what does the sevice record mean???

Hi
I have my grandads service records for the Royal Engineers during WW2. I know that he was sent out to Africa and that he also served in Italy.

I have tried to understand his service records but am struggling! i can make out that he was absent without leave when he married my gran, and he was promoted to corparal but thats about it.

I've tried to transcribe the records (as best i can but they are difficult to read) and wondered if any of you knowledgeable ones can pick any more info out of the array of numbers and letters.........any extra info would be great!!

I would like to know what battalion he was with, but i can't even work that out!

I hope to trace his service but assume i need to work out the basic info first!

The records are as follows -
7/4/41 – posted RE, depot Coy, CWTCRE, driver.
8/4/41 – 49/41, No 2 MTT.
19/4/41 – posted to CWTC RE, Barton Stacey, Hants. 1 COY 11 CWTBRE.
25/7/41 – posted to CW school, depot C Coy. 11th CWTBRE.
30/8/41 – Bat 11, order no26, SC15 (2) AA WOAS, failing to appear appointed place by his CO South Molton, forfeit 2 days pay.
25/3/43 – CW school, posted to 3 DBRE, Bownes.
8/4/43 – posted to 68 ME section, Halifax, C Coy 3(H) DB.
27/11/43 – posted to 2(P) DBRE for service RGZGY.
“ - joined unit B Coy 2(P) DBRE.
12/12/43 – embarked for N.Africa, ser RGZGY
“ - OC B COY, no2 postings depot, L/pool.
25/12/43 – X(4) TDP X(4) list 1 GRTD.
15/4/44 – HQ RETD, TOS X(1) list on joining from X4 list.
11/8/45 – HQ RETD, to U/A/CPC
“ - to P/A/CPC
“ - to W/CPL, paid rank 11 Aug 45.
7/12/45 – SHE CMF, CTB PA/WE unit SHE CMF.
“ - granted 28 days leave in UK. Dep CMF and CTBE to med/allied same date SOS CMF and unit on reverting to home establishment.
12/5/46 – Released Y 7 list.
2/6/46 – released W(I) Army reserve, class B release.


10/41 – CW school.
CW Scl – no3 (holding depot) DBRE.
A1/26/3932 – 68 section.
874/4/43 – 874 MECo 9/4/43
874/63/43 – A/65.736 – 2(P) DBRE for serial RGZGY.
S/W2/44 – ass med? Bat B3, embark for N Africa.
91/44 – Descuit? 1.12.43
X/list NA – 5BN 1 GRTD.
NAX list 5 – 25.12.43.
598/H4 – X1list HQ RE TD 15/4/44.
X list CMF – PATWE
3951/45 – X list CMF 7/12/45
X list CMF – SOS CMF X1 list on 2.2.46.
973/46 – reverting to home establishment.
6 R&R 8/46 - 6R&R 2.2.46
6 R&R 8/46 – Ylist (hosp) 8.3.46.
X list CMF 2437/45 – U/A/ cpl 11/8/45.
X lsit CMF 2587/45 – P/A/ cpl 11/8/45.
X list CMF 3606/45 – W/cpl 9/11/45

Hope someone can help.

Thanks

Louise

 

Hi Louise - I'm working my way through chasing down the ones I don't know - give me a day or two I hope I'll have a fairly complete translation for you.

Incidentally the CWTCRE was the chemical warfare training centre, so there is very little info available as much is still classified. I'll see what I can manage to glean, but might take a while.

 

Hi Nigel,

Thanks for your reply.

Didn't have any knowledge about the chemical warfare unit! very interesting - but annoying if thats gonna mean i can't find anything out. On his marriage cert he is recorded as a driver.

I noted from the service record that there is nothing mentioned for 1942 - i wonder why this was?

I have some photos of my granddad in Italy, various sites - some rural with farmers, some in a city and others stood in front of a building which says "ear treatment centre"!! in English, so have no idea what that is! and one of him in civvies with a huge group and doctors and nurses - so i assume he had to go to some hospital before returning home, but i don't know why.

Unfortunately he died whilst my dad was only young so we don't know anything from him 1st hand at all, only his Italy medal.

Look forward to hearing what you come up with and thanks once again.

Louise

 

Is there any chance you could post a scan of the originals? Maybe doesn't help, but if you can get a good enough quality pic might give me some clues that aren't in your transcript.

 

Yes, will be able to scan it - but won't be until tommorow now. Will do it 1st thing.

 

No great rush - will take me a while to get through what you gave me already

 

Scanned the images but can't put them onto the site as they are too big. Will have to try and resize them. Will get back to you - may be at the weekend.

 

No problem - I'm still working through the rest - nearly there

 

copies of service records -
page 2 & 3 need putting together
there are 7 so will put other 3 on next post.

Hope you can view them

Cheers,

Louise

 

next lot!!

 

That should hopefully help - pics are fine - i'll try to get finished tomorrow and get back to you with what i have, monday latest

 

Thank you, very much, There's no rush.

 

Sorry Lou will be tomorrow - still need to put it all together - and unfortunately still got a few gaps I can't get any details on yet. Should clear up a lot though hopefully

 

thanks, no worries thats fine.

 

ok here's the first section - will try and get the rest tidied up this evening;

7/4/41 posted Royal Engineer, depot company, Chemical Warfare Training Centre, Royal Engineers as a driver.
8/4/41 - 49/41, Number 2 Motorised Transport Troop.
19/4/41 posted to Chemical Warfare Training Centre, Royal Engineers, Barton Stacey, Hampshire. 1st Company 11th Chemical Warfare Training Battalion, Royal Engineers.
25/7/41 posted to Chemical Warfare School, depot C(hemical)? Company, 11th Chemical Warfare Training Battalion, Royal Engineers.
30/8/41 as written in 11th Battalion, order number 26, he was charged under section 15 part 2 of the Army Act - While On Active Service, failing to appear at appointed place, by his Commanding Officer (Battalion Commander/probably Major or Lt Colonel) at South Molton (maybe 'crime' committed there, maybe charging) (Exmoor - was used as training area), the penalty was to forfeit 2 days pay.
25/3/43 from Chem warfare school, posted to Depot Battalion Royal Engineers at Bownes(s)?
8/4/43 posted to 68 Military Engineering Section, Halifax, C Company 3rd (Holding) Depot Battalion.

 

Thats brilliant.
Although you are going to end up with loads more questions from me!
I spoke to my dad and he knew nothing about the chemical warefare connection. So my granddad had never spoken to him about it - typical!!
I'll look forward to your next installment.
Thanks

 

hoping will be able to speak to the right person at the RE museum tomorrow, still got some big gaps at the moment

 

Morning Nigel,
Sorry for delay in reply not hat time to go on comp for a few days.
I hope you aren't putting yourself out too much!!!
We are grateful though!
Thanks again,
Louise

 

sorry for delay - still got nothing yet from RE museum - will let you know as soon as i do

 

Hi Nigel,
just wondered if the RE museum had ever got back to you?