7592383 James Arthur Onn - Unknown RAOC unit - need help to find or piece together information

Hello, I've never used this site before, can I have help to understand my great grandfathers Army records.

Some parts I can't read and some of the parts I can read I can't find any information on it, so if someone can help I'll post the records and tell you what I know

If someone could help I'd appreciate it very much

 

Welcome. My suggestion would be to start a post with the full name, service number in the title, post his service records (I assume his official records ?) and I am sure folks will be only too pleased to chip in.

Service records can be lengthy so just make sure that members will be able to read them clearly. Good luck.

 

Hi and welcome to the forum.
Just continue as you are on this thread. I can always edit the title, tags, etc, to include relevant details if you're unsure.

Post 3 on this link explains how to upload images - How to Start a new Thread / Edit Post / Upload Image

Good luck with your research.

 

Hello, this is my 2nd post on here (I didn't really know what I was doing with the 1st), I'm having a bit of a problem finding information about about some of the things in my great grandfather James Arthur Onn (7592383) military records if anyond can tell me anything about the following it would be much appreciated:

(Posted 18 Battalion RAOC) I can't find anything about the 18th Battalion ROAC, I don't think they even have battalion so I don't know
(1st AA w/s coy REME)
(102 coy REME)
he was at the small arms school Netheravon and it says multiple times casualtie and then under that it says Netheravon, so idk how he would have been injured unless someone shot him
It also says he was injured in York with the 102 coy and in Golders green with 1st AA w/s coy I can't find out how either so if someone knows if it was bombed or something that would be good, lastly theres a document that pretty much just says that he was given information that he shall never disclose ever unless the army allows him, it's singed by him, an officer and is dated/located 5 may 1944, Netheravon, I know he was a draftsman and had something to do with the creation of the centurion tank (my grandmother told me)

Sry if this is too long

 

Welcome aboard.

Your subject is shown as joining the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (Block 1) . From: Army Number Search This was before mid-1942, when everyone was enrolled in the General Service Corps.

Was he born 27 November 1910 @ Newark, Nottinghamshire? Dying 27 Aug 1974 @ Christchurch, Dorset? The only match on his name on a genealogy site.

You refer to: 'military records' are these his official Service Record obtained from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) or The national Archives (TNA). Some information can be found online, they are not the definitive record of his service.

If you have his Service Record please scan / upload it to this thread. The experts here can then help - rather just having pieces of information.

What did the RAOC do in WW2? Wiki provides a starting point:

From: Royal Army Ordnance Corps - Wikipedia

I expect w/s could be an abbreviation for Workshop. However this "go to" reference WW2 Abbreviations and Acronyms | Researching the Lives and Records of WW2 Soldiers says War Substantive.

His name and number have not appeared here before today.

Some research tips via PM next.

 

Hi

Most likely 18 Battalion was his training battalion.

However after Dunkirk everyones concerns was invasion and as a consequence of this every spare man that could fire a gun was drafted into hastily made infantry formations established purely for Home Defence.

My Dad was in the "1st RAOC Infantry Battalion" created to defend RAF Syerston and all nearby Landing Grounds. As soon as the threat had diminished, the unit was disbanded.

Hope this helps

Gus

 

Service records can take a bit of deciphering but this is my attempt. I can see no references to any injuries/casualty nor anything regarding a 'secret' letter dated 5.5.44.

9.12.38 Attested Pte 7592383 RAOC as draughtsman
2.9.39 Mobilised at Hilsea Barracks
12.9.39 HQ 2 Base Ord W/S (workshop) Posted overseas
13.9.39 Disembarked France
1.11.39 Passed trade test
14.2.40 Leave
26.2.40 2 BO W/S Rejoined unit
16/23.6.40 Evacuated UK from BEF
8.7.40 with 2 BO W/S
13.3.41 57 Sect RAOC Released to industry, class W Reserve
12.9.41 57 Sect Rejoined colours, posted
11.10.41 57 Sect Released to industry
1.10.42 Transferred to REME
1.3.43 Rejoined colours from Class w Reserve, rank Cfn (Craftsman)
9.3.43 102 Coy REME Passed trade test. Posted to Draft (?) Centre York
6.5.43 Posted 1st AA W/S Coy from 102 Coy REME Golders Green
10.5.43 102 Coy REME (? Arnold)
4.7.43 - 5.7.43 AWOL
5.7.73 - 11.7.43 1st AA W/S In CA
12.7.43 1st AA W/S 28 days detention for AWOL
12.7.43 Admitted CRS Wimbledon (in view of punishment can't see it as Casualty Reception Station, ? Camp Reception Station,
26.7.43 Discharged CRS (? Hampstead)
4.8.43 1st AA W/S Released from detention
17.8.43 Posted Small Arms School Netheravon
28.1.44 Awarded 1939-45 Star
5.12.45 Class B Reserve
6.12.45 SOS to Y list
26.12.45 To W Reserve Class B

Medals
1939/1943 Star
Defence Medal
War Medal

 

It's this one, I don't really know what it's referring to but it says he was given some sort of information he was never supposed to disclose

Also where did you find these? From the national archives?

 

Is that your family tree on ancestry which includes them? Same source.

As far as the letter is concerned, perhaps as a draughtsman by trade, he was involved in design and development work and therefore had inside knowledge.