Field Security, 251, 278, 59 are you looking for members of it?

Hello. Has anyone found out that their grandfather or Dad were part of Field Security? I am interested in 251 FSS, 278 FSS and 59 FSS. The first sections were in North Africa and Italy the latter, 59 FSS, in Germany as part of the BAOR. It would be nice to hear from people who's relatives were in the same sections of FSS as my Dad. I have a picture possibly taken in France with names inscribed on the rear: Kentish, Grainger, Austin, Taylor, Mattheson, Murrow, WILLIS (my Dad) , Hunnisett, Hussey, Kenyon, Merritt, Slythens and Judkin. The last four names were the Sergeants and Commanding officer of the Unit. It would be great to hear from anyone with links to the units Dad served in. Many thanks.

 

The unit CO might be this man - needs clarifying

UK, British Army Records and Lists, 1882-1962
Name: A. A. J. Judkin
Military Year: 1944
Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant

Name: A. A. J. Judkin
Military Year: 1945
Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant

The rank may be incorrect as it could quite easily be Captain at this point

TD

 

Many thanks!

 

I tried a Military search on Ancestry for that name as it was uncommon and it searched for JUDKINS, not singular. Where did you find the records?

 

Were the RASC used as soldiers? Wiki say they supplied beds and stationery etc.

 

T/67677 Arthur Alfred James Judkin, born Wellingbro June 1911. Commissioned 2ndLt 29 April 1944, commissioned number 315986

Further that by a typo, Arthur A J Judkins married Gwendolen G Thompson at Northampton in the September 1934 Qtr.

Deceased 1994 on the Isle of Wight.

Regards,

Dave

 

From a military search on Ancestry

They did a little more than that - but as I mentioned he needs to be validated he is your man and if so how he transfered or was volunteered from RASC to FSS - I have no idea myself
All soldiers were taught to be soldiers and have the ability to fight - even those in the Army Catering Corps

TD

Royal Army Service Corps - Wikipedia
Wiki says
The Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) was a corps of the British Army responsible for land, coastal and lake transport, air despatch, barracks administration, the Army Fire Service, staffing headquarters' units, supply of food, water, fuel and domestic materials such as clothing, furniture and stationery and the supply of technical and military equipment.

 

Hopefully, some pieces of your jigsaw:

Tony Clayton’s ‘Forearmed’ mentions 251, 252 and 253 being the first designated Middle East FSSs “by August 1940,” with another ten being authorised. In September, the Field Security Wing (Middle East) was established “with two depot sections.....housed in the Hotel Semiramis,” presumably the one in Cairo:
An Imposing Building In Cairo - Semiramis Hotel In July 1940 | Egypt, Cairo egypt, Old egypt
as once known by TE Lawrence. Seemingly 160 British, Australian, New Zealand and Indian FSS operators passed through it, or what had become the ‘Intelligence Corps Depot and FSS Training Centre,’ by the end of 1940, possibly your father included?

251 FSS appears to have developed a specialist role at some time, “concerned with the Syrian, French and Greek communities...” in Port Said.....which may dovetail with your father’s French.

It would seem that a Brian Merritt was a member of 251 FSS during 1940-41. He had joined the Field Security Police in March 1940 - before the rebirth of the Intelligence Corps in July - but had become a WO2 by that December - so possibly the Section 2iC? Whichever, at some time he was detached or transferred to 252 FSS and deployed with them to Greece, where he was wounded and thence evacuated back to Egypt. After recovery, he received a wartime Commission and was subsequently redeployed as an FSO in Port Said (back to 251 FSS?) serving there to at least 1944.

 

Thank you! Brian Merritt eh? It adds depth to my Dad's story. Found the Clayton book. I read somewhere of FSS finding a hotel with a bath for Montgomery, they evicted the soldiers enjoying the facility. Bits are coming together after so many years of not knowing.

 

REading the FSS book, it seems the FSS were recruited for their language skills first. Thank you for taking the tie to look him up.