Hi all, I've hit a bit of a bump on some research I'm doing into correspondence from the Western Desert campaign, and was hoping someone on here might be able to help. My question relates to the correct addressing convention used by British servicemen in that campaign (circa 1942). Taking as an example a fictional 2nd Lieutenant A.N. Other, who served in 'A' Sqn of the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment, 4th Armoured Brigade, how would he write his address in letters home? Would it be like this: No. xxxxxxx, 2Lt Other, A.N., 3rd Bn. R.T.R., Royal Armoured Corps, M.E.F. Or would there be a reference to his squadron also, so: No. xxxxxxx, 2Lt Other, A.N., "A" Sqn., 3rd Bn. R.T.R., R.A.C., M.E.F. Or would there need to be a reference to the brigade also, so: No. xxxxxxx, 2Lt Other, A.N., "A" Sqn., 3rd Bn. R.T.R., 4th Armoured Bde., R.A.C., M.E.F. In other words, just how much information would be required for letters to reliably reach the serviceman? I tried to find examples of letters whose addresses might reveal the correct convention, but so far without any luck. Thanks in advance to any who can help!
Vrob Now you are testing my memory ! To the best of my knowledge an envelope addressed to me whilst in Italy, for example ,would have looked like this: Cpl.Goldstein.R. "A" Sqdrn ,4th Queen's Own Hussars CMF At various times the CMF (Central Mediterranean Forces) would have been replaced by BNAF (British North African Forces) or BTA (British Troops in Austria) I'm pretty certain that the Brigade or Division was never shown and yes, we always (eventually) got our mail Ron
Cheers, Ron - that's very helpful. As Brigades and Divisions would have been omitted for security reasons, it seems that the correct address using my hypothetical example might be: No. xxxxxxx, 2Lt Other, A.N., "A" Sqn., 3rd Bn. R.T.R., M.E.F. With the 'Royal Armoured Corps' part perhaps being optional? (It seems the APOs were pretty good at sorting the mail with minimal addressing info.) I'd still be keen to hear of any actual examples to either confirm or contradict the above example. Thanks again. Rob
I'm pretty certain that the Brigade or Division was never shown and yes, we always (eventually) got our mail Ron I can confirm that it has got worse then
Senders address on six letters from my Grandfather dated from 8 Nov 1941 to 7 June 1942 show: 1771772 Dvr W.T.Darby B Troop 107 Light A.A. Bty 27 Light A.A. Regt RA M.E.F. Which I would presume to be the official address to use ! Chris
Have 2 variants of my Father's letters to mum. First Dated Feb 42; Sands, Pte. 2934077 Camerons 2nd Batt MEF 2nd dated 21/9/42 Pte, Sands 2934077 Camerons 4 coy IBD MEF
Hi, sorry to butt in but would anyone recognise this address Royal Fusiliers Number 1 Home Counties Btn Number 1 I.T.D M.E.F i've scoured the internet but cant find anything about home counties btn. Number 1 I.T.D is a specialist school, But specialist in what? according to national archives and he obviously in middle east. He died a Green Howard in 43. Thanks in advance Paul.
I can find (others might have more) No 1 Infantry Training Centre Warley Essex for Fusiliers and Essex Regt. MEF is Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. some guys have Intreps/Diaries of units I am sure you will get an answer The Green Howards (Quick March)‏ - YouTube
pnjk As Wills has stated the 1ITD was a training depot not necessarily specialist ........and the Fusiliers were in the 44th (HOME COUNTIES) division which was involved in it's first battle at Alum el Halfa- then at the third battle of El Alamein -in which Monty not impressed and broke them up leaving the Queens bde (131 .?)to go on as he saw something good about them ... Cheers
WILLS MEF - was Middle East Forces - not Mediteranian Expeditionary Force- and 1ITD's were to be found in Egypt -North Africa - Italy - all over the place... Cheers
WILLS MEF - was Middle East Forces - not Mediteranian Expeditionary Force- and 1ITD's were to be found in Egypt -North Africa - Italy - all over the place... Cheers Tom It's a shame that people get MEF wrong. You put me right on that one if you remember . It's unfortunate that the list of abbreviations the Army personnel centre send out with service records is wrong. You'd think they would know wouldn't you! We can always rely on the vets to put us on the right track and make things clearer. Lesley
4jonboy Well it's all about leading a horse to water - but it's the drinking part - as I understand it - the Arabs at one time would stand behind their camels when they were drinking - kick 'em in the fork and thus the camels would take on another two gallons which would help in getting home ...we could try that .... Cheers
Oops lack of concentration. took myself out onto the garden and gave myself a suitable rollicking reduced myself from B3 looker upper. I read and typed, mind not in gear!
Wills - it happens - unfortunately more and more - something to do with age as I keep being told.... Cheers
After the War to stop guessing where you were it was just BFPO plus a number. So when they wrote to you it was your name rank and number, followed by your Regiment then BFPO and for while mine was 40
Guys, I know I've probably bored you all rigid in trying to trace my fathers war record, still without any success but how would you interpret address below, especially the alpha/number at the beginning. Happy New Year, Nick N.A.6222 N S Soultanian 210 British Military Mission attached 1st Greek Ind Bde. M.E.F.
