Service History For My Father

Hi I am trying to trace the service history of my father Robert Arthur Westbrook JX 453940 who was an Ordinary Telegraphist. I have obtained a record of his Service History from the Royal Navy that shows he was based at Shore Establishments. The entry that confusing is as follows HMS Odyssey 1/4/1944 to 19/4/1944 (Force S) and 20/4/1944 (Travelling). He never really spoke about his experience other than to say he was on the Landing Craft on D Day. Any information anyone could give me would be very much appt.

 

David,

Another new member has asked about HMS Odyssey, so that thread may help. See: HMS Odyssey Plus, another recent thread: HMS Odyssey and Special Operations - Does anybody know?

I suggest you search online with "HMS Odyssey" site:ww2talk.com and that reveals many more threads here.

It may help if you post up the service records you have, then the experts here can help.

It is very common that relatives rarely, if ever spoke in detail about the military experience.

Some research tips via PM next.

 

HMS Odyssey was an Accounting Base and is where his Service and Pay Records would be held it is not a place where he would be serving. The (Force S) is where he was serving. I can see two possible Force Ss both consistent with Landing Craft. As above sight of his full Service Record, as noted above, may give some further insight.
(Travelling) means what it says ie: travelling to another Base or Unit. Probably being entitled to payment of Ration Allowance rather than being fed by his Unit.

Tim

 

My Grandfathers Naval records . He got Italy star interested to know on what ship ? And history of the ships especially in ww2.

 

Please find attached my Dads Service

 

Hello and welcome,
As Tim states HMS ODYSSEY was where his records and welfare were dealt with. He would have been aboard one of the many landing craft involved in Operation Neptune 'Force S' which was the D Day assault on Sword Beach. It may be quite difficult for you to pin down exactly which craft he was aboard.

Regards
Hugh

 

I agree with Hugh. The other possibility I was thinking of was:

Naval Party 1646 *Force S. Inverness to 17.04.44/Portsmouth to 06.44/Normandy Coast to UK end 06.44/disbanded 08.44*

Tim