Alan Whiting Hi All I'm new to here so sorry if this is not right...? My name is Alan and I'm trying to piece together my Grandfathers Army service, I am pretty much there now But. I can’t seemed to find any information which Company he served with in 5th Royal West Kent (39-45)? Alan Whiting Service History - 6757533 SGT Whiting Frank Richard
I can’t seemed to find any information which Company he served with?? Or any dates for when he got promoted? In the WAR DAIRYS for 5 RWK only have the officer and Warrant officers in Orbat's but non for the Pte's JNCO's or SNCO's!!!! I know at the end of 1935 he was a Lance Corporal in and MG Plt, 1st Bn East Surry Regt and he was medically discharged (wounded) 1945 as a Sargent. I'm not sure but I'm presuming in those days they didn't do Promotion courses like they do these day or not? Or just get promoted and required and experience? I think this is the only information that is missing. If you have any other that would be great... I hope you can help. Many thanks Alan Whiting (Cpl Ret 24818126) Service History - 6757533 SGT Whiting Frank Richard 1st Bn East Surrey 11-10-27 - 20-06-28 = UK 21-06-28 - 15-05-29 = Gibraltar 16-05-29 - 30-12-29 = UK 31-12-29 - 29-03-35 = India (Fyzabad) 30-03-35 - 31-04-35 = UK 31-04-35 - 31-08-39 = UK - Army Reserve 01-09-39 - 29-03-40 =5th Bn Queens Royal Regiment UK 5th Bn Queens Royal Regiment 30-03-40 29-05-40 = BEF (France, Dunkirk) 30-05-40 25-05-42 = UK 5th Bn Royal West Kent Regiment 26-05-42 = 08-01-43 Middle East / North Africa 04-10-42 Blown up by land mine while in Ambulance / lorry - slight concussion. Returned to unit 16-10-42 09-01-43 - 30-04-43 = Persia & Iraq 01-05-43 - 02-10-43 = Middle East 03-10-43 -19-03-44 = North Africa & Italy 30-11-43 Wounded in Italy By Machine Gun Bullet - left leg 19-03-44 Left Theatre on Hospital ship “Atlantis” On stretcher 25-03-44 16-01-45 = UK - Hospital and R + R 16-01-45 Medically discharged from the Army
Hi Alan Assume you have contacted the Regt's museum/barracks - Invicta Park Barracks - Wikipedia Someone on this site may also have an answer (maybe not, just need to try all avenues) - Royal West Kent Regiment (Queens own) 5th Btn in the Second World War 1939-1945 - The Wartime Memories Project - TD
Here`s the casualty lists featuring him both as Sergeant its possible he served with several companies ?;- Kyle
Wow Kyle ..... many thanks for that... I had the dates and casualty no's but no paperwork wow many thanks for that ... any idea how to find out which Coy he served?? as far as I know he only served with one company... Many thanks Regards Alan
Hi, IMHO you’ll be very lucky to find details of a infantryman’s Company - unless he is mentioned in the WD. Those details aren’t usually recorded on the records provided by MOD Glasgow. From all the service records posted on the forum in recent years I don’t recall one drilling down to Company level. Having said that don’t let me put you off searching the various other avenues flagged up by other members. Good Luck Steve
Sorry Alan I have no idea on the Company situation but heres some more relevant paperwork for his earlier service;- Kyle
Wow many many thanks ..... I have know idea where you getting these paperwork but keep up the good work.. Thanks again Kyle
On 30 Nov 1943, 5RWK was busy with an attack from Mozzagrogna towards Romagnoli, both just North of the Sangro. They suffered heavy casualties ( 18 killed and 35 wounded; this is probably where Sgt Whiting was hit) but the village (Romagnoli) was eventually captured. All companies seem to have been engaged. There is actually no reference to Sgt (or any other) Whiting in the Regimental History. I should point out that Invicta Lines, now known as Invicta Park Barracks, has been the home of 36 Engineer Regiment for many years. I think the last time that the Regiment (1RWK this time) was there was in 1951 after they came home from Malaya. The Regiment was amalgamated with The Buffs in 1961 to form the Queens Own Buffs, the Royal Kent Regiment. On formation of the Queens Regiment, that became the 2nd battalion in about 1966 or 67 and more recently the Queens Regiment (by then comprising the Queens Royal Regt (West Surrey), the Buffs (Royal East Kent Regt), the East Surrey Regt, the Royal West Kent Regt, the Royal Sussex Regt and the Middlesex Regt) amalgamated with the Royal Hampshire Regt to form the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment (Queeens and Royal Hampshire) (PWRR for short) which today has only two Regular battalions. Regimental HQ is at the Tower of London (no idea why) and the Queens Own museum forms part of the Maidstone town museum. Chris
Just to add, the regimental history is quite good and has been reprinted in a modestly priced paperback. Unless the regimental museum has more contemporary paperwork (Part 2 orders for inter-company postings?), you are unlikely to be able to uncover which company he was with unless you manage to find an old comrade who knew him. Besides, movements between companies were not uncommon; I have my grandfather in B-coy and HQ-coy at different stages of the war.
Big Al. It is very, very unlikely that you will ever be able to pin down his Coy. If he had been an Offr it is slightly more likely because the Adjutant's monthly Manning Return to Brigade named Offrs and often included their role: MTO, OC B Coy, IO etc but Other Ranks were only recorded as quantities: 3 WO2s, 12 CSgts, 3 Sgts etc. You can occasionally find a War Diary where the Adjutant has recorded that Sgt Bongo Breath has taken out a patrol provided by B Coy but this is rare. Regards Frank
Ancestry has no record of this man ............. strange, I will email them to amend their records TD
