REAHW looks very much like a draft code - have a look at posts 86 & 87 on the previous page. I'm glad you wrote that! I wasn't sure but it looked like the post you helped me with.
Neither am I! But this is the internet - the quickest way to get the right answer is to post the wrong one.
Leanmeanmo My own draft code was REAYK (Liverpool to Algiers in April 1943) Near enough to the one quoted above to confirm that what we are talking about is a unique number given to a wartime overseas draft. Check it out on the record sheet below, you can find all of my records on my personal page under Rons Army Records Ron
Many thanks to all of you! I'm sure you're correct about REAHW being a draft code - I didn't appreciate there were such things. In this particular case it must have stood for the trip fron Greenock to Durban, with 3 days in Freetown, Sierra Leone, all on the good (troop)ship HMT F7. My Dad had included a note about conditions on board, lack of washing facilities, inadequate food (but they could buy extra in the canteen if they had any money). Also " One of the greatest injustices is the banning of smoking below decks, consequently when blackout prevents smoking on deck we cannot smoke from 6pm to 7am. The punishment is 14 days pay stopped. Yet we see the officers smoking in their cabins and in the lounge at all times. Gambling, too, is prohibited. The officers have their whisky and soda, beer, lime juice and comfortable quarters. Their meals, too, are of the best, eggs, chickens, roasts, jellies and fruit etc." So much for the easing of the demarcation lines between officers and men after the Crimean War.
These draft codes do seem to be a recurring theme; I'm relieved to see that I'm not the only one confused by them. Did they all have 5 letters? However, I have a new tough abbreviation that Google, the National Archives, etc. seem to have no record of and I'm hoping you good folks can help again please. It concerns my Mum's war record. She was on a searchlight unit; she told me she was the one who adjusted the carbon arc and its electrodes. Her war record has her rôle down as a SLNO. Any suggestions?
.....However, I have a new tough abbreviation that Google, the National Archives, etc. seem to have no record of and I'm hoping you good folks can help again please. It concerns my Mum's war record. She was on a searchlight unit; she told me she was the one who adjusted the carbon arc and its electrodes. Her war record has her rôle down as a SLNO. Any suggestions?..... My best choice/choose for you: Perhaps your Mum are a.... Search Light Night Operator ? Jan.
I think again about this acronym..... Perhaps could be Search Light Maintenance/Mechanic Operator ? This solution make sense at your enquirie and comments..... Do you could put a scan of your Mum's war record? M & N, in quick handwriten documents, are in ocassions both confuse..... Jan.
Looking at it again it could, possibly, be SLWO. . . . ? Hi - perhaps it would be a good idea to scan that line! Jules.
OK, here's a scan. Clip 1 is from 'Army form B102' and clip 2 is from the Notification of Impending Release form. I hadn't noticed the clip 2 reference before, but that definitely looks like SL NO. I also note that elsewhere, under qualifications, it has 'plotter' if that helps.
OK, here's a scan. Clip 1 is from 'Army form B102' and clip 2 is from the Notification of Impending Release form. I hadn't noticed the clip 2 reference before, but that definitely looks like SL NO. I also note that elsewhere, under qualifications, it has 'plotter' if that helps. It does look like SL NO. Looking at the ATS Remembered website - ATS Remembered - History Searchlight Ops it says there that girls were allocated a number and the Trux link on this forum about searchlight units: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/artillery/28493-searchlight-units.html has examples such as 'lance serjeant searchlight number.' Perhaps the NO is an abbreviation for number and your mum was 'Private searchlight number.' Just an idea.
SQMS - which would be most likely used by the RAOC/REME - staff or squadron quartermaster sergeant? Thanks. Jules.
Does anyone recognise the abbreviation BAN. This occurs several times on D Day landing tables as Nucleus BAN. Like most of the mystery items it is probably Royal Navy rather than army. Mike.
I'm trying to find out what WOUN means (could be WOUM - it's hard to tell) which appears several times on my Grandfathers war records - usually in relation to places he was posted. He was a Captain in the Provost Marshal attached to the R.A. I've noticed several other members on this site asking the same question but no one seems to know. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Royal Artillery - WOUM
I don't think I've seen this one on any of the lists here... B.B.R.C I think it means British Base Reinforcement Camp - it is in my father's records at the time of his arrival in Bombay in '43 - it may have a reference to the Deolali camp, but...
I find these three pages in this site WWII US Submarine Warfare Pacific World War II 1941-1945 about abbreviations and acronyms used by the US Navy: WWII US Naval dictionary, Glossary, Terminology, Jargon and Phrases WWII US Navy ship hull designations World War II 1941 1945 WWII US Navy enlisted ranks rates, branches and badges Jan.
Haven't seen any reference here to that famous classic on letters home from active duty or POW's.. NORWICH (or as someone pointed out should be KORWICH!) Knickers Off Ready When I Come Home
I wonder if anyone can shed light on these too abreviations taken from a former BRITISH soldiers service records (70th DLI Young Soldier) First is;-DRAFT RNZKW (or possibly RNZRW?)12/8/43 Next is ;-To X.IV.1.9.RTD (I`m familiar with X listing X.IV but struggling big time on 1.9.RTD?)25/08/43 Best Wishes Jim Any help or pointers appreciated both terms follow on from each other
Hi Jim - the Draft RNZKW or RNZRW was an ID code for soldiers going abroad. Some extra info is in this thread post 86 on and Ron has some info about his draft code post 104. I believe the RTD is Reinforcement Training Depot. Jules.
