BEF War Diaries - WO 167 Series

Discussion in '1940' started by Drew5233, Aug 13, 2010.

  1. idler

    idler GeneralList

    Barbara,

    This looks like it: WO 167/296 but it only covers the period up to April 1940, not the actual battle.

    Andy (Drew5233) should pick it up eventually as he is collecting all of WO 167.

    To actually trace your uncle's movements between units you need his service records. You might, if you are lucky, find a reference in a war diary to him joining or leaving a unit, especially a small one of company size, but almost certainly not details of where he came from or went to.
     
  2. Phaethon

    Phaethon Historian

    I dont know if this is revelant to this thread but I am currently sitting in the national archives (on the only computer that hasn't blocked ww2talk) opposite a lad (whom left his card by the computers) is called Andrew, and has a pile of WO 167 folders on his desk, he hasn't clocked me yet so if any of you have a question to ask... (or things to say to freak him out)

    of course it may just be a coincidence...
     
  3. Rob Dickers

    Rob Dickers 10th MEDIUM REGT RA

    I dont know if this is revelant to this thread but I am currently sitting in the national archives (on the only computer that hasn't blocked ww2talk) opposite a lad (whom left his card by the computers) is called Andrew, and has a pile of WO 167 folders on his desk, he hasn't clocked me yet so if any of you have a question to ask... (or things to say to freak him out)

    of course it may just be a coincidence...

    Said a fleeting hello to Andy there yesterday lunchtime,hope the fire alarm dos'nt go off again to-day and you get wet as we did taking cover under the bike sheds!
    Both enjoy your day
    Rob
     
  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    This looks like it: WO 167/296 but it only covers the period up to April 1940, not the actual battle.

    Andy (Drew5233) should pick it up eventually as he is collecting all of WO 167.

    I've txt Andy & he said he'll dig that out tomorrow.
     
  5. idler

    idler GeneralList

    Only if he can find his card!

    Thanks, Owen.
     
  6. barbaralawrence

    barbaralawrence Senior Member

    Can't wait to jump across the pond and join you at the library. Sounds like practice for a re enactment of some sort.

    I do have my uncle's service record, but it doesn't seem to get to the unit level - of course, I don't know what that is, so I don't know what I have.

    Thanks to all of you - and I'll take a look at WO 167/296.

    Barbara
     
  7. barbaralawrence

    barbaralawrence Senior Member

    Hi Again,

    Certainly seems to be the right one - and the date is perfect as I know my uncle joined in Jan. 1940.

    If you can stand another naive question - I had assumed a Division had several units. Does it seem the 48th had more than one company - No. 517 would seem to suggest there were others, but then so does 6th Airborne? Do you think it was exclusively a Petrol Coy - do you think it had more than the one company?

    Thanks to you all and thanks Andy for getting this when you can.

    Barbara
     
  8. China Hand

    China Hand No Longer A Forum Member

    Just chipping in say a big "well done" to Andy for this offer - a great idea and a great way to share and support at the same time ! I only wish I had some W0167s to ask for...my only family connection with BEF is 16 General Hospital, which appears not to be within that series...but no matter, it's a great initiative ! Well done, mate ! :poppy:
     
  9. idler

    idler GeneralList

    48 Div would only have had one Petrol Company but there were other RASC units in the Division: the Ammunition and Supply Companies. Later on, Divisions could also have Troop Carrying Companies RASC with specially-adapted 3-ton lorries to carry their infantry.

    This is a list of army 'groups' in decreasing order of size:

    Corps
    Division
    Brigade
    Battalion / Regiment (armoured / artillery)
    Company / Squadron (armoured) / Battery (artillery)
    Platoon / Troop (armoured / artillery)
    Section

    A unit is norrmally a group of battalion / regiment size. Anything above is a formation, anything below is a sub-unit. Smaller, specialist groups like 517 Petrol Coy that worked on their own tend to be an exception and can be considered as units in their own right.
     
  10. barbaralawrence

    barbaralawrence Senior Member

    Thank you Idler. Huge help! I've printed and posted your list so I have it ready as I maneuver through sources like "Plain Soldiering," which was a help in learning about the 1st and 2nd Airborne + Syrencot/e House. (the spelling seems to have changed over the years). Now I'll go back with your list to try to make more sense of where my uncle my uncle was and what he was doing.

    Cheers!

    Barbara
     
  11. barbaralawrence

    barbaralawrence Senior Member

    Hi China Hand - Sue Light, who runs a site about nursing + hospitals - Scarlet Finders, recently posted a list of British hospitals and their often complicated peregrinations on this thread:
    Sticky: British General Hospitals: Locations ( 1 2 3 ... Last Page)
    Sue Light

    You might find it helpful, and she is wonderful about responding to inquiries about WWII medical services etc.

    My American stepfather served under Gen. Stilwell in WW 2 - China and Burma. I haven't started researching his story yet because I've got more than I can handle right now looking at my uncle and mother's service, but I couldn't help making the connection given your online name.

    Thanks,

    Barbara
     
  12. Oriel Benfro

    Oriel Benfro Junior Member

    3. Help for Heroes


    Above my nominated charity to donate to.

    Can you assist with the following all come from my Military Headstone Pembrokeshire Project ;

    Bdr Daniel J. Adams 10 Field Regt R.A. died of wounds 02 June 1940. Evacuated from Dunkirk placed in Brighton Hospital, married a few months previous.

    Fus (John) Reginald Mathias killed in action 1940 probably 1st Btn R.W.F. aged 22 died between 31 May and 02 June 1940.

    Rex (Reginald) Thomas Loch Treffin paratroop regt killed in action at Arnhem in 1944, Received Army commission 1938 went to France fought his way back to Dunkirk evacuated served North Africa and Normandy.

    Fus Bertie J. John 1st Bn R.W.F. died 15 August 1940 wounded during the evacuation of Dunkirk died at Eastbourne Hospital.

    Capt Thomas John Waters died aged 86 yrs in 1985 a Dunkirk/B.E.F. veteran served 26 yrs with the R.E. Went to France Sept 1939 evacuated Dunkirk. From 1940 served Ulster, Mid East and Cyprus. Retired from the Army 1964.

    Gdsman James Thomas George Williams Grenadier Guards 3rd Btn died 31 May 1940 no known grave listed Col 33 Dunkirk Memorial

    Rgds
    Orielbenfro
    ORIEL a welsh window on a surname
     
  13. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    Andy, When I recieve the files you sent on 2nd Grenadiers I will donate to this charity. Hope it meets with your approval.

    Home - Legacy

    Legacy is dedicated to caring for the families of deceased veterans. Today Legacy's caring and compassionate service assists over 100,000 widows and 1900 children and dependants with a disability. Legacy is a voluntary organisation supported by veterans, servicemen and women, and volunteers drawn from all walks of life. Our support and services now extend to include the dependants of members of today's Australian Defence Force who lose their lives as a result of their military service.

    Cheers
    Paul
     

    Attached Files:

  14. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Had a txt today that Andy met Paul Reed in TNA today.
    Look like a bit of a WW2Talk meet up going on.
     
  15. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    I was just about to post that I had met Andy today at Kew - I got back to my desk to find a little note saying 'hi' - and there he was! I had seen someone copying diary after diary out of the corner of my eye, and should have realised! Talk about keen!

    Nice to meet you Andy, mate.
     
  16. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    It's certainly quiet on here without him, isn't it ?:)
     
  17. barbaralawrence

    barbaralawrence Senior Member

    Hi Andy,

    I tried to send you a private message saying I'd send in a contribution to Help for Heroes (or whichever one you prefer), but I don't seem to have figured out the system yet. Anyhow - that's what I'll do, and thanks.

    Barbara
     
  18. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hello everyone :lol:

    Ok all the diaries have been copied upto post 31 but bare with me while I sort them out as I think I've took around 10,000 pictures this week :lol:

    Barbara you'll be pleased to know Owen got the message to me and I copied the file. I assume you are a US Citizen so like Recce Mtich feel free to donate to a military/veteran charity in your country on receipt of the disc. I'm assuming that will be easier for you.

    I met four members in four days - Great to meet you all and apologies if I seemed a bit off but I was on a bit of a mission. Adam I thought you was the other Adam and thanks for returning my card - I lost it again the next day too !


    Oriel - I will need to look through your list in more detail later but the Paratrooper would not have been in the Para's at Dunkirk (They didn't exsist then). I think I already have some of the others.

    Regards
    Andy
     
  19. barbaralawrence

    barbaralawrence Senior Member

    Andy,

    You are wonderful - and formidable. I'm glad we're on the same side! I'd like to contribute to a British charity in memory of my uncle, but I know the tax laws may make that difficult. Still - I made small donations this week to museums whose staff helped me, so I think it will work. If I have a problem, I will find something locally. It's kind of you to think of that.

    Thanks very much.

    Barbara
     
  20. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Finaly (I left it downloading overnight) all the pictures are downloaded to my hardrive. I've added up the pictures taken and its around 12,162! I've not counted the files copied but it must be in excess of 100 I would say. Now to sort sort them out into the Orbat.
     
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