I came across this photograph on the IWM site under the RAF files. It is captioned as the French guard of honour at the burial in Epernay of six members of the Royal Corps of Signals killed in an accident I found no trace of Epernay in CWGC listings but a Google showed that all burials were removed to Terlincthun in 1964 which certainly highlights how far some of these could be relocated. These lads would appear to have been the casualties. All part of 2 Air Formation Signals. KITCHING C 2338304 2 AIR FORMATION SIGS 08/12/1939 ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS PLOT 19. ROW B. GRAVE 6. LARMAN DC 2338218 2 AIR FORMATION SIGS 08/12/1939 ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS PLOT 19. ROW B. GRAVE 2. SMITH CW 2561720 2 AIR FORMATION SIGS 08/12/1939 ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS PLOT 19. ROW B. GRAVE 5. SULLIVAN WM 2337972 2 AIR FORMATION SIGS 08/12/1939 ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS PLOT 19. ROW B. GRAVE 1. TAYLOR CH 2338366 2 AIR FORMATION SIGS 08/12/1939 ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS PLOT 19. ROW B. GRAVE 4. WALKER NM 2338352 2 AIR FORMATION SIGS 08/12/1939 ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS PLOT 19. ROW B. GRAVE 7. Is there anything known about this accident close to Epernay on 8th December 1939 ?
2 Air Formation Signals was a TA unit and I drive past their former barracks on a fairly regular basis (I believe a Sqn from my old Signals Regt is based there now) as the Ambulance Station in Leeds is close by. I recognise some of those addresses too. Certo Cito
Thanks Andy. What a shame and on the day that the King had visited the unit. I'm glad that at least in some small way, they're not forgotten again. The injured on the list all seem to have survived the war.
I wonder how many, if any were discharged. I think I have some more pictures of this funeral, I'm sure I've seen it before - ATB's The Battle of France springs to mind.
There is a BBC 'People's War' link BBC - WW2 People's War - The First Land Casualties The chap seems to have been wrong about the home town for some at least.
I have just discovered this thread, and this site. I am not ex Signals. My father was. He served in 2 AFS and I am trying to research his service history. Can anyone out there help me? He was 2311043 Signalman Beaumont A (Albert). I know that he was with 2 AFS as I have a 2 AFS Christmas card sent the family in 1939. Any help would be appreciated. Tony Beaumont
Welcome to the forum Tony. Have you started the process of applying for service records ? It takes a long time but it's really an essential step. My Father was with 11 Air Formation Signals from 1943 on so I have a good idea of their duties (generally transmitting encoded messages). I've looked at some of the later War Diaries and they're pretty dry and technical - perhaps not surprising as the troops were spread out over numerous locations and the main concern of HQ was that the communications links were functioning effectively. p.s. - Please post a copy of the 1939 Christmas card, things like that keep the forum interesting !
Hi Tony, Off the top of my head I can tell you they were a TA unit and were based at Gibraltar Barracks in Leeds. The barracks are still there and are used by the Royal Artillery, Signals and Royal Marines Reserves. Cheers Andy
p.s. - Please post a copy of the 1939 Christmas card, things like that keep the forum interesting ! Bump and PM sent
Hi there, anyone still watching this thread im interested in the orbat of 2AFS specifically 28 wing Sig Section Many thanks Brian
