Military service number query

I am starting to research my second grandfathers military history and applied for his service records about 8 weeks ago (still awaiting). I only know from family that he trained at ringway airport and later became a paratrooper.
A helpful gent at the paradata centre has contacted me with the following information.......
"We have had a look through our Ringway Jump school records, and there is a Whitehurst. Service number P/JX389878 Royal Signals of 6th Airborne Division. He took part on course 96."
I'm now confused as this seems a very strange service number. Can anyone shed any light on this please?
Thankyou.

 

That looks like a Royal Navy number, Portsmouth in fact, rather than an army number. Strange indeed, but I'd wait until you get his actual service records.

 

That is indeed an RN Service No. P=Portsmouth and JX=Seaman/Communicator. Possibly RN attached to Royal Signals but I would ask your 'helpful gent' to recheck his records.

Tim

 

Royal Navy signallers parachuted in to Normandy with the Airborne Forces are discussed on this thread of the forum:.

Royal Navy at Arnhem

 

I have asked him to re-check. Hope he will oblige.

 

I was in contact with Para Data by email on another matter but brought this up

 

Update....
Paradata have checked and this is the correct service number. Looks like I will just have to wait for the actual service records to come through to clarify. Looking likely we may have a surprise Naval connection!

 

Hi Michele,

The problem you may encounter is that MOD may draw a blank if you requested an Army records search but as I understand it they return the fee if they draw a blank.

However as it may take them 6 months to get back to you it might be in your interests to either contact them by phone to ask them to change “tack” towards the Navy or alternatively cancel your cheque and resubmit a fresh application to Royal Navy - although be advised RN records Ive seen on the forum are vastly inferior in content to Army records as men were handed a record if service document on discharge.

Steve

 

As we are not 100% sure this is definately my grandfathers correct service number (although likely as it's the only person named Whitehurst on the jump school records search) I may leave the army application as it stands, but perhaps submit a Royal Navy application too. If they do refund payment if search unsuccessful I won't be any worse off. It's just a pity there's no way of knowing if the service number definately relates to my grandad

 

That’s fine Michele.

Steve

 

You may find this topic of interest Michele.

Royal Navy at Arnhem

Steve