Having not had the sense to ask him while he was alive I am searching (by a more difficult route) for information regarding my late father's time in WW2. I have his service record which has him moving around a bit - started out in No 2 division Troops Coy RASC (as a driver at that time) then it seems that the unit name changed to 387 division Troops Coy (he's now a Cook) He was moved to 29 Coy, back to 387, back to 29 then 8 Coy, back to 387 and finally back to 29 again! I would love to know what these different companies were, where they were, why he moved and so forth. I am guessing that the regimental diaries would answer these questions, is that right? Any advice appreciated.
Hello and welcome to the forum Would you mind posting his service records please? It will enable members to ascertain the dates he was in the companies, and we can advise you which war diaries you will need that relate to the dates of his service. War diaries are available at the National Archives at Kew in London if you can get there, or there are a couple of members who can copy them for you at very reasonable prices. Many members have used their services and they do a great job Lesley
Many thanks. I'm hoping that this will work the way I expect it to............. View attachment 2014-04-10 002 001.bmp View attachment 2014-04-10 004 001.bmp View attachment 2014-04-10 005 001.bmp View attachment 2014-04-10 006 001.bmp View attachment 2014-04-10 007 001.bmp
Hi Veeb, I am sure that there will be lots of help on the diaries from the regulars. Just as an aside i had a look at the convoys coming back from Rangoon around the time of your Father's return to the UK. The only ship that roughly corresponds with the journey is here: http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/port/index.html?home.php~armain (Go to the search page and put in the details) I have done a screen grab and it shows the journey with a few stops back. There's lots of pics and history of the ship on the internet. It's not much in the great scheme of things but it helps to helps to anchor (excuse the pun!) your Dad's story a bit more with real things. Regards, Colin View attachment Felix Roussel.docx
Hi Mr Bradbury, Thank you for this. I don't really understand what I'm looking at. I came up with a different page, so I'm obviously reading the wrong date. I decided to stick with the page you found but does this mean he was on a ship which stopped at all those ports on the route home? Sorry to be so slow, I'm new to all this - as you can probably tell. I appreciate your help. Vee
Hi Vee, Sorry for the delay in replying, been out and about. The website is not that user friendly, so I can understand your problems. To answer your query, I think that they would have stopped over at the ports mentioned. It was probably packed with returning soldiers so it would have needed alot of supplies. Regards, Colin
Vee, To try and answer your original question regarding your dad's movement during the war, I think the best place tyo start would be the Unit War Diaries, which give info on the day to day running, locations, movements etc of each unit. These really fill out your research I had a quick look at this website http://www.arcre.com/ For example go to the War Diary search engine and type in the no. 387 for WW2 and some results came up that correspond to your Dad's unit (I have attached the screen shot). The next step is to get yourself to Kew or use one of the guys who offer a copying service Cheers Colin
Hi Colin, Thank you for this, I appreciate your time. I think I will take your advice and ask Drew5233 to get the relevant copies for me. I will be out of action for a few weeks though (surgery next week) so will wait until after that - something to look forward to and a bit of motivation to get up and about again! Thank you again, I'm amazed at the knowledge you guys have. Best wishes Vee
Hi Vee, hope the surgery's is not to serious, all the best and a speedy recovery so you can resume your research. Best wishes David
Hi Vee, Hope your op goes well. Better get well soon, cause when you get the diaries your research has really just begun!! Cheers Colin
Hello and welcome. I'm a novice but I'm also researching my grandads r.a.s.c records (also a driver). War diaries will be a massive help although bare in mind they are not personal records (names are mentioned though), you will see company movements. Men/Drivers and vehicles were borrowed from units where needed (would of been referred to as 'taken on in strength- TOS' or 'sacked of strength -SOS' ), operations with other units that required vehicles and a driver.
