2380820 DVR/SGMN Ward FREEMAN, RCS: 1941-1946 service records

Hello all,

We are researching my wife's Granddad, Ward FREEMAN 2380820.

We have downloaded his Service Record and with the help of the amazing WW2Talk threads, we are piecing together his service in 8th Army, PAIFORCE, MEF and BNAF during his time in the Middle East between 1942 and 1945.

We have even got as far as identifying the ship that we are 99% certain he embarked on for his route to the ME which is STIRLING CASTLE as part of convoy WS20.

However, we are slightly scratching our heads because on the B102 (see attached), you will see that he embarked (we think in Liverpool) on 17 Jun 42 and Disembarked on 21 Jul 42 in (we think) Durban - over a month...?

The B102 entry is marked "Disembarked U.D." - does anyone know what the "U.D." means please?

He then embarked again on 24 Aug 42 and the B102 entry is marked "Emb U.S." - again, does anyone one what "U.S." means?

If we are correct that he disembarked in Durban then our link to STIRLING CASTLE is correct as she definitely called there on WS20. We are now trying to figure out in what vessel he made his final leg to Egypt in but we are keen to confirm and learn why he stayed in Durban for over a month and wondered whether the "UD" and "US" might help. Seems a long holdover period.

I've attached his B103 forms as well - if anyone has any ideas about what he might have been doing in an around Milan in 1945, that would be really helpful too.

Absolutely love this forum - its been so helpful.

David & Lisa

 

Not one I’ve seen before, but there are better men and women than me on here. At first I wondered if the U.D. was “unfit for duty”, perhaps he was hospitalised in Durban for that month for some reason, but then why no specific mention of that on his record, so I’m probably way off. That theory also doesn’t connect to the U.S. either.

There, you’re a whole lot unwiser now.

 

Ha ha - thanks for replying.

I've racked my brains for what UD & US might be but just can't think of anything. Just seems odd he stayed there for so long.

 

Neither abbreviation are shown on the best place I know: WW2 Abbreviations and Acronyms | Researching the Lives and Records of WW2 Soldiers

Could UD mean Under Detention or Disease? So, US could be Under Supervision? Medical or Disciplinary.

There are a few posts here that refer to ships stopping at Cape Town or Durban for some R&R, hosted by the locals. I doubt such stays were a month. So, it would an official stay. Unless a ship was found to be unfit to continue and needed repairs etc. That adds a third option for US: Under Sail - but in WW2 that would be an odd phrase.

There are a few threads here with WS20 (using the forum's simple search option) and this one has extracts from a book: Winston Special Convoy - which ship I note Post 24 refers to one soldier being in Cape Town for two months - just a glance and read no more.

Does your Service Record include his disciplinary record?

By the way I was puzzled on the first image it appears he was 'Remustered'. Not seen that before.

 

I presume you’ve seen his medal card, written and signed in his own fair hand. Apologies it’s not crystal clear, I don’t have access to the better copy on FWR.

 

Hi David. Thank you so much for replying.
There is no disciplinary record in the file and no mention on the service record. Sickness is a possibility as on arrival at Port Tewfik, he was admitted to hospital for a few weeks so perhaps that the answer.
I've read the WS20 article in full. Again nothing specific other than there was,a drive to Get 51 Highland Division into theatre as reinforcements so I was guessing maybe his section (he was with 51 Line Section at the time) weren't a prioirty.
Agree the "remustered" phrase - odd terminology.
Thanks again. Really appreciate it.
David & Lisa

 

Oh wow thank you!!!!
I was a medal application on another thread and we were going to do it next so you saved us a job thank you.....

 

You’re most welcome David. As I say, sorry it’s a bit blurred. Hopefully some kind and helpful soul here might be able to get you the better, clearer version.

 

The 51st Highland Division had according to Wiki:

From: 51st (Highland) Division - Wikipedia

The second image indicates he was reassigned to other RCS units once he was in the Middle East. I assume your timeline incorporates that.

Wiki refers to their service in North Africa and Sicily August 1942-1943, then withdrawn to the UK for D-Day. As he did not get the medal for France & Germany (which also rules out him serving in France 1940), that I suspect would mean he was posted to the RCS in PAIFORCE, and BNAF.

PAIFORCE was the command formation, with responsibility for Iraq and Persia only, September 1941 to 1946.

The BNAF was the command formation for British Troops North Africa, covering Algeria to Tunisia; I cannot quickly find the start date, but expect it was after the 8th Army began it's Italian campaign, so the likely start date is July 1943 with the invasion of Sicily. BNAF was active until 1946.

There are threads here for both formations.

 

Brilliant, thank you so much.

 

Nice one John, much better than my copy!

 

Always happy to help mate

 

That is so kind of you. Thank you very much indeed.

 

The correct designation would have been 51st (Highland) Divisional Signals, the term regiment came in from 15 Jul 46 and companies/sections became squadrons/troops, 51st (Highland) Division was disbanded 30 Jun 46.

21st Army Group later British Army of the Rhine (under construction)

 

Hi

Could UD be "Unknown Destination"?

If yes, then US could be "Unknown Ship"

Hope this helps

Gus

 

That's a real possibility Gus, thank you!