Dispatch Rider 5th Divisional Signals 1942-1946

Discussion in 'Royal Signals' started by Bowlander, Dec 29, 2011.

  1. Bowlander

    Bowlander Junior Member

    I have just started to research my father’s war service and I’m trying to accumulate as much back ground info as possible. He was initially posted to the London District Signals, St. Johns Wood in June 1941 as a dispatch rider. His service record the shows : 4th Div. Signals posted to N.Africa (23rd March 1943), 5th Corps Signals, 5 Divisional Signals (Italy – one of his few recounted stories were regarding his time on the beach at Anzio), MEF July 1944, NWE March 1945, Release Leave Certificate issued - Brunswick (Braunschweig) June 1946.
    As I haven’t got a military background I don’t understand the significance of 4th Divisional, 5th Corps, 5th Divisional and the meaning of the 1st Army clasp on his Africa Star.
    I have a few photo’s of his time in these countries and his involvement in organising Trials Riding competitions including the “Twist Grip Club” in Brunswick and track racing in Hamburg in front of a crowd of 2000 (troops and German civilians!).
    If anybody is interested in any of the above I’m happy to provide further info and photo’s.
    Regards
    Ray
     
  2. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Welcome to the forum Ray.

    I'm always keen to discuss WD motorcycles (and to see photographs) and my Grandfather's battalion was part of 5th Division from 1939 to 1945. They were much travelled and if you're intending to research in depth then I'd recommend this book :-

    aris - british fifth division - AbeBooks

    It would be possible, based on the dates in his service record to collect a full set of the war diaries from his units but this is a major undertaking (or will involve you paying someone else to do it). There are a couple of forum members here who charge very reasonable rates but some of the documents are quite large.

    Anzio made a very deep impression on all those who were there. I've seen it described as the nearest thing that the British Army of the Second World War saw to the trench warfare of the Great War.

    It's perhaps not a bad idea to post a photo or two and we can discuss them one at a time. Do you know what he rode ?
     
  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hello and welcome to the forum. Let me know if you are interested in any of the war diaries-I'm happy to look the file ref numbers up for you if you plan on going yourself.

    Looking forward to the pics. :)

    Cheers
    Andy
     
  4. RosyRedd

    RosyRedd Senior Member

    Hi Ray and welcome to the forum. It would be very interesting to see any photos you have and if you don't mind sharing any of your father's stories then please post them too. :)

    Jules.
     
  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Welcome to the forum.
    As you say you have his Service Record & need some of it explaining may I suggest starting a thread in this subforum

    >> http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/service-records/

    & the members can dechypher it bit by bit.
     
  6. Bowlander

    Bowlander Junior Member

    All,

    Thanks for your welcomes. In reply to Rich's question regarding type of bike - I don't know but I've attatched three photo's that might help. The first looks like an 'new recruit' picture, the second taken in Palestine in 1944 and the third along side dugouts at Anzio.

    Ray
     

    Attached Files:

  7. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Thanks for the pictures Ray.

    The first image is nice and clear - it's a Royal Enfield WD/C to contract C8136 - I suspect that the full 'census' number (slightly obscured by the throttle cable) is C4363535.

    'Rewdco' on the forum has done a lot of work on the Enfield WD and factory records and his research gives a 'Demand' date for this contract of 13/8/1940 with delivery taking place between 5/6 - 21/10/1941.

    Bearing in mind that your father was posted to London District Signals in June of that year, I'd suspect that the photograph dates from that period. The 350cc side-valve WD/C was not the swiftest vehicle on the planet and better suited to road use within built-up areas than to long distances or cross-country work.

    The two later images are too small for me to bring up much detail on but the Palestine bike looks to be a BSA WM20 and the machine at Anzio appears to have 'Teledraulic' forks and the high timing cover of the Matchless engine so I'm fairly certain that it is a 350cc overhead valve G3/L Matchless.

    If you're able to scan the photos at a larger size then I'll happily look for further detail.

    Rich
     
  8. rewdco

    rewdco Senior Member

    Thanks for the pictures Ray.

    The first image is nice and clear - it's a Royal Enfield WD/C to contract C8136 - I suspect that the full 'census' number (slightly obscured by the throttle cable) is C4363535.

    'Rewdco' on the forum has done a lot of work on the Enfield WD and factory records and his research gives a 'Demand' date for this contract of 13/8/1940 with delivery taking place between 5/6 - 21/10/1941.

    If you're able to scan the photos at a larger size then I'll happily look for further detail.

    Rich

    Hello Ray,

    As Rich pointed out, I've done a lot of research on the WD Royal Enfields. I can send you the information that I have on the WD/C models if you send me an email! On the other hand, would it be possible to send me a higher resolution scan of that WD/C photograph? That would really make my day! :rolleyes:

    Cheers,
    Jan

    wd.register(at)gmail.com
     
  9. Bowlander

    Bowlander Junior Member

    Rich,

    Thanks for the info - a closer look at the photo suggests that the full 'census' number is C4362635 rather than C4363535.

    I will post revised photo's of the other bikes a.s.a.p. but other festivities demand my attention tonight!!!

    Best wishes for 2012

    Ray
     
  10. Bowlander

    Bowlander Junior Member

    My father took a few of photographs on his way into Rome, the 1st attachment being one of these. By pure chance I identified the same location on Google Streetview see attachment 2.

    The 3rd attachment shows a pass issued to my father on 15th June 1944 for Naples.

    Ray
     

    Attached Files:

  11. Bowlander

    Bowlander Junior Member

    Welcome to the forum Ray.

    I'm always keen to discuss WD motorcycles (and to see photographs) and my Grandfather's battalion was part of 5th Division from 1939 to 1945. They were much travelled and if you're intending to research in depth then I'd recommend this book :-

    aris - british fifth division - AbeBooks

    It would be possible, based on the dates in his service record to collect a full set of the war diaries from his units but this is a major undertaking (or will involve you paying someone else to do it). There are a couple of forum members here who charge very reasonable rates but some of the documents are quite large.

    Anzio made a very deep impression on all those who were there. I've seen it described as the nearest thing that the British Army of the Second World War saw to the trench warfare of the Great War.

    It's perhaps not a bad idea to post a photo or two and we can discuss them one at a time. Do you know what he rode ?
    Rich,

    I'm now the proud owner of a copy of British 5 Division by Aris and already learnt so much more regarding my father's service. He never talked about his journey to and time in NWE. A brief reading the book has provided so much to research. Thanks.

    Ray
     
  12. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Rich,

    I'm now the proud owner of a copy of British 5 Division by Aris and already learnt so much more regarding my father's service. He never talked about his journey to and time in NWE. A brief reading the book has provided so much to research. Thanks.

    Ray

    I'm glad that you're enjoying the book Ray. It's one of the more readable accounts.

    5 Div didn't have a particularly hard time in NW Europe and I think that it faded into insignificance when compared with their slog during the Italian campaign.
     

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