81st West African Division

Discussion in 'User Introductions' started by Netty1, May 14, 2009.

  1. Netty1

    Netty1 Junior Member

    Hi

    I've joined because I am trying to find out a little bit more about my Fathers time in India and Burma during WW2.

    His name was Elwyn (Taffy) Roberts and he was a Sgt in the REME's 1002 (W/A) Mobile Workshops 81 (W/A) Division.

    My most treasured possession is a tankard which is believed to be indian silver and was presented to him bearing the following inscription.
    'Taffy' Presented by the W.O.'s & Sgt's Mess 1002 (W.A.) Mobile Workshops 81 (W.A.) Division West African Expeditionary Force 1943-1945
    At the very top of the tankard is what appears to be a palm tree with a banner beneath bearing the letters RWAFF?

    I sent for his Army records in 2002 and was sent photocopies, which unfortunately are hard to read because they are so dark. I have also been on the Burma Star Association and the REME Museum websites.

    Any information would be appreciated

    Thank you
    Netty:)
     
  2. archer

    archer Junior Member

  3. archer

    archer Junior Member

    Royal West African Frontier Force.

    From T.J. Edwards, Regimental Badges (Gale & Polden Limited, 1951).
     

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  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Netty and welcome to the forum...Hope we can be of help.

    Regards
    Andy
     
  5. archer

    archer Junior Member

    I have been chewing away at this. I can now confirm that:

    The Formation badge of the West African Expeditionary Force was indeed the Palm Tree and scroll badge of the Royal West African Frontier Force - so what you have at the top of the beer mug is the badge of the West African Expeditionary Force (which is also, coincidentally, the badge of the Royal West African Frontier Force).

    Complicated, but logical, huh ?

    The 81 (West African) Division was one of the two West African Divisions (the other was the 82nd), which made up the West African Expeditionary Force.

    Your formation, the 81st, was the first Division ever formed from units of the Royal West African Frontier Force. It comprised men from each of the four British West African colonies, assembled in Nigeria in March 1943, and left for India in August 1943.

    One brigade was hived off to form part of Maj.Gen. Orde Wingate's Special Force and was trained in long-range penetration.

    In December 1943 the remainder of the Division crossed into the Kaladan Valley and saw action on the left flank of the British advance in the Arakan - being notable for being supplied wholly by air.

    In 1944-1945 it again saw service in the Kaladan Valley and took part in the assault on Myohaung.

    It was commanded by Maj.Gen. C. G. Woolner, CB, MC.

    Source: H. Cole, Formation Badges of World War 2 (Arms & Armour Press, 1973), p. 92.

    Netty ... you will find a much more detailed description of all this here Barracks
     
    von Poop likes this.
  6. Warlord

    Warlord Veteran wannabe

    Welcome aboard, mate.
     
  7. Netty1

    Netty1 Junior Member

    Thank you all for your kind welcome.

    I have since found out from a photograph that my Dad may have been in a Red Cross Club in Agra called the 'Inn Repairadise' which was run by an American lady called Virginia Claudon Allen.

    In the photograph there is a notice board at the back of the room the says 'Inn Repairadise'. Whether this is one of the same, I don't know, but I do know he was posted to Agra in 1946.

    I've hopefully attached a photo - he's third on the left.

    Thanks again all
    Netty:)
     

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  8. Pete Keane

    Pete Keane Senior Member

    Your challenge now is to identify the other 12 guys.....

    For double bonus points, the waiters as well !!

    Welcome & good luck with your research.

    Pete
     
  9. archer

    archer Junior Member

    Nice photo, Netty !! I especially like the turbanned waiters - a real hot, spicy breath from the past of the British Raj. Wonder how good the Lion Beer was!
     
  10. Capt.Sensible

    Capt.Sensible Well-Known Member

    Hello Netty,

    Just casually browsing the interweb led me to an online comment re. a feature in the Daily Telegraph from the daughter of a 1002 REME workshop veteran who was seving at the same time as your father.

    Dunno if its useful....

    'Annette Roberts
    on April 29, 2009
    at 04:40 PM'

    About half way down the very long column of comments on this page:
    Justice for Gurkhas petition - Telegraph

    CS
     
  11. Netty1

    Netty1 Junior Member

    Thank you CS, that was actually me!

    I wish I had done more investigating when I first received my Dad's Army records in 2003. Unfortunately, my Mum passed away that year and it is only whilst joining the Gurkha Justice that I came across the WW2 websites, which has renewed my interest in my Dad's time in India and Burma.

    Netty1:)
     
  12. Hi everyone.
    I have several photo's that my dad took whilst in Burma, Singapore, Malaya etc. I'm sure he was with the 82nd West African Division. He was a mechanical engineer and wore a bush hat. If anyone could push me in the right direction to see if his name is listed in any documents I would be very happy. I will scan some photo's and upload them. Maybe someone on here will recognise some of his friends. His name was Bill Oddy although at that time he was known as Ernie Oddy from Preston in Lancashire.
    Cheers all :)
     

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  13. Just scanning some photo's from Singapore. I have come across some photo's - will post soon - with names on reverse: Budgie, Ginger Keanon and Vic Pass.
     

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  14. idler

    idler GeneralList

    The badge in the last photo is that of 82 WA Div.
    Really, your first priority should be to get a copy of his service records from the MoD as they should give you chapter and verse on who he was with and when. There is a £30 fee but you can't get this information anywhere else.

    Request records of deceased service personnel - GOV.UK

    Unfortunately, there isn't an easily-available history of 82 WA Div but we have a couple of members on here who can get you copies of the war diaries of your dad's unit once that's been confirmed. They are a lot cheaper than the National Archives' own copying service.
     
    Tricky Dicky likes this.

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