Hi Everybody,New to this site as at today. After sorting through some of my late grandmothers papers, I came across what appears to be a postcard sent by my Father's brother to her in 1943. The details were as follows: Sender: Spr F.Jones 1888288, 2 Troop, 4 Fd Sqn RE C.M.F. The card is a picture of squaddies chatting, and underneath is the words CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN. The army number may not be accurate as the paper is well worn, and the stamp looks like field post office 710. I have looked high and low for information about the unit, but am aware that it was a component of 7 Armd Div which invaded Italy ?. Would appreciate any information. (The F.Jones is Frank). Thanks to all.
I found this, 199845 Capt. G. Tattersall 4th Field Squadron: Royal Engineers. M.E.F. 18th November 1942. Behold a gypsy or a tramp? I have a truck in the back of which I sit like a soothsayer: like one of the fortune tellers Mother used to visit. The driver, the orderly and I have our kit in it. Petrol and water, emergency rations, tarpaulin covers and various small comforts have to be accommodated on the truck which is none too large. The medical equipment is next to nothing! Fortunately the truck has been supplied with a certain captured medical coffer with a front which lets down like a desk. I have had this arranged so that I can sit in the truck as if at a desk when all the kit has been removed. I am sorry that better provision has not been made for unit MO’s. A truck of this size or a few inches bigger, longer and broader would do better if carefully fitted with built in drawers and a desk and fitted racks for bottles of a calibre that would not easily break. It could easily be fitted with a bunk for the MO, and a light for reading at night. The reality is a dishevelled truck, the cab of which is open to wind and weather; the back is covered with a tarpaulin which now leaks when it rains, and the equipment is traditional and portable : thrown into the truck helter skelter so that endless rummaging and a frayed temper become inevitable. I sleep in the open securely tied up in my valise. What a blessing my Lilo has always been! It is thrice blessed now! I look forward to a cold a cheerless winter as I was rushed out here so quickly I have no winter pants (the long hairy ones are advisable) no amenities except the sun for keeping my clothes aired: nor sufficient water for proper laundering and no iron to smooth out the crumpled linen. I have no gloves, no balaclava helmet, no leather jerkin, no warm vests, insufficient socks. My only useful assets are overcoat, jersey, lovely woolen shirts and my summer clothes to wear as under clothes. Cheerio – Gilbert 4th Field Squadron: Royal Engineers.
Definitely part of 7 Armd Div. As a taster, stolpi has helpfully posted a scan of part of one of the divisional histories in this thread that dealt with another RE unit in the division. Really, you should apply for his service records as he may not have been with 4 Fd Sqn for all of his service. For real detail, though, you'll need the unit's war diaries.
Many thanks for the swift replies. I was under the impression that only the next of kin could obtain service records ? If so, my elder cousin would need to request ?
Anybody help with information on 55 Fd Company RE attached to 3 Commando at invasion of Lofoten Island ? Appreciate the vast experience on this forum. Thanks in anticipation.
Here is a brief service summary for the Regular 55th Field Company, RE: 55th Field Company, RE Station: Catterick Camp February 1919 – Bordon 1919 – Aldershot August 1919 – North Russia October 1919 – Newark February 1920 – Turkey with 28th Division with the Army of the Black Sea September 1923 – Catterick 1930 – In 5th Division Left 8/4/40 from Rosyth for Norway as RE component of force for Norway Landed at Aandalsnes on 18-19/4/40 - Less 1 section No. 1 Section supported 15th Bde and No. 2 Section supported 148th Bde No. 3 Section sailed with 146th Bde and arrived at Namsos on 16/4/41 Withdrawn with rest of force on 3/6/40 55th Div 18/7/40-22/1/43 April 1940 – Norway July 1940 – United Kingdom in 55th Division April 1943 – Egypt 1943 – North Africa November 1943 – United Kingdom with 4th GHQ Troops July 1944 – North-West Europe February 1946 – Reformed having been reduced to Cadre as a Field Company in 5th Division
Here are all the Company war diaries covering WW2. WO 168 file is the Norway one. WO 166/3572 55 Field Company. 1939 Aug.-1941 Dec. WO 166/8061 55 Company 1942 Jan.- Dec. WO 168/68 55 Field Company (Fd Coy) 1940 Mar.-May WO 169/10591 55 Field Company (Fd Coy) 1943 Feb.- Oct. WO 171/1522 55 Company 1944 Jan.-Dec. WO 171/5436 55 Company 1945 Jan.- Dec. WO 171/9354 55 Company 1946 Jan.- June
Much appreciated Drew. Much work for me to do, made easier thanks to you all. I can perhaps get a better picture of my uncle's movements. I am in the process of applying for his service records. Once again, thanks.
Thought I had received the records today,but alas, the records office was only informing me that due to a heavy demand, my request could take up to a year. I expected that from members tips previously.
Whilst still waiting for my uncle's service records, a cousin of my father has mentioned that Frank served some time in Stalag Muhlberg (Elbe). This could well be correct as his illness post-war (which led to his eventual death) was attributed to the conditions he was subjected to. Would this period of POW be reflected in the service records, or would I need to search elsewhere ? Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks, Dave.
It should be noted in his service records the date he became a PoW etc. around 40 to 50% of PoWs completed a PoW Liberation Questionnaire so he may have one at the National Archives. They are in the WO 344 series. I suspect there will be quite a few to check with a name like Jones A
Thanks Drew, I suspect, quite naively, that the names would not be listed by Corps/Regt, or even (perish the thought) particular unit.?
Just received service records today, and baffled by one entry which states "Lofoten Islands 22.02.41 - 07.03.41 expunged WO BM 2015/42 (AGIC)" This was with 55 Fd Coy prior to posting to 4 Fd Sqn. Can anybody enlighten me please :indexCAXI2NHN:
First guess is that he didn't actually go to Lofoten with the rest of the unit, but this was logged in his records in error and subsequently updated. WO BM 2015/42 (AGIC) is a reference to the orders that authorised the change. AGIC is the Adjutant General's Information Centre (though it sounds a bit modern).
Thanks idler, there must have been only elements of the unit which went, as his record has him with 55 Coy in 1940 prior to embarking with 4 Fd Sqn in 1942 with the Royal Gloucester Hussars Group ?.
He was listed as POW North West Europe (Germany) 13th June 1944 until liberated 28 April 45 (service number 1888288). Would this help in tracing any information Drew ?
