Good evening all ! I'm hoping someone can help? I'm trying to find out more about my father's military service. Unfortunately, I showed no interest when he was alive (he would be 100 years old now but died in 1977 aged 65) and have hardly any information except the following: Name: Joseph Hoare (Joe) DOB: 20.05.12 Place of Birth: Walton, Liverpool The above detail is correct, the following is mostly guesswork or anecdotal as all close relatives from that time are dead. No photographs or paperwork have survived. Signed up in 1937 or 38, maybe REME? Motorbike despatch rider Mentioned in despatches Injured at Dunkirk and repatriated to UK in 1941, did not return to active service. I have applied for Dad's war records but I know that there is quite a long wait. On the advice of some good folks on here I've posted this in the hope that someone might be able to point me in the right direction... My son, Joe's grandson, is now a Royal Marine and I would love him to know about his Grandfather's time in the British Army and the part he played in helping the Allies to victory. I wish I had told my father how proud I am that he was a soldier who fought and gave for our freedom. many thanks for listening. Jayne
Hi and welcome, REME wasnt formed until October 1942, so he may have been RAOC and transfered to REME later, his records will clarify, a long wait I know, but but well worth it.
Injured at Dunkirk and repatriated to UK in 1941 From the above it sounds like he was a PoW. When you find out his unit let me know, I will probably have his units diary if he was at Dunkirk.
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/user-introductions/52008-looking-information-about-my-dad.html Just to avoid repeating advice
Thanks for the extra info - do you know if he had a middle name? Name: Joseph Hoare (Joe) DOB: 20.05.12 Place of Birth: Walton, Liverpool
Reading between the lines, only a handful of incapacitated troops were repatriated in March 1941. Another scheme organised for October of that year failed at the last minute.
Do you have access to Ancestry? There's a Joseph Hoare (born 1912) who does a lot of travelling as a steward/waiter on ships particularly in the 1930's. You can get a free 14 day trial with Ancestry to access this info yourself. I've found out a lot through these ship manifests on Ancestry. Personal details like height, tattoos, home addresses etc. Good luck with your search.
Do you have access to Ancestry? There's a Joseph Hoare (born 1912) who does a lot of travelling as a steward/waiter on ships particularly in the 1930's. You can get a free 14 day trial with Ancestry to access this info yourself. Oh my gosh I think that's my dad !! He worked for cunard from the age of 14. I'll have a look at Ancestry. Thanks so much amberdog45.
I'm chuffed I've been able to help somebody for a change. It's usually the other way about! There is also a Merchant Navy file by the looks of it that you can order through The National Archives. The reference number is BT 372/10/82. R74140 Hoare, J 20/05/1912. I can't recall what the file will contain from that catalogue number but Hugh on this website is fantastic at cracking Merchant Navy records. Can you help Hugh? Would this have been Joseph's seamans pouch?
