I'm really hoping someone might be able to assist with a bit of research I'm doing for a friend... Her late grandfather, 14358242 Cpl. Fred Whittle, served in India/Burma during the war. She hasn't got much information (like may others, he didn't talk about it much...), but she has some photos and his service record card. This shows his military service as follows: General Service Corps 19/11/42 - 29/12/42 Glosters 30/12/42 - 10/10/43 Wilts 11/10/43 - 13/01/46 I'm not really sure why he would have been with the General Service Corps, as I understood that this was effectively a holding unit for soldiers with specialised skills. Ref. the "Glosters" I'm assuming that this would have been the 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment? and the "Wilts" refers to the 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment, or have I got that completely wrong? Can anyone identify which units are in the photos below? According to the date on Fred's record card, the one marked '2ND PLATOON 29/12/42' was taken the day before he transferred from the General Service Corps to the Gloucesters) Fred is on the front row, fourth from the right. I'm pretty sure the cap badge on this one is for the Glosters but I can't be sure... Fred is on the front row, second from left. Finally, If it is the 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, can anyone shed any light as to their location during the period December 1942 - October 1943?
Although I'm not sure of the precise date, after that date everyone was enlisted into the General Service Corps while the Army decided where the person was to be posted. I concur re the Glosters cap badge.
Thanks SDP. Do you think the G.S.C. posting would have been in the UK or when he arrived in India? cheers Steve
1 Glosters were the only battalion to serve in India/Burma at the times given as were the 1st Wiltshires. This is all based on he was in India/Burma from the start. Cheers Andy
Steve, Fred looks like he wearing a Gloustershire Regiment coloured field service cap in the bottom photograph.
He has a GSC number. He would have enlisted into the GSC for basic training & the army could work out where to send him. There are plenty of posts on here from our Veterans about how that all works. As stated by others service records are the next step, will cost 30 quid but worthwhile if your friend really wants the correct answers.
