left, Photo 4 he is bottom left and Photo 5 he is top middle.

 

Ah ok thats interesting! I shall rename the thread and pictures accordingly. As I mentioned he served with them up until 1937 and wrongly assumed he rejoined them in 39! I know his service records will reveal all but I am attempting to get a headstart as it will be a while until I receive them.

 

Hi,

Welcome to the forum.

It usually only takes 6 to 8 weeks to get service records back from Glasgow.

You’re best waiting for them rather than starting off down a blind alley........

Steve

 

Brilliant, thank you very much.

 

He enlisted in the Lincolns on 3/1930 and was discharged on 15/1/1937. He re-inlisted on 29/1/1940 and joined the Royal Engineers on that date. (From the Lincolns Nominal Roll, Book Number Regi 3-08, pages 144 held at the Lincoln Archives)

 

Thats very interesting, many thanks for your help.

 

Ramacal’s helpful post shows he served in a Lincoln’s Territorial Battalion before joining the Regular Army.

The enlistment into Royal Engineers Jan 1940, rather than a transfer from Lincolnshire Regiment, suggests he was not recalled as a reservist on the outbreak of the war. Possible reasons for that - could’ve been recalled and found to be unfit and discharged (then passes a medical when subject to conscription in Jan 1940) or he could’ve been in a reserved occupation in September 1940 - but not by Jan 1940.

All will be revealed when you receive his service records......

Steve

 

An update now I have received my great-grandfathers service records - Sergeant A E Ford. He joined the Lincolnshire Regiment TA on May 30th 1930 at the age of 18. He subsequently went on to join as a regular in the Lincolnshire Regiment on 13th March 1931 at the age of 19 serving until 1937 in Britain, Hong Kong and India. He was then discharged in January of 1937 for ceasing to fulfill the army physical requirements but his military conduct was described as exemplary, with his testimonial describing him as 'a very good type of man. A willing worker who can be relied upon to do his best, smart, clean, sober and honest'.
He then rejoined the British Army on the 29th January 1940, having previously been working as a docker in Grimsby. His attestation states he was eligible for enlistment as a docker, despite his discharge in 1937 stating he was unfit for any form of army service. His records state his trade as a Stevedore DIII, becoming a Stevedore DII on 5/5/43 and a Stevedore DI on 23/8/43. He was initially posted to 992 Docks Operating Company in 1941, briefly being put on the Y List in 1942, before being posted to 1013 Docks Operating Company on 10/10/42. He embarked for North Africa on 28/10/42 before joining 1057 Port Operating Company on 22/9/43. He then embarked for the UK on 6/3/44 presumably in preparation for the Normandy Landings. It was whilst he was in the UK he was put on the XII list twice: on 2/5/44 for a day and on 27/5/44 for 3 days. He then embarked for NWE on the 5/6/44 and disembarked in NWE on the 7/6/44. From a little bit of research I have done so far I have found that 21 men from 1057 Port Operating Company RE disembarked on Sword Beach at H+36 1/2 hours - he was potentially among these. He continued to serve in NWE until 10/8/44 when he was placed on the XII list again and this time was evacuated back to the UK, being placed on the Y List on 1/9/44. He was subsequently discharged from the Army on 27/10/44.
A minor alteration to my original post, he was in fact awarded the 1st Army clasp on the Africa Star rather than the 1942-43 clasp.
I have edited the description of the photos to state they were taken when either in 1013 D.O.C or 1057 P.O.C - I have ruled out 992 D.O.C as he was a Sapper/Corporal during his time with them.
My next step will be getting the war diaries for these Companies when I can get around to organising it! I suspect during his time in NA however he was in Annaba, Algeria as a member of 1013 D.O.C is buried at the Bone War Cemetery there.

 

Hi,

Thanks for the synopsis of his service record.

You may be aware from other posts on the forum that 2 members offer a National Archives War Diary look up and copying service.

Contact details below - just click on their forum name and start a conversation to send a personal message.

Drew5233

or

PsyWar.Org

Good Luck

Steve

 

Have used Drew5233 previously an can highly recommend!