Thomas Billingsley RASC BAOR

Hi all, first time posting

I have come across a picture of my Uncle Tom (Thomas Billingsley) who served in WW2 British Army RASC, and is on the right of the picture

The picture shows him talking to a senior officer who I think is James Cassells,

Looking at the rear of the picture says British Army of the Rhine

Can anyone give me any information about him as I would love to get his service records

Thank you advance

IMG-20250426-WA0023 by Tazmanfishing posted Apr 27, 2025 at 7:56 AM

IMG-20250426-WA0022 by Tazmanfishing posted Apr 27, 2025 at 7:56 AM

Brian.

 

Brian,

Welcome aboard.

Your subject is NAME and his Service Number is:. His DoB and DoD . A pre-war address can sometimes help identify the subject from genealogy sites for example. Their parents details and any marriage – as some certificates show the subject’s service number. A marriage cert. can be ordered online from https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/

Identifying a Service Number helps research, normally it remains with a soldier wherever he goes, except if he becomes or is an officer. An Army Number can identify which unit he joined using: Army Number Search There is a long thread on: Army Number Block Allocations

We always recommend applying for the subject's full service record. Yes, it may take a year to arrive - either from the MoD or National Archives (TNA). It is not available online and is the definitive record. There is nothing you can do about the wait. The records were never intended to be read today. See: Get a copy of military records of service

There is a massive amount of information, details of books, records here. If you search online with his unit(s) if known or later, so for example: "XXth Anti-Tank Regiment" site:ww2talk.com that may identify threads mentioning them, at a glance without adding much. If you drop the 'th' more may be found.

Searching The National Archives (TNA) for the subject or unit(s) can identify those who were awarded honours / medals and the existence of War Diaries – which rarely mention individuals soldiers. They do give context and details of activity. Some are available via Ancestry (££)

If you have Service records etc create a document with a table for the dates and events in chronological order first and where the information came from. This will enable you to identify the more important entries first (dates of wounding, promotions, embarkations and disembarkations). You will learn more if you do most of the research yourself, but don't be afraid to ask questions about service record entries and things you come across on this forum. Adapted from Post 4 in: Help researching relative - Ivo William (Bill) SMITH, 42nd Battalion AIF

Some research tips next via PM and good luck.

 

Wiki indicates the photo was taken before March 1946 when Cassels left Germany for Palestine. From: James Cassels (British Army officer) - Wikipedia

Nothing found online for him on the information provided.

 

David,

While it’s slightly blurred I think the portrait photograph on the wall in the background is Prince Philip?

If that is correct I’d have to date the image as post Feb 1952 as I doubt the Prince Philip photo would’ve been on display before his wife came to the throne?

Steve

PS

The man in the image appears to have a “full rack” of WW2 campaign medals which would not have been issued before March 1946.

 

Steve,

I'd not looked at the background. Cassels was in Germany from Wiki:

 

Forum member Historic Steve has an interest in BAOR and may be able to better interpret the photo.

Steve

 

From that wiki page.



He commanded the Northern Army Group and was Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) on 7 January 1960

 

Remember that you do not need any military information, i.e. service number, to apply for his records, name, date of birth & death certificate.

 

Thank you all for the information, There is quite a bit to go on, Ill start by getting his marriage certificate, hopefully he was in the army. and applying for his military records

 

21st Army Group redesignated British Army of the Rhine 25th August 1945

51st (Highland) Infantry Division: General Officer Commanding:
Brigadier from 7 Jun 45 Major General A James H Cassels CB DSO from 29 May 45 to 16 Feb 46

Have a look here for RASC units and locations: 51st (Highland) Infantry Division

Hope this helps
21st Army Group later British Army of the Rhine (under construction)

 

I'd say this photo is after 1958 as he is a full General , with Crown, pip, crossed swords & EIIR .
See this more modern photo of a General & a crop from Tazmanfishing 's photo.
From that wiki page

See this photo of him .
NPG x5705; Sir (Archibald) James Cassels - Portrait - National Portrait Gallery

 

I have a copy of his marriage certificate dated 1951, aged 21 and working as a lorry driver, (no army service number) so he joined the army after that date