945 Inland Waterways Transport RE opperating coy

Discussion in 'Royal Engineers' started by scott simpson, Jun 21, 2015.

  1. scott simpson

    scott simpson Member

    My Grandad served with the 945 IWT from june 1940 untill 1946, through
    North Africa and Italy.
    I have a couple of questions that I hope someone more knolledgeable than I, can answer.
    I have a copy of his war records, which were requested by my Dad, but how do I work
    out whether these are the full records, or a glossary?
    Also, the records show that he was awarded the 1st Army Clasp. Can anyone tell me what
    that is?
    Regarding his medals (which were apparently stolen after his home was broken into, back in the 80's),
    he was awarded the war medal, the North Africa Star and the Italty deffence medal.
    Dad tells me however, that he had more than these three. There are no more mentioned in his records,
    so what could they have been?
    Any help greafully recieved.
    Scott
     
  2. RemeDesertRat

    RemeDesertRat Very Senior Member

    Can u post the records here?
    war medal, Africa Star and Italy star, another medal would be the 1939-45 star.
     
  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Scott and welcome

    Post up the records on here. Someone should be able to tell you if they are as complete as can be. Ref the extra medals they may have been unofficial ones awarded by the locals where he served. As an example Dunkirk Vets were given a Dunkirk Medal after the war which was an unofficial medal as far as the MoD were concerned and not recorded on service records.

    Cheers
    Andy
     
  4. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

    Hello Scott and welcome to the forum.
    My father in law was with 966 IWT but in France and Belgium.
    As suggested, please post the records up for members to see

    The 1st Army Clasp was awarded for service with the First Army in North Africa between 8 November 1942 and 12 May 1943 inclusive.


    Lesley
     
    Drew5233 likes this.
  5. PsyWar.Org

    PsyWar.Org Archive monkey

    Scott, the 1st Army clasp is a little brass plate which would be attached to the ribbon of the Africa Star.

    Lee
     
  6. RemeDesertRat

    RemeDesertRat Very Senior Member

  7. scott simpson

    scott simpson Member

    Thank's everyone for the replies, I figured a fair few of you
    regulars, would have the answers I was after.
    I've met with Lee (an Archive Monkey, it apears!), at the
    National Archives over the last couple of weeks and he reccomended, that
    I post any questions on this forum.
    I've been researching the unit war diaries for the 945 IWT and have copied
    them from January 1942, through to December 1945. Fascinating stuff!
    There's a lot I still do not understand, especially the countless abreviations!
    Of a small unit, of just over 200 O.R's and 4-5 officers, I've counted their losses
    so far, to more than 20 men. There was a tragic tale of the H.M.T Yoma being sunk,
    with massive losses, including part of a 945 IWT detatchment (1 officer and 14 O.R's)
    en-route to Port Sayed, Suez.
    Does anyone know where I can find a casualty list for this loss?
    I have a personel list from 1942, before the posting to Algiers, so it would be useful
    to know who was lost and where.
    My grandads records are not digitised as yet, so I'll have a go at scanning them, though
    a lot of it is virtually illegable.
    If anyone would like any particular info on this unit, please let me know.
    Thanks again.
    Scott
     
  8. scott simpson

    scott simpson Member

    Sorry guys,
    I have another couple of questions, I'm hoping you can answer for me.
    According to his records, my grandad was posted to No 1 G.B.D, after
    being posted on the X11 list. Anyone know what No 1 G.B.D was?
    Also, do I post up his records using something like photobucket?
    If so, how do I isolate the picture from the rest of my gallery.
    I don't want to bore you with photo's of Lotus Cortina's and motorbikes!
    Scott :)
     
  9. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

    GBD is General Base Depot

    I'll leave it to the others to sort the techie stuff out :wink:


    Lesley
     
  10. Lotus7

    Lotus7 Well-Known Member

    photo's of Lotus Cortina's and motorbikes!
    Scott :)[/quote]

    You will not go wrong posting those photos.
    Well not with me
     
  11. scott simpson

    scott simpson Member

    Thank's very much Lesley, for that info.
    Seems strange that they'd post a lighterman to a base depot,
    seeing as they were always short of them in the unit.
    It seems that every time a sapper was admitted to hospital, then they were
    posted to another completely different unit on their release for
    a few weeks. Kind of like a punishment for being ill. Odd!

    Lotus 7, I'm sure not everyone will agree with you, so to save upsetting anyone
    on here, send an e-mail to me an I'll send you a photo of my special equipment model
    and my BSA A10's

    scottsimpsonlotus@virginmedia.com
     
  12. scott simpson

    scott simpson Member

    Hi everyone,
    I've worked out how to post up single photo's and albums. I think!
    So here goes:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Grandad is 3rd from left with the scarf around his neck. I've no idea who the other guys are, but would love to find out.
    I'm not even sure whether they are all from the same unit. All that is written on the back of the photo is Algiers.
    Scott
     
  13. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

    Hi Scott

    Are these the only records you have of your grandad? If they are, I can answer your first question you asked here-they are definitely not the full records.
    Can you tell me how long ago your father got them because they are really just a summary and there should be more detailed sheets.

    Lesley
     
  14. scott simpson

    scott simpson Member

    Hi Lesley,
    No, there are a few more pages, including his enlistment form, showing
    that he enlisted at the Euston Road, London recruitment office.
    I haven't scanned it all as yet and now my scanner/printer has gone kaput!
    Dad recieved these records earlier this year. Apparently, you have to wait for
    25 years after he died, before the MOD will release them?
    Scott
     
  15. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

    Look forward to seeing the other records and then I'll have a look.
    You don't have to wait 25 years after he died to get the full records if you are next of kin.
     
  16. Lotus7

    Lotus7 Well-Known Member

    Hi Scott, sadly my Father past away in 2010, I applied for his records in 2011. It did take almost 3mths before they came. But it was worth the wait. Hope this helps.

    David
     
  17. scott simpson

    scott simpson Member

    Hi all,
    I've been researching the war diaries of my grandads unit (945 IWT)
    and have come accross a few mentions of 266 force and G (ops) 8th army.
    I have an idea that these units were raiding/commando outfits. Anyone have
    any more infor on them?
    I have found reference to them both at National Archives and plan to research
    the documents in due course, but it'd be nice to find out if anyone else has heard
    of these units before.
    Scott
     
  18. john dobinson

    john dobinson Member

    my dad also served in the 945 inland water transport company during WW2. he went through
    north Africa and Italy and was part of Popski's private Navy, getting both Italy star and Africa star one oak leaf and mentioned in dispatches.

    regards john Dobinson any photos of his company?
     
  19. john dobinson

    john dobinson Member

    scott see previous reply note my dad was also a lighterman/waterman on the thames
    regards john Dobinson
     
  20. scott simpson

    scott simpson Member

    Hi John,
    Sorry it's taken me a while to spot your post, but I've moved house and only just sorted my pc. I moved about a year ago!
    I have been in touch with the folk who run the Popski association and they had guided me to various mentions of your Dad and the PPN. From what I understand they feel that there were only two craft and 6 men, including your Dad in it!
    I'm not so sure, as the records show many craft and men attatched to 8th army special ops at that time and they all made way upto Porto Cassini with Popski's arsenal of jeeps, men and weapons aboard at least six landing craft. They has 24 jeeps to carry and I believe the craft could only carry upto six each. After the successful opperation to capture the German garrison at Chioggia, there were two craft with six crew (including your Dad), who ventured further along the river Po, on extended ops with some of the PPA for another couple of weeks. The rest of the craft were taking pow's back to Ancona.
    I do have a few photo's of my Grandads and your Dad does appear in a few. They clearly knew eachother very well.
    Interesting to see your Dad worked on the Thames, my Grandad was a mate on the Vicountess, a river cruiser (like a watery Routemaster!) for sometime before the war. The Vicountess is the sister craft to the Marchioness, which tragically sank after being struck by a barge.
    I'll need to get back into the swing of things on here and see if I can post a picture or two ( I can't remember how to at the moment!). Where did yor Dad work before joining up?
    Great to see your post
    Regards
    Scott
     

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