Can a regiment be recognised from this uniform please.

A very good day to you all.
I have just discovered this site and forum and hope that someone can point me in the right direction.
The attached photograph is of an uncle I never met and who apparently died during active service during WWII.
I have discovered this photograph and would dearly like to find out more about the gentleman.
The photograph was taken in Dec 1939.
The name of my uncle was ... John Verdun Carter (although I believe he was known as Jack). He had one brother who seved in the RAF and one sister (my mother).

I know nothing of the services and do not know where to begin to try and discover his service record.
If anyone could either idenify his 'regiment'? or suggest how I could discover it, I would be very grateful.

Thank you, in anticipation.

Alanh.

View attachment 22175

 

Hello Alanh,
Capbadge & collar dogs are Royal Engineers to my (amateur) eye.

 

Two John Verdu/on Carter's on CWGC. One Naval, One RA:

HMS Spearfish

Royal Artillery


RA chap most likely - maybe particularly as a member of a searchlight regiment.
If it's the same bloke as the picture, not all that uncommon to change capbadge as roles demanded.

 

Thank you ... very much ... didn't expect such an immediate response ... brilliant.

 

That RA chap has an RE service number, I think.

Rank:Gunner
Service No:2056840
Date of Death:12/09/1944
Age:28
Regiment/Service:Royal Artillery 5 Searchlight Regt.
Panel Reference:Column 15.
Memorial:SINGAPORE MEMORIAL


From here.
Royal Engineers 1842001 - 2303000

So that looks quite promising.

 

BTW, Alan. Googling "John Verdon Carter" (in quotes to narrow the search) throws up a link to a particular website.
Google throws out this site for almost all CWGC casualties.

Please, don't give them or anyone else any money. The details they blur out on front page links from casualty/service names are nearly always obtainable quite easily and for free elsewhere.
The only sensible money to spend first off if you really want more is on a service record, then chaps on free sites like here and sister site WW2Talk can help you out with details; for the pleasure of the searching, and as a tribute to the man.

 

My most sincere thanks.

alanh

 

Searchlight Regiments were part of the Royal Engineers until 1940 & they all transferred to the Royal Artillery .

5 SL Regt formed in Singapore.
http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/sl/page5.html

His service record will ONLY be obtainable from the MoD.

https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/overview

If you'd like a photo of his name on the Singapore Memorial email Tony on this email address stating which name & column number you need. this case Column 15.
replace the (at) with a 'you know what' nt872b(at)hotmail.com
see this thread on ww2talk for details.
http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/20860-cwgc-kranji-singapore-memorial-pics-of-c25000-names-now-available/

edit: I've already emailed him

 

According to this he died on the Kachidoki Maru.

Kachidoki Maru - Sunk North East of Hainan Island off China
Sunk by USS Pampanito. Carrying 900 British prisoners from Singapore to Japan, 400 were lost.

http://www.roll-of-honour.org.uk/Hell_Ships/Kachidoki_Maru/html/c_died_database_7.htm

Lots of info out there on that ship.
http://www.roll-of-honour.org.uk/Hell_Ships/Kachidoki_Maru/html/c.htm


http://www.far-eastern-heroes.org.uk/the_rising_sun_on_my_back/html/kachidoki_maru.htm


http://www.powtaiwan.org/archives_detail.php?The-RAKUYO-AND-KACHIDOKI-MARUS-24


http://www.powresearch.jp/en/archive/ship/kachidoki.html

The submarine that sank the Kachidoki Maru still exists.
http://www.maritime.org/pamphome.htm

Patrol 3 described here.
http://www.maritime.org/pamphist/patrol3.htm

 

What can I say ... I'm so impressed and grateful for all this information coming my way.

Thank you gentlemen.

When you say that you have already emailed Tony, is that to advise him that I may be contacting him, or will the photo now come my way with me not having to contact him?

alanh

 

Have asked him for photo, I'll add it here when I get it .

 

I have used up my daily allocation of 'likes', so am unable to add any!

But ... I thank you.

 

Well done, VP & Owen. Very well done.

 

As promised photo of his name on Singapore Memorial.
Thanks to Tony.

 

I am deeply humbled by the service I have received.
The obvious cameradery, selflessness, generosity and professional efficiency that has been shown, is way behond anything I have experienced for many a long year.

Many, many thanks to everyone concerned.

I have read all the 'reports', by following the links given earlier ..........

What my uncle must have endured in his short army career is behond my comprehension. The fact that he was a POW for 2 years before the fateful sailing and undoubtedly he must have been involved in the building of the 'railway' ... his last years on earth must have hell.

I once passed through Singapore, with no knowledge of my uncle - I shall now attempt another visit and shall make a point of visiting Kranji Memorial.

May he and his comrades rest in peace.

Alanh

 

As the CWGC have his middle name spelt incorrectly as Verdon & not Verdun may I suggest applying for his birth certificate & sending it to them so they can correct their records.
Interesting to see that important WW1 battle marked in the year of his birth (1944-28=1916) in his name.

If you do get your Uncle's service records & need help with them feel free to ask us here or over on ww2talk.

 

I would like to get hold of his service record but feel that I need to take in all that I have learned about the man first ...

Part of my family research is to track down birth certificates etc. - so will probably wait until I have traced that before I proceed.

I know nothing of John (Jack's) father, other than his name. I knew nothing of the battle of Verdun. Two more avenues for me to follow, did his father serve I wonder?

If I do discover how Verdun/Verdon was originally spelt, I will inform CWGC, if their information is incorrect.

Thank you.

 

Doubt if his Dad served at Verdun unless he was French or German.

I knew a lady down our road when I was a lad whose middle name was Cambrai.
It was a fairly common thing for babies born in WW1 to have a battle as a middle name.
I know there was a whole thread about it on a WW1 forum.

 

Oops! excusez-moi.