Hi, I am researching my Grandfather Thomas Clark (1889928) of the Engineers, and before he died he made a note of what he did in the war, (he did this about twenty yeas ago, and was all he would ever say on the matter), but I'm not sure now what some of his initials mean, can anyone help please? job classification; Driver 2M T Co R E. I know he was trained in York and went to France, and I remember once he pointed out a model of a ship, (in a museum in the Isle of Man, but I can't remember which one,) and said that it was the ship that had taken him to Newhaven (I think), middle of June 1944. Does this mean anything to anyone? Many thanks in advance J
When did he join up-The army did two trips to France - One in 1940 (The important one) and then another in 1944 (The Jolly)
Could the Isle of man ship be one of the ferries that evacuated men back from France in June 1940, then landing in Newhaven on the Sussex south coast? how long was the note he left can you post it, we might be able to fill in some detaile between the lines...
Hi, Thanks for all the replies so far! My Grandad left the note handwritten in answer to a schoolgirl questionaire, so the questions are a bit odd.. so I'll transcribe what he said if thats ok: service number; 1889928 job classification; driver enlisted; Dec 18 1939 (age 20) Branch of service; Royal engineers training camps; Cavalry Barracks, Fulford road, York company; 2 M T Co RE overseas service; France (?) 27 June 44 Newhaven (?) 1946 Cuxhaven How did you earn your medals? being in the army in France and Germany, we called NAAFI medals, (1939 - 1945 star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, and war medal 1939 - 1945) Stationed; in England, (York, Rippenden and Triangle, York, Harrogate, Ripon, Bicester, Long Marston and Horley), Europe (Bayeux, Antwerp, Hamburg). In more informal language he aslo recounts two tales, one of being bombed by a German plane outwith Brighton, and the other of riding a motorbike outwith Bayeux with a friend called Steve and realizing they were behind enemy lines. Does all this mean any thing to anyone?
As far as the 1940 bit of France goes he would have been under a bigger unit than that as there is no war diary for that unit. As for after 1940 I don't know-My interest stops around June 1940 when the war got boring I would change the title to, as Initials is not going to get many people looking in here-Something with Royal Engineers in it would be better.
As far as the 1940 bit of France goes he would have been under a bigger unit than that as there is no war diary for that unit. As for after 1940 I don't know-My interest stops around June 1940 when the war got boring I would change the title to, as Initials is not going to get many people looking in here-Something with Royal Engineers in it would be better. Thanks, he didn't mention any other units so I need to dig further! And thanks for the title change suggestion, how do I do that? Thanks
Click on Edit and then click on Go Advanced to reopen your first post. By clicking on Go Advanced it enables you to ammend the Heading. Hope that all makes sense. Regards Tom
Not sure if you are aware but you could apply for his service records which will tell you all the units he served with and when. They cost £30 though to get a copy from the MoD.
York was his first initial posting, did the West Yorkshire postings Rippenden/Triangle come after his 1940 Dunkirk experience, Harrogate would have been an MT only posting, Ripon was at that time home to Training Battalions so again could have been on MT Duties or actually on a course of training as Drew says get his service records they will tell you more.
I've changed the title as suggested, thank you, and I'm hoping to apply for his records in the next few weeks, I'm getting a copy death cert from my Mum to apply, so should be able to post more info then, but thanks for all the help at the minute!
Jenshut Further to my last post No 2 M T Training Depot was activated at York in Sept 1939 then moved to Halifax (Rippenden & Triangle) and disbanded in Oct 1943. So he would have gone through his training at York and then possibly either trained drivers or was on a training course at the Halifax depot.