I have been lurking for a time and gleaning some useful information which has helped me on the quest to decipher the various codes of my maternal grandfathers WWII record (the paternal one has yet to arrive when the workload will double!). I would like some help on specific parts if I can and some items of a more general nature. I also understand that a trip to Kew to see the War Diaries will put more 'colour' to the bare bones on his record. I am fine with Part 1 (attachment below). He was recruited as part of the Territorial Army on 24/7/1940 into the 9th Btn of the Royal Berkshire Regiment, essential a home guard/training Btn. He did his initial training in Hereford before they moved to Norfolk to protect the coast. My first question is regards the second line 'Granted W.ll after six months service' which was correct on 24/1/1941. Does anyone know what this means? Part 2 (iii) is clearly where he is being moved from a training to a battle ready company and he is transferred to the Kings Own Royal West Kent Regiment on 20th December 1942. Under (iv) I am assuming P. II O. is Posted to Overseas? He was heading for Egypt as far as I know. Are there sites for troop ship movements? Likewise is there something for the short codes used in the Part II Authority orders? Here I am particularly interested in what the ASH in ASH 31/43 means. Part 3 (v) was a cancelled instruction but I am interested to confirm that ITD is short for something like Infantry Training Depot/Division and what the "X" Rifle Company was. Again I believe this was in Egypt. In (vi) "XI" appears randomly but I don't know what this refers to. Does anyone know what "300 Camp Staff" could refer to where he appears to have been for about a month. (ix) He is now with 70th Company RWK but I believe that by this time he has already in Sicily (his war summary showing Egypt 6 months, Sicily 3 months and Italy 8 months) and this was his posting to the Italian mainland. (x) He was transferred from the MEF to BNAF on the same date and his company became part of the 8th Army. I seem to recall that the 8th Army came to Italy via two distinct routes but any info on this would be gratefully received. The next entry is a frustratingly long 6 months later when he was wounded in action which I will save for another post! Any help anyone can provide would be gratefully received. Neil
P II O = part 2 orders ME = middle east MEF = Middle east forces BNAF = British North africa forces RWK = Royal west Kents Force H - Operation Husky = Invasion of Sicily ConvoyWeb is a good site for ships convoys
Hi Neil and welcome. You seem to have got quite a long way with deciphering the record, the thread attached gives further information on the 'X' list codes. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/service...e-records.html
