Lt-Cdr J D Tooms, RNVR - MBE?

Hi everyone

Here is a recommendation for the award of MBE for Lt-Cdr John Douglas Tooms, RNVR.

It was made by Sqn Ldr L Symonds, OC 2902 Field Sqn, RAF Regiment at the end of 1944.

Found in 2902 Field Squadron - RAF Regiment ORB - Dec 44 to Jan 45 (AIR 29-129)





Can anyone find if he actually got one as I am not having any luck on London Gazette?

I believe he got a MID in 1944 but this was before he went to Greece.

Thanks as ever

Gus

 

To my knowledge Gus, he doesnt appear to have been awared anything other than the MiD in the 1944 Birthday Honours. Temp/Act Lt/Cdr RNVR assigned to HMS MOSQUITO - Royal Navy coastal forces base at Alexandria, Egypt. Photo below as 4th Mate - Merchant Navy.


Regards
Hugh

 

Hello Gus, I think the recommendation for the MBE must have fallen on deaf ears unfortunately.

But, on the back of Hugh's excellent photo find of J D Tooms here's one of him, courtesy of IWM Collections, at Skiathos in October 1944.



Link here: BRITISH FORCES IN SKIATHOS. 31 OCTOBER 1944, AFTER THE LIBERATION OF THE GREEK ISLAND OF SKIATHOS, USED AS AN ADVANCED BASE BY BRITISH FORCES FOR NAVAL OPERATIONS AGAINST SALONIKA.

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

 

And for completeness Gus, here's the listing of his MID as you highlighted in your first post above, from Admiralty Fleet Orders, 20th June 1944.

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

 

I have recently received my fathers records from 1937 until January end of 1946.. There is a mention of the 2902 squadron from june 1943 until he moved to HE (? embarkation) in may 1944.I cannot find much about this squadron though! I He was moved out of England RAF bases in august 1942 to the Middle east until june 1944 before returning to England bases. was surprised by how much he moved around especially as it suggester he was in the trades as a aircraft hand general duties but he had parachute training, artillery training and No 3 METS (? this is a middle east training center but the letters are the wrong way around)
Has anyone come across the 2902 squadron elsewhere?

 

RAF Regiment.

2902 Squadron RAF Regiment. Formed at Helwan (Egypt), then moved to Aleppo (Syria)... | The National Archives

Regiment Sqns 2851-2952

Regards,

Dave

 

Thank you Dave. My father went back to egypt in the early 90s alone, (he could speak arabic but there is not indication of him having any form of training) to meet up with some people that hid him away 'somewhere' when he was parachuted into 'somewhere' in the ME such was his feeling for where he fought that he named his last house Alhamdulillah!
.

 

Kevin,

Welcome aboard.

Who was your father? Is he one of those named in the thread?

If you scan his Service Record and add to the thread others can add their expertise. How to do that on a Private Message next.

 

Hi Kevin

Could HE be ME?

METS stands for Middle East Training School.

The history of RAF Regiment in WW2 can be found here.

https://sareda.co.uk/pdfs/through_adversity.pdf

Hope this helps

Gus

 

Hi Gus and David,
Much appreciated. As suggested I have uploaded some of his service record, a portion has been redacted until 2043. His name Thomas Hugh Wright No.540852 to try and unpick his movements. I also know he was at El Alamein ( he once let it slip when I was watching a programme on Montgomery as a teenager), his hearing was severely affected which could explain why he came home to bases in England?
Kevin

 

Hi Kevin

The RAF, despite being in it for 22 years is not my ww2 specialisation, but a bit of googling suggests that in 1944 you father was posted to the Fighter Leaders School (FLS) which was part of the Central Fighter Establishment (CFE) at RAF MILFIELD.

Central Fighter Establishment - Wikipedia.

FIGHTER LEADER SCHOOL MILFIELD

OTUs 41 - 63

RAF Milfield – Arguably One of Britain’s Most Significant Airfields.

Hope this helps

Gus

 

HE is Home Establishment.

ACH was Aircrafthand - a trade - the letters after denote any specialty eg GD General Duties, GG Ground Gunner

Ross