Hello, My apologies if this is not the correct place for this query, I am new to the forum. I am looking for some advice/opinion/information with regards to the RAMC during the end of WW2. My Grandfather was a Private with the RAMC, but according to oral family history he was never sent out to battle as he was killed in the Ilford bombings in 1944 on a weekend leave before he was meant to be deployed. I wonder if in anyones experience you might have feed back on the what records are contained with the MOD? If I wrote/paid MOD for his records, would they have much on him if he was never sent out? Oral history claims he had just finished his training and was on leave before being deployed, Would the records contain dates of his training or location to which he was to be deployed? I already have the his number and the details of his death/burial, but Ive always wondered if there was a record of his leave on the unfortunate weekend of the bombings. Further to this, on his Death cert it lists his employment as Private RAMC (chemical Works), was chemical works a devision of the RAMC or was this his employment before the war? anyway, sorry it's a little bit of a random post i suppose but if anyone had any feedback i'd appreciate it. thank you Jamie J
Oh yes thank you for your reply, yes I have his common wealth grave information. See we are all familiar with his death/burial information, but we don't know the details of his training or scheduled deployments. We just know he was home on leave (supposedly) after training and his house was bombed. But i always wondered if that was normal, did you do your training and then get to spend a weekend before being shipped out? How long was training how long was he away before seeing them again? Also he was 37, which seem quite late to join? Just wondered if these things make sense or if there is discrepancy between oral family history and actual fact.
You know after reading my own questions, I think maybe my best bet is to take the plunge pay and apply to MOD for the records of service.....
Hello Jamie and welcome to the forum. Yes the MOD will have his full service records from when he signed up with the RAMC. It usually lists his training, the company he was in, his leave and where he was deployed. You have his service number which helps them locate them easily. They are really worth getting hold of-take a look here at my father's records-these are usually what you get for your 30 quid-best money I ever spent . Come back to us when you receive them if you need any more help. [sharedmedia=gallery:albums:70] Lesley
Hi Lesley, Wow thank you so much for the reply. It's just so fascinating! thank you. I'll let you know how I get on i'm sure I'll have more questions when i finally get them. Jamie.
Not sure how long they were given but that does sound like he was on Embarkation Leave. Would have to check with the Veterans on here how long they got.
YES!! that's the word my Uncle used when he was telling me about it. Embarkation Leave...I suppose thats the leave you got before you Embarked on your mission? My Uncle told me he was home for "the weekend" but the bombs hit early friday morning. I guess to piece the story together in my mind, I wanted to know did he arrive Friday morning and shortly after was hit by a bomb? or had he been home (that's why I will write to MOD for his records to know exactly) Sad story isn't it. (how do I check with the Veterans? ) J
Jamie My dad got 2 days leave before they sailed to North Africa.That is on his service record. He lost some pay as he was a few hours late back-I'm surprised he wasn't even later as he had to get from Scotland to Bradford via York (whose station had just been bombed) and return within 2 days! Lesley Edit: The Veterans, probably Ron and Tom will see this thread and get back to you
HI Lesley, I suppose 2 days could be a weekend. Yes that is interesting about your dad and how they docked his pay! they were very strict weren't they! My Aunt told me that because her father (my grand father) was killed "on leave" my poor Nana wasn't entitled to any pension, so there she was, husband killed (in his own home of all places) two children, pregnant with a third, and no house. She was a strong lady to manage through those years! J
Embarkation leave ? I think it was 10 days, from Woolwich prior to shipping out to North Africa. To my surprise I couldn't find it confirmed in my Army Records but I certainly had it at the time. Ron
Thank you so much for your reply, I went down to the bank today to get a bank draft for the MOD records Ron, would you think that it was odd that my Grandfather was only finishing his training for RAMC age 37 and as late as 1944? Was it not more common to be called up earlier? Jamie
I'm pretty sure this is a misconception. Your Nana would have been entitled to a widows pension regardless whether he was on leave or on the front line. There maybe details of this on his service record. Lionboxer
So I sent away for my Grand-dad's records from MOD. I got a letter back saying that the wait for records was so long that they wanted to give me an opportunity to cancel my request and get a refund. Has anyone else encountered this? I am not going to cancel my request (happy to wait) but just wondered if anyone else got this letter and approximately how long did it take? are we talking months? Years? Decades? Curious J
Hi, You've received the standard letter that hasn't changed in years. 4 or 5 years ago it was taking anything up to a year but current turn around time (from personal experience in 2015 and other recent posts) is round about 4 to 8 weeks. You get a clue that delivery is imminent when they cash your cheque. Good Luck Steve Y
In 1944 - we were running short of manpower - so we were reaching into older men to fill the gaps - especially in the non fighting groups such as RAMC etc then we started to disband Ack Ack units as the Luftwaffe had gone back to defend Germany…. I had two - ten days leave before embarkation to North Africa - my training had finished before ship was ready... cheers
Well that was fast I just got the records in today! Amazing.... if anyone needs me i'll be buried in the abbreviation section trying to deceifer all the codes! Thank you everyone for your help. J
