Sgt 7248628 Alan S Harrison

Discussion in 'Royal Engineers' started by 281664, Dec 10, 2015.

  1. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Thanks Will, It is confusing when it states Struck off Strength to BNAF (British North Africa Forces ;- the British element of the Allied Force, which landed in Algiers from November 1942)then I cannot see a mention of him joining CMF (Central Mediterranean Forces;-British element of the Allied Force, which invaded Sicily from July 1943, and landed in Italy from September 1943) yet he was clearly awarded an Italy Star?

    I`m sure you are already aware that the date in the MiD box `Italy 09/10/1943` coincides with one month after the actual invasion 9th September being the landings at Salerno?(But then the other sheet contradicts by saying `Proceeded to BNAF 11/10/1943??) The other dates coincide with The Battles around Gazala and The Fall of Tobruk and in General the German advance from El Agheila–El Alamein, 21th January – 21 June 1942?


    Kyle

    Corrected because of silly typo thanks Tully :)
     
  2. 281664

    281664 Active Member

    The only reason I can think of for him being taken out of the line would be his age, but why would he be put in the invasion force if he was only going to be sent back to Africa a few days later.

    Is it possible that he was injured during the invasion and it not of been recorded?

    From my Grandad who only saw his dad when they both got home, said that he was at Tobruk. But obviously not much else was said.

    As far as I can tell 654 was over seas constantly (apart from after Dunkirk) from bef france: 39-40 africa and italy: 41-44 dday to boar :44-46. Before d-day it seems he was taken out of over seas duty and sent back to a training battalion to train new recruits. It may have something to do with him have malaria.

    I'm at work now but when I get back home I shall send through what else I have.
     
  3. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Kyle,

    I've seen many records posted on the forum (as well as a family members service papers) that show a BNAF posting post Sept 1943 when soldier was actually being posted to serve in Italy. It is a recurring clerical error that Tom Canning amongst others has previously commented on.

    My understanding is that the (often incorrectly shown) British acronyms seen on service records are

    MEF - forces in Egypt

    BNAF - forces in Tunisia & Algeria

    CMF - forces in Italy (+ Greece etc)

    AAI - as CMF

    You may have made a typo confusing service record entry of 9th October 1943 with Salerno landings of 9th September 1943?

    Gallantry awards on service records are usually accompanied by a London Gazette reference so I think the "gallantry award" dates on this record may not be MID awards.

    It may be helpful if the OP posted all the pages from the service record received from MOD.

    Steve Y
     
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  4. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    He seems to be X listed a few times, mainly X II & X IV these may help explain (they may not):

    THE X (ii) LIST comprises all ranks evacuated on medical grounds beyond Regimental First Aid Post. Personnel so evacuated cease to be on the effective strength of their units. Temporary or acting rank will be relinquished 28 days after being so transferred to X (ii) list. Personnel remain in X (ii) list until they are classified as fit for posting when they are transferred to the X (iv) list of their corps and marched out to the appropriate training depot, or until discharged by a medical unit direct to their original units.


    THE X (iv) LIST comprises all unposted reinforcements and incoming reinforcement drafts. Personnel discharged from (x(ii)) to Training Depots, fit for duty, are transferred to the X (iv) list of their corps, until posted to a unit, when they are struck off X (iv) and taken on unit strength. Reinforcements in transit between the Base and a unit remain on X (iv) (and the Base Depot strength) until they actually reach and are taken on the strength by the unit to which they are proceeding. Escaped PoWs [Prisoners of War] who until such escape have been on the X (iii) list
    are transferred to X (iv) list on reaching their respective training depots.

    TD
     
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  5. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Thanks Steve :rolleyes: corrected now :) Fingers typing faster than my brain works (not unusual :) )

    Kyle
     
  6. 281664

    281664 Active Member

    Here's his full ww2 service record.
     

    Attached Files:

  7. 281664

    281664 Active Member

    Sorry one last piece.
     

    Attached Files:

  8. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    Thanks for posting all the papers.

    I can't see any active service casualty form(s) B103. They are the most informative forms in a service record.

    I would have expected 3 or 4 of those forms to cover his service. Alot of the contemporaneous entries on B103 are copied over onto the other forms you have attached. The occupational index card you have attached is completed from the usually fuller entries on the B103's.

    I would contact Glasgow and ask for his B103's. It is not unusual for a mistake to have been made and forms not released.

    Steve Y
     
  9. 281664

    281664 Active Member

    Thanks for the heads up Steve, i'll get on to them monday. It is strange that they left out documents , as they posted his ww1 service record without prompting.

    Could anyone clear up a few posting names?

    Ex 1 RGT
    50 RHU
    CHQ 2Gd BNAF
    2nd Tbtn BEF
     
  10. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi Will,

    Whilst some forum members have obtained missing papers through follow up contact with Glasgow some have not. Clearly over the years there is a possibility papers have been lost.

    50 RHU probably 50th (Division?) Reinforcement Holding Unit

    2 Tbtn BEF probably 2nd Training Battalion (RE?) BEF

    Steve Y
     

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