Hi, I'm looking for some advice regarding how to find details of my grandfathers FGCM. Is it possible to find out what he had (allegedly) done?? He didn't lose his rank etc, so I presume he was found not guilty... Greg.
Hi Greg - There is a register, quite a few actually, at the National Archives. I think this only has the ones found guilty recorded in it and to be fair. It's like looking for a needle in a haystack even if you have a date and theatre where he was serving. What unit was he with and the date - Some of the Home Forces war diaries list offences etc in the units Part One orders. Sadly not all diaries contain them though. A
He became a Lieutenant QM in the Pioneer Corps on 5/4/43, having transfered from the Royal Artillery as a BSM with a Miltary Medal according to the London Gazette. http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36061/supplements/2813
It took me over a week to copy all of the registers for WW2 and I think there was around 25,000 names/offences listed - good luck then
Here's the ref for the units war diary WO 169/12736 PIONEER CORPS. GROUPS. 47 Gp Jan-Dec 1943 Couldn't find his MM on the TNA website.
Not as far as I know, he enlisted into the 1/10th Royal Scots in 1912 and was drafted into the 12th Scots between 1916/17 I think.
He re-enlisted into the Royal Scots Territorials in 1929 & stayed in until he was called up for military service in 1938 (Battery Sergeant Major in 14 LAA) Greg.
I've ordered a quotation for a copy of the War Diary as it's not been digitised yet. Does anybody know if the court martial records are available online? Or possibly advise me how to find the info I'm looking for? Greg
Make sure you are sitting down when you read the quote Ref the FGCM what was the date - I may be able to tell you the register it is in but it's not something I'd search for personally. I spent 2-3 hours IIRC checking one for someone and still couldn't find it.
Dec '43 I wrote to the historian of the Pioneer Corps who provided me with some info. Extract follows - 30 Dec 43 Lt J C Plant – tos vice Dick (FGCM) This is a problem – he is shown in the War Diary as being tried by Field General Court Martial. The good news is he was obviously found not Guilty as there is no record in the London Gazette or in the Army Medal Office if him leaving (cashiered) or losing his medal entitlement. He seems to have left 47 Group in December 1943 (he could well have been attached to one of the Companies whilst undergoing investigation. 8 Jan 44 Group leaves HAIFA 9 Jan 44 Group reaches QUASSASIN and pitches tents at TAHAG. No other info re FGCM Greg