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.
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.
Thank you - all my relations of that era have passed away so, apart from a brother and sisters, I would be next living NOK.
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.
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.
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.
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
Handmade sign appears to read: The Original Shower Braintree Does that tally with other information?
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Thanks Graham. Neither of these 2 people were my uncle as he was never captured during the war. cheers. ... Fred