Father in Laws Naval service

Discussion in 'The War at Sea' started by Adam85, Oct 7, 2020.

  1. Adam85

    Adam85 New Member

    Thanks for the add to the forum.. unsure if this is the right place to post this.

    I wonder if anyone is able to help me.. My father in law served in the Navy 1943 -1946 He told my wife that he sailed on various ships and spent a lot of time in Spain(none of which is on the record).. Also when my mother in law tried to get these records in 2009(just after his death) the MOD said the files were blocked .

    It seems to me that most of whats listed on the below payment and victual record are 'Stone Frigates' or shore establishments whilst his service record is blank.

    None of it makes any sense and I'd love to give my Wife and Mother in law some answers .

    I've tried to do my own research but again very vague answers .

    Many thanks.

    If anyone can help i would be very grateful.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. timuk

    timuk Well-Known Member

    Hi Adam and welcome,
    Here's some info:
    Naval Party 1030 - from naval-history.net
    1030 *Bombay 07.43-12.43/then Naples/disbanded by 11.44* - RM ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY Protection Unit 90
    HMS Saunders - Combined Ops Training Centre for Beach Landings, Kabret, Egypt
    Combined Operations Signals Training for Beach Landings in the Middle East
    HMS Byrsa - RN Naval Base, Naples
    HMS Anzio - Tank Landing Craft
    HMS ANZIO. TANK LANDING CRAFT.
    HMS Fabius - RN Naval Base, Taranto
    HMS St Angelo (Euroclydon) - RN Naval Base Malta. The entry indicates this is where his records were held although he was actually at HMS Euroclydon. At this time Euroclydon was a demobilisation centre.
    I can't see any indication that your father-in-law went anywhere near Spain during WW2. It seems as though he was more involved in Landing Craft.
    Others may come along with more info. If not I'll have a better look later.

    Tim
     
  3. Temujin

    Temujin Member

    I had a quick look, and off course in his travels to Egypt, Italy, Malta etc he would have “passed by” Spain at least once on the trip to the Egypt etc, in fact not impossible that on any ship he was on may have stopped in Gibraltar, but as TIM said, nothing that tells me that he was in Spain many times

    Have said that, I note Tim indicates “HMS ANZIO”......I believe this is the PLACE (ANZIO, ITALY) NOT the vessel, as my records tell me the LST that was name HMS ANZIO did NOT get that name until 1947.

    I’ll see if I can find anything else
     
    timuk likes this.
  4. Adam85

    Adam85 New Member

    I should add that his actual naval service record is blank and contains no information at all and certainly nothing that matches the above victual record.

    He could speak 5 languages fluently and was also in Bombay in 1943 at some point .
     

    Attached Files:

  5. Temujin

    Temujin Member

    Actuallly his records tell me in was in Bombay with Naval Party 1030 from 11 Aug 43 to 31 Mar 44......then he was in Naples
     
  6. timuk

    timuk Well-Known Member

    I think you are correct. I was rather misled by the fact the IWM photo in my #2 is dated WW2 and the fact that the P&V record normally shows the ship/establishment rather than a place. However in this case it shows Duty: Anzio which does tend to indicate the place rather than HMS Anzio.
    He was also probably in Bombay with 'Party Major' from 13/06/44 - 9/02/45.
    1031 Port Party Major 31 Bombay start late 10.44 – 05.45/Rangoon 06-11.45/listed CHINTHE from 07.45 – end/disbanded 09.12.45
    Adam - is it possible that, with the passage of time, your wife has got her Mediterranean countries muddled and meant "he spent a lot of time in Italy"?
    When you refer to your father-in-law's Service Record are you referring to his Certificate of Service, which would have been given to him when he left the RN?

    Tim

    Edit: I'm not sure what the record is in #4. It looks like an extract from his Certificate of Service but it is not as the Character and Efficiency which is completed every year has not been completed. The problem with Certificates of Service is that they were handed to the rating on discharge and no duplicate was kept by the RN, hence many were either lost or mislaid the document. The Certificate of Service contains 4 pages.
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2020
  7. James Harvey

    James Harvey Senior Member

    It’s the navy card record, it stopped midway 1943 and restarted 1947
     
    timuk likes this.

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