Part 2 Orders

Discussion in 'Service Records' started by Allan thomas, Jun 16, 2019.

  1. Allan thomas

    Allan thomas Member

    I wonder if anybody could advise me on the following: I have received my father’s service record. It records a ‘Part II Order - ‘979/44 21 AG - Emb UK 14/06/44’ and ‘979/44 21 AG - Disembk NWE 18/06/44’. This is confusing because my understanding is that he landed on Gold Beach on 6th June with the 17 Vehicle Coy, of the RAOC. All comments and ideas would be greatly appreciated.
     
  2. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    I guess the first thing to ask is what information do you have to suggest that he landed on 6 June?
     
  3. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Morning Allan,

    Unless your father landed on D-Day and returned back to the UK, to Embark for NWE again on 14 June 1944, it would appear that he didn’t set foot there until 18 June 1944. Are there any entries for earlier in June 1944?

    I found this source online that suggests that, apart from Recce parties, the 17 Vehicle Coy “started to arrive in the Theatre on D+7+“: 17 Vehicle Coy RAOC

    Also, D-Day landing Tables for the 50th (Northumbrian) Division on Gold Beach: D-Day : Normandy 1944 - GOLD BEACH : British Troops

    Best,

    Steve.
     
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  4. Allan thomas

    Allan thomas Member

    Thank you very much for your quick reply. Certainly, the history of the 17 Vehicle Coy is consistent with the knowledge I have of my father’s experience and his service record. My understanding that he landed on 6th June is wholly from his own testimony and many descriptions of events. This evidence though appears pretty conclusive.
     
  5. Allan thomas

    Allan thomas Member

    Thank you for your quick reply. As I said in my response to Steve, my understanding that my father landed on 6th June is his own testimony and the many stories he told of the events. Unfortunately, the evidence seems to suggest otherwise.
     
  6. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    At the end of the day he was there and did his bit, of which you can be proud.
     
  7. Allan thomas

    Allan thomas Member

    Certainly proud of my dad and his wartime experiences. I guess the ‘danger’ with researching family history is that it has a tendency to throw up unexpected surprises!
     
  8. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Hello Allan,

    It could be that he was with one of the Recce parties that landed earlier, but the clerk that wrote-up his service record made a mistake. How to disprove the record is the difficulty!

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  9. timuk

    timuk Well-Known Member

    Steve,
    Your previous link to 17 Vehicle Company says Recce Parties started from D+2 so it still doesn't tally with OP of 6 June.

    Tim
     
  10. Allan thomas

    Allan thomas Member

    Steve,

    I guess it is possible that some form of transcription error could have occurred. Unfortunately, I think the weight of evidence at the moment suggests otherwise. Explaining this to my wider family will be interesting!

    Best Regards

    Allan
     
  11. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Ahem, yes indeed...!

    Best,

    Steve.
     

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