Soldier's Service Book

Discussion in 'General' started by Zeppman, Aug 28, 2010.

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  1. Zeppman

    Zeppman Member

    I have a Soldier's Service Book in my possession I am looking to off load to its rightful owner. My Father picked it up off the ground at some point during the war, must've been after May 1943 which is when this guy enlisted. It is badly water damaged but contains some personal details. As a boy in the 1970s I remember my Dad saying he must find its owner and post it off, one of them jobs that got put off. Its on my desk at home now and I could do with it not being here! Name of Jack William Stone, Army no: 14610109, Can't understand the Regiment, its half printed half written and water damaged, MONMO?TER'S REGT, 6TH AIRBOURNE DIV. Anyone any idea? Photo attached. Service Book | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    My money is on The Monmouthshire Regiment. I take it you checked CWGC to see if he survived the war?
     
  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    one for swiper i think, he only has July 44 in his war diary section at the mo.
    Looking in 53rd Div history they were down near Falaise on that date.
     
  5. Zeppman

    Zeppman Member

    Thanks for that. I've no idea where my Father picked this up, he wasn't liberated from a POW camp until April 1945 but was on the so called Death March that started in the winter of 1944/45. There is an address for his father at 29 Beaufort Road, Staple Hill, Bristol. If there are any relatives out that way I trace I'll be glad to pass this on.
     
  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    where do you get '6TH AIRBOURNE DIV' from?

    from Delaforce 'Red Crown & Dragon' page 74.

    The 2 Mons had a major role in the capture of Les Logis village . The attack in thick morning mist on the 14th was costly (50 casualties including 17 killed) but the enemy retreated by 1730
     
  7. Zeppman

    Zeppman Member

  8. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Well that confuses things nicely.
    :(
     
  9. Zeppman

    Zeppman Member

  10. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

  11. Zeppman

    Zeppman Member

  12. idler

    idler GeneralList

    The handwritten bit is "GLOSTER'S", isn't it?
     
  13. Zeppman

    Zeppman Member

    The first 5 letters definately tally with the effort Drew made concerning the CWGC entry, i.e. Monmouthshire Regt. 6th Airborne is clearly written too. I can't see 'Gloster's' but thank you all the same.
     
  14. eddie chandler

    eddie chandler Senior Member

    Woo hoo

    Looks like you can fulfill the wishes of your father. I think I may have found you a relative of Jack. I am just awaiting a response to an email I have sent.

    Lets hope you can pass this onto the family of the soldier killed.

    This is all his family know about the time of his death:-

    Infantry, The Monmouthshire Regt. Private. 14610109. According to sources on the internet*, The Monmouthshire Regiment was part of the 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division, which landed in Normandy on June 28th 1944. It is stated on Wikipeadia that 'In August it began to push out of the Odon region and crossed the river Orne, helping to close the Falaise Pocket.' Presumably, it was amongst these manouvres that Jack lost his life. There is a war memorial in Trevethin Curch, Pontypool with Jack's name inscribed on it

    Maybe you guys could help fill in a little more about what happened and where he could have been at the time of his death. Zeppman hopefully if I can confirm the family connection you can pass on the service book record.

    Ed
     
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  15. Zeppman

    Zeppman Member

    Thanks Ed. Ironically there is a section at the back of the book to write a will but it is blank...though at 19 I don't suppose one has much to leave anyway. Keep me informed or feel free to email david.chamberlain <at> rocketmail.com
     
  16. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Maybe you guys could help fill in a little more about what happened and where he could have been at the time of his death.

    see post #6.
     
  17. Mike L

    Mike L Very Senior Member

    This is proving to be an interesting one - will follow with interest.

    Mike
     
  18. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Is anyone likely to have the War Diaries on here? I was think Swiper may have em.
     
  19. Zeppman

    Zeppman Member

    Eddie has done a great bit of investigative work, and has made contact with the Grand Nephew of Jack Stone who holds his service medals. This will add a nice addition to that family's archive and free up a bit of desk space for me!
     
  20. eddie chandler

    eddie chandler Senior Member

    Just an update chaps

    Looks like the service book will be winging its way to the family in the very near future.

    If anyone has the war diaries and can confirm what happened to fill in some missing info on the movements or give a more detailed account this would be fantastic to pass on.

    The forum is working wonders chaps, I am so glad that I could help someone out because so many of you have helped me either directly or indirectly.

    Ed

    (PS - Will be visiting some surviving members of the 2nd Leicesters in October, will keep you updated).
     

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