Birkenhead Territorial Army

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by Barnes75, Jul 6, 2015.

  1. Barnes75

    Barnes75 Member

    Hi

    I am trying to find information on my granddad's time in Birkenhead territorial army. He was in the territorial army before the start of WW2 and was one of the first to be called up (I believe). He was in the war until the end and am trying to find any information on him while he was in the TA before the war and his service history during the war and just don't know where to start any help would be appreciated.

    His name was William Joseph Barnes born 1913.

    Many thanks
     
  2. Guy Hudson

    Guy Hudson Looker-upper

    Barnes 75,
    93rd Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery (T.A)
    HQ, 288, 289 Batts. were based in Oxton, Birkenhead.

    Do you have a photograph of him in uniform?

    Guy
     
  3. Barnes75

    Barnes75 Member

    Hi
    Here are a few photos I have managed to find of my granddad 2nd & 3rd photo are dated on the back Rome, Italy 1944, and the last one is dated October 1939 Sutton Weaver.
     

    Attached Files:

  4. Guy Hudson

    Guy Hudson Looker-upper

    Barnes 75,

    He was in the Royal Artillery. Photo 4 shows his RA cap and collar badges.

    So he could have served with 93 HAA Regiment (TA).

    Guy
     
  5. Lotus7

    Lotus7 Well-Known Member

    Hi and welcome to the forum Barnes75. Good luck with your research.
     
  6. Guy Hudson

    Guy Hudson Looker-upper

    Barnes 75,
    Your Grandfather's artillery unit was attached to the 4th Indian Division. 4th Indian Divison saw action in North Africa and Italy.
    Did your Grandfather stay in the Army after the war?
    Guy
     

    Attached Files:

  7. BrianM59

    BrianM59 Senior Member

    The Drill Hall in Grange Road West is still there - I used to play basketball there as a schoolboy. The 93rd HAA Regiment was part of 33rd Anti Aircraft Brigade (WWII)

    70th (3rd West Lancashire) Heavy Anti Aircraft Regt RA (TA)
    93rd Heavy Anti Aircraft Regt RA (TA) [cadre from 70th HAA Regt RA (TA) (Liverpool)]
    38th (The King's Regiment) Search Light Regt RA (TA) [6th (Rifle) Bn The King's Regiment (Liverpool)
    62nd (The Loyals) Search Light Regt RA (TA) [4th Bn The Loyal Regt (North Lancashire)

    "The Territorial Artillery 1908-1988" by Norman E.H. Litchfield, ISBN 0-9508205-2-0. might have some information, but try someone on here or an inter- library loan as it's currently an eye watering £193 on Abe Books.

    Enjoy,

    Brian
     
    Drew5233 and bamboo43 like this.
  8. Barnes75

    Barnes75 Member

    Hi

    Thank you all no my Granddad didn't stay on after the war, I believe by what I have been told that he didn't get back to the UK until quite a while after the war.

    I believe that he served in India, Greece, Italy, Greece, Suez Canal, Egypt and South Africa. He didn't want his medals after the war and I believe that he applied for his medals in the 1980's to 1990's.
     
  9. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    Your best bet is to apply to MOD for his army service papers. Ideally you need his army service number but they can do a successful search on full name and DOB. However searches can take up to a year.

    Once you have his papers you can drill down to
    his unit day to day activities via his unit war diary(ies).

    I'm sure someone will be along with a link to MOD website shortly.

    Good Luck.

    Steve
     
  10. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

  11. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Some good info there Brian. Caught my eye, as I am researching the 59 City of Liverpool Signal Squadron from back in 1908.
     
  12. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    4 Ind Div would place him at the Second and Third Battles of Monte Cassino in Feb-Mar 44.

    Regards

    FdeP
     
  13. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    He's wearing the medal ribbon of The Africa Star in this pic.
     
    bamboo43 likes this.
  14. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Good spot.
     
  15. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    He must have been posted to another artillery unit as he served in 4th Ind Div.
    I have the div history open in front of me now & here is a list of their artillery units.
     

    Attached Files:

  16. BrianM59

    BrianM59 Senior Member

    "Some good info there Brian. Caught my eye, as I am researching the 59 City of Liverpool Signal Squadron from back in 1908."

    Bamboo - let me know - there's a lot around about local regiments - 59 Signal Squadron are still based in Liverpool, but their history only goes back to 1939?
     
  17. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Thanks Brian,

    Yes, in 1908 they were entitled 'The Western Command Telegraph Companies R.E.' formed at St. Helens. Later to become the West Lancashire Divisional Signal Company in 1911.

    Any information would be much appreciated.

    Steve
     
  18. Guy Hudson

    Guy Hudson Looker-upper

    Barnes 75,
    I have found two Royal Artillery attestations for William Joseph Barnes. I dismissed the first as this WJB transferred to the Royal Engineers in 1953. The second one dates from 1938 and could be your Grandfather?
    It does show two transfers, to the LAA on the 15/7/43 and the Field on the 8/6/44. Pencilled under his service number is a barttery number and MEF confirming this WJB was in the Middle East. Unfortunately the Battery number is illegible.
    His service records would confirm this.
    Guy
     

    Attached Files:

  19. Barnes75

    Barnes75 Member

    Thank you all. form what my dad can remember about his dad's war record that he was in the Birkenhead territorial army before WW2 broke out he was in the royal artillery he may have also spent some time in Bristol. He served in Egypt, India, Italy, Greece and South Africa, we believe he spent time at the Suez Canal and Table Top Mountain. Speaking to my dad last night he believe's that his unit had heavy loses and he thinks that they may have joined another unit, he was on the ack ack guns.
     
  20. Lotus7

    Lotus7 Well-Known Member

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