My Dad's Service record - I need help!

Hi - my name is Ali and have recently got my Dad's Service Record. He died in 2009 and was always reticent to talk about his past. He was a German Jewish refugee, whose parents managed to get him to safety in the UK through the Kindertransport (aged 13) in the summer of 1939. The rest of his family did not get out! As soon as he was old enough he enlisted to fight. He wasn't "in action" for long but wasn't demobbed til 1947. I am having real trouble understanding the records (despite having a v long list of abbreviations!) He did tell us that he was in Italy and Greece (and maybe Yugoslavia) and amongst the few (v personal) effects he had kept hidden away were some photos, which we found on going through his things. I have attached the service record sheet - there's loads but have added the one which seems to have the most relevant info -and some photos.
I am really hoping that one of you guys (who appear to be complete founts of military knowledge) may take pity on me and have a look.

 

Hi,
Welcome to the site. What were your Dad's names please? (German and alias).


Alan

 

Looks like early on we was moved from one of the Stafford Regts to the KSLI....King's Shropshire Light Infantry......

 

The entry of March? 45, SOS 5KSLI, Posted 9th Seaforth is a strange one. I am fairly sure that 9th Seaforth was only in existence from 1940 to 1943.

 

Interesting that it says he changed his religious persuasion to CofE in Jan 47 then became a naturalised citizen in Apr 47... Connected?

 

FInd this one very odd - commissioned into the Staffs -18year old ? -sent out to Italy- spell in 59th Gen Hosp. transferred to KSLI -then RED CROSS ? - five minutes later he is back in the UK on class "A" release --- or am I missing something ?
Cheers

 

Found this on searching for the 164 OCTU.

164 O.C.T.U. 1940 - 1945 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Situated in Barmouth, Wales.

Regards
Tom

 

The service record also shows that he was with 2/5 Leicesters from Dec 1945 and 2nd Monmouths from April 1946, doing a tour of duty in Greece in 1946. There was a civil war of sorts in Greece just after the war and British troops were in action there, but I don't know much about it.

Could Ali's dad have suffered from 'prejudice' because of his German background and have been moved on and on and on? Perhaps Ali could enlighten us with what she thinks may have happened that occasioned so many transfers?!

Best,

Steve.

 

The service record also shows that he was with 2/5 Leicesters from Dec 1945 and 2nd Monmouths from April 1946, doing a tour of duty in Greece in 1946. There was a civil war of sorts in Greece just after the war and British troops were in action there, but I don't know much about it.

Could Ali's dad have suffered from 'prejudice' because of his German background and have been moved on and on and on? Perhaps Ali could enlighten us with what he thinks may have happened that occasioned so many transfers?!

Best,

Steve.

Steve,
Not wishing to sidetrack from the original post, but take a look at my late fathers Regimental war diaries (Search 4th recce war diaries) and it will give you an idea what was happening in Greece.

Regards
Tom

 

Steve - we had two divisons over in Greece towards the end of the Italian campaign- to keep the Communists in line -it was one of those nuisance fights which cost us many lives for very little reward ....both 4th Indian and Tom's dad's 4th British and some RTR units - 44th & 46th were involved
Cheers

 

Oh my! You are amazing - I can't believe you are all interested! And haven't yet got my head around how this site works so I hope you all can see this - THANK YOU!!!

Dad was born Herbert Richard Lowenthal and his enlistment docs have that name - then changed to Herbert Richard Hallett.

Will have a good look at all posts once I've got my little one to bed - boy will I have lots to tell him when he's a bit older!

 

As he was commissioned and judging from the photo the North Staffs he will be in the army lists for the time...not sure how far from London you are but there are copies at the IWM and the NA......

 

It's definitely Lowenthal without an extra "e" - on his attestation papers. He once said it wasn't the done thing to serve in HM Forces with a german name - not sure how valid that comment was!

 

Right - have a glass of wine and my thinking head on!
Firstly - Steve Mac - this is bit cheeky - but I'm a "she" not a "he"!!! I know it's not very feminine to be doing all this military research - but like I said before - it's for my little boy really! He will only remember his "pappi" vaguely and I'm determined to get to know as much as I can to pass on to him. Back to Dad - is it possible that he was attached to different units but was doing other operations? Is there a source that could tell me what the various units were doing? I remember some very vague talk of commandos and partisans in Greece and Yugoslavia. Have some photos too.
Bizarre about Seaforth bit!
To Tom Canning - can you explain what a class A release is? A wild shot in the dark, but I always thought that Dad was probably useful to us as he was a fluent German speaker. His records show he could speak, read and write German and French. Could this have moved him up through the ranks so young/quickly or did that just happen in a time of war? Seems to me very young - should have said he's the one with glasses on in the front row of the group photo - looks like he's in charge??
Thanks again
Ali

 

Hi Ali

Here is some information regarding your Fathers Naturalisation.

In the London Gazette from June 1947, the first page confirms that the following Aliens have been issued with certificates of Naturalisation. (Click link to see the page).

Viewing Page 2858 of Issue 37995

Herbert Richard Hallett, formerly Lowenthal, serving officer in HM Armed Forces. Name appears on page 2868 near the bottom right hand side.

Viewing Page 2868 of Issue 37995

Also the page below which lists H R Lowenthal as well, referring to the name change to Hallett.

Viewing Page 2875 of Issue 37995

Name middle right hand side of page.

Your Father took his oath of allegiance on the 23rd April 1947.

Hope this is of use.

Regards - Rob

 

Just out of interest, where was your father born?

Marc

 

Ali-
A class "A" release from service was the normal demobilisation but was invariably suffixed with a reserve classification i.e Class "A(Z)" which meant he was liable for return to the service for further duties in an emergency such as Korea etc....

He may very well been more useful and therefore more mobile as an Interpreter with both fluent German and French - but not employed in a forward fighting unit such as the Staffs - Leics and others where interpreters were more useful at some HQ or other - which is why I query his age at commissioning etc.... His talents for languages would have been recognised in his first six weeks of enlistment - but there is NO mention of that General Service Corps period... the record you show indicates his passing from OCTU .....
cheers

 

Ali,
Your Dad's name is correct as Loewenthal, with an 'e'!

If you look at the London Gazette you will see they have used the typical type face using an 'o' with 2 dots above it, = ö. This is called an umlaut. Using a normal type writer it would be typed as 'oe'.

In any case this is not important at the moment! However, should you at some time in the future choose to seek out any copies of original documents from Germany. I advise that you add the 'e' in the name Loewenthal to save any confusion.

Alan

 

Ali,

Thank you for the Private Message.

Here is a direct link to my fathers Regiments War Diaries on the forum.

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/recce/29624-4th-reconnaissance-regiment-war-diaries.html

My father was in "B" Squadron and so I have been able to trace his movements with the war diaries.

Regards
Tom

 

That's awesome - thank you - will settle down for a good read!