Dads Service record Italy 1944

Yep thats him

 

Hi Owen me too.
The photo of him in Scotland shows him also in a full (new looking, probably the same) uniform with tie, I really dont think that could of been post war, as he said he did training there, and went down with Pneumonia there twice. He never mentioned Marines, only Royal Engineers.
It is certainly a mystery..

 

Not great quality, but taken in front on the Forth Rail Bridge, in uniform with tie

 

Darn it pressed the wrong button. Try again!
This photo by what looks like the Forth Railway Bridge (is there anything else like it) seems to show a different belt buckle or is it my eyesight.
I cant zoom in to be sure but it might be an RM belt the one with his beret on is a standard Army Brass buckle well polished.
He is well tanned not like a bloke who has had pneumonia and dressed for an administrative meeting rather than training.
Bulled Boots or shoes no gaiters wearing ribbons. Looks more like an officer than an o/r.
I think Owen is right but beware, I know of someone who escaped from Germany as a POW he was cleaned up and flown home by the Americans.
Back in the UK he was interviewed cleaned up and issued with a new uniform complete with medals to go home in before the end of the war.
So some people were wearing them.

 

I'd agree with the RM comments, also interesting to note his uniform in a couple of photos is US made War Aid Battledress which was common (and sought after) in Italy - his belt in the photos is standard 37 pattern webbing which is normal for Army and RM with Battledress - I'd also go with just post war for dates on the photos on posts 15 & 23

 

Hi Tony,
I emailed the MOD. They have replied today. this is their reply

I can confirm that the no trace letter sent to you was correct.
We are not saying that your father did not serve in the Army – we are unfortunately saying that we cannot find a file based on the information you have provided.
This could be because of an indexing error or that the file has been lost or destroyed over the years.
We only have 3 files in the archives relating to the name LH Gough and none of these were born in 1922 or anything similar.
We have 591 files relating to Army servicemen born on the 11th August 1922 but none have the surname Gough.
So unless you can provide us with an Army number there is nothing else we can do.

I am sorry for what must be a disappointing response.

 

Steve, disappointing is an understatement. Did he marry your mother (? Edith) in 1949, any chance that he was still serving in which case a service number could be on the marriage certificate. Appreciate most unlikely but we are now looking for straws to clutch.
Any brothers / sisters / relations that might have any information or photos etc?

 

Its been a while since I looked at the .gov site:
Get a copy of military service records
You can apply for records if they were in the Royal Navy (including Royal Marines), British Army, Royal Air Force (RAF) or Home Guard.
So its not just Army, I suppose it depends on what you put on the request form.

Looks like Davy Jones's Locker is redundant.

 

Thanks Owen,
I am going to try the marines. The Guy at the Army Personnel Centre gave me an email at the Navy to try. I have mailed them this evening, but I guess I will have to send the Navy document by Snail Mail, and wait some more...

 

Yes he married my mother in 1949, They were certainly not in uniform. Their wedding certificate shows him as a builder.... I will try and get alook through my sisters photo album...

 

Steve, any chance that you can scan his cap badge in greater detail, seems to be a crucial point?

 

New Issue Kit? returned from Palestine January 1946. Photo Courtesy Burston Family, 67FR Mess Party Malvern circa 1946.