Bandsman Handford, Frank, 554648 Reconnaissance Corps

Discussion in 'Prisoners of War' started by ChrisDunnington, Jan 5, 2011.

  1. ChrisDunnington

    ChrisDunnington Junior Member

    Hi
    I am looking for information on Bandsman Frank Handford, Army No: 554648 of Reconnaissance Corps.
    He was taken prisoner (don't know which year) and held at Stalag IV-F, Hartsmannsdorf, POW No: 251524.

    If anyone has any info, photos etc, I would be most grateful

    Thanks
    Chris
     
  2. CL1

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

  3. jawan

    jawan Old Hand

    Hi Chris,

    I note Handford is shown as RAC in the WW2 POW roll but I can find no evidence that he served with the Recce Corps. Could you tell me why you think he did and I can double check my sources.

    Best wishes, Jawan
     
  4. ChrisDunnington

    ChrisDunnington Junior Member

    Bandsman Handford, Frank, 554648 Reconnaissance Corps

    Hi Clive
    Unfortunately we do not have his service records. He is still alive but suffering dementia so we cannot get him to apply for his records. As it refers to WWII I believe that the records are still held under closure?
    Thanks
    Chris
     
  5. ChrisDunnington

    ChrisDunnington Junior Member

    Bandsman Handford, Frank, 554648 Reconnaissance Corps
    Hi Jawan
    Information came from Ancestry POW Records

    Name:F. HandfordRank:BandsmanArmy Number:554648Regiment:Reconnaissance CorpsPOW Number:251524Camp Type:StalagCamp Number:IV-FCamp Location:Hartmannsdorf, SaxonyRecord Office:Royal Armoured Corps and Reconnaissance Corps Record Office, The Drill Hall, Barnet, HertfordshireRecord Office Number:3
    Name:F. HandfordRank:BandsmanArmy Number:554648Regiment:Reconnaissance CorpsPOW Number:251524Camp Type:StalagCamp Number:IV-FCamp Location:Hartmannsdorf, SaxonyRecord Office:Royal Armoured Corps and Reconnaissance Corps Record Office, The Drill Hall, Barnet, HertfordshireRecord Office Number:3Name: F. Handford
    Rank: Bandsman
    Army Number: 554648
    Regiment: Reconnaissance Corps
    POW Number: 251524
    Camp Type: Stalag
    Camp Number: IV-F
    Camp Location: Hartmannsdorf, Saxony
    Record Office: Royal Armoured Corps and Reconnaissance Corps Record Office, The Drill Hall, Barnet, Hertfordshire
    Record Office Number: 3

    Regards
    Chris
     
  6. jawan

    jawan Old Hand

    Chris,

    Many thanks for this which is very clear but puzzling! His Army number indicates that he was a member of the Royal Armoured Corps, probably pre-War, and as a bandsman was probably one of the RAC musicians attached to the newly formed Recce Corps in early 1941 when it was agreed they should have their own band. I have searched my roll of around 20,000 who served with the Recce Corps but there is no sign of him! And how did a Bandsman end up getting captured!! One might say careless!! Anyway if you manage to get an indication of which Recce Regiment he served with I can do more and I will also trawl another source for information. He or his direct next of kin, if granted power of attorny, can apply for an extract from his service record (see veterans agency website) which, as you say, are not in the public domain. Do keep in touch, best wishes, Jawan
     

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