Understanding my Great Grandad's Service & Casualty Form

hey everyone, complete newbie here! I recently discovered that my Great Grandad was in WW2 so would love to track his journey as well as the units he was assigned to if possible however am having a hard time deciphering the form and abbreviations. Any insights would be so greatly appreciated!

 

Edit: from what I can gather he was in the 2/8 field company, however upon research I can only find war diaries for the 2/8 Field Company RAE, which he was only transferred to briefly. Does anyone know if there should be any records for the 2/8 field company or have any tips?

 

Hello Tay, I hope you will forgive the intrusion, and "portrait to landscape" change I've made to just four of your grandad's service record pages (it will make them easier for the good folks who frequent the forum to help with. And there are folks who are very good at reading and interpreting records amongst the forum members).
Any problems on your part please just say and I will delete the images wwithout hesitation.

I will also add; it is a pleasure to speak with you! Given the air crash your grandad was involved in - and survived - it is with great good fortune that you are here, and can contribute here!
"Immersion shock" amongst other injuries. Aircraft must have ditched. And your grandad survived. Again, there but for the grace of god and all that.

Good luck with all your searching.

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

 

Welcome aboard. There is plenty of knowledge and expertise here.

It is vital you add his full name, Date of Birth, Service Number and if known their unit. Members can check their resources and do some online research. Others may be looking now and in the future for them; we regularly have people join who have found a post or thread about a relative.

It might be worth checking if there is a local newspaper article about him. Access depends where you are!

On your current information he has not appeared here before today. I cannot identify his service number fully on the scan. His name has appeared here before your post.

It helps to add a ‘tag’ when you create a thread, only you can do this. It is for the formation / corps involved or a theme like intelligence. Searching tags can identify threads, otherwise it takes a bit longer.

Some help via PM next; which is a now four pg. PDF. Also available on: WW2 Soldier Research - Tips and Links for New Researchers (update) Plus: How to Start a new Thread / Edit Post / Upload Image

 

It's the big red NX156763

 

Hi
2/8 Field Company war diary is here - AWM52 5/13/8 - 2/8 Field Company
The AWM site is where you should look, along with NAA.
Have a look here for abbreviations- Abbreviations | WW2Talk , then you can come back with parts you dont understand.
regards

Robert

 

All within the pdf attached to Tay's very first post in the thread. It's a very comprehensive and informative document.

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

 

Hey Jim, thanks so much for your response.
No problems at all it is greatly appreciated!

I definitely have been feeling lucky to be here lately after having discovered my ancestors, especially considering John’s Dad, (Also John Pike) was in the first AIF during world war 1.

I’m very intrigued to learn as much as both of their stories as possible, as since you mentioned, I’m very fortunate to be here and would love to honour them in any way I can.

Warm regards, Tay

 

Amazing, thank you for all of your advice, I have tried my best to follow it all however I can’t locate the edit option for my original post

 

Hey Robert! Thanks for getting back to me,

I did locate these at one point but I suppose I was a bit confused as to whether 2/8 field company and 2/8 field company RAE are two separate units or not, and if both units are covered under the one title.

Warm regards

 

Details of Soldier:

Name: John Douglas Pike

Born: 30/8/1920

Service #: NX165763

Unit: 2/8 field company

 

My father served in the 511 Fld Park Co RE. I am seeking to interpret part of his Service and Casualty form. By 1942, he had been posted to Bessbrook, nr Newry, NI and was wounded as a result of an IRA attack in March/April 1942. If I am reading his record accurately he was admitted to Dromore? CRS for 6 days. I think this was a cottage hospital at the time, at least according to Ms. AI "located in County Down, Northern Ireland, with a local medical facility known as the Cowan-Heron Cottage Hospital." After he was discharged, he was apparently granted leave, which was extended several times, including when his brother died,

Specifically, I want to decipher the following:

- Granted leave SLR
- what is Dromore CRS?
- Granted leave RIH? of Rnt ref.
- Leave RA at LR? ref.
- Attached to SMR Reform> large pre. l
- Granted leave LSR
- Passed suitable as instructor at Trng (Training?) Bd. Trng C????? of M-T (Motor Training) Depot?
- Passed United SME Ripon.

Here's a screenshot of the relevant part of the file.

Any assistance much appreciated with thanks.

John Owens