NABF ??

My wife has a relative called William Hurrell (born 1914).

His wife gave birth to a daughter on the 26th May 1943 and the announcement in the local newspaper included

'..... wife of L/Bdr William Hurrell (NABF)'

I have questions....

1. I am reading 'L/Bdr' as Lance Bombardier ---- would this be correct?
2. 'NABF' --would 'NA' possibly stand for North Africa? If so what would BF stand for?

Thank you in anticipation.

 

Possibly an error. There was a formation BNAF or British North African Forces.

From memory it took over the command of British & Commonwealth forces (1st & 8th Army plus RAF etc) after the Axis surrender in Tunisia and remained active until VE-Day May 1945.

If you search online with: "British North African Forces" site:ww2talk.com there are a number of threads about the command.

 

I wonder if they meant to put BNAF, British North Africa Forces?

 

Snap.

 

Hi,

Your L/Bdr interpretation is correct.

As is often the case I think the press have got the other abbreviation “half right” (as nowadays?).

NABF is likely a misprint of the more usual BNAF = British North Africa Forces. Originally the over arching title for 1st Army troops until May 1943 (as opposed to 8th Army troops under Middle East Forces) it continued in (mis)use by army clerks updating service records for men serving in the invasion of Sicily and the advance up Italy - interchangeable with CMF = Central Mediterranean Forces and AAI = Allied Armies Italy.

Steve

 

Thanks everyone, I had a feeling that the newspaper was a misprint. (not uncommon even today)