New to the forum and searching for information

Discussion in 'User Introductions' started by Fred W, Mar 30, 2020.

  1. Fred W

    Fred W Member

    Thank you for letting me join the group.

    I am researching my late uncle Stanley Frank Ward who never said anything about his actions in WW2. He served until about 1947/8.

    I have his medals which includes the Italy Star but, even more interesting, I also have a photo album which has photos of his comrades and places in Italy. I am aware that he was at Monte Casino and I think, from photos, he was in 538 Coy which could be RASC. By trade he was a Joiner and at one point was based near Venice.

    I am trying to track where he served. If anyone can help I would be very grateful.
     
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  2. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Hello Fred, only one place to go for chapter and verse:
    Get a copy of military service records

    Once you have them (there is a wait of some months) you can trace his service by seeking out the relevant war diaries. To get his records you DO NOT need any military details but you will need a death certificate, might be a good idea to have a word with some of your relations who may be higher up the NOK chain.
     
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  3. Fred W

    Fred W Member

    Thank you - all my relations of that era have passed away so, apart from a brother and sisters, I would be next living NOK.
     
  4. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    That's fine - do you have a death certificate ? If you don't then post some more info, date of birth, date of death, location, whatever you have and we will guide you.
     
  5. Fred W

    Fred W Member

    I am sure I have a copy. I have loads if photos if 538 w/shop as well both in company formation and undertaking trades id anyone is interested.
     
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  6. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    I think I can confidently say that many would be interested, Fred.
    Always appreciated when people share such things, and the chaps can sometimes dig little details from pictures.
     
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  7. hutt

    hutt Member

    Fred
    The photos would be of great interest but there is something not quite right about the unit and the Italy Star. The diary references for 538 Coy RASC held at the National Archives suggest 166 series, Home forces 1943, then the 171 series, North West Europe. No evidence there that the unit served in Italy but of course the photos tell otherwise!
    This is definitely a case for getting the actual service record.
    Graham
     
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  8. Fred W

    Fred W Member

    9724B320-5F66-4B40-8197-392883A85611.jpeg E6C9FEAD-1812-4AD8-89EB-CC14C5C91FF2.jpeg F695038C-0014-426A-877C-93910D677E5B.jpeg 9724B320-5F66-4B40-8197-392883A85611.jpeg E6C9FEAD-1812-4AD8-89EB-CC14C5C91FF2.jpeg I thought it was RASC but may be 538 Independent Infantry Brigade. Will attach photo
     
  9. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Handmade sign appears to read:

    The Original Shower
    Braintree

    Does that tally with other information?​
     
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2020
  10. Robert-w

    Robert-w Banned

    The Lido photo looks like a sign writing workshop - so the units on signs may have no connection with the man making them. Who made the Army's signs in Italy?

    If one is making wooden signs a joiner might be useful
     
  11. Fred W

    Fred W Member

    My uncle was a joiner with the group. The company has most traded in it.
     
  12. Wobbler

    Wobbler Well-Known Member

    Welcome aboard Fred.

    On Ancestry, I can see a Stanley Frank Ward who passed away in 2006, London (registration district Waltham Forest) at the grand old age of 95 or 96, and another in 1988, (Chiltern and southern Bucks). Is either of these your late uncle?

    I ask only because if you cannot find his death certificate, I can possibly find the reference details that may help you obtain a certified copy from the General Register Office (far cheaper to go to the GRO directly) at:

    https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/Login.asp
     
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  13. Fred W

    Fred W Member

    Thank you got looking. My uncle died in 2008, in Coventry so is not the same person. I do have a copy of the death certificate and will probably have to go to the MOD to resolve which unit he was in.
     
  14. Wobbler

    Wobbler Well-Known Member

    As I have done for my grandad, still awaiting the records but they can take awhile as you’ve already been advised (I applied in October). Possibly more of a wait now, understandably so given the current crisis.

    Good luck with your research, Fred, all the best to you.
     
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  15. Fred W

    Fred W Member

    Thank you, Wobbler. I have just “cracked” his photo album and it’s mysteries. I am now certain his unit was part of the 8th Army. As well as his Company photos he has photos of Messina, Monte Cassino, Pozzo Alto, Rome and Venice - obviously all places he went to. Reading through diaries I know he fought at Monte Cassino and was one of only a handful of men from the company to get off the the ridge helped by locals.
    Posso Alto was another battle on the Gothic Line with, again, heavy losses. No wonder he never talked about his especially as his fiancée had married someone else by the time he got home in 1948 as she believed he was not returning.
     
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  16. Wobbler

    Wobbler Well-Known Member

    My Grandad also has the Italy Star, having served in the 8th Army, in Sicily and Italy, 92nd Field Regiment RA, part of the 5th Infantry Division. I doubt their paths ever crossed, but you never know do you...

    Martin
     
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  17. ozzy16

    ozzy16 Well-Known Member

    Hello Fred,
    Found 2 possibilities do any of them ring a bell ?

    Ward S F.
    Service no, 5884371
    Rank, pte
    Unit, York and Lancaster Regt
    Captured, 1944
    Theatre of war North Africa, Italy.

    Ward S F.
    Service no, 1798745
    Rifleman, Royal Ulster Rifles Regt, 1st bn London Irish Rifles.
    Captured, 1944
    Theatre of war, Italy, Central Mediterranean.

    cheers...…...Graham.
     
  18. Fred W

    Fred W Member

    Thanks Graham.
    Neither of these 2 people were my uncle as he was never captured during the war.

    cheers. ... Fred
     
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