5946925 William George ALDRIDGE, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by sean7326, Jan 10, 2023.

  1. sean7326

    sean7326 New Member

    Hello!
    My family requested the service records for my great grandfather William George Aldridge (5946925) a few years ago and I’ve recently took a keen interest and started doing some research.
    After review of his service records, and many other information about the regiment on this website and others, I’ve attained the following information, some already known prior but plenty which is new.
    • Enlisted into the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire regiment in 1928 as a boy soldier aged 14. Enlisted within the second battalion.
    • Posted to India with the 1st battalion in 1929 where he stayed until 1935. Rose to position of L/Cpl. Various mention of being a drummer and bandsmen on his record during these years.
    • Posted back home after India, and then a month later ‘reverts to pvt at his own request, but not to escape trial by court martial’ as read on the record.
    • Posted to Egypt in 1936, and then Palestine in the same year. I think both are with the second battalion, where he appears to stay permanently afterwards.
    • Posted to France in September 39, returns June 40. So I can only assume he was involved in Dunkirk. I have seen reference on other websites that the second battalion went into Belgium too during this period.
    • Posted to North Africa in 1943. After research I think this may have been Tunisia. Maybe also a stint in Egypt. Also made Cpl during this year.
    • Posted to the Middle East in Dec 43 - May 45. I think this is a blanket entry and includes postings in Italy and Greece. Also made Sgt during 1944.
    • Appears to be some sort of hospitalisation in April 45, but is not clear form the service and casualty form. I think he may have been in hospital at the end of the war as he ‘embarked Italy for evacuation to UK on disch.hosp. struck off service central Mediterranean force accordingly’ on 04 May 45. Admitted into county hospital upon return into UK.
    • Discharged from army in Oct 45.
    • We have his medals - which include the 39-45 star, Italy star, Africa star, another with some reference to Palestine and a general service award I think.
    The reason for the post is to find out if anyone has any more information, whether about the regiment or William in particular, that they can add.

    In particular it would be great to find out:
    • What was the reasoning for his demotion to private in 1935? Was this a punishment?
    • Is there any significant battles he or the battalion was involved in?
    • What actually was Williams role in the army? My grandma seems to think he was some kind of support staff/mechanic, and she often mentions the Royal Engineers. Is this possible to be in both The Engineers and Beds and Herts at the same time? Is there a way to find out?
    • What was the reasoning for being in hospital? Was he in hospital often?
    • What was the reasoning for discharge? My Grandma again often mentions that he told a story of being burnt on the hand from a vehicle of some sort whilst in the desert (had to use the sand to aid the burn apparently!) and eating some ‘bad pork’ whilst on duty which resulted in him having seizures and, she guesses, is the reason for his discharge.
    Anything anyone has to add would be greatly appreciated! I am completely new to this but enjoying researching his past.
     
    CL1 likes this.
  2. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Welcome to the forum Sean
    You have a lot of detail it might be an idea to post the service records here and forum members might be able to assist you further. You do need to get hold of the WW2 war diaries ,a few members on here offer a copy service at a reasonable price
     
    Tony56 likes this.
  3. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    Hi Sean

    The service number falls into the allocation of Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire regiment

    Searching Army Casualty Records on FMP returns nothing. This means he was not wounded nor taken POW. If he was evacuated it would have been through some form of sickness.

    Italy star awarded to those who went to Greece too .

    Found his Palestine Medal record on Ancestry which suggests he was in 2nd Beds and Herts (4 Div/10 Bde). This tallies as 4 Div were in Italy and Greece.

    Some info her: 2 The Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment

    Worth a read. THE FOURTH DIVISION 1939 to 1945 - Naval & Military Press

    Hope this helps

    Gus
     
    Tony56 and CL1 like this.
  4. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    Hi.
    My grandad was in the 2nd Battalion 1933-37, 5 then 1st Battalion 37-44 (then 7 Para).
    I’ve been researching it all for years, although I won’t have any specific info on your relative, I’ll have a lot that will fill in some decent detail on locations and action.
    Prob easier if you email me (send me a PM on here with your details if ok?)

    Alex
     
  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    He can't PM until he's made 5 posts.
     
    Alex1975uk likes this.
  6. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    I’ll message him later then. Thanks for the info!
     
  7. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Sean.

    2 Beds & Herts for definite. I have a lot on their part in the Forth Battle of Monte Cassino in May 44 if that helps.

    The battalion erected a monument to the achievement at the site. It is impressive.

    Regards

    Frank
     

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