JX357952 R H Biddlecombe: Newbie help please

Yes I think it's fantastic that people will give up time to help myself and others. Very kind

I am loving reading through the various posts etc it's incredible the knowledge that the forum members have.

 

Can you make out the postage date on the box?

Looking at street view the present day 14 Woodthorpe Gardens was built long after WW2 and probably 1970s, old maps of the area don't seem to indicate any previous buildings although there was an older part of Woodthorpe Gardens (the part parallel with Bridge Road). That is why it isn't in the 1939 Register.

Google Maps

You may have to consider any re-numbering that may have occurred but otherwise you may be looking outside the area for R H Biddlecombe. Post #4 by Clive with Ronald (1915 - 1989) could still be worth checking.

Does the paperwork definitively link JX357952 to Biddlecombe or is it possible that a relative sent for the medals long after the war?

 

Hello Tony,

I cannot unfortunately see the post date clearley.

I am no expert when it comes to WW2 medals, however the box and its contents do seem to be early post war issue. Compared to some I have that were issued to a family member later anyway.

I am looking through 1911 census records to see if I can pick up a trail for a R H Biddlecombe.

Many thanks

 

Jx ****** means seaman branch

I’ve not seen many port codes on ww2 boxes

 

My grandfather was born 1919 his number is JX234*** his port division was R for boom defence he joined in 1940

between 1931 and 1943 each branch had their own numbering system so it was common to have the same number issued to multiple people with just a different branch code

so eg
Jx123456 was a seaman bloggs
Kx 123456 was was Stoker Jones
Mx 123456 was ERA smith

so forth, they were also given a port division code depending on home port but this port code could change

however if seaman bloggs decided to become a Stoker he would be given a new number and would become KX 334567 Stoker Bloggs

In 1943 the numbers were ceased and a new block was started from 500000 and a sailor kept the same number if he joined another branch

so JX 500123 AB Wilson who joins in 1943 decided to become a Stoker his new number would be KX500123 if he then decided to become a ERA he would be MX500123

So number 500123 could only belong to Wilson in this example.

I hope this helps

a 1923 birth date would be possible and don’t forget you could join the navy at 16 as a boy entrant

I will see if I can pun down a year of entry for your man

 

Many thanks James, yes that makes sense.

Thankyou for taking the time to explain that to a noob such as myself I appreciate it

 

Many thanks James, yes that makes sense.

Thankyou for taking the time to explain that to a noob such as myself I appreciate it

 

I’ve tried the 1939 register, he is not listed but there are a few blanked out names that would fit a 1923 birth in Hampshire

 

Thankyou James, I am very new to research but trying to learn. Its driving me mad though!!

 

They are hard to research

 

Your not kidding. I have a few WW2 medal groups and some reason I don't get anywhere with them, I thought it was just me being amateur!!

 

No as all records are still held by the mod