uniform ID

Hi, I wonder if you can help?

This photograph of my grandfather was taken in 1945. He was, as you can see, a soldier. However, I can find no records of him existing anywhere on any site!

Can anyone ID the uniform? He was born 1913 so should not only have a WW2 record but also a National Service Record...

I have tried all combinations of his name because he used various aliases throughout his life. His "official" name is Dennis Ford, however he also used Dennis Kenneth Ford, Kenneth Dennis Ford, "Ginger" Ford and apparently his eldest son's name, Anthony. His mother's surname was actually Fores and I've tried that combination too. So, I'm going back to trying regiments... any ideas?

 

Oooh could well be... where would they be based/enlisted? Dennis was from South London, Southwark area.

and.. what do the two stripes on his arm denote?

 

Thank you! I'll try that direction

 

I'd agree with REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) and can also see that he pressed a mean trouser crease !

Did he have electrical or mechanical skills ? It is the sort of unit where many would have learned a trade which stayed with them.

It's really not unusual to find no internet record of 'other ranks' (i.e. non-officers). In fact internet research of most things that happened before 1980 shows just how little information is on there. Even something simple such as a list of the shops in your local high street before 1970 will be pretty much a black hole unless someone has researched the matter first.

 

Thank you both, I shall do that... he could well have had mechanical skills, yes. I'm very grateful for your help - if I find his record I shall update here

Interestingly I've just found one of the veteran's posts here mentions a Cpl Ginger Ford... I have messaged the gentleman who mentions him... I wonder if it's one and the same....

 

Denise,

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Good luck with your research.

Although there may be a long wait for the records it will be well worth it.

Regards
Tom

 

Thank you Tom, I've sent off the forms this morning. You mention a long wait - do you know what is their typical response time? I had fun trying to fill in the boxes, my grandfather was fond of varying the truth regarding his personal details and you have to include a death certificate - only his death certificate records his date of birth as being derbyshire when in fact he was born in Hackney - so along with his various aliases I decided to include his birth certificate as proof. I think that the researcher may have their job cut out with this one. I have no idea what information he would have given on enlistment! He changed his marital status, date of birth and name on his second marriage certificate so what information they have is anyone's guess... fingers crossed they come up trumps... for too long he's remained a mystery to me! I'm really grateful for all your help!

 

Hi, just received my Uncles service record which took a year to arrive, seems to be the norm at this time, a long wait but well worth it.

 

A year? Oh my! I'll drive myself mad in that time!

 

Denise,

Have you tried remaining relatives for items that may have been passed down like paperwork and postcards etc?

It is worth while exhasting all lines of enquiries until you receive the records.

I realize that it is frustrating, but sometimes just one clue leads you on another and then another.

So do not lose heart in the search.

Regards
Tom

 

Tom

Sadly my grandmother divorced my grandad when my father was 17 years old. He disappeared and I never met him, my father never seeing him again. I found out around 10 years ago that he had remarried and died in 1974 aged 61, and his new wife in 2000. My grandmother never really forgave him for his supposed actions in the marriage and until her death 2 years ago I've never been comfy about finding more about him for fear of upsetting her. I wrote many years ago to the beneficiaries of his second wife's will, asking for information/photos/memories of my grandfather on two occasions, as I had found that they still lived at the addresses listed in the 2000 will but sadly they declined to respond. I can't say I'm overly surprised as he had claimed to be a batchelor at his Catholic church wedding (he wasn't catholic!) and also claimed to have a different name and place of birth. Whilst I can prove each of these things, it does of course mean that he told a number of lies, probably to his wife as well as to her extended family. It wouldn't sit comfortably with me, either if I were them. I assume that they have inherited everything to do with my grandfather. Certainly he left nothing with his first family.

 

Denise,

Sorry to hear the problems that you have tried to overcome.

It would appear that the records are the only way to go.

Like you say, with using different names and date of birth it makes it a little harder for the authorities at the record office.
Fingers crossed.

Regards
Tom

 

oh dear.. I'm at another dead end! The Army records people have just called as a result of my application for my grandfather's army records - he's not listed under ANY of the names that I have for him, nor under the various dates of birth I have... or any combination of them! They suggest that I find his Army Number... I have nothing, not a jot of information on my grandfather... any suggestions anyone?

 

Finally... after all this time we've hit a breakthrough! The lovely army records people gave me the tip off that any child born in war time would more than likely have a correct army number on their birth certificate - and after obtaining a copy of my late uncle's birth certificate (my father born just before war broke out), there it was... a long letter back to the records office with the number and all the certificates we had that showed various names, marriages, dates of birth, religions etc that we had for my grandfather Dennis Ford showed that he enlisted with an incorrect date of birth and marriage date but the correct spouse and home address... and he called himself Anthony Dennis Ford (which are actually my father's first two names. He was medically dismissed with hysteria visceral in 1946. So... Cpl Anthony Dennis, Ford served 1942 - 46, REME... if anyone recognises him, I'd be more than grateful for information! Thank you to you all on here for your advice in trying to trace him

 

Have the actual records now. Posted to GS Corps (?) transferred to REME 355. Can't really read much of the detail so if anyone has ideas, I'd be really grateful.

 

Glad to hear that perseverence paid off.

GS Corps is simply General Service Corps which was set up to process new recruits prior to them being posted elsewhere. His civilian trade was 'Capstan Operator / Turner' so was already a semi-skilled tradesman and REME was the logical posting for him.

He went to North West Europe (France) on 29/8/1944 as part of 21st Army Group and appears to have been attached to 620 Advanced Base Workshop. They don't seem to have had their own war diary so it will be necessary to look up the superior formation.

Have a look at the 'Trux' sub forum under Services, REME for more detail over how an Advanced Base Workshop was made up.

 

Thank you - I will look in the other section as you suggest. Can you please explain superior formation?