Hey Chaps My apologies if this is a bit self indulgent but as some of you know I have been trying to track down all of my grandfather's service history with RWK's and 4 Recce. He was Major Bill Purvis with the RWK with the BEF and the RWK's in France in 1940, evacuated from Dunkirk and then joined 4 Recce serving in North Africa and Italy. I have had some great help here on this site and it's starting to piece together. Today I struck gold! My mother found some papers, a letter from one of his Recce troopers, and photographs that I thought I would share with you. I have attached some documents for opinions, thoughts and help. Apologies if this is of little interest but I know there some Recce men out there who I thought may find some of this of interest. I have his Platoon leader notes from Dunkirk that I will transcribe and put up at a later date. This I think is France 1940 with his company NCO's ? He is on the left This I think is the autumn of 1939 with the RWK's grandfather is centre back - blonde chap with no cap! No idea who these chaps are - any ideas? Newspaper cutting from the Daily Mail about the RWK's in France The best thing is I have now found a picture of Lt Colonel Preston CO (right) of 4 Recce and my grandfather (left) together - in March 1944 so I assume prior to to them moving to Monte Cassino Then I have attached some supporting documents which I have tried to put into some time order. Apologies again if this is not that interesting to many of you but I hope some find it of interest. Spero
Tim, Thank you for sharing the photographs and documents. You are putting together a nice piece of history. Regards Tom
I think this one is in the UK, and possibly following transfer to the Recce given the piping on the side caps? http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20043&d=1252563013
This picture is great, it has a real 'active service' look to it. However, I think it is later than 1939 as there are a lot of medal ribbons visible and I don't quite recognise the divisional flash on some of the tunics? http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20044&d=1252563044
Ah-ha! Just looked at some of the paperwork you have and see he ended up in 10th (Indian) Division. This must be from that period as the flash is their divisional badge: 10th Indian Infantry Division - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thanks so much everyone. Paul that was a great spot. That makes sense about the 10th Indian Division. Could these giuys have been the clerks he worked with? He was DAAG for the 10th looking after the Malaria section in Italy?
Hi there Spero, I realize I'm a couple of years late with this, but that Daily Mail cutting you posted some time ago featuring "the RWKs in France" is a cropped version of this photograph. Pretty amazing stuff really, I never new that it was published in the papers! My grandfather 'Jim Moles' (1st Battalion RWK) is the man in the centre of the image, sat down playing te harmonica! Any idea what date the paper was? Cheers Christian
I think this one is in the UK, and possibly following transfer to the Recce given the piping on the side caps? http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20043&d=1252563013 The group photo of NCOs may include my father, Staff Sargeant, Frank William Bray No: 6340862 (Second row, third from right, short chap). Although I am unclear of the "Recce" link. I am also unsure of his Battalion. I thought he was based near Folkestone in 1939, just prior to the RWKs journey to Belgium, taking up defence positions in Petegem, near Oudenaard. He looked like this in 1936: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/picture.php?pictureid=5226&albumid=892&dl=1338395009&thumb=1
Hello John and welcome to the forum. It certainly looks like your father. Have you any other photos you could post or any more details? Others may be able to help you. Lesley
Thanks so much everyone. Paul that was a great spot. That makes sense about the 10th Indian Division. Could these giuys have been the clerks he worked with? He was DAAG for the 10th looking after the Malaria section in Italy? A very high proportion of Sergeants and Warrant Officers for a bunch of clerks! Chris