R.a.o.c.t.u.

Discussion in 'Research Material' started by Kieron Hill, Mar 12, 2005.

  1. Kieron Hill

    Kieron Hill Senior Member

    Hi all,

    Just managed to get a few more pictures for
    my website related to the Eighth Army, but would
    like a little help with trying to find out what this
    regiment would be R.A.O.C.T.U. I know the
    first bit would be:

    Royal Artillery = R.A.

    The next I am not to sure from the pictures it
    looks like he started off as a private, but later
    on in his service he is an officer, is it something
    to do with Officer training?

    I also have a menu that came with these photos
    that has printed on the front "3rd New Intake
    R.A.O.C.T.U. May 2nd - July 25th 1942" maybe
    a clue. A group photo with this lot also has on
    the reverse signed names from people in the
    following regiments:

    Essex Regiment
    Royal Horse Artillery
    N.Z.E.F. = New Zealand Expeditionary Force
    A.I.F. = Australian Infantry Force
    Royal Tank Regiment
    7th Hussars
    Kings Royal Rifle Corps
    Royal Artillery
    see the group photo below.

    Cheers for looking

    Kieron
     
  2. Kieron Hill

    Kieron Hill Senior Member

    Here is another group photo, by the way
    they are all dressed it look as if they
    could have been out in North Africa.
    Also on their hats they have a white
    band around them, this could also
    be a clue as to what R.A.O.C.T.U.
    means
     
  3. angie999

    angie999 Very Senior Member

    I cannot explain how RA got tagged on, but OCTU stood, I believe, for Officer Cadet Training Unit.
     
  4. Kieron Hill

    Kieron Hill Senior Member

    That would make sense I guess Angie, as in the
    menu I have it's got Toasts and one of the toasts
    is to the instructors.

    Thanks for looking Angie

    Kieron
     
  5. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    dont forget the RAOC.. the Royal Army Ordinance Corps. just in passing.
    Sapper
     
  6. Chris Basey

    Chris Basey Senior Member

    My guess is that we are looking at something antipodean - slouch hats. etc.

    Certainly the OCTU stands for 'Officer Cadet Traning Unit' whose members were usually distinguished by a white hat band.

    Could it be the Royal Austrailian OCTU?

    Regards
     
  7. angie999

    angie999 Very Senior Member

    Originally posted by Chris Basey@Mar 13 2005, 07:47 AM
    My guess is that we are looking at something antipodean - slouch hats. etc.

    [post=32150]Quoted post[/post]

    Don't count on it. My dad came home from service in East Africa with an issued slough hat, brim turned up and all.

    Plus if you look in the photos only a minority are wearing slouch hats, although white bands on caps and hats seem plentiful.
     
  8. morse1001

    morse1001 Very Senior Member

    Don't count on it. My dad came home from service in East Africa with an issued slough hat, brim turned up and all.


    those slouch hats were standard issue for hot and humid countries for many years.

    In addition, due to lack of money, a Glasgow burgh bought a job lot for their police!

    There is question about NZEF could that be New Zealand expeditionary Force?
     
  9. museumtom

    museumtom Member

    I came across this unit mentioned on this page
    http://riv.co.nz/rnza/folk/wait.htm
    I emailed the site owner and will let you know when he replies what this particular unit is. It is New Zealand anyway.
    Tom.
     
  10. Kieron Hill

    Kieron Hill Senior Member

    Excellant cheers Tom I'll await your reply

    Thanks again

    Kieron
     
  11. museumtom

    museumtom Member

    Hereis the reply;

    Tom.
    OCTU is always Officer Cadet Training Unit. In NZ it has always been plain OCTU, never NZOCTU so my first guess is probably the correct one.

    First guess Royal Artillery Officer Cadet Training Unit
    Second Royal Australian Officer Cadet Training Unit
    Third Royal Army Ordnance Corps Training Unit

    Graeme Black
    Hamilton
    New Zealand
     
  12. Kieron Hill

    Kieron Hill Senior Member

    Cheers Tom,

    Looking at the reply you got I am certain this
    stands for Royal Artillery Officer Cadet Training
    Unit. I have got the menu for final dinner which
    was held at Almaza in Egypt and a lot of the
    senior officers named in there are Royal Artillery.

    So another question, would this have been common
    practice for the likes of the Royal Artillery to
    train men from other regiments even commonwealth
    regiments to become officers?

    Cheers all for your help

    Regards
    Kieron
     
  13. museumtom

    museumtom Member

    I have no data to advise you either way, perhaps others in this forum can clarify?
    regards.
    Tom
     

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