South Lancashire Regiment - Pte William Roberts 3651864

Now, I'm really confused! I have no idea!


Carolyn

 

Hi Carolyn,

He could I suppose have 2 "red books" but only if he had 2 seperate periods of regular army service.

However if this was his 2nd "red book" his previous service would be noted on the blank page shown below his medal entitlement page attachment. My Dad had previous Territorial Army service prior to his regular service and it is noted on this page of his red book.

Therefore I don't think your grandfather had 2 "red books".

I'm on my iPhone so the image is too small for me to comment on the other point made by Kyle.

As you say all will be revealed on receipt of his service record. I applied for an uncles papers in Jan 2013 and received them in March 2013.

Regards

Steve

 

Just a thought Carolyn, is it possible Grandad had a relation with the same initial who served in the army, hence why he could of had 2 "Red Books".?

Lotus7.

 

I think it may be wise to wait for the records to arrive , they'll reveal all

 

I've been following this on the Commando Veterans Forum - with so many people 'delving', I'm sure something will turn up.

 

Always a lot of questions at this early stage.

His service trail tends to make me think 1st Bn.

Couple of other things spring to mind.

Norway - 1/4th Bn took part in the Norway campaign in 1940.

After that, quite a few of the lads from 1/4 and 2/4 joined one of the early Commando units.

Alternatively - 1st Bn took part in Combined Ops training in Scotland.


I like the photo of the Company football team - is it dated at all? I'm wondering what the tall thing is in the left hand side - a cup maybe?

I will have a look in a couple of the pre-war Regimental Chronicles, see if his name appears at all.

Cheers

Pete

 

Thank you, Pete.

Amazingly, his service record arrived yesterday! When I've had time to look at it, I'll add some more updates. Early perusal - no MM mentioned. I suspect no one but my Grandad really knows what happened and the whys and wherefores about that.

Anyway, the football team photos...the one at the bottom has on the reverse: Prince of Wales Volunteers Winners at Quetta 1937. It also has 'Mrs Higginson' written on it! I wondered if he had sent it as a postcard or something.
The top picture says on the reverse: 'winners of the Chesney Cup at Allahabad. As Allahabad is over a thousand miles away from home they would not let us take it away but we all got a small silver one like it each so we don't mind. You will find me with a X over my head. The man third row from the left on the back row comes from Chester too. Hope you like it, Billy. Quetta 16.11.36'

 

Hi,

Pleased you have received his papers and looking forward to hearing what they reveal to clear up any possible anomalies in his Red Book.

Steve

 

Thanks, Steve. I've only really had time to look properly at the records today.... it's school holiday time! Anyway, here's a link to the service records: http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/Cally_Loois/library/?sort=3&page=1

Some interesting things but there's a lot I don't understand yet.

 

Just thought I would flag this one up as the year comes to an end.....

A lot of info posted by members but OP didn't return with an update so his service record mystery remains unsolved. Shame.

Service record images are password protected in photobucket site.

Steve Y



Steve Y

 

A shame ........ I for one would have liked to have known...............

 

I've sent a Private Message - Hopefully she'll get a email notification to come back

 

Here is another one that OP started about the same time.

New post from another interested party today....

Steve

http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/57197-cpl-george-roberts-cheshire-regiment-4123257/?view=getnewpost&fromsearch=1

 

Hello - I have finally found a few moments to reply! Working in education means that term time hobby focus is well and truly out! I have to find some time during school holidays that isn't taking up with being away, caring for children or parents or whatever...!

Just to say that I really appreciate all the help and support - it's not been taken for granted.

The service records were very useful and gave us much useful information about when and where he served and his injuries. I also sent the records off to the Lancashire regiment museum for analysis by a historian and I received a very useful summary back. What is clear is that he served the first part of service in India and served faithfully during the second world war. He did not receive a military medal and the researcher was very kind and explained that:

"in order to gain an edge in the competitive post-war labour market, some creative thinking has been applied. What needs to be said is that this is not uncommon, and that, as evidenced by glowing praise which describes William Roberst as being 'Exemplary....' . His contribution over a lengthy period of serve as a regular soldier on the Indian sub-continent, actions on D-Day and in the Battle of the Rhineland needed no embellish."

I'm quite happy with that!

Many thanks.

 

Hi Carolyn,

Thanks for taking the time to return to the forum with an update for us.

I would agree with the comments from the chap from Preston Museum.

I obtained the service record of an uncle a couple of years ago and my cousin was disappointed that it did not accurately reflect the military history that his father had recounted to him when he was a youth.

Regards

Steve Y