1591641 Charles DENNISON, Royal Artillery & T/159164 Royal Army Service Corps

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by Roger Brown, Apr 14, 2020.

  1. Roger Brown

    Roger Brown Member

    I'm trying to track down the Army career of the above gentleman. He enlisted on the 15th July 1940 and served with the R.A. as a driver; was transferred to the R.A.S.C in October 1944 and served in Italy for the remainder of the war.
    How do I find out where he was based in the R.A. prior to his transfer to the RASC (and why was he transferred?)
    All help gratefully received!
    Roger Brown.
     
  2. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Roger.

    You go to www.gov.uk and search for ‘How do I obtain a a Service Record’.

    Follow the instructions, pay the £30 and 8-12 weeks later you will have full breakdown of his time in the Army.

    Regards

    Frank
     
  3. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    He may have a RA Tracer Card - available on Ancestry site - that may answer your query.

    If not I’m afraid you will have to apply to MOD for his service record -

    Get a copy of military service records

    As a general observation - a lot of RA Anti aircraft units were disbanded in late 1944 as surplus to requirements - as the German air offensive threat in Italy was reducing (plus infantry were chronically short of reinforcements). He may have been in light anti aircraft (Bofors) or Heavy anti aircraft unit (guns or searchlight).

    Supposition on my part as the answer will hopefully be in his papers.

    Steve
     
  4. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    8 to 12 week delivery date might be a bit too hopeful Frank given the current emergency and reduced staff levels in Glasgow.

    Regards

    Steve
     
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  5. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    Hi

    I have searched the RA tracer card database on ancestry and found nothing by that number or name.

    However I have found him on FMP.

    Record Transcription: Royal Artillery Attestations 1883-1942
    First name(s)
    Charles
    Last name Dennison
    Attestation year 1940
    Service number 1591641

    upload_2020-4-15_13-21-5.png

    HAA stands for Heavy Anti Aircraft. In late 1944 the Allies had near total air superiority and therefore a lot of heavy and light anti Aircraft Regiments were deemed surplus to requirements, given a different job, like General Transport or disbanded all together and their personnel redistributed to units who desperately needed reinforcements.

    For info, RASC service numbers tend to be prefixed by a D (for Drivers) and T (for Artificers,Technicians and Driver Mechanics).

    If you believe T/159164 was definitely his RASC Service number, then it looks like they have left off the last digit on transfer.

    But to be absolutely certain, you will need his service record.

    Hope this helps

    Gus
     
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  6. Roger Brown

    Roger Brown Member

     
  7. Roger Brown

    Roger Brown Member

    Gentlemen,
    Many thanks for you help with this one. I now know a little bit more about Charles Dennison; the next step is to get his Service Record.
    Roger Brown.
     
    gmyles likes this.

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