Hi there This is my first posting on the ww2 Talk site. I'm looking for information about my father. Like so many ww2 soldiers he very rarely talked about his war years. I do know he was in the Royal Signals Corps, and in his soldiers service and paybook is stamped 48th INF DIV SIGS I also have his army number. I would be grateful if anybody could point me in the right direction as where to start. Many thanks Panny
Hi Panny and welcome to the forum, I'm just about to go to work so I'll have a look for some info later. In the mean time can you list any dates ie from and to to help identify where he was with the Division. You may wish to apply for his service records too as they contain a wealth of detail: Army Personnel Centre - British Army Website Cheers Andy
Panny, 48 Div were in France in 1940 but that was there last battle as a division. 48th (South Midland) Division - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In Nov 1941, the Division was 'reduced to a lower establishment' (downsized in modern parlance) before becoming a reserve division from Dec 1942. If your father was 'in' in 1939-40, look up some of Andy's/Drew5233's threads - particularly Wormhoudt - as they will give you an idea of what 48 Div's war was like.
If you want to really find out what your father was doing get a copy of his records. Signals had a variety of trades from Drivers to Lineman to Operators to Despatch Riders and he really could have been anywhere from the sharp end to the rear in a Div HQ. His trade(s) will be listed in the records and also any attachments to for example an Infantry Battalion. Also as Andrew says the history of that Div is short so he probably went somewhere else after 1940/41. Cheers Andy
Folks, As a recent member I feel obliged to say that I find this forum fantastic! - Here we have another fine example of the commitment and dedication everyone seems to have to making this such an excellent website. One of my first comments resulted with a member contacting me to volunteer to look up records for me at Kew and wher we have another example of someone having the time and interest to dig out a book and pass details to the member. Having been in a few naff forums I must say that this one is definately tops! Thanks for the commitment and to quote an old gentleman "Let Us Go Forward Together"
Hi Andy and Idler Many thanks for the quick response to my question as to where I look for my father's war years. The info you posted Andy gives me a background into 48th INF DIV. Will take your advice and start with his service records. I'll keep in touch,and pass on any information I get. (and no doubt I'll need your expert advice in the future). Once again thanks Panny
Good luck.....I'm already looking forward to the info as 48 Div, Signals and 1940 kind of hit the jackpot with me ! Get those forms filled in ! Cheers Andy
