Researching Grand Fathers Wartime history RHA, RAOC / REME

Discussion in 'REME/RAOC' started by A130STB, Feb 22, 2016.

  1. A130STB

    A130STB Member

    Greetings

    Firstly let me apologies if this is the wrong place to post this

    My Grandfather served with the British army from 1940 to 1946, I have obtained his service record from the Army records but the detail is a bit short on meat as to the who/what and where. The information held on Form B103 below if someone can tell me what the various units were and what they were repsonsible for and also any indication of where they were located at the dates that would be great, I have also requested information from the REME museum but the website says they were moving in 2015 and has not been updated yet.

    Any information will be appreciated, I am also trying to solve a mystery into how he came into the possesion of an F and S first

    Many thanks A130STB
    Form B103 Part II Order Unit Details Place Rank Date
    248/79 AA Disembarked France 8.2.40 BEF
    248/79 AA Disembarked UK 18.6.40 Dunkirk
    152 of 14.11.40 Appointed u/s/Ad(unreadable) could be A1 26.10.40
    154 of 21.11.40 Appointed p/l/B6 21.11.40
    249/120 H.A.A Attending Tinsmith , Whitesmith course at Govt trng Cente Oakdale (12 wk) London 25.10.41
    PT III/0 No4 5.Y.Y.G Passed Tin,W/smith 14.1.42
    Posted to 58th Sec R.A.O.C 22.1.42
    18/22 58 S Passed TT as Tinsmith GL III Stirling 26.1.42
    30/12 58 S Mustered Tinsmith Gb 6 Cl II 9.2.42
    128/12 Passed TT as Tinsmith reclass III, II 24.6.42
    TPM PE/114 22BM Posted to No4 Holding Batt 25.8.42
    P4 II 286/42 4 HB Transferred to REME from RAOC (ail 1605/42) Hull 1.10.42
    RAOC RAOC draft RKHKZ 5.10.42
    22 Batt RAOC REME Proceed to Port of embarkation Hull 25.10.42
    X23\12\?\43 BD(P) Embarked UK TOS M.E ME 25.10.42
    BD(P) Disembarked Sth Africa ME 4.12.42 BD(P) Embarked Sth Africa ME 19.12.42
    BD(P) Disembarked M.E and Posted R.E.M.E Base Depot ME 31.12.42
    353/4.2.43 537 w/s Coy Posted to this unit from X4 ME 12.1.43
    REME/1660/43 537 w/s Coy P.T.T + upgraded (Tinsmith GpC CI I) ME 31.3.43
    Where was He from 31/3/43 to 18/5/44
    19404/44 538 w/s Coy Leave in Syria with HRM ????? 8-14th may 44 14.5.44
    2797/44 539 w/s Coy Leave in Palestine with HRM ME 30.8.44
    2149/44 ? TOS from 537 W/S Coy 19.9.44
    3491/44 ? TT and remustered Sheet metal Worker Gy '3' class I ME 27.9.44
    Where was He from 27/9/44 to 3/1/45
    740/45 Leave Syria with HRM 12 -18 Feb 45
    850/45 349 L of C TOS from 2 ??? Base W/S 1.3.45
    1015/45 XCIV/A REME TOS from 349 L of C W/S 29.3.45
    1106/45 17 W/S Coy TOS from XCIV/A REME B/D 5.4.45
    2757/45 17 W/S Coy 30.8.45
    2839/45 "X" VIIIa IMCC Posted from 17 W/S Coy 27.9.45
    2041/45 I.M.C.C S.O.S M.E.F on emb for U.K. (Release) M.E.F 2.10.45
    Released to Class 'Z'(T) Royal Army Reserve 15.1.46

    The Original Docs can be seen here "Removed if you want to see them ask"
     
  2. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Hi
    Welcome to the forum

    Sometimes it is better to post the actual service records for others to read and untangle (sometimes an 'S' can be a '2' or a '5' etc) as the authors own hand can be seen and guess's can be made more easily from their calligraphy.


    TD
     
  3. A130STB

    A130STB Member

    Hi

    Thanks I currently only have the paper versions and no access to a scanner at the moment, Yes the writing in some cases is very difficult to decipher. Thank you for taking the time to reply I will try and get the documents scanned and add them to this post.

    Regards A130STB
     
  4. A130STB

    A130STB Member

    Hi added link to scans of original docs
     
  5. Pete Ashby

    Pete Ashby Junior Member

    I found that the picture really became clear when I obtained the unit war diaries this will give you the day to day events and locations and in my case map ref's of my Fathers unit( see 78 and 692 Inf Trp Wksp thread below yours). I was helped enormously by members of this forum with information and links, if you are interested in obtaining diaries I can recommend Drew5233 no connection just a very satisfied customer.

    regards

    Pete
     
  6. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Hi A130

    Just been looking at the scans or at least the first few details - your 1st post says:


    "248/79 AA Disembarked UK 18.6.40 Dunkirk" - I cannot see Dunkirk written on his record, do you know something?

    I would suggest with a date of 18th June that he was evacuated under Operation Ariel (http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/operation_aerial.html) so he could have been evacuated from Cherbourg, Brest, L'Orient or St Nazaire. The War Diaries may or may not tell you which, this is because he unit may or may not have stayed together in the chaos

    TD
     
  7. A130STB

    A130STB Member

    TD Many thanks the "Dunkirk" was my own place marker, thanks for the pointer in starting my search I think I have correctly identifed who he was with which is the 79th Hertfordshire Yeomanry, I dont yet understand the significance of the prefix 248 perhpas someone can enlighten me on how to understand the numbering
     
  8. A130STB

    A130STB Member

    Pete thanks for the suggestion, I am currently waiting to hear back from the REME museum but I am coming to the conclusion that I or someone acting for me will have to go to Kew at some point.
     
  9. A130STB

    A130STB Member

    Puzzle number one solved 248/79 79th Hertfordshire yeomanry / 248 (Welwyn) AA Battery which would make sense as my Grandfather was living in Stanmore at the time

    79th (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) AA Regiment, RA – HAA unit converted from field artillery in 1938
    HQ, 246 (1st Watford), 247 (2nd Watford) and 248 (Welwyn) AA Batteries

    Prior to WW2 he was a member of the RHA (TA) 1928 to 1933 and was re-engaged T.A. 4 RA on 1/12/1938 and posted to 248/79 AA according to Form B200b
     

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