Just recieved my Grandfathers service records after an impressive 19 month wait, they were good enough to waiver the fee. I'm attempting to find out where he was posted during his enlistment, his papers show he was in the South Staffs Regiment and the Cameronians (9th, I think). Is there a way of researching his movements within a regiment? Also we know he was awarded 3 medals (which we don't have) but I can't decipher the handwritting to figure out what the 2 are apart from the 39-45 Star. Any help would be appreciated
I can see: The War Medal The 1939 to 1945 Star The France & Germany Star There's something--some squiggles between those last two decorations--but I can't read it. If you can post a zoom of that section, we'll probably figure it out. There's a good chance he's eligible for the Defence Medal, too.
Is there a way of researching his movements within a regiment? Yes but The bulk of his Service activities i.e. Transfers, Postings, Courses, Hospital Admissions Embarkation and Disembarkation will be shown on sheets entitled Service and Casualty Form Top right (unless it is missed by the photocopier) is the code, Army Form B103 of which there might be several pages. Without these you (and anyone else) are somewhat sunk. Information although in Military Jargon is in Date order so it has the appearance of a diary page. What you are showing is (without checking) his Enlistment Form B200 D Once you display these, anyone of a number of members will be able to assist you further by then finding his Regiments War Diaries (a day to day description of what they were doing). Very interesting Regiments mentioned in your intro. Good luck in your endeavours.
Thanks. Looks like I have a B200 D and a B104. Is the B104 a Territorial Army equivalent of the B103?
These are what you are looking for note Army Form B103-2 top right on bottom sheet. Not sure if the top one is actually a B103. Others on here will know. Everywhere he went and what he did is recorded as this is what he is paid for. All absence sick or otherwise is accounted for, even time if missing or POW. They seem to vary, his brother's forms have a different layout. This is my uncle Charles Royal Sigs TA 1940 His older brother was conscripted in 1943 on General Service becoming a signaller in India/Burma They always seem to be poor photocopies . Note the jargon top line "admitted to No2 CCS" CCS - = Casualy Clearing Station. This is where members can help ypu.
Hi, The first 2 forms you’ve attached are the front and back of the B102. It was a centrally held index card on which some - but not all - off the details recorded on the B103 was recorded in very brief detail. If you haven't been sent any B103 you need to contact MOD. It’s not unknown for them to have been missed. The last form is that used for conscripts who were called up to Territorial Army under National Service Act. Steve
There is another reason for the B103 to be missing and may be why the application was refunded. Best to contact MOD as Steve suggests above but bear this in mind. WW2t thread Nov 2 2022 Did your Grandfather have a war pension? I had the same problem with a missing B103. My uncle received a war pension and form B103 was sent to the Ministry of Pensions. Unfortunately some years ago the forms were destroyed.
Looking at what I have so far, war diaries and google, it looks like he was with the 9th Cameronians in Best during Operation Market Garden. We know he suffered severe shrapnel wounds and recalls his platoon being wiped out, his life saved that day by one of his Brothers that carried him to safety.
That is information that you would never get in Service Records. If you want to trace how he got there and what happened afterwards then get in touch with the MOD Records for the B103 if indeed it exists. With the little story that you have just shared on here, someone might come up with photographs or other information from relatives of people he knew.
Sounds like you might have seen this already but, if not, 9 Cams war diary for September 44: https://www.15thscottishdivisionwar...d/29af12_69abb5b4f6a44101b088572fbab3e803.pdf
Yes and I've also gone through the 15th Scottish Division diaries along with the 2nd Glasgow Highlanders and 7th Seaforth Highlanders. Another good source of information for this particular battle is Battle at Best - 15th (Scottish) Division. I've found Notes on the "Modified British System" used on the European Theatre of Operations during the WWII to be useful in translating war diary map coordinates. Which would be the best way to contact the MOD, email or phone?
They aren't taking calls. There should be a contact email address on the top of the covering letter that came with the copies. Please be aware that not every file contains a AFB103
