This is my first attempt in searching for more information about my dad. He was in the RASC throughout WW2, I have his Military record and have sorted it into a spreadsheet, most makes sense, I keep asking Mum prodding her memory. However I'm confused about a photo I have found. It was taken in Leuven, Belgium in June/July 1945. its attached. The notice board in the middle shows 860 Company, B platoon, but his record does not include the 860 coy. Also the RLC museum says there is no record of the 860 coy. Can anyone help me?
860 is probably the units Arm of Service number. Units attached plates to their vehicles with a specific number on which identified what unit the vehicle belonged to.
Thanks Drew, where would I find the Arm of Service records? FYI he was in either 452 or 388 companies
860 appears to be an RE company 23rd Mech Equip Platoon, 1941 - 5 from that thread the WD's are: WO 166/3931, ROYAL ENGINEERS: COMPANIES: 860 Mechanical Equipment Company. (1941 Feb.-Nov.) WO 169/1932, 860 M.E. Coy. (1941 Nov.- Dec.) WO 169/5356, 860 Mech. Eqpt. (1942 Jan.- Dec.) WO 169/5357, 860 Mech. Eqpt. 4 Sec. and Det. (1942 Feb.- Dec.) WO 169/5358, 860 Mech. Eqpt. 3 Sec. (1942 Jan.- Nov.) WO 169/5359, 860 Mech. Eqpt. 24 Sec. (1942 Feb.- Dec.) WO 169/10780, 860 Mech. Eqpt. Coy. (1943 Jan.- Dec.) WO 169/10781, 860 Mech. Eqpt. Coy. 1 Sec. (1943 Mar.- July) WO 169/10782, 860 Mech. Eqpt. Coy. 3 Sec. (1943 Mar.) WO 169/10783, 860 Mech. Eqpt. Coy. 4 Sec. (1943 Mar.- July) WO 169/10784, 860 Mech. Eqpt. Coy. 24 Sec. (1943 Mar.- July) WO 169/10785, 860 Mech. Eqpt. Coy. 25 Sec. (1943 Apr.- July) TD
In the TNA series for RASC there are some Reference: WO 171/2461 Description: 452 Coy. Date: 1944 Jan.- Dec. Held by: The National Archives, Kew Legal status: Public Record(s) Closure status: Open Document, Open Description Reference: WO 166/13116 Description: 452 Coy. Date: 1943 Jan.-Dec. Held by: The National Archives, Kew Legal status: Public Record(s) Closure status: Open Document, Open Description Access conditions: Closed For 29 years Reference: WO 171/6280 Description: 452 Coy. Date: 1945 Jan.-Dec. Held by: The National Archives, Kew Legal status: Public Record(s) Closure status: Open Document, Open Description 388 Coy RASC are here - Search results: 388 company | The National Archives TD
Member Idler told us in post #9 860 and 862 companies, belonging to 858 column. The Royal Army Service Corps was organized in mechanical transport platoons, belonging to mechanical transport companies under a Commander, R.A.S.C. or forming Columns. A platoon (5 sections with 6 vehicles each) had so called service vehicles of a certain kind, depending on the platoon's task. Aixman
Gerry Thanks for sharing a great picture. The board shows the vehicle markings of 452 Company RASC (Tank Transporter). The unit serial number was 860 (on the RASC red/green background), and it also displays the 21 Army Group formation sign. The other sign which appears in the centre and lower right of the board is the company one, and this would probably be painted on the doors of the Diamond T tank transporters. This company sign confirms the identity of the unit in the picture, and I attach the 'official' published version. Dave
Thank you for your information and time. I really appreciate it. You have solved a problem we have been unable to understand. Gerry
Gerry Do you have any other photos showing vehicle markings? I would be most interested in seeing them......especially any from 388 Coy if your dad did also serve in this company! Dave
Hi Dave, I don't have any photos like you asked. I will have to go through mum's photos, she has a suitcase full, not sure what I there but a lot were of family and dad with mates but to date them is very difficult. I have a photo outside the stock exchange in Brussels showing the crowds during a parade at the end of June 1945, not the victory parade which was a month later. Dad was in the 388 from February to June 45 then the 545 and the 450 till he was demobbed in Feb 46. Gerry
The photos of them mounting up onto Diamonds T Tank Transporters on the first page was taken during their redeployment to support Op Knife towards Falaise.