Hi I'm researching my Grandfathers Military records and I'm wondering if anyone here could assist me. According to My Grandfather's Military records he transferred from the R.A.C to "X4a Raiding Forces SAS Reg 1" in 43 from there it puts him in a billet at "Royal Signal Troop Raiding force" till 1945. In 45 his records then list him as in the S.B.S until his return to the UK in 46 and subsequent demobilisation. While My Grandfather was alive he spoke of his time in the Greek Islands of Kos and Rhodes and in the Yugoslav mountains operating with Partisans. He spoke of his OIC being a fellow named Jericho before moving onto Italy. If possible could anyone provide me with or suggest any resources where I can get any campaign details for these units. Any help or infomation would be much appreciated.
thanks for assistance, this opens a new avenue to go down by any chance can you recommend somewhere where I could find information on these campaigns or research my grandfathers participation in them?
The Unir War Diaries at TNA Kew will be of help as well as the Raidning Force Files. George Jellicoe has a biography titled A British Achilles by Lorna Almonds Windmill - published by Pen & Sword. Naval & Military Press have some copies at a good price ; BRITISH ACHILLESThe Story of George, 2nd Earl Jellicoe KBE DSO MC FRS 20th Century Soldier, Politician and Statesman - Naval & Military Press
Thanks for help once more, are the unit records from Kew or the Raiding force files availible in a online format?
The records will be at Kew as far as I am aware. Though there is sure to be some material available online.
Hello and welcome - A quick search shows there are 15 war diaries related to the Raiding Force at the National Archives. They are in Series WO 169 (Med and Africa) and WO 218 (Special Forces). Have a look at the link below for files descriptions by downloading the appropriate Excel Spreadsheet mentioned above. See post 14: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/29605-national-archives-catalogue-excel.html
Here is some information that might help in regards to Jellicoe. George Patrick John Rushworth,2nd Earl Jellicoe - SAS - Special Forces - Roll Of Honour And post 105 here will help with the SBS query http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/airborne/26221-11th-battalion-11.html
Your grandfather must have joined Fitzroy Maclean. L Squadron had been pretty much wiped out by the Sardinia operation and with Langton being invalided out (which Sutherland heard about when he got back on 27 July), was now to be commanded by John Verney. Maclean had been sent off to Yugoslavia to work with Tito and M detachment taken over by the 27-year old ‘Jock’ Lapraik. You might get a copy of his Maclean's Eastern Approaches. Nick