Hi, I have been researching my late Grandfather's military history between January 1940 and March 1946 when he was demobbed. I have posted elsewhere on this excellent forum seeking some specific clarifications relating to his time served with the 11th RSF and the results have been most pleasing. Now, I am looking for some specific information about his time with a less well documented unit within the B.L.A. After receiving wounds on The Island on 7th April 1945 he was evacuated to the UK to recover. The injury resulted in a medical reclassification from A1 to B6, meaning that further overseas service would be in a non-combat as opposed to an active service role. I know that the 11th RSF were in the area of Hamburg when the war in Europe ended. My Grandfather was then posted to Bergen-Belsen on 16th July 1945. At this point, post liberation, the camp had been redesignated from a Concentration camp to a Displaced Persons camp. He worked in an administrative capacity within the camp as part of 12 D.P.A.C.S. I have very little documentation relating to this period. I do though have the following: A photograph of my Grandfather seated behind a desk within Belsen camp. On his sleeve the insignia of XXX Corps is visible. His pass to allow him entry into the camp is dated 16th July 1945 and is signed by the Officer in Command of 12 D.P.A.C.S. and countersigned by the D.A.P.M. (Deputy Assistant Provost Marshal??) Finally, two or three photographs of parts of the camp burning. The only reference that I have been able to find in relation to 12 D.P.A.C.S. at Belsen is one entry on the www.bergenbelsen.co.uk website under 'Military Units'. Can anyone shed any additional light on this particular unit? Thanks, Adrian. Is anyone
Hello Adrian, The War Diary for 12 DPACS is at the National Archives. Reference:WO 171/8167. The dates are April - July 1945 which covers the period just prior to your grandfather's time there. Regards, Richard.
