2937931 George GEMMELL, Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders & SAS

Discussion in 'Special Forces' started by SAS grandson, Jan 23, 2014.

  1. SAS grandson

    SAS grandson Member

    Hi.

    My name is Alex Ford.
    First post and I read the introduction info.
    I was looking to add to the info I have already found regarding my grandfather. I will elaborate after the questionnaire.


    1. Full Name: George Gemmell
    2. Relationship (to researcher): Grandson
    3. Service number:
    4. Which branch of Service. Army?
    5. What unit. Q.O Cameron highlanders/SAS
    6. Which areas served in. Africa, ?
    7. Date of birth. Dec 31,1919
    8. Date of death. Aug 15, 2009
    9. Was he a POW ? No
    10. Any Gallantry medals. No
    11. Any Campaign Stars/Medals ? Africa Star & war medal
    12. Do you have his AB64 or equivalent ? ??
    13. Approx age on joining. 21
    14. Have you applied for records? Yes, recieved today
    15. Do you have any photos ? Yes
    16. Have you tried researching elsewhere ? Yes
    17. If you have, state where. Google and RA websites
    18. Main reason for researching the named person ? Specific battles he may have fought in that would be documented.


    I thinks that's the questionnaire complete. Not sure about question 12. Whatever help or advice you can offer would be great. From what I have read you people do good work. I didn't include his service number since I am in possession of the service records already. I plan on applying for his medals shortly.

    Thanks

    Alex Ford
     
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  2. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    Welcome and enjoy!!! scan and post some of his records on here, then we will know where and when he joined and where and when he was posted. Does he have a Cameron army number/ starting 292.... to 296....?
     
  3. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Welcome aboard Alex !

    Congratulations on your opening enquiry, a well set out presentation like yours makes life so much easier for the forum members who will shortly arrive to offer help.

    Re;
    12. Do you have his AB64 or equivalent ? ??

    That's simply his Pay Book (Part 1) that would hold much of his main army record.
    Most of the info contained in that document will be found in his records. See here:
    http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/32130-casualty-service-and-paybook-collection/

    Good luck !

    Ron
     
  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Alex,

    If you have a copy of his service records post his actual units and dates with them and I'll list the unit war diaries for you that are available at Kew.

    Cheers
    Andy
     
  5. SAS grandson

    SAS grandson Member

    How exactly can I post pictures? Currently working on an iPhone, maybe I need to use a PC for that?
     
  6. SAS grandson

    SAS grandson Member

    His enlistment date was 27.06.40.
    Unit - Q.O. Cameron highlanders. 8 1 H.B
    Not sure if it is 81 or 8 space 1. When I post a photo it will be clear to you.
    Disembarked for Egypt 6.3.41
    Arrived 31.3.41
    Admitted to hospital 27.8.41
    Gunshot wound
    Rejoined unit 20.9.41
    Posted to L Det SAS BDE. 24.4.42
    One entry is labeled classified. 24.6.43
    Released to class z (T)
    Royal army reserve.
    15.1.47
    (Class A release)

    He was AWOL, (a lot) at one point served 90 days in mossbank barracks for a 3 month AWOL .
    Forfieted over his career about 130 days pay.
    Once I can post photos I will upload the rest
     

    Attached Files:

    CL1 likes this.
  7. SAS grandson

    SAS grandson Member

    Obviously figured out the pictures thing.
    One thing that I find confusing is he dates seem to be scattered,
    For example on page three the dates are as follows
    24.1.42 - discharged (something depot)
    23.2.42 - forfeits one days pay R.W
    Then 1.1.42 restored W.T.P.P ??
    Confusing or normal?
     

    Attached Files:

  8. SAS grandson

    SAS grandson Member

    I see 51 highland has some gaelic in his signatures, do you reside in north scotland?

    I have now uploaded some photos showing his Cameron army # 2937931

    Also, should I be opening a new htread after the introduction to continue the query?

    thanks
     
  9. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    Image 2 last entry says wounded in action and I think the date is 4/12/41. If so then he was wounded in fighting with 2nd Camerons in the attack at El Gubi, in the efforts to relieve Tobruk.

    I live in Ipswich. My Father served with 2nd and 5th Camerons
     
  10. SAS grandson

    SAS grandson Member

    cheers.

     
  11. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    What a top man - Looks like the only way they could stop him misbehaving was to send him to Egypt. Brilliant stuff !

    Ha - I see from further reading that didn't work either :lol:
     
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  12. SAS grandson

    SAS grandson Member

    Yes I thought desertion was a very serious offence. Apparently it continued during civilian life as he would disappear from home after going to the shops for a paper or collecting the messages, he could usually be found at the pub.

    Miss him to bits.
     
  13. SAS grandson

    SAS grandson Member

    Can anyone elaborate on the SAS selection process at that time?
    I understand now it is an application process with tryouts, (if you will) and a pass rate somewhere around 50%?
    In 1942 were they selected from thier regiments based on skills and qualifications, or was it still an application process?
     
  14. SAS grandson

    SAS grandson Member

    I do have this, it's printed on a much larger sheet which I didn't have with me today.
     
  15. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    SAS grandson

    To clarify;

    When I enquired if you had his AB64, i was referring to the actual hard covered document, amply pictured in the thread I linked to above.

    When I was completing my own Army Album I stupidly kept only the pages of my AB64 (detailing innoculations & medal entitlements) and scrapped the rest of it.
    http://ww2talk.com/forums/gallery/album/42-rons-actual-army-album/

    I have been kicking myself ever since but am consoled by the fact that all the relevant info was included in my records that I subsequently applied for.

    Keep going young man......... you are doing OK :)

    Ron
     

    Attached Files:

  16. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    As this topic has developed from a simple 'intro' I've moved the thread to another area of the forum & changed the title to add 'Camerons & SAS'.

    Good luck with your research.
     
  17. Skip

    Skip Senior Member

    SAS Grandson - I have one snippet for you and will look out for more:

    'L' Detachment operations were listed very briefly but I have a copy of a pencil note that states:

    Party consisting of Col Stirling, Major Mayne, Cooper, Leigh, Storey, Robson, Lilly, Adamson, Gemmel, Downes, Shaw + O'Dowd to attack LG 68 in Blitz Buggy and 3 jeeps. Arrived and parked off road at 2300hrs. Major Mayne, Adamson + Storey went in on foot. At 0100hrs party went in Buggy leading and 3 jeeps in single file behind cruising around drone, under fire, strafing aircraft with Vickers K's etc. 49 Aircraft destroyed by bombs and strafing. withdrew. Cooper fixed position by telegraph poles and we started off for rendezvous. At 0645hrs 2 CR42s spotted us in open desert and strafed getting Buggy and one jeep after 30 minuted. Broke off. Whole party returned in remaining jeeps to rendezvous. on return moved RV 15 miles west.

    Hope this helps and will keep my eyes open for any more

    Cheers

    Skip
     
  18. Skip

    Skip Senior Member

    I should have mentioned that this is noted in pencil under a period of operations starting off from Kabrit on 3 July 1942. Having RV'd with G Patrol, LRDG, they made their base at Quaret Hiremas on the edge of the Sand Sea
     
  19. Skip

    Skip Senior Member

    Cross referencing this looks to have been a raid on one of Fuka's satellite Landing Grounds on 7 July 1942.
     
  20. SAS grandson

    SAS grandson Member

    In that case, not original. I only have what was supplied in his service records, but thy are legible copies.


     

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