What was "S.A.B. unit" ?

In course of my researches I have come across a Philip Henry Graham Beazley who was at Elstree Country Club in 1935 - at that time he was in the RAF. In 1936 he was a Pilot Officer with No 1 Armoured Car Company in Iraq. By early 1937 he appears listed under General Duties Branch.
Notice of resignation of his commission appears in 1938.
His obituary in 1991 in Canada states that "He served with the British Forces during World War II with the S.A.B. Unit."
Unfortunately I am at a loss as to what the S.A.B. unit refers to and a basic search of this site has not yielded obvious clues. Any wisdom that can be shared would be much appreciated.

 

Hi,

While he resigned his RAF Commission in 1938 it is unclear from your post which branch of service he served with during wartime.

I note you’ve posted in the Army forum but have you any evidence SAB was a military rather than a Naval or Air Force unit?

Pending your reply perhaps members RAFCommands or alieneyes (who is in Canada) may be able to explore a potential wartime RAF connection?

SAB doesn’t ring a bell with me but the SIB acronym was Special Investigation Branch in Military Police.

Steve

 

Listed on the "go to" site, but as shorthand for saboteur only. See: WW2 Abbreviations and Acronyms | Researching the Lives and Records of WW2 Soldiers

There are US and Canadian uses: Stores Audit Branch in Canada for example?

Given his time in Iraq, could it be Special Arab Branch. Did he speak Arabic after his time in Iraq?

 

He was married at the Consulate in Alexandria (2 Jan 1937, I think) and I believe that wife to have been of middle eastern origin.

 

Hello,

Unfortunately I have never heard that acronym before.

His wife passed in 2019. You may want to reach out to the family via an email to the funeral home. I've done it before with great results.

Dorothy Cecelia 'Dot' Beazley Obituary April 13, 2019 - Earth's Option Cremation And Burial Services

For anyone looking Beazley was born in Vancouver 8 February 1912; deceased Calgary 14 February 1991.

The stories of the deaths of his parents is truly heartbreaking stuff.

Regards,

Dave

 

How about Special Arab Bureau?

There are two online traces:

From the dockumen website 'undergoing maintenance' notice, IIRC the source will be from a book they have copied and so possibly breaching copyright. The online entry refers to a book 'The Modern History of Jordan'.

This is a 2010 book, online e-book in 2020. See: The Modern History of Jordan

Then:

From the Illinois Data Archives and my defences refuse to download citing dangers. It is a library site for the state: CONTENTdm

 

Thanks for all responses.