"D Section" 50th Divisional Signals

Discussion in 'Burma & India' started by JamesCasey, Dec 10, 2015.

  1. JamesCasey

    JamesCasey Member

    Hello,

    My Great-Grandfather was in the "D Section" of the 50th (Northumbrian) Divisional Signals. I know he was awarded the Dunkirk Evacuation Medal. He fought mainly in Asia. He was captured at the fall of Singapore by the Japanese. He died in 1943 at Kanchanaburi POW camp.
    I would like some info on the 50th Divisional Signals, or even possible the "D Section," such as where they fought and when and etc.

    Thanks,
    James
     
  2. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Hello James,

    He could not have been serving with 50th (Northumbrian) Division Signals in the Far East for the simple fact that 50 Div never served in th Far East. They were destined for there, but got diverted to Iraq.

    The 50 Div served with the BEF in Flanders, Iraq, Western Desert, Cyprus, Western Desert, Sicily, D-Day and Normandy, and NW Europe.

    What is his name? Have you got his service records?

    Best,

    Steve.
     
    JamesCasey likes this.
  3. JamesCasey

    JamesCasey Member

    (Deleted)
     
  4. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Steve is right he wasnt `with` 50th Div when serving in India he was attached to another unit;-
    , 4445064 Serjeant, JAMES HUGHES, .
    Royal Corps of Signals attd. III. Indian Corps Sigs. Indian Signal Corps. (1st - 30th June 1943.)
    Age 35.
    Son of James and Helen Hughes; husband of Evelyn Hughes, of Gateshead, Co. Durham.
    Kanchanburi
    Coll. grave 6. B. 75-78
    He is still featured in the 50th Div Signals Memorial Book at St Cuthberts,Market Place Darlington. Originally enlisted Durham Light Infantry.

    This may help

    http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/24926-a-brief-history-to-50th-divisional-signals-in-ww2/


    Kyle
     
  5. JamesCasey

    JamesCasey Member

    oh ok thanks for clearing that up.

    James
     
  6. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    No problem James his parent unit was 50th Div Signals but he went independently it appears ? Do you know when he enlisted in the DLI if not would you like me to try and find out?

    Kyle
     
  7. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Joined up between 15th December 1925 and 15th April 1927 (Most likely 1926) about 18 yrs old on enlistment?

    Grave photo?



    Kyle
     

    Attached Files:

    amberdog45 and Steve Mac like this.
  8. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    *
    Good work, Kyle!

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  9. amberdog45

    amberdog45 Senior Member

    Hi James, welcome to the forum. Is your Gran still living? If so, she can apply for his service records for free. If not, you can apply for his record for £30 from the MOD in Glasgow. It will take a few weeks to arrive and when you fill out the paperwork ensure you ask them to disclose his Full record.

    Use the search function here as well to find lots of other information people have put on here in the past.

    Best of luck to you with your research. Maria
     
  10. JamesCasey

    JamesCasey Member

    Kyle,

    I dont know when he enlisted in the DLI - if this is the date you said i apologise - but information is appreciated and if you would to care to help me a little more I would be very grateful. And yes that is his grave, all the way in Thailand. Also Kyle, the section he was in was attached to the III Indian Signal corps, who he served in Malaya with. Also, if he was 18 at enlistment he did have many jobs around the country so info about changing form DLI to the 50th would be appreciated.

    Maria,
    My Grandad and gran are both still living; I will tell my Grandad about this.

    Regards to both of you,
    James
     
  11. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    James the 6th ,8th and 9th DLI made up 151 Brigade of 50th Division .These battalions were territorial (part time) so this would enable your G Grandfather to pursue his civilian employment AND serve his country at the same time. The 18years old on enlistment was purely an estimations based on his known age at death and 1926 as an approximate enlistment date :)


    Kyle
     
  12. JamesCasey

    JamesCasey Member

    Thanks for the info Kyle,
    do you believe there is any way to find out which DLI Battalion he was in?

    Regards,
    James
     
  13. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Only way for certain is the service records or a paybook? Geographically you may be able to have a good guess at which unit he initially joined as they recruited from certain areas but that's all it would be ,a guess. I don't know if any of your photographs would show any insignia? Arm patches, Cap badges . I asked a friend to check the enlistment books in Durham but he tells me they are closed until middle January 2016. Sorry :(



    Kyle
     
  14. JamesCasey

    JamesCasey Member

    Kyle,

    What do you mean by a paybook?

    Regards,
    James
     
  15. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

  16. JamesCasey

    JamesCasey Member

    Kyle,

    I think my Grandad might have one of them upstairs in his house - i'll check on Monday.

    Regards,
    James
     
  17. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Hello James,

    You might find this link useful - A Brief History to 50th Divisional Signals in WWII: http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/24926-a-brief-history-to-50th-divisional-signals-in-ww2/?hl=%2050th%20%20division%20%20signals Check out the reminiscences at the end of the War Diary retabulations...

    The sponsor/writer of the (above) thread Mel Jnr's father (handle 'A Well Camel'), Mel Snr, served with 50 Div Signals in WWII.

    You should also contact a forum member called 'SignalsJimmy', who actually looks after the 50th Signals Museum (Darlington) or did. He may be able to assist you!

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  18. Skoyen89

    Skoyen89 Senior Member

    I have copies of the I51 Inf Brigade War Diaries for 1940 and 1941 as they served in Dorset on the coastal defences near Abbotsbury etc before 50th Division was sent overseas. Unfortunately they do not list Other Ranks as is the case with War Diaries generally
     

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