Help decoding my Grandfather's service record.

Discussion in 'Service Records' started by 1stBuffs, Apr 18, 2022.

  1. 1stBuffs

    1stBuffs Member

    Hello all

    I thought I'd lost these, so I re-applied for them back in 2019! Am still waiting but luckily, after a thorough rummage in the attic, found the original copies.

    I understand some of this, I'm lucky enough to have a complete record of the war diary from 1940 to 1945 so I can pin point the battalions location on most dates, but I do not know what some of the acronym's are and if the orders stated to the extreme left can be cross referenced somewhere, maybe Kew?

    Any help greatly appreciated.

    Is it possible to find the troop ship name he embarked on?
    Are there any records I can access for him being hospitalized on the 3 occasions?
    Any idea what MIGO is?

    Many thanks in advance. Apologies if the images aren't the correct orientation. I tried but failed!
     

    Attached Files:

  2. timuk

    timuk Well-Known Member

    The Part II Orders referred to in the Service Records very rarely exist.
    Troopship on embarkation is sometimes referred to in the War Diary. If not you can look at ConvoyWeb. The dates in the Service Record might indicate Convoy WS2 but you will not be able to identify the exact ship your Grandfather was on.
    It's MEGO not MIGO which I think is Middle East General Order. (Retained Acting rank, the authority being MEGO 391/43).

    Tim
     
  3. sjw8

    sjw8 Well-Known Member

    Hi

    I see Tim has replied to your question re the Part II Order details in the first column of Grandad 1 to 3, and Grandad 4, and as Tim says it is doubtful that a copy of these are now held.

    These were produced in triplicate by the unit to record postings, promotions etc. with a copy sent up the chain of command to the Adjutant General's staff at Division, Corps etc., and the third copy to the Manning & Record Office administrating the parent Regiment, Corps etc. I have not heard of any being held - probably destroyed in line with MOD destruction policy; however, it is possible that copies are held by The Buffs Regimental Museum in Canterbury.

    As to Medical Records, these are generally not released and it is difficult to obtain them. I think that there have been occasions where these have been released to Next of Kin, usually in connection to invalidity claims etc. but only after a fight.

    Steve
     
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  4. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Believe that you are aware of him being wounded as per your other posts:

    Hello to all #16

    Hello to all #18

    He only appears the once in the casualty lists, possibility that the other occasions were not battle related i.e. malaria or similar
     
  5. Uncle Jack

    Uncle Jack Member

    I'll take a look at Archie Munro's book "Winston Specials". It is possible he has identified the ship. The dates may tie down ship identity to one of a few.
     
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  6. Uncle Jack

    Uncle Jack Member

    Confirms the dates fit with WS2

    Convoy split … “From Capetown, the Suez portion comprising Andes, Strathaird, Otranto and the two Empress liners (Canada and Britain)…. cleared the port as WS2A during the evening of 30th August and were soon joined by Shropshire from Simonstown.”



    ”Andes and two Empress liners arrived Suez before dark on 15th. The remaining ships arrived on the morning of the 16th after a passage of exactly six weeks.”
     
    Last edited: Apr 19, 2022
  7. 1stBuffs

    1stBuffs Member

    Hi Steve
    Many thanks for the reply, this is most useful. I've planned a trip to the museum so will see what this throws up.
    As for the medical records, do you know who I have to go into battle with in order to try and get copies?
    Many thanks for your help
    Andy
     
  8. 1stBuffs

    1stBuffs Member

    That really narrows it down for me, Jack. Thank you for looking at this for me.
    He disembarked at Port Suez on the 16th, according to the service papers - Would they have been kept aboard until daylight?
     
  9. 1stBuffs

    1stBuffs Member

    Definitely wounded twice. Not sure of the cause of hospitalisation in July '42 though
    I've replied to your earlier comments on the other thread, thank you very much, I really appreciate it
     
  10. Uncle Jack

    Uncle Jack Member

    No Idea. But unloading was not simple as they could not berth with so many big ships. Had to tranship in small local boats ... looks like the powers that be were annoyed at these key liners taking so long to turn around.

    Regards Robin ( nephew of Jack who died 1943 )
     
  11. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Andy,

    You asked:
    Quite recently others asked the same question and one response - not mine - was that no-one was known to have been successful. Having looked at hospital, not individual, records there is a dearth of information on them too. I'd wager the Army and others did not return records created abroad during demobilization and relocation.
     

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