Hi, I'm a little confused as to a couple of things on the attached service record. Firstly, the unit which looks like 53 RAU I would be grateful to know if I am reading this right, and what it actually means. And finally what does (si) mean after the wounded GSW right shoulder. Sorry, a bit of a novice at this. Any help appreciated.
GSW = Gun shot wound I think it RHU = Reinforcement Holding Unit. Reinforcement Holding Units (R.H.U.) - Researching WW2 Soldiers X List explained here X lists (Service Records) | WW2Talk
From Xii list North West Europe GSW right shoulder Gun Shot Wound = he was shot in his right shoulder Posted from RAU possibly Regimental Aid Unit ( Normally RAP Regimental Aid Post) Embarked by ? to UK Struck Off Strength 21 Army Group to W.O. Control (War Office?) Admitted Military Hospital Liverpool Road Chester. He was shot and wounded whilst in North West Europe and evacuated to a UK Military Hospital need to see more for further assessment. Not sure about Reinforcement Holding Unit as he should be seeking treatment unless he was wounded in a Reinforcement Holding Unit i.e. behind the lines and there were grounds for War Office intervention due to circumstances which we cannot see.
That thought did cross my mind. I hope not. Can anyone else clarify this is what it means. Was hoping it meant serious injury!
Could very easily be an Accidental Discharge when cleaning weapons, not uncommon. However this would be a chargeable offence and require investigation into the circumstances, if only to prevent it happening again. I had an uncle in the Worcester's shot by a sniper in his right shoulder when on a French Fire Step at the Battle of Cambrai in WW1 but his records show that it was investigated to ensure it wasn't self inflicted. It took a year or two to heal. Being a plate layer on the railway he never worked at that gain and became a ticket clerk This was probably not a serious wound as he was discharged from Hospital after four days 6th Oct 45 to 10th Oct 45. VE Day was 8th May 1945. Perhaps the wound occurred some time previous.
No mention of self inflicted in any further service records. Notification of impending release describes military conduct as "exempliary" and "entirely trustworthy"
Who are we to doubt it. We werent there and those in charge would have investigated it. Personally I would never challenge such a statement or doubt anyone who had seen action. Whatever the reason he was wounded in North West Europe whilst with 21 Army Group. Part reports are difficult things to assess, hope that you didnt find it a shock but just the small amount of information left so many possibilities. Glad you had the cause to hand but hope that you did not doubt whoever it was about. As mentioned the wound could have occurred some time earlier, they take a long time to heal. He may have been sent back to be signed off by the hospital prior to release.
11 2 45 - From X ii list which suggests he was injured and from this date was transferred to a RHU awaiting posting 31 3 45 - GSW 08 5 45 - X ii to X iv - so wound healed sufficiently to go to RHU 07 6 45 - posted from X iv or RHU 33 (one and the same?) back to unit? 28 7 45 - Leaves NWE for UK 06 10 45 - Admitted to Chester hospital (any idea what for?) 10 10 45 - Discharged Chester Hospital 20 10 45 - Leaves UK for ME 28 10 45 - Arrives ME I may be reading this wrongly but it seems he left a medical facility 11 2 45 as was transferred back to a RHU then about 5 or 6 weeks later he has a GSW which I can only presume was whilst at the RHU and this injury healed enough in 5 weeks for him to be sent back to the RHU 8 5 45 and then after 7 weeks on presumably light duties was posted back to his unit 28 7 45 Interesting as to what happened prior to 11 2 45 and why he was coming from X ii Do you have that information? TD
I think its "GSW (sl)" with "sl" being slight, I'm sure I've seen WW1 records with this Also worth remembering that while GSW is "Gun Shot Wound" it was sometime used for shrapnel wounds as well - I guess with lots of wounds when the man was hit with something small and very fast moving it wasn't clear if it was a bullet or shrapnel
If I might make a guarded suggestion he was possibly medically down graded due to his wound or possible sickness to Class B but being considered for Middle East service he would need to be extensively examined and assessed for Class A before he could go to the Middle East. If anyone wanted to know more it would be useful to find out what the function of the Military Hospital was as they often carried out physical assessment for servicemen to determine fitness for service, civilian work or pension rights. Did he subsequently volunteer for post war service hence his posting to the ME (Egypt or Palestine?). Do we know what Regiment or Corps he was in. RE, Signals or RA for instance had difficulty recruiting experienced men just after the war.
Tricky dicky, hope this helps. He was in 653 road construction RE. He didn't volunteer for ME service as far as I know.
Realise he didnt volunteer for ME - should have said Embarked ME It does seem odd 9 6 44 Embarks for NW Europe and from then on he seems to bounce around from 19 6 1944 between a CCS (32 Casualty Clearing Station), 31 RHU and 653 Road Const Coy, he was a naughty boy in July 1944, serves 21 days until 6 8 1944, goes back to his unit until 18 1 1945 then X ii lists again I can really see why you are confused TD
Reading it, I think he was transferred back to 653 rd con coy from X ii 11/2/45, not from XII to RHU. But, I too could be wrong
Its possible - I thought they usually went from X ii (Yes hes recovered and ready to start 'rehab' before posting to a unit) to X iv (we hold them and get them up to speed ready to be posted to a unit (often their own in non frontline cases)), then they are TOS a Unit Thats my impression anyway TD