I've posted on here before about my great uncle William Ernest Gee and have his service records. They show he joined the Coldstream Guards 23 May 1940. Posted to 4th Battalion initially he ended up in June 1941 going to West Africa, attached to variously the Sierra Leone regiment / West African ITC / Royal West African Frontier Force. He achieved the rank of WOII Company Sergeant Major before being medically discharged. I've shown the records to a former Coldstream Guard and he says his service number "isn't right". It is 841275. This is the number written on his Service and Casualty Form and it's also on his gravestone..... images below. Can anyone confirm if this number is a Coldstream Guards number or not?..... if not, any ideas of the origin? I have other documents which show he served in several territorial forces between 1930 and 1940 so wonder if the number originates from one fo them and was simply 'carried forward' to when he joined the Guards in 1940?....... these included Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers and the East Lancashire Regiment. Many thanks, Paul
Army Number Block Allocations Block allocation for Coldstream Guards was from 2646001 to 2688000 841275 Looks like your g. uncle served during the interwar period and retained his RA number (as was correct procedure) Royal Artillery (Field, Coastal & Anti-Aircraft) 721001 - 1842000 and 11000001 - 11500000
Just checked on Ancestry and it shows him in the RA Attestation Book and mentions 1934 - it includes a note of him reenlisting in the East Lancs 24/2/39. His number would carry over when he reenlisted/transferred
Can any enlighten me as to further information about my Grandfather My relation (paul) has submitted the above messages My father (Williams son) was looking for more information and if he had any medals entitlements
Hi, Welcome to the forum. Whst more information are you seeking? All his military information should be in the service record. If you are having difficulty interpreting it please podt the pages and members should be able to interpret them. Members will need to have sight of his record before an opinion can be passed on his medal entitlement as it will be based on his postings and movements. It’s not unusual for Brigade of Guards junior NCO’s to reach Warrant Officer rank on secondment to West Africa forces. Steve
Thanks for your reply Unfortunately we only know what has been posted As he passed away in New Zealand and is interned in the Military Cemetery in Levin My father said he never spoke about his service and as such we have had some difficulties in tracking down records As his service number is a carried over number We do know that he was medically discharged due to loosing a kidney and later sailed in the merchant navy before settling in New Zealand As I have managed to find medals for his father ( my great grandfather) I would like to see if William was entitled to any to pass on to my father ( his only son)
