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Seeking Info on RASC BNAF Mentions in Despatches – Driver B. Jones (Convoy Under Fire / Sea Rescue)

Discussion in 'RASC' started by Bruten_Jones, Jul 1, 2025.

  1. Bruten_Jones

    Bruten_Jones Member

    Hello all,

    I’m researching the WWII service of my grandfather, Driver B. Jones, who served in the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) under the British North Africa Force (BNAF).
    He received two Mentions in Despatches during BNAF service, listed in his Service Book as:
    10 April 1944 – GRO 13/1/44, BNAF Serial B D.D.15/2/44
    16 May 1944 – GRO 31/4/44, BNAF Serial B D.D.15/4/44, RASC Pt II 257/44
    While the London Gazette lists his name and number, there’s no detail on the acts themselves.

    Family lore (and annotations in his belongings) suggest the commendations may be for:
    1. Leading a convoy of supply vehicles under heavy artillery fire, possibly in late 1943 or early 1944
    2. Rescuing Red Cross personnel adrift at sea, potentially involving a DUKW or amphibious craft near the coast
    He was known to operate DUKW 1179 (WD 70577) and later trained on the M29 Weasel. He also served in Italy later in the war, including possible actions at or after Salerno and crossings like the Strait of Messina.
    ---
    Questions:
    Do any war diaries, memoirs, or veteran accounts describe these kinds of events involving RASC personnel in early 1944?
    Does anyone have access to Part II Orders or G.R.O. appendices with more detail?
    Has anyone come across similar MiD stories involving sea rescues or convoy leadership under BNAF?
    Any help identifying his unit, company, or events tied to those commendations would be hugely appreciated.
    Thanks in advance for your time and knowledge.

    Happy to share photos, vehicle numbers, and further details if helpful.
     
    JimHerriot likes this.
  2. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Bruten,

    Welcome aboard. You have posted x3 on: War Diary - 14 Company RASC with photos and part of his service record (you are awaiting the full record).

    Please add the basic information on him if known: Date of Birth, location of home, Service Number and what unit he was with.

    Some experts here can identify MiD Commendations in the National Archives and if digitised provide a copy.

    I am puzzled that both MiD refer to him with the BNAF. If he had been posted to the Italian campaign his posting would have been CMF (Central Mediterranean Forces), not BNAF. It is possible his role with amphibious vehicles meant his unit - after the landings - returned to North Africa.

    The North African campaign ended in Tunisia when the Axis surrendered on 13/5/1943. From: Tunisian campaign - Wikipedia I wonder if the first MiD is for that campaign.

    The Straits of Messina were crossed by the Allies on 3/9/1943. From: The battle for Italy | National Army Museum

    The landings at Salerno started on 9/9/1943. From: Operation Avalanche - Wikipedia Alas the Order of Battle there excludes the RASC.

    Somehow I doubt there were:
    More likely Allied medical staff. The ICRC being very different and not part of the combatants.Caveat (after a little research): Red Cross staff were aboard hospital ships etc.

    Perhaps this will help: List of hospital ships sunk in World War II - Wikipedia
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2025
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  3. Bruten_Jones

    Bruten_Jones Member

    Thanks for the Welcome David.

    Initially I believed my grandfather might have been part of 14th company but now I'm unsure, I'll refrain from posting on others threads from now on untill I'm certain that it coincides with his history.
    Yesterday I found out that his records can take 10 to 12 months to arrive so I'll continue to piece together what I can.

    Taken from his service book

    Army Number: T/193702

    Full Name: Brindley Jones (real name Brinley might have been corrected at a later date)

    Date of Birth: 16 October 1919

    Trade on Enlistment: Farmer Tractor Driver

    Enlisted: 6 June 1940

    Enlistment Type: Territorial Army (TA), for 2 years with the Colours

    Age/Service Group: 30 ??unsure what this means??

    Unit Noted: RASC (Royal Army Service Corps)

    Physical Description:

    Height: 5 ft 6½ in
    Weight: 144 lbs
    Eyes: Grey
    Hair: Brown
    Chest: 35½ in
    Medical Classification (1944/45): A.1. (Fully fit for general service)

    Home town: Abergavenny, South Wales

    I'm unsure of his RASC unit but his service book included an attached Note
    (26 Feb 1945): 619 A.F.V. Wksp Coy. REME

    I've found the specific gazette records but they only include name and service number.

    Yes this is kinda throwing off my research also I have personal photos of him in the po valley and Messina straights which would suggest time spent in Italy and this photo of Salerno from the national archives.
    107295.jpg
    Shows a dukw that has similar markings to this picture with my grandfather sat in the middle
    IMG_20221231_070354~2.jpg

    Thanks for this I'll look deeper into it
     
    JimHerriot likes this.
  4. JimHerriot

    JimHerriot Ready for Anything

    Hello Bruten.

    Thanks for updating your thread, from David's prompt, has helped reduce needle in haystack side of things.

    Should you not have seen it before, medal application card (courtesy of TNA Kew via one of it's subscription commercial partners Fold3).

    Page 1 (29)~2.jpg

    Page 2 (66)~2.jpg

    Have narrowed the field very very slightly on your grandfather's two MID's.

    Little details, no great update, post up for you shortly.

    Kind regards, good luck with your searching, always,

    Jim.
     
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  5. Bruten_Jones

    Bruten_Jones Member

    Thank you Jim I've added this to my pile of photos

    Another price of the puzzle,
    According to this list HMHS St David sunk 40km off Anzio within the timeframe and there was a large amphibious force in that area so It might be a small price of the puzzle thanks David
     
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  6. JimHerriot

    JimHerriot Ready for Anything

    MID small details (searching through pages of London Gazette to try and narrow things down Bruten)

    First MID of your grandfather gazetted 13th January 1944 (your grandfather's name listed on page 268 of same):

    Back through the pages to page 258 (pertinent words in second image "gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East").

    Page 162~2.jpg

    Page 162~3.jpg

    Second MID of your grandfather gazetted 23rd March 1944 (your grandfather's name listed on page 1371 of same).

    Back through the pages to page 1367 (pertinent words in second image "gallant and distinguished services in Sicily").

    Page 305~2.jpg

    Page 305~3.jpg

    Still needle in haystack stuff Bruten, and not much further on, but at least you can now concentrate on the vastness of The Middle East, and perhaps (more importantly?) Sicily.

    Gazetted dates show how much of a delay there was between actions taking place and gazetting, which just adds to the difficulty of finding when the individual actions actually took place, and where.

    Again, good luck with all, at least Sicily has (maybe!) taken mainland Italy out of the equation.

    Kind regards, always,

    Jim.
     
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  7. Bruten_Jones

    Bruten_Jones Member

    Thankyou once again Jim
    I'm very new to this and had no idea about looking at earlier on in the gazette for what theater the dispatches were accredited too.
    This might be the story of when he lead a transport columb through artillery fire.


    The 2nd one i thought would have been something to do with rescuing people at sea but Sicily wouldn't be considered Anzio so maybe my timeline is off.

    Still thankyou for the information seems I'm 1 step forward 3 steps back.

    Thanks
    Bruten
     
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  8. JimHerriot

    JimHerriot Ready for Anything

    Hello Bruten.

    "Questions:
    Do any war diaries, memoirs, or veteran accounts describe these kinds of events involving RASC personnel in early 1944?"

    On the off chance my MID ramblings above haven't made it clear (understandably!) the period you need to be looking at most intensely is 1942 - 1943.

    Kind regards, always,

    Jim.
     
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  9. Bruten_Jones

    Bruten_Jones Member

    HMHS Talamba sank near Sicily but that was around 10months before the MID
     
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  10. Bruten_Jones

    Bruten_Jones Member

    So 10 months before is a better timeframe thanks again Jim sorry I live in Asia now things happen in days not years I'm forgetting to think in British timeframes
     
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  11. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    Hi Bruten

    The 11 January 1944 MID was awarded for service in Middle East.

    Page 268 | Issue 36327, 11 January 1944 | London Ga...

    The 21 March 1944 MID was awarded for service in Sicily.

    Page 1371 | Supplement 36436, 21 March 1944 | Londo...

    Only his service records from the MOD will clear up which unit he was with at the time of both awards. My dad was in 5 units between 1939 and 1945 (RAOC, REME).

    And as MID recommendations found at the national archives are very rare, due to most being destroyed by fire during the blitz, the chances of understanding exactly how he got them are also going to be challenging.

    According to Google, approximately 10,386 "Mentioned in Despatches" awards were given out during World War II.

    You may be very lucky to find a secondary source, eg book , newspapers, etc.

    This would be a good a start as any.

    STORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY SERVICE CORPS, 1939-1945 - Naval & Military Press

    Hope this helps

    Gus
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2025
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  12. JimHerriot

    JimHerriot Ready for Anything

    Understood completely Bruten, no criticism intended or implied on my part. You are doing a good job of which your grandfather would be without doubt pleased about.

    Hopefully the more knowledgeable (much more knowledgeable!) folks than me will pitch in, as I am extremely limited on matters Royal Army Service Corps wise.

    Good luck with all.

    Kind regards, always,

    Jim.
     
  13. Bruten_Jones

    Bruten_Jones Member

    Thanks Gus I'll look at grabbing a copy of the book while I'm in the UK.

    I'm fairly confident that my grandfather got the MID for the accounts I've mentioned as that's what he told me when he was alive.

    He didn't speak of his time in the war much I think due to shame as he enjoyed it so much, he always had a smile when recounting things but would never explain much.
    I'm just trying to piece together his story as a project to do while I'm home and maybe put together some personal books for my family.

    No offence taken Jim I'm fairly thick skinned, it's nice to have you folks helping.

    Here's a bunch of photos you all might enjoy.
    img987_020855.jpg
    (No note)
    img003_020239~2.jpg
    (No note)
    img002_020222~2.jpg
    (Flooded valley between Venice and Foggia, one buffalo tracked amphibious)
    img001_020203~2.jpg
    (Mina)
    img992_015834~2.jpg
    (No note)
    img991_015815~2.jpg
    (No note)
    img990_015748~2.jpg
    (Italy side of Messina straights)
    img993_015855.jpg
    (R.E at work, South of El-Alamein)
     
  14. JimHerriot

    JimHerriot Ready for Anything

    Super photos Bruten, thanks for sharing them.

    Kind regards, always,

    Jim.
     
    Bruten_Jones likes this.
  15. KevinT

    KevinT Senior Member

    Interesting to a LVT in Italy a rare photo of their use there.

    Cheers

    Kevin
     
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  16. Bruten_Jones

    Bruten_Jones Member

    So I transcribed his service book there's some stuff I don't understand and some errors mainly his name can anyone see any details I might be missing or something that jumps out at you I may not have noticed.

    IMG_20250629_175742_356.jpg
    Identity & Enlistment

    Army Number: T/193702
    Full Name: Brindley Jones
    Date of Birth: 16 October 1919
    Trade on Enlistment: Farmer Tractor Driver
    Enlisted: 6 June 1940
    Enlistment Type: Territorial Army (TA), for 2 years with the Colours
    Age/Service Group: 30
    Unit Noted: RASC (Royal Army Service Corps)

    Physical Description:
    Height: 5 ft 6½ in
    Weight: 144 lbs
    Eyes: Grey
    Hair: Brown
    Chest: 35½ in

    Medical Classification (1944/45): A.1. (Fully fit for general service)

    IMG_20250629_175632_806~2.jpg
    Training & Qualifications
    Trained: Capable of driving and operating “Amph. Trac. R. M29” (Weasel) — dated 1 March 1944
    Entitled to Wear: Three service chevrons — dated 13 December 1944
    Mentions in Despatches:
    10 April 1944 – BNAF (British North Africa Force), serial BD/152/244 (GRO ref.)
    16 May 1944 – RASC, BNAF, GRO 259/44 (also listed in M.S. List No. 1)

    Awards:
    Africa Star (16 March 1944)
    8th Army Clasp (30 November 1944)
    IMG_20250629_175439_929.jpg

    Vaccinations
    Inoculations (Protective):
    T.A.B. – 29 May 1945
    T.Y. – 29 May 1945
    T.T. – 13 June 1945

    IMG_20250629_175540_365~2.jpg
    Record of Employment( need to study this page further)

    Trade: Driver I.C. (Internal Combustion)

    Groups/Classes:
    A = 2nd Class Army Trade Test Pass
    B = Upgraded later

    Dates and Notes:
    Entries noted for trade employment and remastering
    Possibly includes verification for proficiency with vehicles

    IMG_20250629_175554_061~2.jpg
    Next of Kin

    Father: David James Jones
    Address: Ysgubor Fawr, Hardwick, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
    Date Recorded: 6 June 1940

    IMG_20250629_175522_312~2.jpg
    Leave Entries

    22/4/1941- Agricultural Leave (dates seem odd on this one)
    4/6/1941- Privilege Leave
    17/4/1942- 8 Day Leave
    24/2/1944- 7 Day Priv Leave
    27/8/1945- 30 Days Disembark Leave
    4/12/1945- 28 Days Agriculture Leave
    23/2/1946- Priv Leave 10 days
    17/4/46- 72 hrs Easter Leave

    IMG_20250629_175411_742.jpg
    Additional Notes
    Attached Note (26 Feb 1945): 619 A.F.V. Servicing Coy REME

    Sorry if I seem to be impatient but 10 - 12 months is a long time to wait for service records and my grandmother is currently 98 (Brinley's wife)so who knows what can happen in the time I'm waiting.
     
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  17. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Photo 1 in Post 13: Is that a street sign on the building corner? One man is wearing a Fez (which suggests Egypt).

    Post 16 - where are you puzzled? You could go back into the Post and add Help plse??

    The RASC service numbers had a letter prefix, IIRC T/ was for transport. He joined in June 1940 as the British Army evacuated France, Dunkirk and other western France ports. For some weeks much was chaotic.

    As a pre-war 'Farmer Tractor Driver' the agricultural leave makes sense, although at Xmas is odd; Priv is either Private or Privileged Leave, which could be for a wedding, birth of children or a family death. The disembarkation leave I expect is after his return to the UK and as the Army demobilised rapidly - especially after VJ-day - the need for soldiers dropped.

    See explanations online for Operation Python: try: Leave - Python and Lilop

    For LIAP:
    I am surprised as a farmer he was not released quicker, but the priority to demob went to those who had served the longest abroad, e.g. far East.

    I suggest you create a timeline document, to note the: date and information. The original documents on a record have long since gone. save it regularly, so Version 1 and as more is found V2.
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2025
  18. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    Your “2 years with the Colours ” is actually D of E = Duration of Emergency ie until the end of the war.

    Steve
     
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  19. Bruten_Jones

    Bruten_Jones Member

    Also some more pictures of service men amount his collection
    img985_020602.jpg
    (No note)
    img986_020743.jpg
    (Tommy Fillingham)
    img995_015946~2.jpg
    (Dick Evans-Romford)
    img983_020415.jpg
    (W.Looke-Smudge Smith)
    img997_020033.jpg
    (No Note)
    img999_020134~2.jpg
    (No note)
    img996_020014~2.jpg
    (Bill Briggs)
    img984_020541.jpg
    (LH- Walter Loke, Centre- Wilkinson, Front- ?)
    img997_020033.jpg
    (No note)
    img989_015728.jpg
    (No note)
    img988_015643.jpg
    (No note)
    img982_020257.jpg
    (L to R standing- D. Allen, D.Herson, T.Lapcombe, J.Turner, Waterson, Kirkride, Winter, Robe, Catt, B.Briggs, Leader, R.Evans, Lambley,Owens
    Kneeling L to R- J.Mcleod, B.Musgrove, Goode, Avey, Oliver.Barnes, A.Wright, Williams, Smith, H.Wilson, Lf.Town, Bowker, Callum.Lansdown,King, Wilkinson, Rogers, Eaton, Munns, Wilson, Miller, Williams, Laughton)
    Edited this list slightly I initially believed catt was captain and leader was a prefix not a name.
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2025
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  20. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    davidbfpo

    “As a pre-war 'Farmer Tractor Driver' the agricultural leave makes sense, although at Xmas is odd;”

    Not so odd. Think of all the winter vegetables that you see on your plate on Xmas Day - Brussel Sprouts etc. They come out of the ground in the lead up to Xmas from early December onwards .

    “I am surprised as a farmer he was not released quicker, but the priority to demob went to those who had served the longest abroad, e.g. far East.”

    Not so. Location of service did not matter. Class A demobilisation was an equitable system based on Age & Service Group order only. Men who had home service only were released at the same time under Class A as men who had served overseas.

    Early release could be applied for under Class B. Not all eligible men applied and were content to “soldier on” until their A&S Group number became eligible for demobilisation under Class A.

    Steve
     

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