I'm trying to find out about Lieut. Robert Cyril Steel, Royal Signals, who was in the same area as my Dad in 1942, just before el Alamein. I don't have much in the way of details about him..born 1915, Liverpool area. Where do I start?
Not much help but I found his DOB at Ancestry, 7 Oct 1915 and his death is registered Sept 2001, Liverpool. There are at least 2 members have him included in their family tree. I've sent a message to one of them via Ancestry but they haven't been on that site in 6 months. If I hear anything back I'll let you know. I've also told them how to find the thread here if they didn't want to contact me direct.
Presuming I have the right bloke, he wasn't a Lieutenant until well after El Alamein SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 27 JUNE, 1944 ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS War Subs. C.Q.M.S. (F. of S.) Robert Cyril STEEL (322382) to be Lt. (T.M.O.). 25th Mar. 1944. SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 15 SEPTEMBER, 1953 ARMY EMERGENCY RESERVE OF OFFICERS ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS Lt. (T.O.T.) Robert Cyril STEEL (322382) from Emerg. Commn., to be Lt. (T.O.T.), 20th June 1953.
And he stayed in uniform for quite a while post-war: SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 25 JUNE, 1954 The following officers are awarded the Efficiency Medal (Territorial): ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS Capt. J. S. HOWE (1772312) (now S.S.R.C.) Capt. M. I. McNAUGHTON (109418) Lt. B. FALVEY (265507) Lt. R. C. STEEL (322382) Lt. (Hon. Capt.) D. P. WILLIAMS (224995) Lt. (now Capt.) H. R. WOODGER (138765) (now S.S.R.C.) SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 2 JULY, 1957 ARMY EMERGENCY RESERVE OF OFFICERS Mai. K. E. F. GOWEN (165336) to be Lt.-Col., 27th May 1957. with seniority 13th Oct. 1956 Lt. (T.O.T.) R. C. STEEL (322382) to be Capt. (T.O.T.), 3rd Apr. 1957 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 7TH APRIL 1964 TERRITORIAL ARMY Lt-Col. J. F. H. PEARCEY, M.B.E., T.D. (150777) retires, 31st Jan. 1964, retaining the rank of Lt Col. Lt W. W. FORBES (457630) to be Capt., 1st Mar. 1964 Lt R. H. HAMMERTON (459066) from T.A. Res. of Offrs., R.E., to be Lt., 9th Jan. 1964, with seniority 5th Oct. 1960 Maj. (T.O.T.) R. C. STEEL (322382) from A.E. Res. of Offrs., to be Maj. (T.O.T.), 1st Mar. 1964, with seniority 3rd Apr. 1963 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, I7TH SEPTEMBER 1965 The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to confer the award of the Territorial Efficiency Decoration upon the following officers: ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS Maj. C. D. DIDCOTT, M.B.E. (289736) retired. Maj. R. C. STEEL (322382) Capt. J. F. DUNSTAN (434807) Capt. A. C. EDWARDS (453913) Capt. (Hon. Maj.) J. S. MACLACHLAN (88070) retired. Lt. (Hon. Capt.) A. G. TEMPLETON (68266) retired. SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 28TH NOVEMBER 1967 REGULAR ARMY RESERVE OF OFFICERS Maj. (T.O.T.) R. C. STEEL, T.D. (322382), from T.A., to be Maj. (T.O.T.), 1st Apr. 1967
Thanks a lot for that, Dave. I guess that after the War, he stayed in the TA? Or would that be still in the Army as such? Thanks a lot.
I found this Would this be his total service in Palestine? I had thought he was out there at El Alamein.
I'm still at a loss as to what this document means. If he was at El Alamein, would there not be a record? What is Pal Comp? What does War Subs. C.Q.M.S. (F. of S.) mean? I'm afraid I'm a bit dim about all this, lol.
Hi Bill, Hope this is of some help The document refers to the awarding of a clasp for serving in Palestine between the dates shown in the years 1945-1948. Alamein – July 1942 and Oct/Nov 1942 (First and Second battles) If he served during the early years of WW2 his full service records will show where he served. You should apply for these, and there are lots of posts on the site about how to do this. The record will show limited details, but will confirm if he was in North Africa during 1942. PAL COMD – Palestine Command Signals (dates posted) QMSM – Quarter Master Sergeant Major FOS – Foreman of Signals (Equivalent to WO II {Warrant Officer Class 2 or Staff Sergeant} It was a rank that was perculiar to the Royal Signals. War Subs – War Substantiated promotion Good hunting mel
Hi Bill ... have PM'd you! I am his daughter, have lots of photos and letters that he took/wrote during that time.
I'm not sure if he'll read it. He's not been on the forum for quite awhile. Last Active Aug 03 2013 09:19 AM I'll email him.