Hi all, I'm new to the forum and everything involved with Burma in WW2 (aside from reading a couple of books). I was wondering if anyone could offer any advice please? My grandad was stationed in Burma and was part of REME (864 Mechanical Equipment Company). I'm trying to find more information about his company and what they did whilst stationed in Burma - any tips on how to go about finding out? Sadly my Grandad passed away a few years ago, before I was able to learn much about his time there (he was quite reticent about the war, so most of what i know, I got from my dad), I only know that he was in Imphal during the battle and that at one point he had to fly out from the airfield in a Dakota whilst the airfield was being attacked. I'm just really keen to learn more about his company, what they did, where they went etc as its obviously a piece of my family history, and information that I would dearly love to know. Thanks for your help Paul p.s. apologies for the 'xxxx' in the thread title, not sure how they got there! I have some documents from my Grandad's time in Burma from 1942 to 1946. His name was John Douglas Chapman and his release papers stated he was ' 69348 S/CDR(W.O.I.)' in '175 coy w/s sect. I.E.M.E. My Mother and I have recently applied for his service records but we are struggling as they have told us even if they start to search (possibly 9 mths) they are not guaranteed to find any further info. We have visited the kohima museum in York to weeks ago and found it very informative but we would like to know a lot more! Can anyone help? Regards Neil on behalf of my mother his daughter Beatrice Swinburne nee Chapman
Hi Neilswin, welcome to the forum. I suggest you start a new thread for your search, otherwise it will get "lost" on here, maybe a mod could move it (Edit: I have asked a mod to move it)? Post scans of any papers you have. I.E.M.E. is Indian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, who were formed in May 1943, so your Grandad would have been in something else prior to this, his papers will clarify.
I have some documents from my Grandad's time in Burma from 1942 to 1946. His name was John Douglas Chapman and his release papers stated he was ' 69348 S/CDR(W.O.I.)' in '175 coy w/s sect. I.E.M.E. My Mother and I have recently applied for his service records but we are struggling as they have told us even if they start to search (possibly 9 mths) they are not guaranteed to find any further info. We have visited the kohima museum in York to weeks ago and found it very informative but we would like to know a lot more! Can anyone help? Regards Neil on behalf of my mother his daughter Beatrice Swinburne nee Chapman Hi Neil - as suggested you should get this moved to it's own thread and give it a unique thread title. While waiting for his file to arrive you might want to scan / photograph the documents you have and place them onto the thread. Who knows what facts some of the gurus might be able to glean from the paperwork you hold....... I'm guessing that his appointment was Section Commander (Senior Conductor?) and rank of Warrant Officer Class 1 cheers Dave
Conductor and sub conductor are W.O.1 ranks of the stores branch, RAOC - IEME would have the same I would imagine?
Conductor and sub conductor are W.O.1 ranks of the stores branch, RAOC - IEME would have the same I would imagine? By the looks of it, the term was used by a few different Corps: No. 6018906 Sub.-Conductor William Charles Thomas Highland, Indian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. No. 3710465 Warrant Officer Class I, Sub Conductor Alfred Stanley Macnaughton Park-Hill, Indian Army Corps of Clerks. No. 6003818 Company Quarter-Master-Sergeant (acting Warrant Officer Class I (Sub-Conductor))Samuel William Edward Jackson, The Essex Regiment (attd. Indian Army Ordnance Corps) (London, S.W.I6). No. 5253571 Warrant Officer Class I (Sub-Conductor) Victor George Morris, The Worcestershire Regiment (attd. Indian Army Corps of Clerks (Worcester). No. 874919 Warrant Officer Class I (Sub-Conductor) Arthur Kidsdale, Indian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (Otley, Yorks). No. 608561 Warrant Officer Class I (Conductor) Joseph Charles Shufflebotham, Indian Army Corps of Clerks. No. 163774 Sergeant (acting Warrant Officer Class I (Sub-Conductor)) Reginald Leonard Walker, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (Birmingham 27).
By the looks of it, the term was used by a few different Corps: Thought it would be, but, confusingly, the History of the RAOC states that it was used exclusively by them. Just shows you can't believe everything you read.
i have scanned what documents i have and attached them, still awaiting photos off my mother which i should get next week, hope some of hat you can see can make some sense! Cheers Neil PS Some snippets of info my grandad talked to me about: 1000 mile march i think this must be the retreat back to India? He was digging trenches at RAF Topcliffe when war was declared. He spent time at Strensall barracks and at Hull before going to Burma in 1942.
Hi again, can you edit the pics so they are all the right way up. You'll get more responses that way. REME was formed on 1/10/1942 - looks like he was one of the first into the corps.
Hi again, can you edit the pics so they are all the right way up. You'll get more responses that way. REME was formed on 1/10/1942 - looks like he was one of the first into the corps. Sorry about the pics I am not too clever with the scanner/computer, I will re scan correct way up when the system lets me cheers Neil
Hi Neil - welcome to the forum It seems, after looking at some of your scans, that your Grandfather was with the RAOC/REME but was attached to an R.I.A.S.C unit (Royal Indian Army Service Corps). Your Grandfather's service history should give you information about any units he was attached to. If you don't get any more help at this point, please try again when you receive the records because if we can help we will. Regards. Jules.
Hi Neil - welcome to the forum It seems, after looking at some of your scans, that your father was with the RAOC/REME but was attached to an R.I.A.S.C unit (Royal Indian Army Service Corps). Your father's service history should give you information about any units he was attached to. If you don't get any more help at this point, please try again when you receive the records because if we can help we will. Regards. Jules. Jules Thanks for that By the way its my Grandfather! We have received a letter and our returned cheque this weekend with advice to try Kew gardens for the service records................we are approx 250 miles away so it ill be a little difficult. Once I get the photos and more info from my mother....hopefully next week i will post onto here and see if there is any more info generated. Regards Neil
We have received a letter and our returned cheque this weekend with advice to try Kew gardens for the service records Neil-I am not sure but I thought the records came from Glasgow? Maybe someone knows more than me! Lesley
Lesley - just been asking myself that question too whilst re-reading the thread. I thought it was just me !
