Deciphering abbreviations in service record

Hello, I may need some help with some of the abbreviatons. This is from the service record of a German Jew who served with No 3 Troop in No 10 Commando.

I understand tht A/Cpl is Acting Cpl and P/Cpl is Paid Cpl. What could W/Cpl stand for? And Y/SG GT? (th entry dated 5.7.44)
Finally, the last two lines are a total riddle for me... any help would be much appreciated!

 

W/Cpl Wartime Only Corporal.

Unpaid Sergeant

Paid Sergeant

Appointed Unpaid & Paid Acting Sergeant; I've recently seen this on other records on the same day.

Wartime Substantive Sergeant.

 

Hi,

W Sgt is an abbreviation of the more usual WS Sgt - the War Substantive Sgt in the last line.

As you can see men went through Local, Unpaid Acting then Paid Acting roles before the full rank was granted but at each stage they could be administratively “demoted” at the CO’s discretion.

After 90 days in the paid acting rank the man could be appointed to War Substantive rank if there was a vacancy in the unit and could only be demoted at his own choice or by a Court Martial.

The penultimate line is “appointed” Unpaid & Paid Acting Sergeant - I think it was 26/7/44 rather than 1945.

War Substantive rank was used in the British Army until the late 1940’s when the army reverted to peacetime establishment.

Steve

 

Thank you, Tullybrone, for sharing your expert knowledge!

 

Again, it would be great to get some help. This, too, comes from the service records of a German Jew serving in No 10 Commando. There are two lines that I cannot really decipher, the handwriting in the red box is difficult to read. Top line: SS (Special Service?) ?? Reception Camp?
The line below is even more difficult: Disb (disbandment?) Theatre????

 

1st line: S.S. Group or Special Reception Camps

2nd line: Disbanded transfer of operations

Possibly provided language and assessment skills for Waffen SS POW in Normandy or initial reception camp in UK.

 

Hello Alberk.

This is nothing to do with "Waffen SS POWs reception camp" in the UK. Nothing to do with being "disbanded" Give me strength for heaven's sake. That is complete poppycock. Rubbish no less.

This is (as you know) a chap from the Special Service Brigade returning to the UK after a long stint in Europe.

Having disembarked (returned) back in UK it was from port (most likely Gosport) to then travel to No.2 Special Service Group Reception Camp for rest and re-fit/re-equip, take some disembarkation leave (as in disimbarked back in the UK) prior to returning to Europe (and whichever unit your chap was next assigned/attached to).

A German Jew serving in the British Army at great personal risk.

He could not be any further from the Waffen SS.

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

P.S. If you were happy to share his name (German or anglicised cover name), in confidence or otherwise, I could without doubt tell you more.

 

Thank you Jim, I just sent you a PM.

Best, Alex

 

Hello davidbfpo,
thank you for deciphering the handwriting - your help is much appreciated!
Best, Alex

 

Hi Alberk,

JimHerriot has explained the first line.

My interpretation of the second line is -

“Disb (Disembarked) Theatre of Operations 30.9.44

I read a very good book about the history of X Troop 10 Commando by Leah Garrett a couple of years ago.

X Troop

Steve

 

Hello Steve,

Earlier in September the X - Troopers who rotated back to the UK had the same/similar journey, as recorded in the War Diary.

Back into Gosport, then the long haul back to Aberdyfi.

Might be wrong, a poor comparison. I'll check overnight and see what's what.

Kind regards, not in the SS, always,

Jim.

 

Good morning Alex.

PM updated.

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

 

I was reading that as “Theatre of Operations” too. I bow to all you gents’ greater knowledge as to the meaning of “Disb”, I’d have been guessing. On my grandfather’s record the words Embarked and Disembarked have either been written, or stamped, in full, without exception. Proper writing in the Royal Artillery, don’t you know.

 

Hello Steve, this has been testing my grey matter for the best part of the day, and I now whole heartedly admit that I had my 30/09/44 reading (and interpretation of) wrong, with yours being right. Profuse and unreserved apologies to you.

The chap was clearly at Gosport on the way out, not in!

It now appears he was back in "N W Europe" from said 30/09/44 till return to UK in second week of October. But what he was doing then is still an unkown and requires more digging.

Again, apologies, you have the interpretation of the wording at date of 30/09/44 spot on.

Thank you for the correction, I needed it.

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

 

Absolutely no problem Jim. I’m sure posting on the forum is doing you the world of good while your treatment is ongoing.

All the best.

Steve

 

On your recommendation Alex.

Arrived today.

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

 

Good choice! A great first-hand account.
By the way, I wrote to Peter Masters' son in Bethesda, Maryland, to ask about using the one photo that we have of Egon Vogel. I have not heard back from him yet...

With kind regards
Alex

 

Hopefully you will Alex, and in the affirmative too.

Kind regards, always,

Jim.