My father Ernest William Gilbert.

Here is a photo of my father Ernest William Gilbert. He seems to have a different colour beret than his comrades. I’ve sent off for his service records. He didn’t talk about the war much. All I know is he served in Italy and Egypt. He was in the army between 1942 and 1947. He was in the Essex Regiment when he was discharged.

 

AAC Army Air Corps wore light blue beret

 

That makes sense as he was a parachutist.

 

Does anyone recognise the badge on his beret?
TIA

 

Owen I think has much better eyes than me but it just might be a Raiding Support Regiment badge. One for Gus to have a look at.

In the meantime: RSR - Gallantry Medals - Greece 1944/45

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

 

Yes I can see where Owen is coming from but I have been googling and think it might be the Raiding Support Regiment badge. Only because of the shape between the wings and the bottom bit.

thanks

 

Grey beret. Scots greys.

 

Hi Graham

I can confirm that your father was in the RSR in Greece operating with Z Battery.

5193329 GILBERT Ernest William Pte (ESSEX Regt) Raiding Support Regiment - Z Bty.

He is mentioned in a signal relating to the rotation of RSR personnel operating in Greece found in War Diaries Raiding Support Regiment - Dec 44 (WO 170-1364)

If you give me your email address I will send you what I have.

Hope this helps

Gus

 

Graham, make another "post" in this thread - about anything - as once you have made five posts you will then be able to "start a conversation" with Gus.

Good luck with your searching.

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

 

Badges & Insignia – The Raiding Support Regiment

 

Wow! That is amazing. Thank you so much!

 

Yea that’s him I have requested his service records Thank you Gus for sharing the info you have. Much appreciated

 

There’s a (very brief) passing reference to “Essex men” in the recollections of Lance-bombadier Alan Rose on the website Uncle Target posted above (“With SOE in Yugoslavia February 1944”) - no details at all, just that mention, but an interesting coincidence perhaps.
With S.O.E. in Yugoslavia, February 1944 by L/Bdr Alan Rose – The Raiding Support Regiment

 

Thanks Pat. I will print that out for the family to read

 

Hi Gus do you know anything about Z battery? Looking online everyone talks about batteries A to E

thanks Graham

 

Well I got a reply about my fathers service record and unfortunately they won’t release it for another 8 years due to medical records.

 

It would seem that herein lies the difference between MoD and TNA.
MoD were more pragmatic sending what they were allowed to.
TNA it seems, send all or nothing no questions asked as to what you want and why.
Those requesting medical records under FOI face a long wait for Committee Decisions it seems.

 

Hi,

You have received the usual blanket reply for men born under 115 years ago.

You need to make an application under Freedom of Information Act. The file will be reviewed and most of the material will be released - with some redactions.

Request MOD Personnel Records

Some more information in this topic -

MOD ALREADY TRANSFERRING WW2 SERVICE FILES TO UK NATIONAL ARCHIVES 2021

Steve

 

Thank you for your replies. It was an MOD request that I made through the ink above but the reply says the records are exempt from the freedom of information act. Here is a copy of part of the reply