Trying to make sense of WW2 documentation - RASC

Discussion in 'RASC' started by AussieSharon, Apr 1, 2022.

  1. AussieSharon

    AussieSharon Sharon

    Thanks so much Tom. I really appreciate this. It does fill in some blanks which is fabulous. Thank you.

    Sharon
     
  2. SteveDee

    SteveDee Well-Known Member

    If this hasn't already been said, let me add that your grandfather sailed to North Africa in convoy KMF-05 in support of Operation Torch.

    He would have had to endure rough seas, and this convoy came under attack from German U-boats and Italian aircraft, resulting in the loss of SS Strathallan.

    I've put together some first hand accounts here: Sergeant ACK-ACK: Operation Torch convoys
    ...and some info on Operation Torch here: Sergeant ACK-ACK: Operation Torch

    I hope this helps.
     
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  3. AussieSharon

    AussieSharon Sharon

    Hi Steve, this is fabulous. Thank you so much.

    I'd been searching for ships but really had no idea where to look, so this is very much appreciated.

    I'll read the information you provided with great interest.

    Regards,
    Sharon
     
  4. AussieSharon

    AussieSharon Sharon

    Hello,

    In my grandfather's war record there's an entry in the section on Military History Record that I've circled (in blue) on the attached document.

    It mentions N. Africa and then some letters. Does anyone know if any of these letters refer to Italy? I know that Pop served in Italy but I can't find any official record of his time there (apart from Italy Star medal).

    Pop was in North Africa till at the least the end of 1943 and there's a photo of him in Italy dated February 1944, but I can't find any other official mention of him arriving there. If the letters on the attached document mean anything to anyone, I'd really appreciate any interpretation.

    Thanks in advance,
    Sharon
     

    Attached Files:

  5. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    I can’t make out the full queried text but I can say it’s not unusual for a statement of services form to just show “North Africa” when a man went on to serve in Italy.

    In the context of the entry showing overseas service commencing December 1942 it’s a shorthand for a posting BNAF - British North Africa Forces (1st Army) to distinguish them from MEF - Middle East Forces (8th Army).

    When BNAF & MEF units went across to Sicily & Italy they were redesignated CMF - Central Mediterranean Force - but were often described as AAI - Allied Armies Italy. It was often the case that the statement of services form didn’t reflect these movements.

    However your query is often answered by entries on the B103 form(s) that record a man’s movements in much more detail than on the statement of services form.

    Have you had sight of his B103?

    Steve

    PS

    I now see that you posted another service record query a month ago that is still active - the last post was an hour before creating this topic. To save duplication of effort by members it’s best to keep all service record queries for the same man on the same topic. I’ll ask a moderator to merge this into your main post.
     
    Last edited: Apr 29, 2022
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  6. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    threads merged.
     
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  7. AussieSharon

    AussieSharon Sharon

    Thanks Steve ... and thanks also for recommending the post be merged with my previous one. I'll get the hang of this forum hopefully!

    I think the B103 is the one I've attached. It doesn't seem to give me any info, but that's probably because I don't know how to read it. I've previously attached another document that provides more detail but it stops in 1943 and I don't have another page.

    Regards,
    Sharon
     

    Attached Files:

  8. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    You’ve attached the front page of the B103. There are usually multiple B103 (continuation) forms that show a man’s movements in some detail.

    If the B103 (continuation) ends abruptly in 1943 it may be the case that MOD have failed to provide the additional pages that cover the rest of his service - or those pages have been mislaid/lost over the past 75 years.

    The usual forum advice in these circumstances is to recontact MOD to point out that you suspect some of the B103 (continuation) forms are missing and ask them to recheck the file.

    Sometimes they turn up the missing papers……

    Good Luck.

    Steve
     
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  9. AussieSharon

    AussieSharon Sharon

    Hello again ... for some reason I missed the attached document when I was scanning Pop's papers. I can now read more of it than before I joined this forum, but there are still some things I don't understand.

    Is anyone able to translate this information for me please or provide some information about what it means?

    Thanks so much,
    Sharon
     

    Attached Files:

  10. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    The missing link….

    Looks like he was transferred to CMF from BNAF 15.8.43 and went to Sicily around that time and inwards to Italy.

    He had a period of UK leave at the end of the war - travelling overland to Calais - before returning to Italy prior to commencing his approx 3 months terminal leave in Feb 1946.

    His demobilisation group (Age & Service) was 26 so I’d suggest his final release to Class Z Reserve was about May 1946.

    Steve
     
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