Here is a photo i have just scanned showing my father (arrowed) and his 78th div. comrades, i assume taken in North Africa. cheers, John. http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn224/york16/78th%20division/11.jpg
Great shot. I wonder if you can judge the length of service by the depth of suntan... John, if you know the specific RASC unit and any more of the names of those in the picture it's worth putting them on here as it may attract the attention of passing 'Googlers' who could have more specific info, or be researching certain men. Cheers, Adam.
Adam - In my message #4 - I am guessing RASC on the basis of two brown berets on the far left and two forage caps near centre right with round cap badges similar to RASC although the one nearer camera could be signals...interesting shot though . Cheers
Thanks all for the comments, Tom, you are right, Dad was in the RASC, not sure which unit, Would it be possible for me to obtain his service records ?, regards, John.
Two more 78th div.Rasc photos, looks like they would be taken at the same time as the one with dad on, regards,John. http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn224/york16/78th%20division/3.jpg http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn224/york16/78th%20division/2.jpg
Jwp - next of kin have evry right to apply for his service record - get on to Glasgow and get the forms - they take a while but it's always good to have them - you might need an interpreter though.... Second thoughts - 78th were given the Africa star before going into Sicily and I don't see a ribbon anywhere - mind you there are not exactly dressed for parade - more like a swimming party Cheers
Jwp - this might help button down your fathers unit try this link- The Wartime Memories Project - The Royal Army Service Corps
JWP Just a word of caution, be prepared for the long haul as the Records Office are notoriously slow in supplying the data. On the credit side you will be delighted with the eventual results: BBC - WW2 People's War - Getting your Army Records Finally, don't be afraid about taking up Tom's advice about acting as interpreter...... he's pretty experienced in that area. Good luck in your research Ron
Another 78th Division Photo, only this time unfortunately without the evidence of uniforms. My father, Harry Parfitt, is on the far right, with what is possibly the Bren gun carrier crew that he was with at the time. He was in the Princess Louise's Kensingtons, and insisted that this picture was taken in Tobruk on r&r long after the action there was over, even though there is no official record of the Kensingtons being anywhere nearby. Judging by his age in the photo it must have been later than 1942 (he volunteered in 1940 aged 16). Click the photo for an enlarged view. If anyone recognises any others in the photo - please let me know.
You are right David as the 78th Div were no where near Tobruk at any time - although having said that - they were in Egypt in the middle of '44 after Trasemino(July) and back for the Gothic Line in September - and as he claims on R & R - he might have done a swan up the blue - as they look like they needed haircuts so obviously the RSM wasn't around...good photo though Cheers
