Alfred Arthur Hamish Knowles, 2nd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (2 RHA)

I am a new member researching my late uncle's WW2 service on behalf of my cousin, his daughter. We have obtained copies of the documents in his Service Records, but Form B103 (Service and Casualty) was not included.

Distance prevents me from visiting TNA, but I have researched 2 RHA on the internet and in C. Seton-Watson's book "Dunkirk, Alamein, Bologna. I have put together a summary of their movements from 1939 until the end of the North African campaign (available to anyone who is interested).

We know very little about the details of Hamish's service and I would be grateful to hear from anyone who may have more information. I included a summary of what we do already know below.


Alfred Arthur Hamish Knowles, known as Hamish, was a reservist called out and posted to 2 RHA on 2 Sep 1939. He served with the BEF in France, but must have become separated from his unit during the withdrawal because he escaped on his own by "borrowing" a small boat and was picked up by a destroyer in the Channel. He suffered an injury while pushing the boat off the beach and his medical classification was reduced to "B1". He was promoted to full Bombardier in Aug 1940.

Hamish went to North Africa with 2 RHA and was promoted to full Sergeant in Jul 1942. He was wounded in action (probably minor) on 10 Jun 1942 (Battle of Gazala?). He also received a commendation from C. in C. Middle East dated 1 Oct 1942. Possibly his previous injury recurred about this time as he was posted Xiv (evacuated on medical grounds) on 14 Sep 1942.

There is no indication on the B102 that he rejoined 2 RHA, but between Oct 1943 and Aug 1944 he was posted to "Force 133" (SOE Headquarters, Cairo) on three occasions. We assume that his medical classification means he was unlikely to have been active in SOE operations, so he must have been a trainer or radio operator. No SOE personnel file on him survives and he never mentioned this part of his service.

In Sep 1944 he returned to the UK under the Python scheme and joined 21st R.A. Training regiment where he remained until the end of the war.

 

QUOTE joloho I am a new member researching my late uncle's WW2 service on behalf of my cousin, his daughter. We have obtained copies of the documents in his Service Records, but Form B103 (Service and Casualty) was not included

Hello and welcome to the forum

I see you still received quite a lot of information despite not receiving the B103 form.
As I have stated to other members, please don't be fobbed off by the MOD-give them a ring and ask them to look again. If they tell you that's all there is, ask them to PULL THE FILE AGAIN, and keep persisting until they do.
We have had a couple of members on here recently who had the same problem and eventually they DID receive the missing form.
I find it extremely annoying that when you pay your 30 quid the MOD seems to have sloppy employees who cannot be bothered to copy the whole paperwork.
(Rant over)

Other members may come forward to help you with the unit you are researching.

Lesley

 

Hello and welcome.

Small world - I coped 2 RHA's WD for 1942 today.

 

Many thanks for your reply Drew5233. I've sent you a private message to ask for details.

 

Thanks for your advice, Lesley. We had already discussed the possibility of querying the lack of the B103 with Brown St. - now we will follow that up with "vigour"!

Jane

 

Morning Drew,

I see you have 2RHAs War Diary and wondered if you could post Sunday 14 June 1942, please.

Have a man from Walsall KiA this date,

Many thanks,

Graeme

 

Here you go Graeme - Killed during a Stuka attack? Check the CWGC site for more casualties from the regiment with the same date of death in the same place.

 

Morning Andy,

Once again, many thanks for your input, much appreciated,

Regards,

Graeme