Hello I am researching the WW2 service of my grandfather Colin Wells. I understand that he served in the Royal Artillery throughout WW2, reaching the rank of Warrant Sergeant, and that for much of the time his unit was attached to the Royal West African Frontier Force - possibly in the Gold Coast. That is about all I have to go on, which I realise isn't much - but any ideas where I can go from here? Thanks Andrew
The only way forward is to apply for his service records from the MoD, which you can do with just his full name, date of birth and £30. You or the relevant parent or aunt/uncle will have to sign off as next of kin. His records should detail who he was with and when. Once you know that, you can look into histories and war diaries to get an idea of where those units were and what they were doing.
Apply for the records of someone who's deceased You can apply for a copy of someone else’s service records if any of the following apply: you’re their immediate next of kin, for example their spouse or parent you’ve got consent from their immediate next of kin you have a general research interest - you’ll only have access to limited information, unless they died more than 25 years ago
You'll hate us later when the obsession kicks in! More seriously, it's a little known aspect of the war. The RWAFF sent two divisions to Burma and the Japanese really didn't like them. It'll be interesting.
A lad from my home town was dragged kicking and screaming from a truck going to Bristol with lads sent to load AA guns in 1940, after someone reported him for being under age. He was was later in the war, sent to West Africa as a Gunnery Instructor to train gunners for posting to Burma. An interesting and unusual place at that time. It would be interesting to see the insignia of rank for a Warrant Sergeant if you come across one in your research.
I have traced a book in my nearest reference library which might help with this - I'll be popping along as soon as I can.
Andrew, My father (James Driscoll) served with the Royal Artillery / RWAFF in Takoradi, Gold Coast, throughout WW2. Many of his mates and African troops shipped out to Kenya and onwards to Italian Somaliland, others fought in Egypt and of course many shipped out to Burma. But my father was part of the unit that remained behind in Ghana, managing the recruitment and training of replacements. The RWAFFalso providied artillery units defending Takoradi (against U boats that dropped off floating mines into the waters approaching the artificial harbour). Dad also participated in long range patrols, comprising trucks and bren gun carriers, up through northern Ghana, Nigeria and into Chad. These patrols serviced the burnt oil drums that marked the navigation route followed by aircraft being ferried from Takoradi north into Egypt. It is difficult to find any material detailing the history of these colonial units but I can confirm that the IWM holds uncataloged photographs of RWAFF and you can apply for permission to visit and troll through boxes of photographs in the hope of finding something of interest. The other snippet on info I can offer is that there are Commonwealth War Grave cemetries in the Suez Canal zone of Egypt that contain many graves of West African troops. They are immaculately maintained.
You can find a list of West African Artillery units and some information about them on my site. West African Artillery. I believe your Warrant Sergeant is actually War Sergeant, a wartime rank equal in rank to a regular Sergeant but can be removed at the end of hostilities.
