My dad served with the TA prior to, and during, WWII and I always thought he was in the Royal Artillery but digging through old papers I came across his 'CV' which states that between 38 & 45 he was in the Royal Corps of Engineers, Territorial Army (PS Inst. S.A.A.A). The various photos I have of him show him at various places in the UK and wearing Royal Artillery cap badge or the grenade on his forage cap and he has either the RA gun or grenade above his stripes. What was the connection between the RE and RA during WWII? Unfortunately he died back in 1971 before I had any interest in such things! Thanks. Bob
As requested - Crop of larger group photo - Kinmel Park, Rhyl, 1943... Stood the right... Second row, 6th from (viewers) right... Date place unknown - may be Kinmel Park? Date Place unknown - sitting front left Just a bit confused over the mention of Corps Of Royal Engineers on his CV when everything else seems to be R.A. - I have his EM(T) medal which is inscribed with the Royal Artillery as his unit.
Blackdog It looks to me as though he was seconded to the RA in connection with searchlights, do you know if his RA badge had a crown above the gun. I have seen pictures of these kind of badges before but cannot remember what it signifies. Perhaps one of our artillery orientaed members can tell us.
Oldman, Think I may have figured this out - Most searchlight regiments were originally raised as either AA Battalions Royal Engineers or by converting infantry battalions within their own regiments. In mid 1940 these units were all redesignated Royal Artillery. RA 1939-45 Searchlight Index So he may have started out in the RE pre war and in the initial stages but transferred over to the RA. The cane he is holding in the first photo may be the same one my brother has - that one has the RA badge on the top cap. I don't know if he reached the rank of Staff Sergeant which, according to the site I got the above quote from, has the crown above the gun. Guess his service records will reveal the answers! Bob
Sounds like you may have cracked it. All of the SL Regts in France with the BEF were RA except for one which was RE.
His service number begins 204 and from digging around on another forum it appears he started out in the Royal Engineers... Royal Engineers 1842001 - 2303000 His EM(T) was issued from R.A. (CA & AA) Record Office, Ibex House, Minories, E.C.3 My memory is a bit rusty now but I seem to recall there being a RE 'shoulder title' badge amongst the bits and bobs when I was growing up. Seems to fit in with what I am finding out. Will have to pick my older brothers brains on this!
Hello blackdog check his number in the link below http://www.corpsofmilitarypolice.org/tools/armynumber
Thanks for that link - Yep, his number indicates that his original unit or date joined was Royal Engineers. The 'mystery' of what appears to be a RE cap badge in some photos looks like being solved.
This is a drawing done as a POW under the Japanese of my dad's RA hat badge and it would be very acurate. He loved 25 pounders and more can be seen of his paintings he did in WW2 on a website we have developed The Changi POW Artwork of Des Bettany | Prisoner of War at Changi, Singapore Cheers,
