I am trying to trace my Grandads service records, no one in the family knew his service number so I sent of for his marriage certificate as he was married after joining, luckily it had the following info on - Private R. A. S. C. O/T 146520. My question is, is "O/T 146520" his service number, only looking at posts on here with service numbers on it looks a little small. Thanks
If it helps reassure you, there are 5 CWGC entries for RASC men with Service Numbers close to his. ANDERSON RB T/146551 - 09/12/1941 RASC BISHOP FW T/146503 - 10/05/1940 - - 23/06/1940 RASC GANE R T/146514 ATTD 128 FIELD AMB 19/07/1940 RASC PEARSON W T/146541 - 13/01/1940 RASC POTTER RF T/146558 - 17/06/1940 RASC Search for the address on here for applying for Service Records, it costs £30 at the moment, and there is a looooong waiting list.... currently 6 months for me and could take 12!! In the meantime, it might help establish when your Grand-dad enlisted. Looking at the list above, it seems obvious that he was in the Army before or very soon after WW2 started. Most of these casualties seem to have been incurred during the withdrawal of the BEF from France. It might be possible for some Pals here to deduce what unit he might have been, but as he could have been a transport driver, chances are that any unit he was supposed to be with during the evacuation would have been broken up. Hopefully, family members may be able to remember any incidents he might have spoken of, or places he had been, as this is just the early phase of the War. otherwise you have a long wait ahead, I'm afraid!
Thanks for your replys. He must have joined near the begining as he was married in 1943, in Liverpool. I know he served with the R.A.S.C. at some point attached to the 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division as I have a picture of him in uniform with the badges on his upper arm.
I have a picture of him in uniform Welcome to the forum. Can you post the photo here , please. We like looking at photos.
At one point the RASC was split into two sections (Before WW2 and they became one around the start IIRC). One being Transport and the Other being Supply. To tell the difference between the two parts of the RASC the Army put a either a T or S at the begining of an Army number for anyone in the RASC. You don't need his Army service number to apply for his service records. You can do it with just his date of birth.
I tried with just his date of birth and got no where, apparently there were 4 records that it could have related to, so got told to find his service number. Also here is his pic.
Bit odd...Was this on the telephone? There should have been other factors they could have looked at like address, units, join up date etc. they all narrow it down. Sounds like a case of CBA at Glasgow
Bit odd...Was this on the telephone? There should have been other factors they could have looked at like address, units, join up date etc. they all narrow it down. Sounds like a case of CBA at Glasgow Yes they rang me up, asked if I could supply any other info, at the time I didn't have any to give. So he said rather than take my £30 of me he would return it and I should find his Army Number.
I wonder if he went to France with them in 1940. I do have a picture from there of a group of men, well its a picture with a post card backing on with France typed on the back and no other info, will dig it out.
That may be France but he's not with 52nd Div, they were only there for a short time in June 1940. No snow then.
Well an update, sent off again for service records with the Army number of marriage certificate, but again it was sent back with no sign of a record. I have now sent off for his birth certificate as his DOB is the only thing I don't have concrete (although it is on his death certificate and the family all know it??). I have confirmed his army number from the image below (the only difference from the one I sent is that it doesnt have an O in it).
Update The service records have arrived!!!! An odd thing with them is that certain bits of info on them has been redacted, such as his religion, trade on entry, next of kin and other bits. What I need help with now is tracking where he was as I can't understand it so any help will be appreciated. Many thanks.
Hello bobbyt78, He joined the RASC on 28 Dec 1939 as a driver and went into a training company. He was with the BEF from 11 Feb to 28 May 1940 and it looks like his service was with the Royal Artillery (as a driver). He then had a 'Home' posting, until going to NW Europe from 18 Oct 1944 to 20 Dec 1945 - don't have any information about his service attachment, but from prior messages this could have been 52nd Lowland Div - and then back to a 'Home' posting. Released from service on 6 March 1946. The service record you provided is not complete... Best, Steve.
Hi steve, thanks for your reply, what else is needed I have attached the only other info I have under this.
Hello bobbyt78, The further records show that he did his training at No. 11 Training Centre at Sutton in Ashfield, Notts. The earlier records show he had the defence and war medals, and stars for his service 1939 to 43 and NW Europe. I don't think that you have been sent his complete records, as there is no real detail post 1942. You should give Glasgow a call and try to obtain these... Best, Steve.
