WW2 era Uniform Cap: William John GOSS

Hello,

I am trying to find out service information for my Grandad (now dead) and I have little to go off. I have a picture of him, and I know he fought in WW2. I have attached an image of his cap, and would like to know if anybody can confirm this demonstrates his was in the Navy during WW2? Can anyone identify the service from the emblem?

Regards

Trevor Goss

 

Looks like a RN officer's pattern Blue hat of the period.

 

Hi QuarterFinal,

I am grateful for your swift response. I am after his service record and the gov.uk gives options on his type of service, and they are Army, RAF, Home Guard, Navy, etc. This will aid my search.

Regards

 

Hi Owen,

I will try the Gazette, thank you. How can you tell he was an officer? From the photo I attached? Forgive my ignorace.

Regards

 

As Goss is quite a distinctive name, might your grandfather - or another kinsman - have been Sub Lt George Gilbert GOSS, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, lost during Operation PRINCIPLE 8th January 1943?

 

So an officer, in the Royal Navy?

 

Apologies QuarterFinal, I have just seen your post.

His name was William John Goss, died 1994.

 

Have you seen:
(615) - Navy lists > Quarterly > 1944 > October > Volume 2 - British Military lists - National Library of Scotland

 

Great find, thank you.

I can see his name, and assuming that is him, can we use that information to find out anything else? Could we conclude, he was a "Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve"? Could this information be used to find out if he did anything, was involved in any battles, for example.

Regards

 

Photo in #1 is not RN, RNR or RNVR Officer's cap badge. The crown is wrong it should be a King's Crown - see Quarterfinal's photo #2.

Tim

Edit: Trevor do you have picture of him in uniform, that might help.

 

I think it is a King's Crown but the top of the crown is poorly defined in the photo. I think he is William John Goss who served in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. As Tim states a fuller photo of him in uniform would help. You will probably not find out much more about him without reference to his service record.

Regards
Hugh

 

I see what you mean and now agree.

Tim

 

Hi all,

Thank you for the responses. I have attached the only photograph I have, and sadly he is not standing up. I hope this helps?

I have ordered his death certificate, to (hopefully) come by post. My plan is to then use the information I have gathered to apply for his military service records using this government website: Get a copy of military service records.

Regards

 

Looking at the sleeve definitely RNVR.
Regards
Hugh

 

So Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve, thank you.

When applying for military service records as I say, I am given these options:

• Royal Navy or Royal Marines
• Army
• RAF
• Home Guard

I have uploaded a photo of the options from the website. From the information above, I will select Royal Navy.

Thank you all for your efforts. I will keep this post alive, and please do continue to contribute if you wish.

Regards

 

Hi all,

We know from a relative that my Grandad was posted to Canada at some point where he had his appendix taken out. Could there be a source anywhere that would find this information? Anyone aware of websites to hospital records, or searches?

The death certificate has yet to arrive.

Regards

 

Hi all,

His death certificate arrived and I have applied for records of his military service. The application proceess may take months, but it is worth a try.

Regards

 

Hi all,

The Royal Navy has sent me these documents:

• Full contents of Officer File
• Central Record Card
• Medals card
• Pay and Victual Record

The Pay and Victual Record lists his station (HMS), his rank and dates of service. I attach each document to this post.

This helps me understand what my Grandad did during the war, and from what I can work out, he was an Naval Airman 2nd Class, and promoted to Temporary Acting Sub Lieutenant RNVR on 20 August 1944.

He received a war medal but I can not work how what for in particular, nor what the medal is named. Away from the Pay and Victual Record are details of his work on HMS Godwit as an "Link Trainer Instructor".

Does anyone recognise these documents? Or the information contained within them?

What would an "Naval Airman 2nd class" do during WW2? would it be flying planes, or repairing them when stationed? His trade was an Electrician ( at least until he left the Navy, when he became an Tax Officer).

The Royal Navy has recommended books that I am on the hunt for, to help me with the ships he was stationed at.

Thanks all.