Hello all I've just been on the introduction section and have been directed this way. I would appreciate any help or information regarding my grandfather service records The first question I have about his records is that he signed up for the army reserve_militia in July 1939 and he was given a service number of 10031110 on the army form B200c with a unit posted to as Rifle Brigade. This number is also on his service records, but in all cases has been crossed out and replaced with another number of 6914357. Why was this ?? My grandfather was Thomas Jack Linton and he was a Rifleman in the Rifle Brigade with number 6914357. He was posted to no2 mt battn ( 2 motor training battalion rifle brigade) tidworth on 14/9/39. He was given a medical category of A1 on 29/5/40. On 22/1/42 he was medically categorized B7(???) With authority box stating Pt2 09 dated 22/1/42. I assumed this is part 2 orders. 09 or 9. Would any body be able to shed any light on what would be the reason for medical downgrade, ( mental / physical etc ??)and would this then stop Thomas from service abroad, as all service is home front from 39 until wars end. What medals would Thomas be eligible for for 6 years 252 years home service. And finally for now has anybody got any information of what went on at 2 motor training battalion rifle brigade in the way of day to day life/ training etc. Family stories say that Thomas was a dispatch rider ( don't know how true)could this be possible at 2 M T Battalion Sorry about the ramble I'd appreciate any replies. Many thanks Mark Linton
Hi, There is usually a stamp on the service record to confirm that medals were applied for and it records which ones were issued. I presume by your question he didn't apply for his Medals? If he only served in UK he would be entitled to the War Medal and depending on where he served, and for how long, he may be entitled to the Defence Medal. You ought to apply for his medals. Good Luck. Steve Y
Hi Mark, just a thought are you able to post on the forum his service record to help the guys answer your queries ?
Lotus7 I got the laptop out today to try and scan and post the records. But laptop dead. Went to find charger and realized that when cleaning out kids room last week and dumping old electrical stuff, have skipped the wrong Toshiba charger ( great) so until I get another charger ( eBay ) the laptops out of action. Doing these posts off phone and don't no if scans can be done on phone . If anybody needs a picture I'll try do on phone but not sure how it will go Cheers Mark
I don't pretend to understand all the medical categories, but initially I would have guessed at eyesight. However, I doubt even the hard pressed Army would use a man as a despatch rider with poor vision, therefore I have to assume perhaps there was some other weakness. So, do you know of what apparent weakness grandpa might have suffered from? It almost indicates some form of leg weakness/injury to have him on a motor cycle, but you'll know better than me.... If he never served Overseas (and presumably you've already applied for and got his Service Record) then you might have the answer without realising it. That's why posting it will help us to help you. In the meantime do you have any other information, medals, memorabilia, reminiscences etc? The change in Service Number might easily be explained in that his original medical grade was A1 for front line service in a regular battalion, but after regrade to B7 he may have had to be transferred to another unit, requiring a different Service Number.
Kevin, Unlike in WW1, when soldiers had regimental numbers, WW2 soldiers did not change their Army Service numbers on transfer to another regiment. Army Service numbers were introduced circa 1920/21. Regards Steve
http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/4837-army-number-block-allocations/ The Rifle Brigade 6905001 - 6972000 Militia 10000000 - 10350000 Can someone explain exactly what the Militia was in 1939 ?
Hi With his service numbers, this may be an explanation- from- http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/4837-army-number-block-allocations/ Militia 10000000 - 10350000 (Army Numbers were allocated in accordance with Regulations for the Militia [Other than the Supplementary Reserve], 1939, paras. 11-13) - fits in with number - 10031110 and The Rifle Brigade 6905001 - 69720 - fits in with Rifle Brigade with number 6914357 So he was originally in the militia (part time), but was then transferred to full time in Rifle Brigade. For his medical category, see here - http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=289697.0 Maybe should be B2 or B5? regards Robert
Hi Everyone, Thanks for the additional info. The old saying "You learn something new every day " is appropriate! Regards Steve
Hi Mark, do you know if your grandfather had rheumatic fever when he was younger. I'm no Doctor, but it could be one reason he was not selected to go over seas. I'm sure some one will understand his records and help you out.
Hello all, thanks once again for your replies. I've been trying to upload pictures off phone to this forum, but with no luck. I'll have to wait until I get another charger for the laptop. Another story told to my dad, when he was young, by his mum (divorced by this stage, so taking with a pinch of salt) was that Thomas Linton either shot or stabbed himself in the foot as to avoid D_Day. Now I know the dates don't tally with the medical downgrade to B category, but I wonder if there was no smoke without fire, and maybe there could be something in it ? ( got a picture of blackadder in my head ) There's no mention in these records I've got. I don't really know anything about grandfather as I didn't him and dad never saw him after the age of 16 so ican't answer and questions about him apart from what I can read on these records. Where or on what page whould the award of medals be mentioned. Could anybody post up am example , so I can try and see if they have been claimed. There a a small printed box, which is devided in to 4 squares with last box saying NIL. Could this be it ? Tanks all once again Mark
hell all again ive managed to upload some scans of grandadfs service records (as ask for by some forum members) can anybody help out with the medical downgrade from A1 to B does anybody know what medals were awarded, and were they claimed can anybody tell me any thing else of records I might be missing in all the writing etc many thanks in advance, its much appreciated Mark
Hi Mark, thanks for posting his records. Now I maybe wrong but I can not see that he was awarded any medals, if I am wrong some one will put me right I'm sure. Sorry can't answer the medical question, but there will be experts here who understand army records. Interesting thread
Hello Mark, The records you attached reveal that your grandad was first in the Militia and then transferred to the Rifle Brigade, and was posted to the 2nd Battalion (desinated 2MTB). The 2nd Bn was a 'Motor' Brigade and I believe that is where the MTB designation comes from. His service was from 15 July 1939 to 23 March 1946, but was all home service, i.e. he stayed in the UK throughout. This in itself is strange given that the 2nd Bn served with distinction in the Western Desert. However, this maybe explained by the fact that for some reason his battalion CO had his Lance Corporal stripe removed during 1941 and then on 22 January 1942 he is medically reclassified 'B7'. A 'B' medical category means that he was unfit for general service abroad but fit for base or garrison service at home and abroad. So, it looks like he served his time on base or garrison duty in the UK. There is no reference to him being in any trouble or to any hospitalisation, which is strange. So, if the records that you have posted are all that the MOD have sent you then I don't believe they are complete. I would expect a sign off on his conduct during service, his medal entitlement (he would have an entitlement), the reason for his change of medical category, etc. Have you any other service records? If not, I would recommend that you phone 'Glasgow' and have a chat... you will likely need to be firm with them to get a positive result. Hope this assists. Best, Steve.
Steve,thanks for your reply. With you saying that in your opinion, the records I have received are not complete or are missing pages, what are the chances that these are the only surviving records that the MOD have. Is this a common occurrence? I only ask as the covering letter with the records, states that this is all the information that they hold. Before I phone MOD (with a firm phone call) I need to be sure that I am probably in the right when I firmly ask for the records to be checked again. Has anybody else has reason to go on this route and come out with another search and then more records turning up. From your post it seems I need missing medical and medal records. Anyone have any more advice on where to go next Thanks all again Mark
not sure that's correct Steve, In 1939 2 RB were in Palestine. http://www.desertrats.org.uk/orginfantry.htm The unit mentioned here is a Motor Training Battalion. Not the same thing .
Contacting MOD Medal Office directly might be quickest, but they may not give info out if you are not the immediate Next of Kin. https://www.gov.uk/the-ministry-of-defence-medal-office#entitlement-to-receive-medals https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/applying-for-medals
* * Hello Mark, The MOD do not always send FULL service records, but from what you say they have sent you all of the records that they have. I still believe them incomplete, but if that's all they have, well, that's all they have. Maybe you could approach them about your grandad's medal entitlement... How are they going to confirm if these were issued (or not) if they don't have the records? That could start you, both, down the line of a discussion about the 'incompleteness' of the records and maybe you (if next of kin) will be able to get his medals FOC (as a first issue). Other forum members who have had to have a chat with 'Glasgow' say that you have to be firm with them, otherwise you get the brush-off. You will have to judge matters for yourself, but my point is - don't let them give you the brush-off. * Hello Owen, I took the 2MTB to be a transfer to the 2nd Bn on 18 November 1940, who joined the 7th Armoured Division (in what later became 7th Motor Brigade) in the Western Desert in that month/year. Must admit, it doesn't actually say he was 'transferred' but, as I have said to Mark, his service record is incomplete and I made a 'judgement' (or maybe a misjudgement) mainly based on the length of time he would have otherwise spent in a training battalion - 6 years - doesn't seem right?!? What would he have been doing in a training battalion for 6 years as a Rifleman - unlikely he was there as a trainer with that rank... Best, Steve.
Hello, I know this is an old thread but was wondering if anyone could help me. I also have a British WW2 Service Record and the medical classification changes from "Grade I" upon enlistment, to Medical Category B2 and then Medical Category B7. I know that the individual was admitted to hospital for 'psychoneurosis' (mental breakdown, severe anxiety) and was deemed disabled up to 30% (a). Could B7 be a category for some sort of mental health issue? He was on home service for the rest of the war and as far as I know, lived a perfectly healthy life afterwards. Cannot seem to find much information regarding medical categories, apart from this post! Appreciate any help given.
