I was interested to read the posts about troops being sent to Russia. In November 1941, my father who belonged to the RAOC (later to be REME) was posted to Russia in October 1941, arriving in Archangel on November 22nd via convoy PQ3. He remained there until July 1942 returning on convoy QP13. Although I have read about the equipment sent to Russia as aid I have not found any mention of troops. I believe my father's role was one of maintenance of and training the Russians in our tanks and would be very grateful if anyone could further my research into what he actually did there and what his life was like. He was aged 20 at the time and had vivid memories of the seasickness he suffered on the voyage
Hello, Thought I'd move post out of this thread into it's own . http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/eastern-front/41459-churchill-wanted-send-18th-50th-divs-russia.html#post487456 Seems best to do that. Welcome to the forum.
Hi and welcome. I have the history of the RAOC 1920-1945, but it doesn't mention any RAOC in Russia. However as RAOC was such a large organisation it couldn;t possibly mention every unit. I know Britain sent lots of military aid to Russia and RAOC would have sent men to instruct the Russians in their maintenance and repair, but don't have any info on that. Do you have any service records for your Father?
Welcome to the forum Yvonne. Here is a link that appears to validate that the RAOC were stationed in Archangel and for the reasons you state: World War II veteran, 95, in desperate hunt for diary of the conflict after losing it on a train | Mail Online I'll keep searching for information and will post again if better information is found. Best, Steve.
Welcome to the forum Yvonne and Im sure with the help of those here you will find what you need to know. Peter
Yvonne, found this story, may help? World War II veteran, 95, in desperate hunt for diary of the conflict after losing it on a train | Mail Online
Yvonne, found this story, may help? World War II veteran, 95, in desperate hunt for diary of the conflict after losing it on a train | Mail Online Peter, take a look at mesage #4 - I think that's 'snap'! Best, Steve.
Hello Peter, Your boys did well; would probably have won the World Cup last year if Sam Warburton had'nt been sent off v's France in the Semi. I couldn't find anything further on the RAOC in Archangel, but I must admit to being hooked to finding out about them... Best, Steve.
Hi and welcome. I have the history of the RAOC 1920-1945, but it doesn't mention any RAOC in Russia. However as RAOC was such a large organisation it couldn;t possibly mention every unit. I know Britain sent lots of military aid to Russia and RAOC would have sent men to instruct the Russians in their maintenance and repair, but don't have any info on that. Do you have any service records for your Father? Thanks very much for the replies, the extent of knowledge out there is amazing! I'm not sure how this works as I've not used a forum before so please excuse any indiscretions. I have my father's service records, he enlisted into the Territorial Royal Engineers in March 1938, aged 17 (apparently it was a choice between going to night school or the recruitment office in Cardiff) In Septeber 1941 he was posted to 7th battalion RAOC then promoted from private to corporal to sergeant in the next couple of weeks. He was posted to 126 BOD. He told me that his destination was secret, he wasn't even allowed to tell his parents where he was, they received postcards just saying that "your son is alive" Dad returned home with a Russian flag (which is in my wardrobe) although they were told that they couldn't take anything out of the country
Hello Yvonne, Like Steve I found very little on either the RAOC or REME in Archangel or Murmansk. In the following BBC post there is a mention of a Capt Mond, chief of the British naval mission in Arkhangel. From other readings it seems the British troops were closely monitored if their stay was prolonged. WWII Arctic convoy veterans recall 'dangerous journey' You've probably seen this YouTube video of tanks being off loaded from British ships, but others may find it of interest as well. Konvoi 8: Arctic Convoys disembarking Hopefully something more will turn up ...
In 1941 RAOC was dealing with matters that would subsequently be handed over to REME. I'd suggest there's various roles RAOC could have been handling including repair and maintenance, ammunition matters, as well as the more mundane such as ensuring the various stores and equipment that belonged together were handed over together and the Red Army men and women could understand how to use the UK documentaion and identify what was what. However, since there doesn't seem to be any indication that he had technical training related to either ammunition or repair and maintenance, then it would seem more likely a matter of coherent delivery from a system that would have been in English and probably totally alien to the Soviet way of doing things.
