Esteemed gentlemen please give assistance RAF lorry driver

I'm happy to find a lorry thread and am sure all this brain power can help me. I've done my homework, I think that's the least people can do when they ask for information. Anything anyone can tell tell me will be cherished, from personal anecdotes and basic information, to the finer details and recommended publications. Whatever you know......

I would like to trace my father's movements through France Belgium the Netherlands and Germany. I know the abbreviations, so please don''t waste your time on that.

He arrived in Normandy D+1
He talked about being 100 miles from Belsen
Some of his training at Castle Kennedy 3GS 28-9-43
Dumfries 18-8-43
2 TTU 21-8-43 date of movement; 13-2-43
3 AGS 2-10-44
314 S&T Column 23-11-44
HQ 2nd TAF 28-2-44
Real HQ 2nd TAF 2-1-44
S&T Col 9-1-45, arrived 2/45
Disembark BLA 22-3-45
HQ(U) 2 Grp@ 4-5-45
314 S&T ed 30-4-45, arrived 14/45
Admitted to No. 8 RAF Gen Hospital 7-5-45
Transferred to Convalescent Depot 25-5-45 (discharged)
HQ(U)2Grp 4-5-45
314 S&T Col, no date
2 Grp VTC(A) 20-2-46
314 S&T Col 24-3-46
HQ(U) 2 Grp 30-6-46
Released 31-1-47

I'm aware the hospital was in Brussels. Have you ever know the next of kin obtaining medical records? I had no idea he had ever been hurt.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your help.

peaceful
(Chrissie)

 

Thank you Owen

peaceful

 

Peaceful
I think you would need to obtain the units war diary to find his movements, was his stay in hospital the result of an accident or illness owing to the time he was in hospital

 

Peaceful
I think you would need to obtain the units war diary to find his movements, was his stay in hospital the result of an accident or illness owing to the time he was in hospital
Thank you Old Man

How do I go about obtaining the unit's war diary? I have no idea about his stay in hospital-it was a complete surprise when I received his service records from the archives. He never mentioned it even to my mother.

My idea is that he was injured because they moved him to a convalescent unit after he was in hospital 18 days, and, he was very healthy & strong, worked a hard physical job up to his retirement.

peaceful

 

Peaceful,Ithink you may have helped me a bit here.My grampa alawys said he was a driver.I noticed the LAC on an airgraph of his I have and when I checked it out,it said that LAC's were some sort of aircraft mechanic,so I was a bit confused.I noticed that you dad was also ranked LAC,so I guess they were not all mechanics!

tulip

 

Hi Tulip,

LAC means leading aircraftman. There were 3 levels, L1, L2 and LAC -the highest level below officer status.
They were ground support crew. Transport drivers (DMT-driver motor transport) were 2 Group.

There were other ground crew who were aircraft mechanics, but it would be unlikely that they would be drivers, as there is special training.

The lorry drivers were trained to repair their lorrys.
What countries did your granpa serve in after D Day?

peaceful

 

Thanks for that Peaceful.I don't know where he served after D-Day,I don't know how long he stayed in the RAF after the war.All I know is that he was a driver with India Command. He also was part of Out of The Blue which were a kind of RAF entertainment group.

Angela

 

Hi Tulip,

LAC means leading aircraftman. There were 3 levels, L1, L2 and LAC -the highest level below officer status.
They were ground support crew. Transport drivers (DMT-driver motor transport) were 2 Group.

There were other ground crew who were aircraft mechanics, but it would be unlikely that they would be drivers, as there is special training.

The lorry drivers were trained to repair their lorrys.
What countries did your granpa serve in after D Day?

peaceful


A slight correction LAC was the highest rank below NON COMMISIONED OFFICER. On joining you would be an AC2- Aircraftman 2nd class, on completing recruit and basic trade training you would become Aircraftman 1st class. After gaining considerable experience and if your conduct , character, trade skill etc showed you had NCO potential you could be promoted to LAC. Many other ground trades were required to drive as part of their duties, especially once the Tactical Air Force which had to be totally mobile started to form. RAF MT regs dictated who could drive what vehicles. Some vehicles could only be driven by D MT . AC2 & LAC D MT were often specialist at Crane operations and were qualified to tow trailers on the public highway, they also drove crash & domestic ambulances , bomb carrying tenders and the vehicles associated with mobile photographic units.
S & T is a supply and transport column. It carried spares and stores to support operations and is a mobile unit which was normally sited many miles behind the Advanced Landing Grounds, providing support to the Air Park Stores; its vehicles could also be used to assist with unit moves between temporary locations. I may have some info on 314 I will dig.

PEACEFUL; Turning to the info you give: I note its not in date order , I note your Father was at 3 GS at Castle Kennedy- I think this should be 3 AGS - Air Gunnery School where aircraft gunners were trained. On the date you give him as at 2 TTU, 2 TTU were also at Castle Kennedy, you mention Dumfries - it was a large stores depot not too far from Castle Kennedy. You also have him at 3 AGS in November 1944 but imply he landed D +1 in Normandy. ?? Disembark BLA ( British Liberation Army- a "care of " address for HQ 2 Group) suggests this is when his paperwork was processed by 2 group as arriving with 314 into Belgium. 2 Group mainly moved into Europe between oct 44 & feb 1945. any chance you could scan and post his record- this might make tracking events much easier.
TED

 

Thanks for that Ted.I think it's helped a bit.I remember my grampa talking about driving higher ranks around and also something about getting stuck in water!Sadly,he only ever told us funny stories,I do know that he was based in Ardrossen in Ayrshire at one point too.I don't know if anyone knows anything about what happened there.


Angela

 

Peaceful
Use the National Archieve website and search using your unit information also you may want to try the RAF Museum at Hendon

 

A slight correction LAC was the highest rank below NON COMMISIONED OFFICER. On joining you would be an AC2- Aircraftman 2nd class, on completing recruit and basic trade training you would become Aircraftman 1st class. After gaining considerable experience and if your conduct , character, trade skill etc showed you had NCO potential you could be promoted to LAC. Many other ground trades were required to drive as part of their duties, especially once the Tactical Air Force which had to be totally mobile started to form. RAF MT regs dictated who could drive what vehicles. Some vehicles could only be driven by D MT . AC2 & LAC D MT were often specialist at Crane operations and were qualified to tow trailers on the public highway, they also drove crash & domestic ambulances , bomb carrying tenders and the vehicles associated with mobile photographic units.
S & T is a supply and transport column. It carried spares and stores to support operations and is a mobile unit which was normally sited many miles behind the Advanced Landing Grounds, providing support to the Air Park Stores; its vehicles could also be used to assist with unit moves between temporary locations. I may have some info on 314 I will dig.

PEACEFUL; Turning to the info you give: I note its not in date order , I note your Father was at 3 GS at Castle Kennedy- I think this should be 3 AGS - Air Gunnery School where aircraft gunners were trained. On the date you give him as at 2 TTU, 2 TTU were also at Castle Kennedy, you mention Dumfries - it was a large stores depot not too far from Castle Kennedy. You also have him at 3 AGS in November 1944 but imply he landed D +1 in Normandy. ?? Disembark BLA ( British Liberation Army- a "care of " address for HQ 2 Group) suggests this is when his paperwork was processed by 2 group as arriving with 314 into Belgium. 2 Group mainly moved into Europe between oct 44 & feb 1945. any chance you could scan and post his record- this might make tracking events much easier.
TED
Thank you Ted. And here I thought I was making it easier to read by typing it-I must have typos.
I noticed an out of sequence entry in his service book but typed it as is.
I really do appreciate your help and will scan his records.
peaceful

 

Peaceful
Use the National Archieve website and search using your unit information also you may want to try the RAF Museum at Hendon
Old Man-Thanks so much for the great tip. I have spent time on the web site you gave me, and plan to sit down with a nice pot of tea (forget the cuppa) and spend more time.

I'll let you know if I'm successful in my quest. If I don't find everything, I find it's always another piece of the puzzle.

By the way, I'm 60 yrs of age and was just wondering if I need to be referring to myself as old lady or has that ship sailed?

 

Thanks for that Ted.I think it's helped a bit.I remember my grampa talking about driving higher ranks around and also something about getting stuck in water!Sadly,he only ever told us funny stories,I do know that he was based in Ardrossen in Ayrshire at one point too.I don't know if anyone knows anything about what happened there.


Angela
Tulip - HI!
Just wondering if you have found any more info on your late grandpa's service since your last posting.
Hope you are well

peaceful

 

Hi Peaceful,I haven't got much further,can't really afford the £30 at the moment.I have emailed the MOD regarding medals,but no one has got back to me yet.Seems there are a few things online that I can't access.The Imperial War Museum have some film that might be helpful,but they don't seem to be online any more.

Angela

 

Hi Tulip,
Sorry for the delay in responding. I haven't been on this thread lately and only saw your message.
I think you need more info to go on.
Is the parent who was your grandpa's child still alive?
If they are, then they would be next of kin and would need to apply for his records.
If your granny is still alive, then she is the next of kin.

It would be really great if someone has his blue Service and Release book because it contains all his basic info for a records search. ie. service #, dates
Sometimes things get mixed into family photos, letters, birth certificates, etc. and don't forget to look at the back of the drawers!
You will put the pieces together, it takes time.

Do you know if your grandpa picked up his medals? I wonder because you're inquiring about them.

If your grandpa passed away more than 25 yrs ago, you don't need to apply for his records-you can search them yourself-just thought of that.
Keep me posted.
peaceful

 

Thanks Peaceful,my mum is still alive,so she would be next of kin,my granny passed a few years ago,so I assume she would need both death certificates and would still have to pay lol.Anyway,she is going to have anotherlook,going to give me the photograph album to look at,in case I can spot something there that might help.

Angela

 

Hi Angela

If it's more than 25 yrs ago that your grandpa passed away, then you can go into your National Archives and search his records free of charge.
Do you have aunties or uncles on your mother's side? If so they may have the Service and Release book and may give you clues. If there are any war photos,
check the back for notes that might give his whereabouts. Look for letters too.

You're right about needing both death certificates. I went through the process a while back and I needed to send in both.

peaceful
Chrissie

 

Just to add you don't need death certificates as a proof of death.

Anything like Undertakers invoice, photo of grave etc. will suffice.