6th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by 12rainbow, Feb 24, 2016.

  1. 12rainbow

    12rainbow Member

    Hi,
    Everybody , this is my first post on this site.I have been trying to research my fathers first 3yrs in the army.
    He joined up in June 1940
    Received attached service file from Army Personnel Centre,but it does not actually define anything.
    I can see that he was at different locations in the UK at this time.
    Mostly in Wales
    If anyone can throw some light , it would be much appreciated I have the following questions.

    Is this a normal amount of information to receive.[I was told to search the national archives for any more]
    He seems to have been in and out of the RAP a lot [aid post?]
    From his cap badge I think he was part of the INNISKILLINGS.
    Many thanks in advance
    ken
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Hi Ken

    Dont forget that there is a Bangor and Newtown in Northern Ireland as well as Wales.

    The first image takes us between 1940 and 1943 during his time with 6 Batt R Irish Rifles, but shows nothing of his time from 1943 - 1946 with the REME (according to form W5258)

    It might be worth calling Glasgow and asking the question - it is possible that REME records are held elsewhere, but they should know that and provide the details if true.

    TD
     
  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    TD-All army service records are held in Glasgow apart from the Foot Guards which are at Wellington Barracks.

    Did he join the SOE?
     
  4. 12rainbow

    12rainbow Member

    Hi,
    Thanks for your replies.
    Drew mentions SOE on his service card under remarks it says SOE.for that time but that's all,anybody know where records for service might be?
    From his army number it appears he started out in the INNISKILLINGS,but was transferred to the 8th armed brigade in 1944
    regards ken
     
  5. 12rainbow

    12rainbow Member

    Hi,everyone,
    I am trying to understand my fathers first 3 years in the army, like many he would never talk about it
    he joined up in june 1940
    the attached service record from Army personnel centre does not say much only that he was in the RAP 4 times and based in Wales and Ireland.
    The record of service says SOE for that time ,but no mention of this anywhere else.

    Then in 1943 he was transferred to the 8th armed brigade for some reason.
    From his army number and cap badge it looks like the unit was Royal Inniskillings.
    My question does anybody know if Irish fusiliers were seconded in 1940 to other units and where I may find personell listings
    thanks a lot in advance
    ken
     

    Attached Files:

  6. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Hi

    Drew - I thought the same as you but sometimes - who knows - I note on form W5258 in the top right hand corner it is stamped REME RECORDS LEICESTER

    I am uncertain about the 'SOE' or possibly '5OE' - I would have thought that he would have been transferred and stayed with them until the end of the war. I cannot see why when he was in RIR he was in SOE and then in 1943 transferred out to REME


    I see the OP has started this topic off on another thread so I will stop

    TD
     
  7. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    Here is a brief summary of the 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers. The 50th (Irish) Holding Battalion was actually raised in Newton, Wales on July 1st, 1940 and converted to the 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers there on 9 October 1940. Here are some details on its service:

    6th Battalion, The Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria’s)

    The battalion was converted from the 50th (Irish) Holding Battalion at Newton, Wales on October 9th, 1940. It was stationed at various coastal areas in Wales moving to Bangor and then to Tre-Arddur Bay.

    73rd Independent Infantry Brigade – 3 April 1941 to 17 May 1941
    The battalion served under the brigade, which was in the South Wales Area until May 17th, 1941 when the brigade HQ became HQ Force 109 and moved to Scotland.

    The battalion moved to Pembrokeshire in May 1941 and remained there through March 1942.

    140th (London) Infantry Brigade – 10 March 1942 to 2 October 1942
    On March 10th, 1942 it moved to Ringwood, Hampshire and came under the 140th Infantry Brigade.

    141st (London) Infantry Brigade – 2 October 1942 to 2 May 1944
    During the summer of 1943 the battalion spent a little time on the Isle of Wight and then moved to the mainland for ‘Exercise Harlequin’. In January 1944 it moved north to Scarborough and then to Southampton for static duties in March 1944. The battalion was disbanded on May 2nd, 1944 and was used to reconsitute 2nd Battalion on May 3rd, 1944.
     
  8. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    Looking at the record, I think that SOE is an abbreviation for Struck Off Establishment. He appears to have served with the 6th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers from its formation as the 50th (Irish) Holding Battalion on July 1st, 1040 until June 30th, 1943. He was then transferred to the REME, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers on July 1st, 1943.
     
    Drew5233 likes this.
  9. Jedburgh22

    Jedburgh22 Very Senior Member

    There is the possibility that he was employed as a REME Craftsman at one of the SOE Engineering Establishments situated in the home counties was there ever any mention within the family of places where her served ?
     
  10. 12rainbow

    12rainbow Member

    Thanks for your replies,
    I think I have the REME part from march 1943,he passed various mechanics courses and finally into 8th Army brigade as driver/mech in Feb 1944 then embarked 17june 1944.
    its the 1940/3 bit that's confusing. dad was very fit [ boxer] so in and out of RAP at this time does not fit.

    Record of specialist employment December 1940, MC something I think is motorcycle. he could ride.
    Places the 6th battalion were Newtown ,Bangor, tree Ardour bay, Ringwood fit with his leave dates.
    a bit more info added
    thanks very much for your time
     

    Attached Files:

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