Hi All, I'm new here but have already made a couple of posts in some of the sub forums before I saw Ron's post up top. 1. Full Name: James McDonald 2. Relationship (to researcher): Grandfather 3. Service number: 1097095 4. Which branch of Service. Army 5. What unit. R.A. - 8th Army 6. Which areas served in. Africa, Italy, France and Germany (my mum also says he was in "the Holy Land") 7. Date of birth. June 1911 8. Date of death. 1995 9. Was he a POW ? No 10. Any Gallantry medals. 11. Any Campaign Stars/Medals ? Africa Star, France and Germany Star, 1939-1945 Star, War Medal and I believe he should have received the Italy Star too (was in Sicily). 12. Do you have his AB64 or equivalent ? Yes 13. Approx age on joining. 29 14. Have you applied for records? No (in the process) 15. Do you have any photos ? Yes, attached 16. Have you tried researching elsewhere ? Yes 17. If you have, state where. Google and RA websites, Rootschat, 18. Main reason for researching the named person ? My parents are planning to send me his medals etc and it's piqued my interest in finding out more. He never ever spoke about the war so until last week (when my mum said he was with the 8th Army) I only knew he was in artillery I've attached the only photo I have of my grandfather, he is third from the right in the back row, taken in Egypt 1941. Peter
Hi, He looks like he is wearing an Africa Star medal ribbon - as do several others. That would date the photo to 1943 or later? All will be revealed on receipt of his service records. Taking about 6 weeks at the moment. Good Luck Steve Y
Hi Steve, I saw that and found it confusing. The photo has "Egypt 1941" written on the back, but there were no campaign ribbons (certainly matching his medals) awarded by then. I do know he was back in Egypt in 1944-45 based on 2 Permanent Pass slips in his AB64 (which also IDs his RSM as one H Buswell), but that is the full extent of what I know. The 'problem' I have with the records is that my mum has to apply for them and she's back home in Scotland, so I'll have a bit of an extra wait. Thanks Clive, I'll be sure to post updates as I find out more. Peter
They probably wouldn't but my mum is also going to pay for it. Since the current exchange is 2 to 1, Canadian to British I'm willing to wait
A Scottish Canadian living in Winnipeg. You can guarantee if there's a way to avoid paying for it I'll find it.
Hello Peter, welcome to the forum. James' service number is definitely Royal Artillery and the sign behind the group (in the photograph) I believe says 'School of Artillery'. However, not all of the men are wearing Royal Artillery (RA) cap badges, and there is a mix of cap badges. This in inself is not unusual, as some RA regiments were formerly infantry or cavalry units and allowed to wear the cap badges, cap, etc. of their former existence. For example, the 102nd (Northumberland Hussars) Anti-Tank Regiment, were allowed to wear their 'Noodle' cap and NH cap badge. I can't identify a Divisional arm patch on any of the men and wondered if they were, both, instructors and the instructed at a School of Artillery?!? Best, Steve.
Hi Steve, Thanks for the info. Pardon my ignorance, but what's a 'Noodle' cap (my WWII knowledge is sorely lacking in details)? I have slips (attached) indicating he was still with the M.E. School of Artillery in 1944 and 1945 in Egypt. I also may have narrowed down the Regimental Sergeant Major who signed those slips too (found the discharge records for all H Buswell's with the RA and only one was still with the RA at that time), but it hasn't helped me any yet. I know patience is the key, wait for the service records, but I'm impatient and like the challenge Peter
A strong candidate for RSM Buswell ; BUSWELL Harry Edward 1032651 (Born Warwick 4 Q 1901) enlisted in the RA 29th September 1916 aged 14 Years 363 days at Canterbury. Remained with the RA until 23/10/45.
Thanks Guy! That's the same one I came up with so that's good, I'm doing something right Can't believe he enlisted (just) before he was even 15! Not sure what I can do with that info now though. Going back to what Steve(1) said above. In looking at the AB64 again there's a note in there that looks to be "Awarded Africa Star 17 Jan 45" so if that is indeed the ribbon he is wearing then it should place the picture of my Grandfather as being some time in '45, right?
I'll attach everything I have so far, rather than the piecemeal approach above. I don't actually have anything here, everything has come from my mum sending me photos as she has it all. The Defence Medal in the pic was apparently sent in error but my mum was told not to bother returning it. Also, I suspect he should have received the Italy Star but can't confirm until I see his service record. Edit: I believe the 'Enlisted At' is Milburn Port, but I (and Google) have no idea where that is.
Ok, I suspect if I keep this going much longer this thread will outlive it's welcome in "User Introductions" I have one more photo of a page from the AB64 which my mum sent me last night. Am I reading it correctly that the AB64 Part 1 was reissued to my grandfather 3 or 4 times? And is there any significance to "FW 5192"? Thanks!
Greetings,Although the RA is not my area of interest, I can tell you that Milburn Port is in Somerset,but very near the Dorset border.Nearest town is Sherborne.
Thanks, I did eventually come upon that (different spelling back then it seems) but disregarded it as a coincidence. Was it common for people to travel so far to sign up? That would be a 450 mile trip for my grandfather (even today the quickest train trip is 11+ hours)
Sorry, The spelling should read Milborne Port, that has been the name for a long time,so not sure if it is right place.A small village even today.Remember though that at well over 14 your grandad would have left school and might have had a job which involved travelling.
He worked at a brick works in his home village. And, as far as I remember, he never had a driver's licence. It could very well be the same Milburn/Milburne/Milborne Port but, like everything else I'm finding out lately, it just gives me more questions. Fun
I noticed that there is an area of Inverness called Milburn and wondered if this is the real location?
