Help with "translating" WW2 service records - member of RASC

Discussion in 'Service Records' started by tillyk, Sep 10, 2017.

  1. tillyk

    tillyk Member

    Hi
    I've obtained my grandfather's service records and whilst I can understand some parts of it; a lot of the abbreviations are lost on me and in some places it refers to the RASC and in others to a field ambulance divisionI'm struggling to see his journey throughout the war. If I were to upload his records would someone be able to help me with these.

    I'd also like to know from the records what war diaries I need to look out for

    Thanks in advance
     
  2. hutt

    hutt Member

    If you can scan and post the jpg images on the site it should be straightforward to unpick what you have. The record should give a clear answer to what unit your Grandfather was in and it is highly likely that a corresponding war diary can be identified and which will be held in the National Archives in Kew.
     
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  3. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Last edited: Sep 10, 2017
  4. Brian Smith

    Brian Smith Junior Member

    My Dad was in the RASC as a driver and spent some time with field ambulance as a driver. It seems to have been the norm to use the experience of RASC drivers in the difficult circumstances field ambulance operated in. So it is possible without jumping the gun that somewhere in the record there is a note of a transfer between the 2, and back again. Brian
     
  5. tillyk

    tillyk Member

    thanks for your replies and here is a copy of the various pages from the service record. My dad had always understood that his dad had been at Dunkirk but I can't see any reference to this.

    Any help you can give in dissecting his record would be much appreciated
     

    Attached Files:

  6. hutt

    hutt Member

    Here is a brief summary with links to diaries at Kew

    3rd Division Petrol Company

    WO 167/225 3 Division Petrol Company 1939 Sept.-1940 Mar., June

    There is a second diary for this unit but picks up from July 1940 so after your Grandfather left the unit.

    Next unit I can find

    216 Field Ambulance try

    WO 177/821 1940 June- 1944 Aug.

    Then we have 244 Coy Arm Division. Unfortunately none of the unit diaries that I can see cover this early part of the war

    Can’t find anything for the holding companies

    There is a 6th Armoured Division support group diary for

    WO 166/831 DIVISIONS: 6TH. ARMOURED DIVISION: Support Group Company. 1940 Sept.- 1941 Dec.

    Out of interest my father was treated in 216 Field Ambulance in April 43 while in Tunisia so at some point that unit moved to North Africa.
     
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2017
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  7. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    It would seem that between Sep 1939 and 16 May 1940 he was 'overseas' which I can only think would be with the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) in France & Belgium, hence the reference to Dunkirk, however the situation for your relative was that he was going on leave, it was not until the last week of May and into June that the scenario of Dunkirk as portrayed in films came about.

    The rest of his army life seems to have been spent in the UK

    On 8 Jan 1944 he was awarded the 1939 - 1943 Star - the medal was later to become the 39-45 star

    His records also note on 3 Mar 1945 the birth of his son Michael John at Chorlton Nursing Home, Chorlton cum Hardy.

    TD
     
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  8. tillyk

    tillyk Member

    Thanks so much for that.

    I don't suppose you can tell me what a couple of entries are on page 3 - I simply can't read the writing.

    1. Part II Order No 177 dated 17/8/41 and where this was based (the word of the place in column d)
    2. Part II Order No. 188 dated 21/08/41 - what is the name of the unit it says he was posted to.

    Thanks again
     
  9. tillyk

    tillyk Member

    Sorry, is it also possible to find out what he was admitted to Tower House Hospital for in 1941 and then to Connaught Hospital, Knaphill for eg perhaps some medical records or details of injuries?

    Thanks
     
  10. hutt

    hutt Member

    Ok, the two places I read as Woking and Weybridge and the unit as 31st Armoured Brigade Company but I would appreciate others to confirm these. There is a diary for this unit, WO166/9414for 1942 which if they han't moved, may suggest where he may have been in the later part of 41.
    Below that I can't read the place entry for 10 9 41 but below that it says 'Home Forces'
    As for medical records, I am lucky to have my fathers due to a post war claim but the consensus on this site is that the MOD will NOT release them due, in all likelyhood to the possibility of sensitive information.
     
  11. tillyk

    tillyk Member

    oh dear, another one on reading through page 3.

    What does it say in columns C and D for the entry 76 dated 10/09/1941 and for 78/3 dated 26/12/1941. I'm terrible at reading this handwriting

    Thanks
     
  12. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Cant make out what they say I'm afraid

    Re medical records - hutt is right in that in other threads obtaining them has proved very difficult even when required to help out genetic medical problems. I am however not sure if the medical records are retained by MOD or by the NHS, and there lies a possible problem inthat the NHS do not like letting medical records go for 2 reasons, firstly there is the contravention of data and personal security, secondly they may be (if the person is still alive) be sued for malpractise - its the problem today of litigation cases swarming across the Atlantic.

    My great Uncle (born 1895) was injured in 1917 and admitted to hospital in July 1917 - I have only this month been allowed to have access to his medical records, so obtaining medcial records for someone injured in WW2 is likely to take ................................................................................

    Suggest you read this thread as an example - Wounded, evacuated then no service record ?

    TD
     
  13. hutt

    hutt Member

    Entry 76. Attached to No 6 Armd (armoured): Div (Division): Supt (support) Gp (Group) Coy (Company): RASC for all purposes. Place, (Column D) I am afraid I can't make it out at all.

    Suggest this diary WO 166/6491. DIVISIONS: 6 ARMOURED DIVISION: Royal Army Service Corps Support Group (RASC) covering 1942 Jan.-Mar., May. This diary will probably reveal the unintelligible place name!

    Entry 78/3. (starts column B) 6 Support Group Coy. Passed T.T (Tank Transport?) Drv/Mech (Driver Mechanic) Class 1 wef (with effect from) 19/12/41. Column D Home Forces, ie based here in the UK.
     
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  14. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

    I concur with Hutt's reply in post #10, i.e. Woking and Weybridge.
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