Hi all, Apologies for the long query and probably naive questions in advance! Very comfortable with WW1 infantry but WW2 tanks is still pretty new to me despite reading up With no casualty form in my Grandfather's service record, I am trying to pad my understanding out by gleaming what I can from the small details held on B102. Google and books have taken me so far but can anyone oblige with info on the list below please or add anything useful from the other notes contained on the forms (attached)? With the 'new;' info I am intending to narrow down my reading material to specific events, etc., as you do. Queries in Italics, but please feel free to comment on anything helpful! Front of form: Bottom right corner. 19. Location M.E. (Jaw 1943) [something medical perhaps?] (The Trade and Classification entry has been covered elsewhere) He was from Bedfordshire so had a mechanical / driving background which I imagine made him of interest for the service in the tanks? Had prior Territorial Infantry service in the 30's Back of form: 7/42 trained in 55th and 52nd R.Tanks 21/1/43 embarked from UK 1/2/43 disembarked N. Africa and to IGBD [guessing at something like Inbound General Base Depot?!] Would the 6 week gap here have been for the 'traditional' acclimatisation / local theatre training? Military History sheet records 21/1/43 - 30/3/46 N.Africa. No change to Italy recorded although he was transferred (record info, medals issued, etc.) 20/3/43 to ICDS [unable to find this abbreviation?] 23/3/43 posted 2nd Lothians Moves to Italy, date not recorded on record, seems to remain in 2nd Lothians until at least 7/44? 18/4/44 Trade Test, to Gunner Mechanic Class III (covered in another post) 22/7/44 to RAC TD x(4) [Training Depot, possibly Reiti, unposted list. No casualty form so no indication why] 2/1/45 RAC TD [any thoughts on the period from 7/44 until now? With unit but not logged? If ill, would he not have been posted home to recover in a more suited climate?] 20/1/46 to 45th R.Tanks 4/3/46 to 50 R.Tanks 31/3/46 to MEF [he moved to Greece, from where he was disembodied - presume this is the move?] Military History sheet records 31/3/46 - 2/6/46 M.E.F. 3/6/46 Y/7 reference? Seems to fit with disembodiment date Issued with 1st Army Clasp for his Africa Star, the Italy Star, plus Defence & 39/45 medals. Military Conduct dated 3/5/46 in Greece - Exemplary He did contract Malaria during the war (which returned every single year of his life) and died in his 70's with shrapnel with in him, if it helps
Hi As confusing as it sounds, those serving in Greece (and the Balkans) got a Italy Medal. In 1946, he was in Greece with 46th and 50th RTR. Both tank regiments were in 23rd Armoured Brigade. They stayed in and around Athens and the Peloponnese for the majority of their time there. 23rd Armoured Brigade was disestablished in mid 1946. Hope this helps Gus
Unlikely. Medical facilities in Britain would be already under severe pressure dealing with casualties from Normandy
I once worked with a soldier in a armoured regiment who said he had been in Greece 1944/45 to restore order. An interesting chap, before the war he worked at a Vickers Factory in Newcastle area making tanks & belonged to an armoured TA regiment there. Said he was the first to test the Churchill Tank in the South Downs restricted area. Later managed the Palace pier in Brighton.
Interesting way of putting it. Greece effectively had a short civil war with Stalin supporting the communists. Churchill dispatched British troops to intervene on the other side.
I looked up the end of WW2 in Greece a few months ago for a friend researching a decorated greek lady who helped british soldiers to escape & it was an eye opener. The chap I worked with may have put it more bluntly at the time, but it was the early 80's when I worked with him & I only remember the main gist of it. He was one of those people whose life could fill a book.
1/2/43 disembarked N. Africa and to IGBD [guessing at something like Inbound General Base Depot?!] I think this line may be very garbled handwritten 1 GRTD - 1 General Reinforcements and Training Depot. Later diaries (I have some from mid 43 onward) indicate men passing through from a variety of units
Was looking at 46 R.Tanks war diary for 1946 and there are repeated references to investigating and discovering mass graves. What a delightful role they found themselves involved in
I have the original reports by 23rd Armoured Brigade detailing in quite grotesque detail a mass grave found near Peristeri in early 1945 They are not for the feint hearted. The photos that accompany this are still locked from viewing at Kew. Gus
