6142813 Gerald John MITCHELL : Extracted to NSRW?

My Grand Uncle Gerald Mitchell 6142813 was rescued from Dunkirk. I have been trying to find service information on him. I have a couple of photos and a record. The record is stamped Extracted to NSRW and I am not sure what that means. Any information would be greatly appreciated. I am really new at this so even if someone could point me in the right direction to investigate.

 

Thank you. At least now I know what NSRW means. Still a roadblock on any information regarding his service. Cheers!

 

Have you applied for his Service Record? Yes, it can take sometime and it could with the MoD or The National Archives. It is the definitive answer to an individual's military service. Details or tips on research and more on a PM next.

This is the first time here that his service number has appeared.

 

The Cap badge doesn't look like RA, no white lanyard on his shoulder. Looks more like REME.
What did he do in civvy street before he enlisted ?
Any clues as to Regiment in any other photos, letters or paper work?

 

He was supposed to have been in the East Surrey Regiment.

 

Thank you. I will check the PM. No I have not applied for his record but if that is an option, I surely will.

 

RA?

Attestation Register posted by OP is for East Surrey Regiment and no mention of any transfer to RA…..

Only mention of RA is in the topic linked by Owen that answers OP query.

 

East Surrey Regiment - Wikipedia

The East Surreys were in Tunisia and Italy.
Two Battalions. One in 78th Div (Longstop etc ) One in 4th Division Djebel Djaffa

"With the East Surrey's in Tunisia, Sicily and Italy" by Bryn Evans available on Kindle

We might recognise some dates when you get the Service Records.
Worth a shot.
You should find out where and when he enlisted (Already have apparently). Most importantly his embarkation date,
training courses and postings, time of sick etc.

1st East Surreys sailed on 26 October 1942 in Operation Torch as part of 78 (Battle Axe) Division.
1/6thEast Surreys part of 4th Division, Arriving in early 1943 fought on the Medjez Plain around Djebel Djaffa, Fort McGregor and Banana Ridge. They lost their OC Lt Colonel Bruno on Djebel Djaffa during the German spoiling action Operation Fliederblute.

78th Infantry Division (United Kingdom) - Wikipedia

From my notes:
Djebel Djaffa 4th Division
The 1st and 4th Divisions were exchanging positions, when the Germans launched Operation Fleiderblute,
the 1/6 East Surreys part of 10th Infantry Brigade in 4th Division were defending Djebel Djaffa which overlooked the
main road to Tunis.
1st Division Infantry moved towards Banana Ridge.
The 67th Field Regiment had moved half their guns forward of the Front Line of Defence leaving the remainder, including Command Posts and RHQ in their original locations in three farms on the right of the road from El Arusah, 266 Bty being in the lee of Djebel Djaffa, ready to move the following night. They came under attack and were forced to fight as infantry, until daylight would allow them to see their targets.
At Djebel Djaffa 266 Battery C Troop and HQ came under attack by infantry supported by tanks.
The enemy withdrew at dawn taking the Regimental Aid Post personnel prisoner but did not attack D Troop and the Battery stores in the adjacent wooded area.
RHQ in the farm next door were also unmolested as was the Divisional Ammunition dump nearby.
As dawn approached the Germans were still in possession of Djebel Djaffa dominating the road to Tunis.
This was a major threat to Operation Vulcan.
The East Surrey’s set about retaking it. Led by their Commanding Officer Lt Col Bruno, they charged up the steep slope but within twenty yards of the top they stopped, calling in smoke to cover their withdrawal, they had lost twenty six wounded and forty two dead or missing, including Lt Col. Bruno.
They regrouped and under the 2 i/c went back up to take the peak, finding that the enemy had withdrawn.
Colonel Bruno’s body was found on the top of the peak. The hill remained in Allied hands.
The enemy had withdrawn north of the Tunis Road, east of Medjez el Bab, where they were later attacked over Easter, by 1st Division at Gueriat el Atach .




4th Infantry Division (United Kingdom) - Wikipedia

 

Casualty list states that he was wounded in France whilst with the 1st Bn East Surrey Regiment. The incident date is not recorded but the list is No 234 dated 18 June 1940.

 

Just ordered his death certificate so that I can order his service record.

 

Great information. This forum is really opening doors for me. Cheers!

 

I am not sure why the thread is in Royal Artillery as he was in the East Surrey Regiment. Perhaps I made a mistake when I started the thread.

 

I suspect he was wounded early in June during the time he was at Dunkirk. Family history tells of him being evacuated from Dunkirk.

 

Tony 56: "The incident date is not recorded but the list is No 234 dated 18 June 1940".

In which case he missed the boat at Dunkirk on 3rd June 1940.

2/6 Battalion withdrew with 51st HD.
Survivors leaving from various west coast ports.
Some Artillerymen were also evacuated from western ports having been injured prior to their arrival at De Panne,
making their way down the coast in RAMC Ambulances.

 

Think its time to stop for a while, maybe until his Service Record is available for view.
Everything else is guesswork.

The main dates should appear in AF B103 of the Service Records.

Posts are getting out of sync.

 

Diary transcripts here: 1st Battalion The East Surrey Regiment WW2 Diaries

 

This is incredible information, Thank you. I am going to be very busy