RAOC John Bridges

Discussion in 'REME/RAOC' started by denisef67, Nov 12, 2014.

  1. denisef67

    denisef67 Member

    Hi i'm looking for some help. My granddad (John Henry Bridges) started his military service in the Cavalry Of the Line (Trooper) 1937 his army no is either 410462 or 410762 I think the latter . We only have his partial service history as the MOD have said it's not complete. It say 1937 he was with unit 5rjdw I think. Then in 1938 moved to the 7th Hussars. Then in 1939 moved to the R armoured corps Sudan Cairo. Then he was moved to ROAC where he went from private to Lance Corporal. His service book says he took part in the Palestine Civil war, Western Desert North Africa, Germany. It then says mentioned Dispatches Distinguished Conduct medal. Military Medal, Africa star 9 clasps, 1939/1945 star, defense medal, War medal 1939/45, Palestine medal. I've been searching to see if I can find out about his dispatch mention but the Gazette is very hard to navigate.
     
  2. denisef67

    denisef67 Member

    Here are some pics of my Granddad hope it's ok to post. img034.jpg img035.jpg img001.jpg img021.jpg img047.jpg .
    Thanks Denise :)
     
  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    That's a some haul for a RAOC chap. A DCM, MM and a MID or am I reading that wrong?
     
  4. RemeDesertRat

    RemeDesertRat Very Senior Member

    Africa star + clasp is how I read that. Probably 8th army clasp. There were only three clasps in total for the Africa star and only one could be awarded.
    As Drew said thats a hell of a medal count for a storeman in the RAOC. Perhaps the gallantry awards were for service prior to WW2?
    Would love to hear more of your GF history.

    And welcome to the forum.
     
  5. denisef67

    denisef67 Member

    From what we know he was involved in some other stuff but not sure what. But he never spoke about the war. But when I was little we used to stick magnets to his side of his head. He was involved in an explosion & the Germans put a metal plate in his head but not sure if this happened in Egypt or Germany. When they rebuilt his face they did it to a picture which he had in his pocket the picture was of his brother. He was also riddled with shrapnel they removed a large piece from his spine in the 80's which left him paralyzed from the waist down. I think there maybe have been an explosion when something was hit . I have also found out that at some point he was captured & tortured he had lit matched put down his nails but managed to escape. My mum remembers when she was young he suffered from terrible nightmares & would shout German in his sleep. He was also at some point Monty's batman. Also another interesting thing we found was of his photo's take in North Africa on the back the place names are written in polish & English. And the letter from the MOD said his service history wasn't complete for some reason. My dad also remembers my granddad was once talking to him and my nan said that he had carried an injured friend across the desert. And because his no longer with us I can't ask him. I have his service book and what Mod sent us . We think he was involved in something we may never know about.
     
  6. RemeDesertRat

    RemeDesertRat Very Senior Member

    When did you get his service records? At one time they sent a brief outline of a persons service history, but now you get photocopies of the original papers, which would tell you the complete story.
    Can you post a copy of what you do have?
    You say the Germans put a metal plate in his head, was he a POW? (prisoner of war)
    can you post some of the photos in north africa? especially ones which show cap badges/medal ribbons, they may give a clue to something.
     
  7. Joroti

    Joroti Member

    Cannot find any record of John Henry Bridges receiving DCM and/or MM or MiD whilst with RAOC post 1939. Awards must have been prior to transfer to Ordnance.

    Regards John
     
  8. RosyRedd

    RosyRedd Senior Member

    Hi Denise. Welcome to the forum and thanks for posting the photos :) I have been having a look around on the net and saw on Roots chat that you have some letters that say "1st platoon, 27th Batt, RAOC" This information is really useful, because you have a record of at least one of the units your granddad served with.

    There are three war diaries for 27th Batt, RAOC -

    WO 166/13289 - 27 Battalion - 1943 June-Dec.
    WO 166/15762 - 27 Battalion - 1944 Jan.-Dec.
    WO 166/17369 - 27 Battalion - 1945 Jan.-Dec.

    What are the dates on the letters? Do you have any other letters with that sort of information?

    Jules.
     
  9. RemeDesertRat

    RemeDesertRat Very Senior Member

    Anything in the RAOC history Rosy? in the back is a list of awards to RAOC men. My copy is in storeage while building work is carried out on my flat.
     
  10. denisef67

    denisef67 Member

    Thanks for the reply's & help it's very much appreciated i'll go through the bits I have on my granddad tomorrow. I don't have all his pics my mum has them. But maybe someone who knows what their looking at might be able to piece a few more bits together as I don't understand all the no's & letters etc.
    I'll post some more of the pics of his p/work etc. The MOD sent his service history to us all that was there was his enlistment P/work & his transfer P/work from 1946 to 1949
    to the RAOC reserves where he was a Sargent then Warrant Officer they phoned my mum & told her that it wasn't complete but didn't say why. I do know that in the wedding pic he was wearing his dress uniform. Someone has looked at it & his wearing
    the DCM laurel. This picture was taken in 1945. If you look you can see the scar on his left hand side of his face also his teeth are missing or broken.
    Thanks again everyone .
    denise
     
  11. denisef67

    denisef67 Member

    Jules
    Do I go to national archives to look up then war diary no's.
    Denise
     
  12. RosyRedd

    RosyRedd Senior Member

    Hi RDR - I checked the list of names in the RAOC history and his name isn't listed there which is a pity.

    Denise - If the diary date ranges cover the dates on the letters, then this would be a good place to start. Also, if you post up the documents that you have, we will be happy to take a look to see if there is anything else that may help.

    Jules.
     
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  13. denisef67

    denisef67 Member

    Some more bits paperwork & pictures.
     

    Attached Files:

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  14. denisef67

    denisef67 Member

    more bits.
     

    Attached Files:

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  15. denisef67

    denisef67 Member

    The letters written from Egypt just say RAOC Middle East Forces, then some of the other letters say 1 platoon "A" 27 Batt RAOC Parsons Barracks
    Aldershot. In one of his letters says he spent some time in the hospital with shell shock and some shot wounds but nothing serious. In the letter dated 24th oct 1944
    says he had just returned from convoy duty. Hopefully your'll enjoy the photo's of North Africa. :)
     
  16. RemeDesertRat

    RemeDesertRat Very Senior Member

    Great photo's, thanks for sharing.
     

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