Queen's Royal Regiment - Fighter Support?

Discussion in 'Service Records' started by Skip, May 24, 2015.

  1. Skip

    Skip Senior Member

    Evening all,

    A friend has asked that I have a look at their father's WW2 service record. He joined the Queen's Royal Regiment (no Bn specified on SR) on 21/11/44 and was posted to something that looks like the 'Fighter Supp Dwl Sqdn' ... (third word is not clear but the others are crystal

    Can anyone explain what this is please?

    Also there is a reference at the top of his attestation sheet beginning 'Y.A.T.A.' and then a number - what would this stand for?

    He embarked for India on 3 July 1945 - does anyone know what Battalion he would have been with and where they were based in India?

    Any help greatly appreciated ...

    All the best

    Skip
     
  2. Skip

    Skip Senior Member

    Thought I would attach a few scans of the relevant entries just to see if it jogs any memories. The man concerned was a Private in the Queen's Royal Regiment ...

    Any help deciphering would be greatly appreciated

    All the best

    Skip
     

    Attached Files:

  3. Gary Kennedy

    Gary Kennedy Member

    The closest I could google was Fighter Support Development Squadron, but I couldn't find a role for them.

    Gary
     
  4. Skip

    Skip Senior Member

    Thanks Gary. I've looked through the TNA search engine too and can't find anything that appears applicable to army service rather than that within the RAF. A mystery.

    Appreciate the reply
     
  5. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Hi Skip,

    It seems to me that it relates to the offence he committed in disobeying an order (as stated with wilful defiance) - perhaps if you can find out what the offence reference is (possibly Sec 911 4 A) that might lead you somewhere.

    Supp - could be Supplemental/Supply - not necessarily Support

    TD

    edited to add:
    I personaly don't think it is anything related to RAF
     
  6. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

    I think it says Fighter Support Divisional Squadron

    Can you scan the bit for Y.A.T.A. and the date please?
     
    Paul Reed likes this.
  7. idler

    idler GeneralList

    I believe Gary's nailed it. TNA have these:

    AIR 64/33 British fluorescent panels: (F.S.D.S. (Fighter Support Development Squadron) report No.2) Report No. 31
    AIR 64/69 Visit to the Middle East by members of the Fighter Support Development Squadron of the Central Fighter Establishment, 18-28 Nov. Report No. 63

    It looks like FSDS was apart of, or rolled up into the Central Fighter Establishment.

    Anyway, it seems likely that if they are investigating 'support' functions, there would be representatives of the supported - i.e. the Army - involved.
     
  8. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

    Could be wrong but looking at image 3 again I still think the abbreviation is Divl. ie Divisional

    Have you got any more service sheets?
     
  9. Gary Kennedy

    Gary Kennedy Member

    Odd thing is the third scan does have the dot for an 'i' in the 'd' word abbreviation, but the close up in the second scan doesn't. Also the third scan has 'Army Staff' before the abbreviated words, which suggests to me at least a joint service unit.

    Gary
     
  10. idler

    idler GeneralList

  11. Skip

    Skip Senior Member

    Hello - thanks for all the replies. Much appreciated, especially as they confirm Gary's FSDS and the army's involvement.

    There are no more references to it in his SR but attached is the odd YATA marking at the top of his attestation paper. Grateful for you thoughts on that one ...

    All the best

    Skip
     

    Attached Files:

    • SR 4.jpg
      SR 4.jpg
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  12. idler

    idler GeneralList

    Or 7 ATA? Though that wouldn't need the point.
     
  13. Skip

    Skip Senior Member

    Idler - the link also states that part of the FSDS role was 'instructing Air Liaison officers for the Army' which might account for his spell at 164 OCTU as he was not there to be commissioned. Cheers for the link ...
     
  14. Skip

    Skip Senior Member

    Could be ... I think it's a 'Y' but neither mean anything to me!
     
  15. Skip

    Skip Senior Member

    Leading on from this one his service record states that he was in India, presumable with the Queen's Royal Regiment, from July-December 1945. Does anyone know what battalion was posted there at the time?

    Cheers

    Skip
     
  16. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Have to agree with Lesley that it reads Divisional Squadron to me too.

    I interviewed a Spitfire pilot in Italy who told me late war they allocated Squadrons to specific formations so the pilots became imbedded and got to known the men on the ground, and wouldn't just drop bombs and buzz out. Not that the RAF ever did that of course...
     

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